Wintercamping in the Alps

Glistening snow as far as the eye can see, perfectly groomed pistes and endless cross-country ski trails: these and more highlights await guests when winter camping in the Alps. While hiking through the snow-covered landscape, those seeking peace and quiet can leave everyday life behind. Romantic holiday resorts with winter campsites can be found in Austria, France, Switzerland and other Alpine countries.

Top tips

• If you are travelling to a winter campsite near Oberstdorf, Innsbruck, Bischofshofen or Garmisch-Partenkirchen at the turn of the year, you can experience the stars of the international ski jumping scene live as part of the legendary Four Hills Tournament. The greatest distance ever achieved was 144.5 metres on the Paul Ausserleitner ski jump in Bischofshofen.
• Holidaymakers can experience the turn of the year in Innsbruck against a fantastic backdrop. The city centre turns into a party mile in the evening during the Bergsilvester. There is a lively atmosphere not only in front of the famous Golden Roof, but throughout the city centre. With live music and a varied show programme, guests count the minutes until midnight. At midnight on the dot, the waltzes An der schönen blauen Donau (On the beautiful blue Danube) ring out, welcoming in the New Year in a lively way.

Activities and excursions

Whether skiing, cross-country skiing or tobogganing, a winter campsite in the Alps is an ideal starting point for many activities.

Eldorado for skiers and snowboarders

If you like to feel the snow crunching under your skis when winter camping in the Alps, then the fantastic pistes in the mountains are just the thing for you. The Portes du Soleil, the largest ski area in the Alps with 650 kilometres, is located on the border between France and Switzerland. Daring skiers will find spectacular obstacles in 30 snow parks, while the Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental in Austria boasts views of 70 mountain peaks over 3,000 metres high. An insider tip for families is the Kinderkaiserland in Scheffau, where the little ones can playfully make their first turns in the snow. The conditions for winter sports in the Alps are also perfect in Switzerland. The Jungfrau Region, for example, attracts visitors with its wonderful pistes on the Schilthorn and Kleiner Scheidegg. If you enjoy après-ski in a luxurious atmosphere, the upmarket resort of St. Moritz is just the place for you. Numerous celebrities also spend their holidays here and enjoy the glorious winter sun.

Active in the Alps with tobogganing and cross-country skiing

Away from the pistes, an Eldorado for cross-country skiers awaits holidaymakers when winter camping in the Alps. In Austria, for example, there are 280 kilometres of groomed trails to choose from in the Salzburg municipality of Flachau. Active holidaymakers can also glide through the snow-covered landscape on two skis in South Tyrol, the Allgäu or Switzerland, where the popular holiday resort of Engelberg offers a 35 km network of perfectly groomed trails. Tobogganing fun is also guaranteed when winter camping in the Alps. The 14 km long floodlit toboggan run in Bramberg am Wildkogel, for example, and the longest toboggan run in the world for children and adults in Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland. Guests can also experience a sledging tour of superlatives on the Faulhorn.

Events

A variety of events provide excellent entertainment during winter camping in the Alps.

December

• Winter opening in Flachau: The Snowspace Arena Salzburg opens the winter season with a varied programme. In addition to a ski test centre, there is live music and lively parties in rustic huts.

January

• Hahnenkamm Race: The Hahnenkamm Race on the legendary Streif is one of the biggest spectacles in the Alpine Ski World Cup. Visitors experience first-hand how the best athletes compete. The Weißwurst party at the Stanglwirt, where the celebrities meet, is almost a cult event.

February

• White Turf: Every year in February, guests in St. Moritz can look forward to a unique event when horses and their jockeys race across the frozen lake. Entertainment is also provided by a varied supporting programme with music and art performances.