Patscherkopfl Ski Area
One of the nine ski resorts that make up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck, Patscherkopfl is ideally situated close to Innsbruck, fit for both beginners and advanced skiers, and radiates historical character. Just eight kilometers or fifteen minutes’ drive from Innsbruck, Patscherkopfl located above the town of Igls. A cable car, two chairlifts and a range of surface lifts service nine pistes (three reds and six blues). Though they are wonderfully large, undulating, and well-maintained, the paths are never monotonious. They also offer picturesque views of the neighboring valleys and mountains.
Mostly serving novices and intermediates, Patscherkopfl is a small ski resort with enough of terrain to improve the skills of its guests. The courses are broad and mild; a few steeper parts and twists provide a little challenge and delight. The resort also offers professional coaching from the nearby ski school, which can help your technique and confidence to grow. One of the most unique aspects of skiing at Patscherkopfl is the 3.5 km Olympic red course from the summit. Franz Klammer famously triumphed on this course in the 1976 Winter Olympics Downhill, thrillingly defeating the Swiss favorite Bernhard Russi by 0.33 seconds. You could try to match his success or just enjoy the quick and flawless descent ending at the base station.
One ski resort that deftly combines luxury, convenience, and culture is Patscherkopfl. From Innsbruck, local accommodation is easily reachable in Igls, a charming and cosy village with a traditional Tyrolean atmosphere. Established almost 150 years ago as a mountain haven, the Schutzhaus Panorama Restaurant provides first-rate hospitality and cuisine. It’s a perfect haven during bad storms. Apart from spectacular views of the ski resort and the surrounding mountains, the restaurant offers a range of delicious meals created with locally grown products. Having staged the bobsleigh and luge events in 1976 as well as the alpine skiing events in 1964 and 1976, Patscherkopfl is a ski resort with a rich Olympic legacy. At the peak, the Olympic rings and memorial plaques are clearly visible, and the atmosphere of the events that made Patscherkopfl well-known is obvious. Families, beginners, and intermediates looking for a peaceful and fulfilling ski vacation in Innsbruck might find Patscherkopfl appropriate.
On the 2,246 m above sea level mountain known as Patscherkofel, is the Patscherkopfl Ski Area. Situated 6.5 kilometers from the city center and 7km south of Innsbruck, the ski area Rising at an elevation of 870 meters, the base station of the cable car is located in the municipality of Igls.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Igls, 7 km south of Innsbruck |
| Resort Altitude | 870 m – 2,246 m |
| Ski season | Early December to early April |
| Ski pass prices | €45.50 for adults, €36.50 for youths, €22.50 for children, €40.50 for seniors |
| Opening times | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm |
| Number of pistes | 9 |
| Total piste length | 19 km |
| Longest Run | Family Run, 5 km |
| Easy Slopes | 6 blue runs, 5.6 km |
| Moderate Slopes | 3 red runs, 10.8 km |
| Advanced Slopes | No black runs, but some piste routes, off-piste tours, and snow park |
| Directions of Slopes | North, east, south |
| Night skiing | Yes, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm |
| Snow Making | Yes, 100% of the piste area |
| Total Lifts | 6 |
| Uphill Capacity | 9,600 people per hour |
| Highest Lift | Patscherkofel Cable Car, 2,246 m |
| Gondolas/Cable cars | 1 |
| Chairlifts | 2 |
| Drag Lifts | 3 |
| Snow Parks | 1 |
| Ski rentals | Yes, at the base station |
| Après-ski | Yes, at the mountain and valley stations |
Skiing and Snowboarding Trails
There are nine pistes overall in the Patscherkopfl Ski Area, three of which are classified as moderate blue runs, three as intermediate red runs, and three as tough black slopes. Large, rolling, well-groomed slopes offer a varied terrain to fit a range skiing skills and tastes. Comprising a vertical drop of 1,065 m and covering 5 km, the Family course is the longest one. The toughest run is the 700 meters long World Cup Slope with up to 64% gradient. The most beautiful track is the Olympic Downhill, which stretches two kilometers and offers amazing views of the Inn Valley and the Nordkette mountain range.
Beginner Trails
Novice skiers and snowboarders will find great opportunity for developing their abilities at Patscherkopfl Ski Area. Apart from a children’s land with a magic carpet and a ski school, the ski slope has a large novices’ area and plenty of practice areas. The easiest runs are the Practice Slope Patscherkopfl, the Practice Slope Igls, and the Kids’ Lift; all of them run near the base station. Novices who want to try longer and more varied runs should also find the Heiligwasser Slopes and the Family Run ideal.
Intermediate Trails
For skiers and snowboarders who want to improve their skills and encounter more challenging terrain, intermediate tracks also abound at Patscherkopfl Ski Area. Considered red routes, the Race Track, the Heiligwasser Slopes, and the World Cup Slope are all situated at the top section of the ski area. While the Race Track and the Heiligwasser Slopes are somewhat steep and have some twists and irregularities, the World Cup Slope is quite small and steep, hence confidence and technique are absolutely necessary.
Advanced Trails
Although it does not have any black slopes, Patscherkopfl Ski Area gives advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for more adventure and thrill a range of choices. The ski resort offers a snow park for freestylers, off-piste ski trips, and some signed path routes. Yellow markers mark the paths of the pistes, which link several areas of the ski area—including the Schutzhaus and the Zirbenweg. Blue flags mark the off-piste ski trips, which require suitable equipment and experience since they involve skiing on untamed and unprepared terrain. Rising 1,900 meters above sea level, the snow park has a range of elements including jumps, rails, and boxes to suit different degrees of challenge.
Ski Lifts and Facilities
Six lifts at Patscherkopfl Ski Area transfers guests from the base station to the summit station and to the other slopes. Comprising two sections and able to carry up to 2,400 people an hour, the Patscherkofel Cable Car is the main lift. The cable car runs every 15 minutes and gets one to the summit station in about 10 minutes. Surface lifts comprise the Heiligwasser Lift, the Kids’ Lift, the Magic Carpet, the Practice Lift Patscherkopfl, and the Practice Lift Igls serving the lower and middle portions of the ski area. Including ski rental, ski storage, ski service, ski school, restaurants, bars, restrooms, changing rooms, and parking lots, the ski area provides a range of facilities to guarantee the comfort and convenience of its patrons.
| Name | Type | Length | Capacity | Slopes Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patscherkofel Cable Car | Cable car | 3,600 m | 2,400 p/h | Olympic Downhill, Family Run, World Cup Slope, Race Track, Heiligwasser Slopes |
| Zirbenlift | Detachable quad chairlift | 1,100 m | 2,400 p/h | Zirbenweg |
| Olympia Express | Detachable quad chairlift | 1,300 m | 2,000 p/h | Olympic Downhill, World Cup Slope |
| Practice Lift Patscherkopfl | Surface lift | 700 m | 1,000 p/h | Practice Slope Patscherkopfl |
| Practice Lift Igls | Surface lift | 200 m | 800 p/h | Practice Slope Igls |
| Heiligwasser Lift | Surface lift | 900 m | 1,000 p/h | Heiligwasser Slopes |
| Kids’ Lift | Surface lift | 600 m | 800 p/h | Kids’ Land |
| Magic Carpet | Conveyor belt | 100 m | 1,000 p/h | Beginners’ Area |
Transportation to Patscherkopfl Ski Area
Public transit, car rental, or shuttle service makes the Patscherkopfl Ski Area easily reachable from Innsbruck and the nearby districts. You have these choices right at hand:
Public Transportation
Getting to Patscherkopfl Ski Area by public transport is the most reasonably priced and ecologically friendly way. A one-way ticket for the train from Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (main station) to Igls Bahnhof (station) costs 2.80 euros and runs around 15 minutes. From Igls Bahnhof, the bus line J allows one to reach the base station of the cable car by ten-minute walk. To go from Innsbruck to Igls, you might also use the complimentary ski shuttle, which runs every 15 minutes and stops at Marktplatz, Triumhpforte, and Sillpark among other areas throughout the city. Visitors who have a valid guest card from their hotel or a ski pass are entitled to free bus travel.
Car Rental and Parking
Renting a car offers more flexibility and convenience than another way of getting to the Patscherkopfl Ski Area. From a range of companies in Innsbruck, including Europcar, Hertz, and Sixt, rent a car and drive to Igls using the A12 motorway and the B182 route, which takes around twenty minutes. Charging five euros daily, the 500 places in the parking lot near the cable car base station pay for itself.
Shuttle Services
The shuttle service offers a handy and stress-free way of mobility to Patscherkopfl Ski Area. Shuttle services from Four Seasons Travel, Alpenclassics, and Tirol Taxi among other providers can be booked to get you from your lodging or airport to the ski slope. Depending on the operator and passenger count, a one-way shuttle service runs from 25 to 35 euros per person.
