Seefeld

Seefeld adopts an air of quiet, sophisticated affluence from its scenic position above the Inn Valley. Twice a venue for the Winter Olympics, the village has a long history. Pilgrims have been journeying to the Pfarrkirche (village church) since 1384, to commemorate the Miracle of the Host. This was when an arrogant communicant was punished for demanding the priest's Communion wafer by being partially ingested by the church floor.

If you're seeking extreme thrills in skiing and entertainment, you should look elsewhere. But if you're learning downhill skiing, or keen to swish the hours away on some of Europe's best cross-country skiing, or ready to revel in top-end luxury, you're in the right place.

Resort elevation: 1,200m (3,937ft).

Top elevation: 2,100m (6,890ft).

Base elevation: 1,200m (3,937ft).

Number of lifts: 32.

Number of runs: 18.

Average annual snowfall: 3m (10ft).

Seefeld is 25km (16 miles) northwest of Innsbruck, on a plateau above and to the north of the Inn Valley. The road (Highway 177) and rail route continue northwards to Germany and the ski resorts of Mittenwald and Gamisch-Partenkirchen. 

These resorts, and the Zugspitze (2,962m/9,718ft), are part of the regional ski pass. Dominating Seefeld itself are the Gschwandtkopf (1,500m/4,921ft) and the Rosshütte (1,800m/5,906ft).

The season runs from December until March.

The gentle slopes of the Gschwandtkopf are an ideal confidence-builder for beginners, but too tame for experienced skiers. The Rosshütte provides some thrills for intermediates, including an off-piste run, and is reached by various cable and lift combinations.

All local lifts are included on the Alpin Card, but the regional Happy Ski Card (which includes the German resorts) only covers Gschwandtkopf within Seefeld.

The Seefeld Ski School has a good reputation. The lift system includes 18 old-fashioned T-bar drag lifts. Snow is generally reliable.

The village has the Reitherjoch-Alm toboggan run, but the big draw in the resort is cross-country skiing. There are 283km (176 miles) of trails, mostly running the scenic valley route to Mösern. Trails range in difficulty, lending themselves to the classic style or the more robust, speedier, skating style. There are also 142km (88 miles) of winter hiking.

Options for the less energetic include the parish church, which refers to the 1384 miracle in reliefs and other features. Innsbruck is easily accessible, and has a range of top attractions.

The ski school (Münchner Strasse 142) is good for children, teenagers and adults alike.  It also offers a children's club, for age 18 months and upwards. There's a ski-oriented fun park on the Geigenbühel by the village centre. Various hotels have indoor swimming pools. The Olympia Sport and Congress Centre (Pfarrhügel 600) has a 75m (246ft) swimming pool with a children's area, and a cinema.

The pedestrian-only village centre features a fair selection of souvenir shops and expensive boutiques. Innsbruck is also within easy reach, offering a wider choice of Tirolean crafts and Swarovski crystals.

A range of ages go to the Britannia Inn (Klosterstrasse 276) and to Wildfang, (Bahnhofstrasse 124). Fledermaus (Bahnhofstrasse 163) is good for cocktails and live music. The Klosterbräu hotel (Klosterstrasse 30)  has several places: the Siglu for drinking, Full Moon for dancing, and Kanne for live music. Seefeld has a casino at the Hotel Karwendelhof (Bahnhofstrasse 124).

Seefelder Stuben (Innsbrucker Strasse 23) provides inexpensive international and Austrian food, with seating inside and out. Südtiroler Stube (Reitherspitzstrasse 17) has a good reputation for its affordable Austrian and local dishes.

The Wintergarten (Hotel Tümmlerhof, Münchner Strasse 215) is renowned for its light and creative international cuisine, served up in a romantic environment. A Tirolean orientation is evident in the upmarket Ritter Oswald Stube (Klosterstrasse 30) of the Hotel Klosterbräu.

The village is small enough to explore on foot, and the ski lifts start close to the centre. However, if you're lugging ski gear, you may want to make use of the free ski bus. Road or rail will get you to the German resorts.

Clamber aboard for a trot round the village and lake in one of the horse-drawn carriages that congregate in the centre. Prices are steeper than the slopes, but it's a hugely enjoyable way to get around. Or you can splash out, literally, in ‘Tirol's first beer-barrel bath' at the Hotel Diana (Klosterstrasse 97).

Luxury

Hotel Klosterbräu
One of several 5-star hotels, Klosterbräu offers sumptuous, sizeable rooms, housed in a former 16th-century monastery in the town centre, with all modern-day luxuries.

Klosterstrasse 30
Tel: (05212) 26210.
Website: www.klosterbraeu.com

Moderate

Seefelderhof Hotel
This 4-star place would make the luxury category in most other resorts. It's a clean, comfortable chalet-style hotel with balconies and helpful staff, and the Rosshütte ski bus stops outside.

Münchner Strasse 146
Tel: (05212) 2373.
Website: www.seefelderhof.com

Budget

Hotel Garni Dorothea
This hotel is the best of the limited choice of inexpensive accommodation. Its hilltop position gives good views of the nearby village centre.

Kirchwald 391
Tel: (05212) 2527.
Website: www.hotel-dorothea.at

Nearest airport: Innsbruck (INN).

Distance to resort: 21km (13 miles).

Driving time: 25 minutes.

Nearest railway station: Seefeld station is in the resort centre, a scenic 40-minute journey from Innsbruck.

Beginners, Families, Non-skiers, Snow reliability, Intermediates