Seefeld, on a sunny plateau about 25 km from Innsbruck, is the Olympic region for cross-country skiing: more than 245 km of trails, the Nordic venue of the 1964 and 1976 Olympics and the 2019 World Championships. For downhill, the Rosshütte (up to 2,064 m) has the most variety and the Gschwandtkopf suits families; 2026/27 adult day passes cost 62.50 and 58.50 euros. The regional train takes about 40 minutes from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. Seefeld is not on the SKI plus CITY Pass.
The Olympiaregion Seefeld spreads over five villages on a high plateau at about 1,200 m: Seefeld, Leutasch, Mösern, Reith and Scharnitz. Seefeld hosted the Nordic events of the 1964 Winter Olympics, expanded its trail network massively for 1976, and staged the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1985 and 2019.
For a skier based in Innsbruck it is a different kind of day out: gentler downhill, a lot of cross-country, a pedestrian village centre and winter walks. The region counts five ski areas with 33 lifts and 31 km of groomed pistes.
Seefeld's strength is its trail network: more than 245 km, groomed daily for both classic and skating. The World Championship course of 2019 at the Arena365 is part of it, and a floodlit night trail is open Monday to Friday from 17:00 to 20:30.
Children ski the trails free until their 15th birthday; the adult trail ticket also covers the regional buses. Cross-country hire is available in the villages, and ski schools run beginner courses if you have never tried it.
The Rosshütte rises from 1,234 m to 2,064 m above the village and is reached by a funicular, with a gondola, chairlifts and drag lifts above. It has sunny pistes for different levels and the 20,000 square metre Sportis Kinderland for children learning to ski, with a drag lift and two magic carpets. Night skiing also runs at the Rosshütte.
A 2026/27 day pass from 09:00 costs 62.50 euros for adults, 59.00 for youth (16 to 18) and 42.00 for children (6 to 15). The operator has not yet published its 2026/27 season dates; last winter (2025/26) it ran from 5 December 2025 to 22 March 2026, according to the bergfex listing.
The Gschwandtkopf, between 1,160 m and 1,470 m, is the gentle option: 10 lifts including a four-seat chairlift, drag lifts and magic carpets, mostly easy runs and plenty for children. Its 2026/27 season runs from 11 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, daily 09:00 to 16:00. A 2026/27 day pass costs 58.50 euros for adults, 55.00 for youth and seniors and 39.00 for children, plus a 4-euro card deposit.
Total beginners can also try the Birkenlift and Geigenbühel nursery slopes in Seefeld, and the Katzenkopf in Leutasch has a toboggan run with night sledding.
The Happy Ski Card covers the whole Seefeld region: a 2026/27 one-day pass costs 64.50 euros for adults, 61.50 for youth and 45.50 for children. Bought early, multi-day Happy Ski Cards are 25 per cent cheaper for 8 to 24 January 2027 (buy by 15 December 2026) and 1 to 14 March 2027 (buy by 15 February 2027).
The SKI plus CITY Pass Stubai Innsbruck does not include Seefeld; its 12 areas are around Innsbruck and in the Stubai valley. If you are skiing most days from Innsbruck, use the SKI plus CITY Pass and buy a Seefeld day pass for the day you go.
Skiing in Innsbruck 2026/27: ski areas, SKI plus CITY Pass prices and where to stay
Seefeld is on the Mittenwald railway, and the S5 regional train takes about 40 minutes from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, roughly every hour, with extra trains towards Germany. The climb out of the Inn valley along the mountainside is a fine ride in itself; check times in the ÖBB planner.
In Seefeld, the free ski buses take anyone carrying alpine skis or holding a valid ski pass between the village and the ski areas while the lifts run. The Rosshütte valley station and the trail network are both close to the village centre.
Where to stay for this
City centre, by the Hauptbahnhof, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 88 rooms
Two minutes from the Hauptbahnhof for the Seefeld train, with a Tyrolean restaurant.
A family-run four-star two minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, with a proper Tyrolean restaurant; for skiers, families and rail travellers.
From £132 a night
Next to the Hauptbahnhof, Innsbruck city centre · 3 stars · 234 rooms
Right beside the station: the cheapest easy base for a Seefeld day.
A design-led budget hotel in a tower beside the station, with a 13th-floor bar facing the mountains; good value for couples.
From £114 a night
City centre, by the main station, Innsbruck city centre · Hotel · 75 rooms
By the station, with a sauna and a rooftop bar for the evening.
Tower hotel by the main station with panorama rooms, a twelfth-floor rooftop bar and a sauna; for couples and city breaks.
From £167 a night
City centre, between the Hauptbahnhof and Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars · 187 rooms
Modern rooms between the station and the shopping street.
A large, modern Marriott hotel between the station and the main shopping street; practical for business trips and city breaks.
From £224 a night
Sports shops with ski and cross-country hire are spread through the five villages; the regional map at seefeld.com filters them by opening day. Ski schools offer group and private courses for downhill and cross-country.
If you want to arrive kitted out, Die Boerse in Innsbruck rents piste skis, cross-country skis and snowshoes, and you can carry them on the train.
Seefeld works well as a day trip from a city base: one train, no car, and back for dinner in the old town. If you plan several Nordic days, a hotel near the Hauptbahnhof saves the most time. Seefeld's own Christmas market and light trail make a December evening trip worthwhile too.
Winter day trips from Innsbruck
Where to stay for this
City centre, edge of the old town, Innsbruck city centre · Hotel · 51 rooms
Ski storage, a short walk from the old town and the station.
Family-run city hotel three minutes from the Golden Roof, with ski storage and a pine breakfast room; suits skiers and city breaks.
From £130 a night
City centre, Maria-Theresien-Strasse, Innsbruck city centre · 4 stars
Family rooms, saunas and a ski room on Maria-Theresien-Strasse.
A modern, well-run hotel on Maria-Theresien-Strasse with saunas, a ski room and family rooms; a practical base for families and skiers.
From £143 a night
Take the S5 regional train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, about 40 minutes and roughly hourly. By road it is about 25 km.
No. The SKI plus CITY Pass covers 12 ski areas around Innsbruck and in the Stubai valley. Seefeld has its own Happy Ski Card, 64.50 euros for one adult day in 2026/27.
Yes. The Gschwandtkopf has mostly easy runs and children's lifts, the Rosshütte has the Sportis Kinderland, and the Birkenlift and Geigenbühel nursery slopes are aimed at first-timers.
More than 245 km across five villages, groomed for classic and skating, with a floodlit trail open Monday to Friday from 17:00 to 20:30. Children ski free until their 15th birthday.
The Gschwandtkopf opens on 11 December 2026 and runs to 21 March 2027. The Rosshütte had not published its 2026/27 dates when we checked; last season it opened on 5 December 2025.
Yes. Seefeld held the Nordic events of the Innsbruck Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976, Nordic events of the 2012 Youth Olympic Winter Games, and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 1985 and 2019.
Sources: seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com, seefeld.com. Checked October 2026.
