Innsbruck adventures: Skiing, cycling, and scenic charm

Winter sports enthusiasts need no introduction to the area around Innsbruck. It's a true paradise for winter sports fans. Two years ago, I was skiing in the area, or rather trying to remember how not to fall on skis after more than twenty years. Although I was initially terrified by the sight of the local bunny slopes, which, in my opinion, deserve the name of almost extreme downhill tracks, after a few days on the slopes, I believed the local instructors that learning to ski is really worth it in the high mountains.

This time, I decided to ride a bike. It was a more familiar vehicle but also not particularly close to me, and the mountainous terrain posed some challenges as well. Fortunately, the team I was with in Innsbruck wasn't aiming for extreme cycling experiences, so we opted for a less demanding but scenic route on the Mieming Plateau.

By car or public transport, you can reach Mieming, where we rent bicycles, in about half an hour from Innsbruck. What's more, if you have an Innsbruck Card, you don't need to buy a ticket for the ride.

The route we chose was described as "easy." And indeed, I think anyone can complete it, provided they, like us and the vast majority of cyclists we met on the route, decide on an electric bike. Otherwise, the climbs, the highest of which is over 400 metres in elevation, might prove quite challenging.

The 35-kilometre loop from Mieming, through Wildermieming, Untermieming, Obsteig, and back to Mieming is estimated at three hours of riding. However, it's entirely up to us how much time we spend enjoying the views along the way. And there is certainly no shortage of them. The scenery is so idyllic that there's a constant temptation to stop and admire the views.

Yet the desire to see what's around the next bend pushes you forward. And there, another beautiful forest, another meadow full of lazily grazing cows or sheep, or a charming little village. All are surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks. And if you decide to explore this wonderful region also with your sense of taste by trying local delicacies, you might find yourself spending half a day on the bikes.

Fortunately, we rent the bike for the entire day (paying 40 euros or about CAD 60 for the privilege), so we don't need to worry about the time.

We had plans for the afternoon, so we limited our culinary indulgences to lunch at the family-run Hotel Stern, where we enjoyed such a feast that for a moment it completely overshadowed the charm of the surrounding nature. However, while the food was simply excellent, the non-alcoholic drink we received upon arrival (prepared with secret - unfortunately - ingredients, including a homemade juice exuding sweetness) can only be described with one word - heavenly.

The list of attractions in the region is, of course, much longer. You can hit the trail, or rather one of dozens, if not hundreds of trails, on horseback, walking, by bike, or with poles. Many trails start directly in Innsbruck, and the sight of people in sportswear with poles or skis under their arms doesn't really surprise anyone.

With a population of 130,000, Innsbruck is really quite small, but it hides many places that encourage you to get up in the morning and just set off. One of these is the famous Bergisel ski jump. You can not only watch the ski jump but also visit it, and even have dinner in the restaurant at its top.

You can go up the stairs or take a funicular. If you choose the first option, like us, you can confidently categorize this attraction as "very active relaxation"! A ticket to the ski jump costs 11 euros (about CAD 16).

During our visit, the artificial grass was being replaced on the landing area, so we couldn't watch the jumpers train; instead, the friendly athlete showing us around the facility prepared a special surprise for us. Anyone who wanted could sit on the beam. For safety, they put us in a harness and clipped us in so we couldn't find out what it was like to push off the beam and slide, or rather run (since we didn't have skis) down the inrun.

The view from the top is breathtaking, and my immense admiration for the people who decide to leave the beam and head down increased immensely.

Being in Innsbruck, attractions related to skiing and the mountains, in general, can be found at every turn. Just take the Nordkette funicular (also free with the city card), which first climbs on tracks and then turns into a cable car to reach the world of mountain hiking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, paragliding, and dozens of other mountain activities.

But you can also climb in the valley town, perhaps up the city tower (Stadtturm) on Herzog-Friedrich-Straße. For just under CAD 5 (or free with the Innsbruck Card), you can climb the narrow, winding stairs to a height of 56 metres and see the city from a completely different perspective. I won't even write that the views are beautiful because that's obvious.

When we get down, we can rest or stroll the streets we've admired from above. Innsbruck is compact enough that you can go without special plans - it's perfect for walks in the "wherever your feet take you" series. Just make sure to keep your eyes wide open, or you might miss lots of wonderful gems hidden, for example, on the walls of local tenement houses or walking into a tram travelling between them.

In conclusion, here is a practical tip. The best and cheapest way to explore the city and its surroundings is with the Innsbruck Card I mentioned earlier. The card includes public transportation and the Nordkette funicular ride to Seegrube, even outside the city. It also allows you to see dozens of attractions in Innsbruck and the surrounding area - from the zoo to exhibitions, museums, castles, and palaces to a visit to the famous Bergisel ski jump and the extraordinary crystal museum. The cost of the city card depends on the duration. A 24-hour card costs 53 euros (about CAD 79), a 48-hour card costs 63 euros (about CAD 93), and a 72-hour card costs 73 euros (about CAD 107).