Exploring Innsbruck’s Olympic Legacy

Exploring Innsbruck’s Olympic Legacy: Must-See Sites and Year-Round Adventures in the Austrian Alps

Discover the rich Olympic history of Innsbruck, Austria, as we explore iconic sites, including the Bergisel Ski Jump and Patscherkofel Mountain. From exhilarating ski jumps to year-round hiking trails, learn how this alpine destination offers adventures for every season and attracts winter sports enthusiasts from around the globe.

Author:
Nicole Feliciano
Publish date:
Oct 13, 2024

Momtrends Media

Last month, we traveled to Europe to visit a medical spa in Austria. While our trip was mostly about experiencing the healing benefits at the Lanserhof (more on that later), we also chose this health facility because it was tucked into the Austrian Alps. During our health-focused journey, we took the opportunity to do a little exploring. As a ski mom, I find the allure of the mountains irresistible. While I plan to return to Austria to ski, I can confidently say there’s plenty to see and do even without snow.

We stayed at the Lanserhof in Lans, a small alpine hamlet with several quaint hotels. It’s a charming local community with few amenities, but it boasts miles of hiking and mountain biking trails right at the foot of the village. Our little village was about 15 minutes from the outskirts of Innsbruck. When we visited the old town, we found metered parking (note: you will need euro coins, which we didn’t have, and we ended up with a $35 ticket).

Olympic History in Innsbruck

Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1964 and 1976. As a huge fan of Olympic history, I was thrilled to discover that several Olympic sites are still in use, helping athletes chase their Olympic dreams.

But first, a quick trip down memory lane.

In 1964, the snow conditions were pretty dire. The Austrian army had to bring snow from higher elevations to ensure that the events could take place. This was also the first Winter Games to feature luge as an official sport. The big win for the country came when Austrian alpine skier Egon Zimmermann won gold in the men’s downhill, thrilling the home crowd.

In 1976, Innsbruck was a surprise host for the Winter Games. The Olympics had originally been awarded to Denver, Colorado, but the city declined due to rising costs and environmental concerns. Having hosted the Games in 1964, Innsbruck was chosen as a replacement. There were two major highlights for Austria that year: Karl Schnabl won gold in the individual large hill ski jump, continuing Austria’s strong tradition in the sport, and Franz Klammer won the gold in the men’s downhill. For Team USA, 1976 was also a big year, as Dorothy Hamill became an icon with her gold medal win in women’s figure skating, popularizing her signature "Hamill Camel" spin and hairstyle.

Although locals say there’s no interest in hosting the Olympics again, Austria still invests heavily in winter sports training facilities. These investments attract athletes from around the world to train in Innsbruck.

Olympic Training Facilities

When countries bid to host the Olympics, they often expect to lose money in the short term. The key is to develop a long-term strategy to make the most of the venues after the fans leave. For instance, Lake Placid likely won’t host the Olympics again (there aren’t enough accommodations or infrastructure), but it has become a hotbed for junior racing and training. Innsbruck has followed a similar model by continuing to upgrade and invest in its sports facilities. These investments have paid off, allowing Austria to remain one of the top winter sports nations while also generating significant tourism revenue as teams flock to Innsbruck for ski jumping and sliding sports (bobsled, luge, and skeleton).

Touring the Olympic Facilities in Innsbruck

It’s not just world-class athletes who can enjoy Innsbruck’s facilities. The training center offers courts, fields, and places for locals and visitors to work out. There’s also a major ice rink that hosts shows and sporting events. I mistakenly thought there was an Olympic museum near the sports pavilions, but after wandering around outside, I discovered that wasn’t the case. However, Innsbruck does have a ski museum, the Tyrolean Ski Museum.

Despite that small setback, I didn’t give up on my Olympic dreams. After a quick Google search, I found the Bergisel Ski Jump, only seven minutes away from downtown Innsbruck.

Bergisel Ski Jump

We drove up the mountain passes to the Bergisel Center, and I’m glad we didn’t give up. Once there, we found a lovely museum and the ski jump. The Bergisel Ski Jump is a regular stop on the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup circuit and is considered a premier venue. Even better, there was training scheduled during our visit—what luck!

The Bergisel Ski Jump was originally constructed in 1925 and has hosted ski jumping competitions for almost a century. From the venue, you get breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps.

We watched a Bavarian junior team train for about 45 minutes. Turns out, you don’t need snow to train for ski jumping. The track was slicked down with water for glide, and the landing zone was grass. We watched numerous takeoffs and landings from the base area, which resembles a Roman amphitheater—I’d love to return to see a competition.

I won’t sugarcoat it—this sport looks completely terrifying. The tower is 50 meters (164 feet) high, and the ski jump is positioned 134 meters above Innsbruck. The athletes (and visitors) take a funicular up to the beginner jump area, and then there’s an elevator to the higher elevation jumps. The athletes were training from the highest platform, approximately 130 meters (427 feet) above the landing area.

Viewing is available both indoors (from a café) and outside. I highly recommend heading to the “jumpers’ viewpoint” terrace off the café to see the athletes up close. Both male and female jumpers were training, and they were incredibly talented.

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They start from a metal seat that can be raised or lowered depending on the height. They shimmy out onto the bar, double-check their bindings, and begin their descent in a squat—giving them an aerodynamic edge as they zoom down the tracks. At the end of the jump, they uncoil, spring into the air, and form an elevated V-shape with their skis midair. They soar for meters until landing on the downslope of grass. After a hockey stop, they pop out of their bindings and start all over again.

The Bergisel Museum

Bergisel has historical importance as the site of battles between Tyrolean rebels and Napoleonic forces in the early 19th century. The museum covers Austria’s long history, focusing on the Napoleonic wars (they skip over the Nazi era at this particular museum). Most of the exhibits are in German, but English audio guides are available. We especially liked the large panoramic battle paintings, but the highlight was a performance by a traditional folk group, singing Austrian folk songs in beautiful harmonies that echoed through the museum.

Trip Planning:

Address: Bergisel Ski Jump, Bergiselweg 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Parking: There’s a small parking lot, but on competition days, public transportation is recommended. Combo tickets for the museum and the jump are available.

Patscherkofel Mountain

For further Olympic exploration, we hiked up Patscherkofel Mountain, famous for its challenging downhill course where Austrian skiing legend Franz Klammer won gold in the men’s downhill event. This family-friendly venue is delightful in all four seasons.

During our visit in early September, the mountain received about a foot of snow. While it melted in the valley, the peaks remained frosted throughout our stay.

There are multiple ways to enjoy the mountain in the off-season. Patscherkofel is a wonderful place for a family hike, with two playgrounds—one at the base and one at the top.

We joined a guided hike to the midway point of Patscherkofel. It’s not technical or particularly demanding, so feel free to try it on your own. Starting from Lans, our journey was about 3.5 miles to the midway restaurant (which has a nice café and a church). From the base of the ski area, the hike is about 1.5 miles.

For an easier, all-downhill hike, take the gondola to the top and either hike further up or head down. Either way, you’ll enjoy spectacular valley and Tyrolean views. There was snow at the top in September, so plan accordingly with appropriate footwear and jackets.

Sliding Center at Patscherkofel Mountain

On our way down, we passed the Sliding Center, where bobsled, luge, and skeleton training takes place. Austria continues to invest heavily in this area to keep the facilities relevant and attract athletes from nearby countries who come to race and train in Innsbruck.

The facilities received a major facelift in 2004, and this year they’re extending the women’s start and adding more viewing areas. It’s definitely another sporting event to add to my bucket list—I’ve got to plan a winter trip to see the course when it’s icy and fast!

Speaking of snow, there are skiing venues everywhere in this area. While we didn’t have enough time (or snow) to ski, I’ll be sure to return for that. But if you love off-season travel (no lines, better prices), September is a fantastic time to explore Innsbruck and its Olympic history.

Trip Planning:

Address: Heiligwasserwiese 1, Innsbruck-Igls, Austria, 6080
Parking: There’s a small parking lot, but on competition days, public transportation is recommended.
Tickets: Gondola tickets can be purchased at the base.
Getting There: We flew in and out of Munich (there’s a direct Delta flight from JFK) and rented a car. The drive is about two hours, and the roads are in excellent condition.