Snowy adventures on your winter holidays in the Alps
In our mountaineering village at 1,900m above sea level, winter sets an even slower pace: a cosy tranquillity descends upon the village along with the blanket of snow. You can set off on solitary excursions into the freedom of the mountain peaks almost straight from the door of our guesthouse and pull your children along on a toboggan right through the heart of the village. When you spend your winter holidays in the Alps in the Ötztal valley, winter still feels just like it did back when you were a child: natural, peaceful, and full of magic.
Skiing in Vent: uncrowded enjoyment
Short distances, no queues, a relaxed skiing experience. In the family-friendly Vent ski area right on our doorstep, you’ll find exactly that: 2 chairlifts, 2 T-bar lifts, and 15km of slopes in a high-Alpine location with reliable snow right through to April. Sunny slopes and peaceful runs delight skiers of all abilities, and parents can watch from the comfort of the sun terrace as their children make quick progress during their ski lessons.
The ski hotspots in the Ötztal valley: Sölden and Gurgl
If you’re in the mood for a bit more excitement and speed on your ski holiday in the Alps, there are 2 more top ski areas waiting for you in the Ötztal valley – all accessible with the same ski pass.
With 147km of slopes, 31 ski lifts and 2 glaciers, Sölden is one of the most famous ski areas in the Alps, just around 30 minutes’ drive from the Weisskugel. At elevations ranging from 1,350 to 3,340m, you’ll find reliable snow here from autumn well into spring, plus 33 ski huts for refreshments and highlights such as the James Bond 007 Elements experience.
Situated at the end of the Gurgler Tal valley, Gurgl offers you a first-class skiing experience. Across 112km of slopes at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 3,030m, 25 modern lifts ensure short journeys, while 13 mountain huts and 12 restaurants treat you to Alpine cuisine and panoramic views. Skiing bliss from November to April, just 25 minutes’ drive from Gasthof Weisskugel.
Snowshoeing and winter walking around Vent
Away from the ski slopes, our mountaineering village offers you a world of freedom and tranquillity. On well-marked winter and snowshoe trails, you can experience the Ötztal Alps at their wildest and most unspoilt. Host Roman’s favourite walk: the winter hiking trail to the “Rofenhöfe”, the famous mountain farms at 2,044m above sea level, with magnificent views of Mt Ramolkogel and the wintery mountaineering village. The guided tours offered as part of the visitor card programme and the nature park hiking programme also provide the ideal opportunity to explore our mountain peaks in the company of experienced guides.
Leisurely ski tours in the Ötztal Alps
Since the dawn of mountaineering, Vent has been considered one of the most important ski touring areas in the Ötztal Alps. Long-established mountain huts such as the Martin Busch hut, the Similaun hut, the Hochjoch-Hospiz hut, and the Vernagt hut serve as base camps for ski tours to numerous 3,000-metre peaks, from Mt Fineilspitze and Mt Fluchtkogel to Mt Wildspitze, Tyrol’s highest peak. Experienced ski-touring fans can also look forward to the legendary Vent ski circuit: 5 days, 5 Ötztal classics, one unforgettable experience.
Cross-country skiing in Vent and through the Ötztal valley
Right next to the hiking trail leading to the Rofenhöfe mountain farms lies the Barte’bne cross-country ski trail, a medium-difficulty high-altitude trail at 1,950m above sea level, groomed for both skating and classic style. There’s also a practice trail in the village. The benefit for you: you can use both cross-country ski trails free of charge.
If you want to explore further afield, you’ll find a 149km network of cross-country ski trails throughout the Ötztal valley, which is free for everyone to use. The largest cross-country ski centres are in Niederthai and Längenfeld, with further trails available in Ochsengarten, Sölden, and Gurgl.
Tobogganing on the Stableinbahn lift
Take the chairlift up to the Stableinalm hut, where you can sip a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate in the panoramic restaurant with its sun terrace and views over the Rofental valley. You can then whizz back down to Vent along the superbly groomed, 5km-long Stablein natural toboggan run.
Ice skating in our mountaineering village
Behind Hotel Vent is the ice rink, which is free to use and, weather permitting, operates from late December to mid-March. You can rent ice skates just next door at the Sportalm or at the Venter Kaufhäusl, and you can enjoy a game of curling on request.
Frequently asked questions about ski holidays in Tyrol, Austria
Our family-friendly ski area is located high in the Alps and has reliable snow right through to April. Across 15km of slopes, you’ll find 2 chairlifts and 2 T-bar lifts, as well as sunny slopes and peaceful runs to suit every level of ability.
Sölden is around 30 minutes’ drive away and boasts 147km of slopes, 31 ski lifts, and 2 glaciers. Gurgl is about 25 minutes’ drive away, where you’ll find 112km of slopes and 25 modern lifts waiting for you.
You can use the Barte’bne trail at 1,950m above sea level, the practice trail in the village, and the rest of Ötztal’s 149km cross-country ski network free of charge. There are cross-country ski centres in Niederthai and Längenfeld, and you’ll find further trails in Ochsengarten, Sölden, and Gurgl.
Yes, the Stableinbahn chairlift takes you up to the Stableinalm hut with views over the Rofental valley. From there, you can whizz back down to the village along the superbly groomed, 5km-long Stablein natural toboggan run.