Tobogganing is a sport that is great fun for all the family. Traditional toboggans are still hand-made in Tirol today and are of such high quality that they are often passed down from one generation to the next.
Carved wooden masks play a major role in several of Tirol’s most important traditions, from the fearsome Krampusse in December to the bright and colourful carnival celebrations in February.
Figurines are an important element of Tirol’s tradition of nativity-scene making, which has been kept alive to this day by a dedicated community of carvers and makers. It can take an expert carver up to a whole day to carve a single 10cm figurine out of a piece of wood.
What on Earth is a Doggl, you may well be asking yourself. It’s kind of hard to describe, but I suppose you could call it a sturdy slipper with either a felt or rubber sole. Such is the popularity of these super-warm house shoes that they have even featured in fashion shows around the world.
With so many churches in the Holy Land of Tirol, as it’s sometimes known, it should come as no surprise that our region also has a long and proud tradition of bell making. One of the most famous producers is the Grassmayr bell foundry in Innsbruck.
Glass blowing boasts a long and rich tradition in Tirol, particularly in the town of Rattenberg. The glass is heated to around 1,200 degrees Celsius before being hand blown by experts into all manner of shapes.
The blacksmith profession dates back many hundreds of years in Tirol. When visiting towns like Innsbruck and Hall, keep your eye out for the beautiful wrought iron signs often found in the old town.
Making your own skis? No, really. Innsbruck is home to a workshop where ski fanatics can craft their own skis out of wood with the help of a team of experts.
Tirol is still home today to a wide range of artisinal handicrafts which have been passed down through the generations. Glass blowing, bell making and blacksmithery can also be found in other places, but there are few if any locations where you will find hand-made toboggans, nativity scenes and wooden masks.
Visitors to Tirol can not only purchase handicrafts but in many cases watch the craftsmen and craftswomen at work. Rattenberg, for example, is known for its glass blowing. In the town you will find open workshops where you can see the glass blowers at work. The Grassmayr bell foundry also has a museum and allows visitors to take a look behind the scenes at how bells are cast. Last but certainly not least, in the run-up to Christmas there are plenty of nativity-scene makers who open up their workshops to visitors and let them take a look these intricately carved works of art.
