Cross-country skiing in the Seefeld Olympic Region: my top tips for newcomers

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The cross-country skiing area of the Tyrolean winter sports resort of Seefeld comprises over 245 kilometres of cross-country ski trails. These extend over the extensive high plateau between the district of Mösern and the Austrian-German border near Scharnitz as well as the Leutasch Ghost Gorge. A veritable cross-country skiing mecca – on the Olympic-proven trails, professionals and novices alike get their money’s worth.

We can confirm this after our inspection at the end of January. Over the course of three days, we took a close look at the network of trails from a beginner’s perspective. In the following lines, I’ll tell you what cross-country skiing novices can expect on the Seefeld trail network, where you can get your equipment and who can help you with technique tips and tricks.

As a cross-country skiing newbie on the trails of the Olympiaregion Seefeld

The Olympiaregion Seefeld consists of five different villages – Seefeld, Mösern-Buchen, Reith, Leutasch and Scharnitz. Reith, Seefeld and Scharnitz are located on the Mittenwald Railway. The railway line connects Innsbruck via the Seefeld plateau with Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany. Seefeld railway station is also considered the “highest ICE train station in the world”. Depending on the day of the week, the ICE connection from Hamburg to Innsbruck stops here. From a Swiss or Zurich perspective in particular, this means a quick and uncomplicated journey by public transport.

As a cross-country skiing newbie, you are well advised to stay in Seefeld. The entrance to the cross-country ski trail network is within walking distance of the town centre at the striking Seekirchl. Here in the so-called World Cup Arena, which was built in 1985 on the occasion of the Nordic World Ski Championships, there is also a separate practice trail (classic and skating). At the same time, the “A1” cross-country ski trail is an easy and relatively short circuit with a length of 3 km – ideal for the first “gliding attempts”.

If you don’t have cross-country skiing equipment yet, you can rent it in the various sports shops at the entrance to the trail (cost for 1 day: 15 euros classic, 20 euros skating). The office of the Cross-Country Academy Seefeld is also located there. It is worth booking private lessons in advance. Alternatively, you can also get advice directly on site about the regular course offerings.

Rented equipment, stowed an overview map with the cross-country ski trail network in your jacket pocket and studied the courses on offer? Tiptop. Now all that’s missing is the cross-country skiing ticket. You can get this either with the guest card (depending on where you are staying) or in the Norz sports shop. Alternatively, you can buy it online in advance or buy it from a vending machine located directly on the trail. Cost for the day ticket: 11 euros (without discount). The proceeds from the cross-country ski trail ticket cover, among other things, the costs incurred for the preparation of the trails. Day after day, the classic cross-country ski trails are groomed and the skating routes are whipped into shape with the snow groomer. In a cross-country comparison with other cross-country skiing areas, striking differences in quality quickly become apparent.

Day 1: the first trains on the Seefeld “A1”

So, we are also ready to pull the first skating trains past the Seekirchl towards the World Cup Arena. And so that we don’t train ourselves into any wrong habits, we face the strict gaze of the Cross-Country Academy for the first 120 minutes. The biggest challenge is once again to click in with the shoes.

Afterwards we first practice the balance with the skating technique again and deepen the 2:1 step or stick use. Two techniques that we had already practiced in the Engadine – and can now deepen. After the intensive two-hour private lesson to get started, I am inclined to take a break directly on the tempting sun terrace of the Woods restaurant at the entrance to the cross-country ski trail. But the motivation to complete the first full 3-kilometre lap on the “A1” is greater. In the end, it’s even two rounds!

Relax at the All.Inclusive Hotel Bergland

But after three hours of skating I’m definitely exhausted. We are accommodated in the Hotel Bergland, which is located in the centre of Seefeld, just a 10-minute walk from the cross-country ski trail network. If you stay overnight at the Hotel Bergland, the cross-country ski trail fee is included in the price of your overnight stay. At the same time, the hotel has a cross-country skiing room with boot dryer and waxing facilities.

The rooms are beautifully bright and have a spacious floor plan. And what really surprises us is the “all.inclusive” concept – in other words, in addition to the breakfast buffet, the afternoon snack and the multi-course evening menu, the gin and tonic for the aperitif or the wine by the glass is also included in the package price.

Day 2: a detour to Leutasch

The next morning, it pinches here and there. No wonder, I really challenged my arm and leg muscles the day before. Today we would like to take a closer look at the cross-country ski trails in neighbouring Leutasch. If you arrive by public transport, as we did, you can easily get from one district to another by ski bus. Basically, the cross-country ski trails between the individual villages are networked with each other. If you are fit and experienced, you can get from Seefeld via red and black cross-country ski trails to Leutasch.

For the time being, however, we are still sticking to the blue-classified routes. The level of difficulty differs in terms of length and slope. Blue routes are shorter and have only minor elevation gains. Today we start on the 5.3 kilometer long circuit of the A5 at the foot of the striking mountain peak of the Hohe Munde. From here you can skate almost entirely on blue-rated trails all the way to the German border. Too ambitious for us – but after two hours we are mega proud to have mastered a full lap over the A5 and A6 with a total of 10.8 kilometers.

Genussvolles Après-Langlauf

After this intense morning, the afternoon is all about enjoyment. The Olympic region has much more to offer than “just” an extensive network of cross-country ski trails. How about an alpaca walk, curling or – just to our taste – an exclusive winter picnic in a panoramic location? The Wolf family, who run the Zottlhof in Leutasch near the hamlet of Moos, have come up with something new for this winter. They have created a wonderfully romantic picnic area on the edge of the forest not far from the Zottelhof. The winter picnic at the crackling fire basket consists of farm products as well as other local specialties (available in three variations). Delicious – I’ll tell you! And incredibly relaxing.

With renewed energy, we then set off on a short winter hiking tour. Not only the network of cross-country ski trails, but also the winter hiking trails are extensive up here. There is even a long-distance winter hiking trail that leads over the Seefeld high plateau in four daily stages.

We leave it at a short detour from the hamlet of Moos up to the Muggenmoosalm and treat ourselves to a piece of oven-fresh apple strudel. Of course, the alpine pasture is also accessible with a cross-country ski trail – but this is again classified as a “black” route. The feat of strength of the height difference should not be underestimated.

Day 3: Get to the altitude

And the next day, we experience first-hand how much altitude difference on the cross-country ski trail can be poured in. Today we start again at the entrance to the Seefeld cross-country ski trail. After this worked so well on the A5/A6 the day before, we want to venture to the “B1” today. The B1 connects to the A1 as a red-classified trail and includes an ascent of around 110 metres in altitude over a length of 5.5 kilometres. That sounds like “nothing”, doesn’t it?! But don’t be fooled. Already on the first ascent towards the Seewald lift I start panting. Perseverance – that’s the motto.

Apart from that, I also like this route very much. The trail leads mostly through wooded areas. How pretty does it have to look here in fresh snow?! After almost two hours we have mastered the combination A1/B1 and are back at the starting point. And although I feel every single muscle, I am still tempted to take a “final lap” on the A1. Definitely a sign that cross-country skiing and me could have a future.

Toast to three great days of cross-country skiing

But for now, my stomach growls. Before we take the train home, we toast to three really great days of cross-country skiing in the Bräukeller with home-brewed beer and try our way through the tapas variation. The Bräukeller is part of the 5-star Hotel Klosterbräu in the middle of the village centre of Seefeld – next to the Bergland and the Krumers Post, which we know from a previous stay in Seefeld, another recommended accommodation.

And so three sporty days in Seefeld come to an end. Fitting – because enjoyment is part of the cross-country skiing experience here. And that’s exactly what I like!

Up-to-date information about cross-country skiing in Seefeld Tyrol as well as an overview map with the cross-country ski trail network can be found on the official website of the Olympiaregion Seefeld.