When a renowned ski industry oracle tells you to put a winter resort on your must-ski list, it’s hard not to pay heed.
“Mike, you’re always complaining about crowds, and long lift lines. If that’s what you’re looking to avoid, then my advice is to go to Seefeld in Tirol, Austria. It is THE MOST under-the-radar ski resort in the world because it’s mainly known as a cross-country skier’s Mecca, and its alpine ski areas have lots of elbow room. Seefeld is one of my favorite ski resorts in the world, and definitely one of the most stunning in terms of scenery, and super chill in terms of vibe,” legendary Rossignol race ski rep Mario Guertin told me during a very memorable après ski sesh at Georgian Peaks Club, his home hill in Southern Ontario, last December.
So a few weeks later, last January, I put Mr. Guertin’s ultimate tip for crowd-weary skiers to the test when I spent an unforgettable weekend in Seefeld – skiing, dining, and sightseeing sans the multitudes we sometimes encounter in snow country.
Here is what I gleaned during my stay in Seefeld that may come in handy if you decide to plan your own visit. And yes, Seefeld truly is an under-the-radar gem of a winter resort that can be enjoyed to the max, with or without skis and boots on!
TIP 1: SKI RESORT STATS & LIFT PASS INFO
Set on a staggeringly gorgeous 1200-meter-high mountain plateau in the Tyrolean Alps, Seefeld is one of the most well-known cross-country and nordic skiing resorts in the world. The Seefeld in Tirol region made its name globally as the host venue for all of the nordic events at the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, as well as the 1985 and 2019 FIS Nordic Skiing World Championships – and in this respect it is a giant – with a kazillion miles of hyper-panoramic cross-country trails to slide and glide on if that’s the kind of skiing you’re into.
In terms of alpine skiing, Seefeld is not the place to go if you’re looking for extreme, big mountain thrills and chills. There are no world-famous couloirs to tingle your spine at this resort. What Seefeld does have is miles and miles of chill skiing for avid beginners looking to improve, and tons of wide open spaces for intermediates and advanced skiers who love to rip on scenic cruisers that are not crushed with humanity.
With a peak elevation of 2100m (almost 7,000 ft), 34 cable cars and lifts, and a downhill skiable footprint of 26 kilometers of groomed pistes, spread out over five separate ski areas (Bergbahnen Rosshütte, Gschwandtkopf, Katzenkopf Leutasch, Birkenlift, and Geigenbühel), there is a lot to discover on alpine skis in Seefeld. The unbelievable views of the surrounding Karwendel, Wetterstein, and Mieming mountain ranges are worth the price of admission alone. Speaking of admission, Seefeld is a real bargain, with day lift ticket prices ranging from 22 Euros (USD $25) for under-5s up to about 62 Euros (USD $70) for adults.
TIP 2: BEST RUNS
All of Seefeld’s ski areas are serviced by a fleet of very fast, frequent and efficient shuttle buses that you can access at the town’s main transportation hub, or around the village, and they’re free for skiers and snowboarders.
In terms of where to ski, if you’re skiing with true beginners who are learning how to schuss, best you stick to the Katzenkopf Leutasch ski area or the Birkenlift or Geigenbuhellift as they are gentle.
For those of you who want to rip on big, wide, uncrowded groomers, head over to Gschwandtkopf, or its bigger neighbor Rosshutte, which is also open for night skiing on Fridays during ski season from 18:30 to 21:30. There are sections of Rossehutte that are busier than others, but I found the 6/7 run under the Reitheralmbahn 6-pack lift to be particularly quiet with very low skier traffic, a great secret stash, at a resort that is one giant secret stash on its very own!
TIP 3: GEAR RENTALS
There are lots of options for gear rental (boots, helmets, alpine skis, snowboards, cross-country skis, and even sleds and toboggans) in Seefeld, but on the advice of some local friends, I rented a wicked pair of Rossignol short turn carvers at Fun Sport Frank from Frank himself, who set me up in no time flat!
Fun Sport Frank is located right in the center of Seefeld, and Frank and his staff are extremely friendly and speak English fluently, I highly recommend it!
TIP 4: ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Accommodation options in Seefeld are plentiful, and there are options for every budget. Here are a few I’ve had the good fortune of trying out personally…
POST SEEFELD HOTEL & SPA ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Located right in the center of town, this elegant, old-world 4-star hotel and spa has 70 plush rooms, a fabulous in-house restaurant that serves an unbelievable breakfast, afternoon snacks (soups, salads, charcuterie, Tyrolean specialities, and a vast assortment of desserts), and delicious dinners.
Post Hotel also has a heavenly 2,500 square meter spa facility spread out over four floors – which will make you want to move in as a permanent guest – but more on this later as you read on. You can find out more about Post Seefeld Hotel & Spa here.
ALPIN RESORT SACHER ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Superior
Part of the world-famous Sacher chain of hotels, the palatial Alpin Resort Sacher is a 5-star Superior establishment that treats guests and staff like family, creating an environment of “joy, relaxation, and luxury” for everyone who walks through its doors.
All of Alpin Resort Sacher’s 81 very spacious rooms and suites are meticulously and individually decorated, with large glass windows offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel also has a massive, super lush spa facility, but more on that later…in the meantime, click on this link if you’d like to find out more about this beautiful hotel here.
HOTEL SEESPITZ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Superior
Sitting next to a stunning alpine lake right in town, Hotel Seespitz has large, elegantly decorated rooms, a two-minute walk from the center of Seefeld. Some of the rooms have balconies overlooking the lake and the dreamy, snow-covered peaks that tower above town.
An “adults only” establishment, Hotel Seespitz also has a fantastic in-house restaurant, a cozy bar and lounge, and outstanding spa facilities. To find out more about Hotel Seespitz, click here.
TIP 5: DINING OPTIONS
SONNENALM RESTAURANT
If you’re a lover of traditional Austrian apple strudel bathed in an ocean of warm vanilla sauce (who isn’t ?!?) then I would highly recommend a pitstop at the Sonnenalm Restaurant located at the top of the Gschwandtkopf peak chair.
Sonnenalm has all kinds of traditional Tyrolean dishes on its menu, a wide array of beer and other alcoholic bevvies, and a large outdoor terrasse with unbelievable mountain views. Hit it on a sunny, bluebird day like I did and you’ll be in heaven! Oh, and did I mention the apple strudel was scrumptiously perfect?
ROSSHÜTTE BERGRESTAURANT
Another great ski-in/ski-out, on-mountain snack or full dining option is the Rosshütte Bergrestaurant located at the Rosshütte ski area. Not gonna lie, I made several pit stops for some of the most irresistible pretzels, jam and custard-filled “Berliner” donuts, and a tangy raspberry torte that I’m still trying to work off my hips.
ZOMM IN SEEFELD
If you’re a foodie/lover of fine dining, DO NOT MISS Zomm in Seefeld when you’re in this neck of the Austrian Alps…this is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever dined at, and I can’t wait to go back.
Located in a small boutique hotel and run by a trio of culinary visionaries, which includes the extremely charismatic Chef Waal Sterneberg – who reminded me of Chef Carmy Berzatto, the character played by Jeremy Allen White in FX Network’s The Bear television series – Zomm in Seefeld is one of those restaurants you’ll never forget for all the right reasons.
My three-hour, eight-course, surf & turf dining extravaganza included epicurean masterpieces like a roasted beetroot millefeuille and a steamed Hokkaido pumpkin dish. This incredible meal also included perch, sweet water shrimp, venison, and a mind-blowing “Tarte Ambroise” chocolate tarte for dessert that I can only describe as being both a liquid and a solid at the same time – if that’s even possible?!?! I will be writing a larger piece about Zomm in Seefeld at a later date…so stay tuned for that!
BRÄUKELLER GRILL & VEGGIE
If dining in the beer cellars of gorgeous 500-year-old former monasteries is your thing, you will love Bräukeller Grill & Veggie located in the lower part of the super luxe, five-star Hotel & Spa Klosterbräu right in the heart of Seefeld. This fabulous restaurant has a vast menu for meat lovers (to-die-for steaks & baked potatoes) and vegetarians alike. Bräukeller also has an incredible selection of beer on tap – and even a “hausgemachte” (homemade) beer malt-creme brulee that was out of this world!
TRE. CULINARIA OG
No trip to Seefeld is ever complete without a visit to Tre. Culinaria OG. Part bistro/deli, part café, part wine & spirits shop, this Epicurean wonderland in the center of town is a fantastic place to eat, drink, and shop when you’re in Seefeld. Don’t forget to leave room in your luggage, though, a little shopping after a wine and charcuterie board sesh here is impossible to resist!
TIP 6: APRÈS SKI OPTIONS
Seefeld’s ski areas, and the town itself, have a ton of fabulous restaurants and bars that offer traditional Austrian après ski experiences – i.e., catchy, thumping, Austro-Disco dance music you can boogie down to in your boots while sipping beers and swigging schnapps. Trust me when I say they are not hard to find.
My favorite is the more low-key outdoor patio at Tre. Culinaria OG, where you can coif all kinds of fabulous red and white wines well into the night, even if you’re still in your ski boots! This patio is especially beautiful when the sun sets, and the center of Seefeld is lit up by a gazillion twinkling fairy lights as you sip your drinks!
TIP 7: WELLNESS OPTIONS
If you love spas and whiling away the hours in saunas, steamrooms, pools, or getting pampered with massages and wellness treatments, then Seefeld is the place for you.
In fact, the Seefeld region has no less than 15 specialized “Spa Hotels” – 11 of which include day spa options for non-guests (which include the Post Seefeld Hotel & Spa and the Alpin Resort Sacher). Trust me when I say nothing beats an hour or two of “recovery time” shvitzing and lounging in an Austrian spa after a long day on the slopes!
TIP 8: SHOPPING
Seefeld is a great place to do a little retail therapy with more than 60 shops in the pedestrian zone in the heart of the town. Whether you’re looking for the latest ski clothing or equipment, jewelry, fashionable clothing, souvenirs, food, or wine and other spirits, Seefeld has something for every shopper.
During the holiday season, Seefeld puts on one of the most spectacular Advent “Christkindlmarkts” in the Alps, but the town also hosts other popular markets and events throughout the year. During my visit, Seefeld was putting on its annual Winter Shopping and Wine event in the center of town, with stores open later than usual…and yes, the wine was flowing for shoppers and browsers alike throughout the town!
TIP 9: SIGHTSEEING & CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS
There are two must-see churches in Seefeld. The first is the late Gothic, 14th-century Parish Church of St. Oswald. This charming church, with its beautiful Baroque-style chapel, and the magnificent former Augustinian monastery next to it that is now the 5-star Hotel Klosterbrau, are considered by many as two of the most important Gothic buildings in the province of Tyrol.
Seefeld’s other stunning church is the “Seekirchl” chapel, which is also known as the Heiligkreuzkirche. This beautiful little church, with its iconic column-free onion-dome and bell tower, was completed in 1666, and since then has been one of the most beloved locations for pilgrims and photographers alike. Postcards of Seekirchl are available all over the province of Tyrol.
When you’re done wandering through the town’s churches, definitely make time for a stroll around Seefeld’s dazzling “100,000 Lights Path” when the sun sets, and the stars come out…and yes, you guessed it, the entire town is lit up by fairy light installations! This glittering light path winds around the center of town and is truly a marvelous sight to see on a crisp, cold night high up in the Tyrolean Alps!
TIP 10: OTHER WAYS OF HAVING FUN IN SEEFELD DURING WINTER
There are so many ways of having fun in the snow in Seefeld when you’re not on alpine skis or a snowboard: tobogganing, ice skating, curling, horse-drawn sleigh rides, winter trail hiking and running, biathlon experiences (you can fire rifles!,) and of course miles and miles of cross-country skiing. But the two that stand out most in my mind are snowshoe hiking and ski touring.
If snowshoe hiking is your thing, you can rent or bring your own snowshoes and make solo tracks on marked GPX routes in and around Seefeld, or you can join a group or hire an experienced guide.
If Skitouring is your thing and you don’t want to stray into the backcountry, you can earn your turns going up hill at the Rosshütte ski area, where there are several marked ascent options on the sides of alpine ski runs that are accessible during daytime lift operating hours (09:00-16:30). You can even go night ski touring at Rosshütte on Fridays between 18:30-22:00 if you’d like to sweat and slog your way uphill under the stars!
MORE INFO ABOUT SEEFELD IN TIROL
To find out more about Seefeld in Tirol, go to: https://www.seefeld.com/en/
For more information on skiing in Seefeld in Tirol, go to: https://www.seefeld.com/en/skiing.html
GETTING TO SEEFELD IN TIROL
Seefeld is easily accessible via train, bus, and car and is only a 90-minute drive from Munich Airport. For more information on getting to Seefeld in Tirol, go to: https://www.seefeld.com/en/
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