The winter months in the Alpbachtal region of Austria are magical. With so many restaurants, cafes, ski huts, and bars, along with so many activities, you won’t stand idle for long. As long as you know where to go, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, ice skating, and sleigh rides will keep you busy.
It’s not quite summering yet, but winter hasn’t officially begun. That means there’s still plenty of snow and cold weather to go around, and if you’re thinking of making some winter plans around Austria, it’s time to make the arrangements. Although the Alps are famous for their summer offerings of sunbathing, hiking, and biking, there are more than enough reasons to visit Austria in the winter.
Here are other things you can do at Alpbachtal:
- Tobogganing
Tobogganing is a fun winter activity that anyone can enjoy. The sport has its roots in Canada, where hills typically were covered with snow, and residents would sled down them for hours. Today, the sport is growing in popularity across the United States, and while tobogganing is most popular in the winter, you can sled anytime if the hills are covered with ice.
- Alpbach
Alpbach is a small town in Austria that became famous for hosting a festival called the Alpbach Blues Festival. The Alpbach Blues Festival was started in the 1990s by Swiss musician Wolf Biermann and Austrian musicians Herbert Grönemeyer and Dieter Schlömer, who were successful musicians at that time. Schlömer left the group in 1998, and Wolf Biermann handed the reins of the festival over to Herbert Grönemeyer in 2001.
- Kristall Brewery
Kristall Brewery has been open since 2008, but more recently, it has gotten attention with its unique “liquid bacon.” This beer is brewed with bacon fat, giving it a savory, smoky flavor. Besides bacon beer, Kristelle Brewery also has a more traditional selection of beers, including porters, IPAs, and pilsners.
Kristall is a brewery that lives and breathes the modern lifestyle. Here, beer lovers can discover beer culture and experience a brewery like no other in Austria. The brewery is located in the picturesque village of Alpbachtal, a valley covered by mountains with 11 other breweries. With visitors coming from every corner of Europe, Kristall leads the way.
- Go Ride the Lauser-Sauser coaster
Austria’s oldest amusement park, the Lauser-Sauser, is as fun today as it was when it opened back in 1895. Located in the town of Alpbach, you’ll be treated to 200,000 square feet of rides, attractions, and games. The Lauser-Sauser is also home to one of the longest roller coasters rides in Austria, a 5.5-kilometer-long (3.6-mile-long) roller coaster that literally takes you up, down, and around the entire park. Lasting for four minutes and 14 seconds, the coaster will reach a top speed of approximately 55 kilometers per hour (34 miles per hour). It is open every day from 10:00 am to 09:00 pm, and tickets start at around USD 12.50.
At an altitude of 1,200 meters, the Lauser-Sauser and Alpbachtal pass by a string of idyllic villages like Waidring, Hinterglemm, and Kirchberg. Along the route, you’ll find lakes, meadows, and forests. The forests are covered with wildflowers, and the valleys are lined with apple orchards. The ride is suitable for everyone. Kids can enjoy the fantasy-themed train ride. And the adults can ride in a horse-drawn carriage with a guide.
With Christmas quickly approaching, many people will be spending their holidays away from home. Whether they’re traveling to visit family or enjoying their own time off, holiday-goers may worry that their carbon footprint may outweigh the benefits. Yet, the Alpbachtal can be a great destination to enjoy a warm holiday with family and friends or alone—while leaving a positive impact on the earth.
