Ski touring is a sport which has been booming in recent years. Skiers who are keen to enjoy the experience but would rather not venture into the backcountry will find plenty of places in Tirol where they can walk up and ski down on marked slopes. Scroll down for more information on the best spots in the region for safe and enjoyable on-piste ski tours.
Fabulous scenery, peace and quiet, a full-body workout – there are plenty of reasons why ski touring, also known as ski mountaineering, has become one of the fastest-growing winter sports in recent years. Skiers walk up the mountain using "skins" attached to the bottom of their skis for grip. Once up at the top, these are removed and the descent can begin. Tirol offers a wide range of options for skiers who would rather practise this sport in the safety of a ski resort. The Pitztal Glacier has easy ski touring routes up to 3,000 metres above sea level, while the region around Innsbruck and Seefeld also has a number of resorts which stay open in the evening for those keen on a little après-work exercise. In the resorts of Axamer Lizum and Patscherkofel near Innsbruck, ski touring enthusiasts can walk up the Olympic slopes where the world's best competed for medals in 1964 and 1976.
