Lying on a sunny plateau in the province of Tyrol, only 25kms from Innsbruck, Seefeld is a purpose-built ski resort and has hosted two Winter Olympics (1964 and 1976) and the 1985 Nordic Skiing World Championships. This great year-round holiday destination has a good snow record, excellent slopes for all and some superb cross-country trails.
Seefeld is an attractive traffic-free village with frescoed houses and medieval architecture, and it generally caters to an older, upmarket crowd. It's a stylish place with a civilised après-ski, not for those wanting late-night clubbing and hundreds of bars. There are plenty of non-skiing pursuits to complement the idea that this is a well-rounded resort and not just a ski venue.
There are over 8,000 beds in three- to five-star hotels, guesthouses and apartments. Seefeld has plenty of nightlife options to keep you entertained after a day in the Alpine outdoors. In season, Seefeld bustles with typical wine and beer cellars, along with nightclubs and dance clubs; the Spiel-Casino is the main draw. There is a kindergarten in the Olympia Sport and Congress Centre.
Seefeld's ski area (2,100m, top station) is a plateau surrounded by mountainous terrain suitable for all levels of skill, with 21kms of manicured slopes, including a longest run of 6.5kms (Seefeld Joch). There are 26 lifts, including a funicular, two cable cars, five chairlifts and 18 surface lifts, able to transport up to 16,000 skiers per hour.
Away from the slopes, horse-drawn sleigh rides can be taken from the town square for a romantic ride through the fairytale forests of the nearby Sonnenplateau. The charming and quaint Bavarian town of Mittenwald is an easy daytrip from Seefeld. Alternatively, Innsbruck is one of the most attractive Alpine towns in Europe with its traffic-free central area and handsome houses in the old town.
The ski season runs from early December to Easter Monday with the best deals - 'Crystal Weeks' - at the beginning of the season, and in January and March. Munich Airport is the gateway international airport with a rail link to Seefeld; however, Innsbruck Airport is far more convenient for European travellers, with a dedicated Skibus to the resort.
