Headed to Innsbruck, Austria Feb 14-19, first trip skiing Europe/Alps. Staying in old town and taking ski bus or funiculars (or whatever those are called) from town. 3 brothers, we span strong intermediate/advanced to low expert (double black off piste all good. Hucking 50' cliffs, no good) skier range. Only have 4 full ski days want to make them count! Pray for ski weather.
Majority of my adult skiing has occurred in the last 6 years when I really got the bug, primarily Utah - Alta and some Snowbird (I'm spoiled, I know it) but also skied plenty of SouthEast in NC (2 minutes up, 30 seconds down! ) - and Crested Butte, CO. This year been to Alta and Snowbird, Taos in a couple weeks, Innsbruck and Banff in March. Like I said got the bug.
Specific questions would love to hear from locals/experienced Austrian Alps skiers.
1) Best shop to rent skis (got boots already)? In town, or on the slopes? We're leaning in town due to plan to ski different resorts each day, but then there's not a good option to swap if we make the wrong call for that day. Hence, at each resort option.
2) Specific guide for touring (or what we'd call backcountry I think in America) out of Kuhtai? Either a business, or specific person ideally. Weather/conditions permitting I'm dead set on hiring a guide, the posted pricing on sites is surprisingly low! Seems a good way to beat crowds too.
3) Is there a better deal than the Olympia Skiworld pass for multi-day multi-resort?
4) Any hills to avoid? Any that are "must ski"? Right now my list is Nordkette, Axamer Lizum, Stubai Glacier and Kuhtai
5) Top spots for Innsbruck après? Non-ski must dos?
thanks!
Majority of my adult skiing has occurred in the last 6 years when I really got the bug, primarily Utah - Alta and some Snowbird (I'm spoiled, I know it) but also skied plenty of SouthEast in NC (2 minutes up, 30 seconds down! ) - and Crested Butte, CO. This year been to Alta and Snowbird, Taos in a couple weeks, Innsbruck and Banff in March. Like I said got the bug.
Specific questions would love to hear from locals/experienced Austrian Alps skiers.
1) Best shop to rent skis (got boots already)? In town, or on the slopes? We're leaning in town due to plan to ski different resorts each day, but then there's not a good option to swap if we make the wrong call for that day. Hence, at each resort option.
2) Specific guide for touring (or what we'd call backcountry I think in America) out of Kuhtai? Either a business, or specific person ideally. Weather/conditions permitting I'm dead set on hiring a guide, the posted pricing on sites is surprisingly low! Seems a good way to beat crowds too.
3) Is there a better deal than the Olympia Skiworld pass for multi-day multi-resort?
4) Any hills to avoid? Any that are "must ski"? Right now my list is Nordkette, Axamer Lizum, Stubai Glacier and Kuhtai
5) Top spots for Innsbruck après? Non-ski must dos?
thanks!