Holiday Tips for Tirol in January: Recommendations for the Coldest Month of the Year
The busy Christmas period is over, family celebrations have been and gone, and the New Year has arrived with a bang. January is a time for us to recharge our batteries, get out into nature, put our resolutions into practice and gather fresh inspiration for the year ahead. There is no better place to do all that and more than Tirol, where visitors will find everything from action and adventure to rest and relaxation in stunning natural surroundings.
Sport in January
The coldest month of the year is maybe also the best one for a ski holiday. Why? The period between Christmas / New Year and the school holidays in February is considered low season in many resorts, meaning less time queuing for lifts and more time cruising the slopes. Away from the pistes there are also plenty of alternative activities on offer such as cross-country skiing, tobogganing, ice skating and winter walking. Click here for a full list of outdoor activities available in Tirol.
After a long day out in the fresh air, there is no better place to relax than at one of the spa hotels in Tirol with their saunas, steam baths and delicious regional food.
Events in January
January starts with a bang here in Tirol as thousands of ski jumping fans descend on the famous Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck for the third stop of the legendary Four Hills Tournament. It's an incredible experience to see the world's best ski jumpers zoom down the take-off ramp and fly towards the cityscape of Innsbruck, cheered on by a crowd of avid fans. A little more gentle but no less beautiful are the hot balloon festivals in the Tannheimer Tal Valley and Kaiserwinkl, where visitors can marvel at the sight of dozens of colourful balloons ascending into the deep blue sky. If you are lucky you may even be able to go along for a ride and see the snowy landscape from an incredible new perspective.
When it comes to events in January, there is nothing bigger than the annual Hahnenkamm ski race weekend in Kitzbühel. This classic gathering in the middle of the month comprises a downhill race on the famous Streif race course followed by a slalom on the challenging Ganslernhang piste. The Kitzbühel weekend draws celebrities and stars from around the world to this quiet corner of Tirol for a few days of high-society partying.
Fans of cross-country skiing will look forward to the Dolomitenlauf in East Tirol bringing together both professional and amatuer cross-country skiers. It has been held for over 50 years and is an annual highlight drawing skiers from around the world.
Cultural events in January
The New Year's Concert performed by the Tirolean Symphony Orchestra on 1 January combines traditional pieces of classical music with waltzes, polka and even soundtracks from well-known films. After the concert in Innsbruck on 1 January there are two further performances on 2 January in Reutte and 3 January in Kufstein.
As well as concerts, Tirol also has plenty of theatre events and museums to exhibitions look forward to. Families with children will find plenty to see, do and explore, from music to castles to technical museums.
Talking of castles, Kufstein Fortress is a place well worth a visit any time of the year but it is particularly interesting in January when it comes to life during the Kufstein Light Festival and the "Voice of the Castle" recounts the 1,000-year history of the building. Hop on the cable car and ride up to the castle as you admire the incredible projections on its white surface and listen the sounds of the famous "Heldenorgel" organ ringing out across the town.
For even more things going on in Tirol in January, check out our event calender.
Born and raised in Tirol, Elias has a love of nature, culture and cuisine. He is a fan of contrasts: high mountains, low valleys; deep lakes, shallow streams; loud concerts, quiet moments; hot curry; sweet desserts.
