Hafelekarspitze, Innsbruck
It was an extraordinary experience to see the wide valley of Innsbruck from 2,334 meters above the sea level. An otherwise challenging route is accessible via a cable car straight to the top. The route starts from the city centre and takes three steps, where each one slightly changes the landscape and temperature - from crowded alleys, through small houses, skiing spots up to a small station at the top, where only a few meters in height is left until the metal cross at the peak.
You can ride a cable car for about 52€, latest prices are available here at nordkette.com
The southern view
After taking this photo I immediately found out - for me it will be one of kind, as five minutes later the same cityscape was fully covered with clouds. Bad weather was coming. We spent a few minutes to take pictures, take a look at each side of the world and left on our way back.
There were signs prohibiting any skiing, taking a look right below the cross I immediately understood why - a sixty-seventy degree slope with many fall barriers was enough to convince me to look back at the proper way down.
I constantly reminded myself to watch my step, as the icing on the route made it a lot more slippery than I expected. People who worn adidas shoes turned back the moment they tried to move through the ice. The heaps of snow were present on both sides of the path. Near the top station I deliberately lied on the snow to form a snow angel. At the top of the peak, about 40 meters above the final station there was about 80cm of packed snow on the southern side, and a little to nothing (less than 10cm) on the northern side of the peak.
The northern view
The other side of the peak presents a rather different view than the valley, and the cityscape. It was more cloudy and rocky, the light reflected through the snow was getting into my eyes. I was glad I took my sunglasses with me - just like people forget that white umbrellas can be used to cool down in the summer, and aren’t there only to protect from the rain - sunglasses may be essential for winter travel in snowy areas.
Beautiful winter in Tirol
The photo you see down below is what the austrian winter is all about, full snow coverage with little to no exposed rocks, yet signs of civilization wherever you decide to look.
Innsbruck
Down in the valley, near The City Hall I was able to capture how Hafelekarspitze looks from the other size. Truly astonishing to wake up and realize the surroundings are taking half of your viewport.
Kitzbuhel
Let’s now move a little more to the east, where lies a small and lovely city of Kitzbuhel. It is a renowned skiing resort, with many routes to take - they host a World Cup in ski racing annually since 1931. It is the second oldest alpine skiing competition after Lauberhorn (Switzerland).
Kitzbuhel Ski Resort
My friend told me, that the day we went to see the top of Hahnenkamm there was barely any snow to ski on. It was not packed, and the only places for comfortable downhill were marked by snowcat paths of improved grip. It was the end of February, a common time where people drive hundreds of kilometers to practice this sport. Fortunately I was there only for the views, and wasn’t disappointed at all.
Schwarzsee
Waking up to a frozen lake right outside of the window was another attraction, as it was the first time I saw a fully frozen lake, stepped on it and enjoyed a beautiful panorama with a small resort on the other side of the lake. I love how instead of taking a route around the lake you can simply try to go straight to your destination.
The whole experience was complete the moment I drank a cup of warm tea.