Tips for a Day in Seefeld

Perched at 1,200 metres above sea level on a sunny plateau near Innsbruck, Seefeld boasts 279 kilometers of immaculately groomed cross-country ski tracks set in the stunning surroundings of the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountains to the west and north and the rugged summits of the Kalkkögel to the south. To find out more about Seefeld, we spent the day with Rainer Renauer. He is a make-up artist and hair stylist based in Seefeld and also works as a photographer at international fashion events in Milan and Paris. Away from the glamour of the catwalk, Rainer – like most Tiroleans – has a passion for the great outdoors. In winter he can be found exploring the large network of cross-country skiing trails in and around Seefeld before settling down for coffee and cake in the bustling heart of the village lined with locally owned shops and restaurants. He has kindly agreed to join us for the day to show us around Seefeld. Let's go!

09:30 // A quick warm-up for the trails

Cross-country skiing is a sport which is gentle on the joints yet offers a full workout and a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of the winter landscape. We start the day at the Seekirchl, a small church in the centre of the village and a popular meeting point for skiers and winter walkers. You can hire all the equipment you need for cross-country skiing from Sport Norz. They are also the go-to place for cross-country ski lessons with Martin Tauber from the XC Academy. Bernhard, Thomas, Klaus and their colleagues are expert instructors who will be happy to show you the basics and help experienced cross-country skiers work on their technique.

 

10:30 // Off to Mösern

With such a huge range of cross-country skiing trails on offer, Rainer says it's hard for him to pick a favourite. He thinks for a while and then give us his verdict – if he had to choose one, it would be the track to Mösern and then on to Katzenloch. It has it all, he says: easy cruising down to Seefeld,  stunning views of Inn Valley below and a fair bit of uphill skiing to get a sweat on.

What's more, there are two excellent restaurants right next to the trails that serve delicious local food. The first is the Lottenseehütte, a tiny and quaint log cabin that specialises in fine Tirolean cuisine and homemade delicacies.

12:00 // Lunch at the Ropferstub'm

The second is a classic Tirolean guesthouse called the Ropferstub’m with seasonal fare including wild game and lamb. The lovely, sheltered outdoor terrace offers fabulous views overlooking the Inn Valley. And, the mouth-watering cake we enjoyed there will stay with us forever.

It is here on the terrace outside theRopferstub’m that we meet Christoph, who tells us that he maintains 30 kilometres of designated winter walking trails each day by snowcat. The trails leading through woods and meadows are smoothed over regularly to make them easy to walk on. Christoph does this job together with two colleagues, he tells us. Little wonder that Seefeld has a reputation as one of the best places in the Alps for winter walking.

14:00 // Time for a break

Another good spot to take a break is Woods Restaurant, located next to the beginners' area and overlooking the Seekirchl. Rainer tells me this is also a good place for dinner, especially if you are into juicy steaks and international classics with an Asian twist.

Rainer is also a fan of the Bräukeller. Located within a five-centuries-old historic monastery, the vaulted restaurant provides an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. Bräukeller pairs truly inspired wood-fired rotisserie dishes with their legendary home-brewed beer.

When it comes to shopping, Seefeld’s pedestrianised main street offers a world-class selection of boutiques all within a short walk of each other. Rainer likes to shop at Moden Sailer and Cala and recommends Meier for premium women’s fashion. All three stores stock top international fashion brands.

Tre.Culinaria is a specialty food & delicatessen shop on the pedestrianised main street in the centre of Seefeld. With an emphasis on curated food and drink, an extensive selection of rare wines, whiskies and champagnes, and a fine attention to detail, this is a must for foodies. Rainer loves their cured deer ham and air-dried chamois sausage.

If you are looking to meet the locals, Rainer tells us, then head over to Café Nanni. This bustling bakery and café is a popular meeting point and sells fresh bread and pastries to make your mouth water.

The luxurious Klosterbräu Hotel exudes a timeless atmosphere of warmth and friendly, efficient service. Built on the site of a 500-year-old historic monastery, it has been run by the Seryling family for six generations and successfully blends modern and traditional elements. The hotel’s new spa is an eye-catching highlight in its own right and a great place to relax after a day out and about in the cold. The spectacular lobby lounge, complete with ample seating, offers expansive mountain views and a warm fireplace. Luckily, the lounge is open to non-residents as well as guests staying at the hotel. Rainer, our guide, loves to spend relaxed moments here, preferably by the fire as the snow falls outside.

Princess Bergfrieden is kind of a strange name for a hotel, but we feel right at home the moment we arrive. We are greeted by Jens, the hotel manager, who tells us that they have just 20 rooms and apartments to ensure guests enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable stay. We take a look around and can't help but be impressed by the attention to detail and floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking mountain views.

The pedestrianised main road in the centre of Seefeld.