For some people, Austria conjures up images of the Sound of Music, Viennese waltzes and apple strudel, but for lovers of extreme sports, the Austrian Tirol is a land of adrenaline, excitement and unforgettable experiences. If you’re a thrill-seeker always on the lookout for the next big rush, here are five activities to get your heart racing the next time you visit Austria.
1. Go off-piste in St Anton
Image taken by The Junes on Flickr
Described by some as the best off-piste in the world, St Anton offers amazing skiing conditions away from the crowded slopes. There is a great deal of accommodation choice from St Anton’s many luxury ski chalets. The Valluga and Stuben runs are particular highlights, with both being easily accessible by chair-lifts and gondolas. Hair-raising descents and deep powder are the main challenges, but skiers in this area also need to make sure they don’t get too distracted by the spectacular views!
2. Take the high road on Austria’s via ferrata
A cross between hiking and mountain climbing, via ferrata treks – or klettersteig as they’re known in Austria – are a great way of seeing some amazing scenery whilst getting a thrill at the same time. Originally created to test the mountaineering skills of soldiers in World War I, via ferrata involves traversing precarious mountain paths, wobbly metal gangways, scaling vertiginous ladders and crossing narrow bridges. A cool head and sure footing is required, with hundreds of routes to choose from throughout Austria. Some of the most challenging climbs can be found in the Tirol Alps, with the Innsbrucker Klettersteig and the Tajakante Klettersteig regarded as two of the best.
3. Going downhill fast in St Anton
Image taken by The Junes on Flickr
If St Anton’s ski slopes aren’t enough to get your blood pumping, you could always check out the resort’s famous toboggan run. Feel the rush of the wind in your face as you speed through the twists and turns, dropping 500 metres over the course of just 4.3 kilometres. For an extra challenge, try it at night, where the floodlights add even more excitement.
4. Get wet and wild in the Tyrolean canyons
Plunge into crystal clear pools, slip and slide your way down freezing streams and abseil down majestic waterfalls as you try out the sport of canyoning. Follow the course of a stream or river through a beautiful valley, tackling a number of obstacles and testing out a variety skills, including swimming, climbing, abseiling and even diving. There are a large number of canyoning routes to choose from in the Tirol region – suitable for beginners and experts alike – including Rosengarten, Kronburgschlucht and Alpenrosenklamm.
5. A bird’s eye view of the Austrian Alps
What better way to see the incredible mountain scenery of Austria than from the air? The Tirol region is a mecca for hang-gliders and paragliders, offering perfect conditions to soar through the air and experience an unforgettable sense of freedom. Gliding schools are available throughout the area, where you can rent equipment, get tuition or hire an instructor to take you on a tandem flight.
Austria is a land of towering mountains and deep valleys, carved out over millions of years by giant glaciers. Nowadays, it’s a playground for adventure-lovers, with a huge variety of exciting activities to choose from. In addition to the five suggested above, there is much more to get the adrenaline flowing; from canoeing and wind-surfing, jet-skiing and white-water rafting, to BASE jumping, bungee jumping, wing-diving and para-skiing. Even the most seasoned adrenaline junkies will find their heart racing as they decide what to do next!
For some people, Austria conjures up images of the Sound of Music, Viennese waltzes and apple strudel, but for lovers of extreme sports, the Austrian Tirol is a land of adrenaline, excitement and unforgettable experiences. If you’re a thrill-seeker always on the lookout for the next big rush, here are five activities to get your heart racing the next time you visit Austria.
1. Go off-piste in St Anton
Described by some as the best off-piste in the world, St Anton offers amazing skiing conditions away from the crowded slopes. There is a great deal of accommodation choice from St Anton’s many luxury ski chalets. The Valluga and Stuben runs are particular highlights, with both being easily accessible by chair-lifts and gondolas. Hair-raising descents and deep powder are the main challenges, but skiers in this area also need to make sure they don’t get too distracted by the spectacular views!
2. Take the high road on Austria’s via ferrata
A cross between hiking and mountain climbing, via ferrata treks – or klettersteig as they’re known in Austria – are a great way of seeing some amazing scenery whilst getting a thrill at the same time. Originally created to test the mountaineering skills of soldiers in World War I, via ferrata involves traversing precarious mountain paths, wobbly metal gangways, scaling vertiginous ladders and crossing narrow bridges. A cool head and sure footing is required, with hundreds of routes to choose from throughout Austria. Some of the most challenging climbs can be found in the Tirol Alps, with the Innsbrucker Klettersteig and the Tajakante Klettersteig regarded as two of the best.
3. Going downhill fast in St Anton
If St Anton’s ski slopes aren’t enough to get your blood pumping, you could always check out the resort’s famous toboggan run. Feel the rush of the wind in your face as you speed through the twists and turns, dropping 500 metres over the course of just 4.3 kilometres. For an extra challenge, try it at night, where the floodlights add even more excitement.
4. Get wet and wild in the Tyrolean canyons
Plunge into crystal clear pools, slip and slide your way down freezing streams and abseil down majestic waterfalls as you try out the sport of canyoning. Follow the course of a stream or river through a beautiful valley, tackling a number of obstacles and testing out a variety skills, including swimming, climbing, abseiling and even diving. There are a large number of canyoning routes to choose from in the Tirol region – suitable for beginners and experts alike – including Rosengarten, Kronburgschlucht and Alpenrosenklamm.
5. A bird’s eye view of the Austrian Alps
What better way to see the incredible mountain scenery of Austria than from the air? The Tirol region is a mecca for hang-gliders and paragliders, offering perfect conditions to soar through the air and experience an unforgettable sense of freedom. Gliding schools are available throughout the area, where you can rent equipment, get tuition or hire an instructor to take you on a tandem flight.
Austria is a land of towering mountains and deep valleys, carved out over millions of years by giant glaciers. Nowadays, it’s a playground for adventure-lovers, with a huge variety of exciting activities to choose from. In addition to the five suggested above, there is much more to get the adrenaline flowing; from canoeing and wind-surfing, jet-skiing and white-water rafting, to BASE jumping, bungee jumping, wing-diving and para-skiing. Even the most seasoned adrenaline junkies will find their heart racing as they decide what to do next!