Holiday tips for January in Tyrol: recommendations for the coldest month

Sports in January

The coldest month of the year is perhaps the best time to plan a skiing holiday in Tyrol. Why is that? Because the period between New Year's Eve and the school holidays in February is considered low season in many regions and ski resorts. You can therefore look forward to shorter queue times at the lifts and more space for speedy carving turns on the slopes. Fans of tobogganing, cross-country skiing, ice skating and winter hiking will also get their money's worth: the snow in January is good and the range of winter outdoor activities in Tyrol will certainly not leave you bored.

Those who do a lot of sport should not forget to relax: After an active day in the fresh air in January, there's nothing better than relaxing with a steaming cup of tea in one of the excellent wellness hotels in Tyrol, sweating it out in the sauna and sampling regional specialities from Tyrolean cuisine.

Events in January

Tyrol starts January with a sporting bang: the third stop of the legendary Four Hills Tournament attracts thousands of ski jumping fans to the Bergisel every year. And as soon as the athletes take off from the take-off table, a loud "Ziiiiieeeeehh!" resounds across Innsbruck. The annual balloon festivals in Tannheimer Tal and Kaiserwinkl take you even higher than the ski jumpers: a unique (and for some, dizzying) opportunity to enjoy a bird's eye view of Tyrol's winter landscape.

There's one event in Tyrol in January that really is unmissable: the infamous Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel. While the best downhill skiers in the world plunge down the "Streif" at top speed towards the valley, the slalom specialists have to master the challenging course on the "Ganslernhang". In addition to the extraordinary sporting achievements, the Kitzbühel weekend naturally also includes partying and celebrity watching - Hollywood celebrities and pop stars don't miss out on this highlight.

The Dolomitenlauf in East Tyrol is the largest cross-country skiing event in Austria. Professional and amateur cross-country skiers compete here against an impressive natural backdrop - and have been doing so for more than 50 years. A spectacle for both participants and spectators alike.

Cultural events in January

The cultural year in Tyrol is ushered in with festive classical sounds: the New Year's Concert by the Tyrolean Symphony Orchestra Innsbruck is the first musical highlight in January. Good to know: The traditional orchestra not only performs the programme in the provincial capital of Innsbruck, but also makes guest appearances on other concert stages in Tyrol with waltzes, polkas and film music.

In addition to concerts, theatre performances and museum visits offer a welcome change from winter sports days in Tyrol. Especially if (unlikely, but not impossible) the weather doesn't play ball. Families can also look forward to a varied cultural programme for children: there is guaranteed to be something for young explorers, bold knights and inquisitive damsels.

Speaking of knights and damsels: a visit to Kufstein Fortress is recommended all year round, but it is particularly exciting in January when the old walls come to life during the Kufstein Light Festival and the "Voice of the Castle" tells of the building's eventful past. After a short ride on the panoramic railway, you can immerse yourself in the history of the fortress and discover Kufstein's landmark more vividly than ever before - with impressive light paintings and the sounds of the famous Heroes' Organ.