Travel Eye on Igls (Austria)

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Overview:

Igls is best known for its skiing but has only limited skiing itself (12km of runs), although part of the 'Innsbruck Glacier' pass. This allows year-round skiing on the Stubai glacier further up the valley and a total of 130km of runs spread over a collection of small domains. Igls holds a special place in Austrian skiers' hearts, as it was the venue for the 1976 Olympic Downhill, where Franz Klammer claimed the gold.

It is a very scenic spot high above Innsbruck and best suits skiers of lower abilities. It is a traditional Tyrolean village - sedate and with limited après-ski and reasonable accommodation. Many Innsbruckers head up here for quiet weekends, gentle skiing and lots of cross-country. The glacier, which is poorly bus-linked, can get very busy when snow isn't good.

The area caters for the middle- to upmarket cosmopolitan skiers and nonskiers alike. Although the resort's fairly limited skiing is concentrated around the Patscherkofel lifts, a regional ski-pass offers a wide range of runs suiting all levels of skier (from beginner to Olympic downhill run!). The lively children's ski-area makes it especially family friendly.

There is a small select choice of accommodation with an emphasis on quality 4-star hotels; high standard throughout. Slightly less choice in the lower categories and practically nothing to suit budgeteers, although there are some more economic B&Bs.

Locality:

Igls is in western Austria, in the heart of the Tyrol region. (it is 5 mls S of Innsbruck; 6 mls SE of its international airport. 115 mls S of Munich (Germany) and its airport. 110 mls SW of Salzburg and its airport). It is situated at the foot of the Patscherkofel Mountain on a small plateau above Innsbruck, overlooking the convergence of the Inn and Sill Valleys

Entertainment/Facilities/Attractions/Things to do:

There are two ski-schools in the village with appropriate standards and levels of English.

Shopping here offers a limited selection with the usual supermarkets, boutiques, souvenirs, ski-gear and ski-equipment rental. A more sophisticated choice can be enjoyed in nearby Innsbruck.

During the daytime the winter activities include ice-skating, sleigh rides, tobogganing, and mountain hiking tours. There is also horse riding, paragliding, tennis, squash, bowling and golf. The Olympic bobsleigh run is an unforgettable experience and open year round. In the summer activities include swimming in Lanser Lake, seeing the mountain botanical garden and mountain hiking and biking.

The nightlife here is not extensive but adequate, with bars staying open until the early morning. Hotels occasionally have fondue and Tyrolean evenings; some host regular live-music performances. Weekly organised lantern hikes.

Restaurants here are mainly limited to hotels, although a couple of pizzerias and a cafe do good business.