2009 European Ski Vacations - Austria

Snowboarding and downhill skiing is to Austria what soccer is to England or baseball is to the US, and this year will see skiers from across Europe and beyoond head for the country's famous ski resorts such as Innsbruck. Budget airlines fly from regional airports across Europe to Austria, and with airfares low it allows some in the ski fraternity to visit more than once a year.

From the UK, low cost airlines fly six days a week from London Gatwick Airport to Innsbruck. This almost daily schedule will aloow British skiers who want inexpensive travel to an area that lives and breathes skiing.

Innsbruck is located in the federal state of Tyrol. Located in the Inn Valley between high mountains, it is ideally suited to winter activities and skiing in particular. The name Innsbruck means 'The bridge over the Inn".

Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice in its history - in 1964 and 1976. It has also hosted the Winter Paralympics in 1984 and 1988. It is a testament to its challenging world-class courses that it has had the honour of hosting these events. Of course, there's also the breathtaking panorama of this beautiful city and its surrounding slopes.

Calling itself the Capital of the Alps there are plenty of places to set down your skis in Innsbruck. There are nine ski resorts around Innsbruck, including Stubai Glacier in an area named Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. This region caters to skiers from all over the world and various ski packages to it are available when you need them.

Innsbruck offers what skiers love and want in abundance, with an average of 321 inches of snow there annually. It also offers scenic hotels and European charm, and ski holiday companies like Thomson ski holidays offer a full range of hotels. A trip to Innsbruck in the winter can provide the exhilaration of sport combined with the tranquility of nature.

Innsbruck has a population of over 117,000 in an area of roughly 105 square kilometers. It's an area rich in winter sports activities other than skiing, with snow boarding. Even winter hiking along its scenic trails is an option. Ski wise, aside from its more difficult runs, it is also popular for its courses that cater to the novice and intermediate skier. Ski-jumping facilities are also present for those training in this daring sport or hoping to venture into this type of activity.

It also has numerous trails for cross-country skiing. Trails lead from the city to the outlying villages and countryside. A popular run for Nordic enthusiasts is the Buchen Loop that runs below the mountains and leads to a plateau that overlooks the Inn Valley.

Innsbruck's a great destination for families to visit during ski season. After the invigorating exercise of skiing, there are the city's museums, churches, cultural events, and old-world architecture to explore.

All in all, Austria is a first class ski holidays destination for both the experienced skier and the novice alike, but also for those who enjoy mountain scenery.