Hit the slopes and more in Austria

[The Patriot]

Hit the slopes and more in Austria

12-21-2010 12:49 AM

ShareThis Published:
Tue, 2010-12-21 08:46


Hit the slopes and more in Austria


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Visit the New Bergisel Ski Jump which stands 154 feet tall. Courtesy Photo






Hit the slopes and more in Austria

Heather Joy

During the winter, Innsbruck, Austria is an ideal place for skiing with several ski resorts in the city and many more in the surrounding area. Never been skiing? No problem many of Innsbruck’s resorts have packages that include ski lessons and rental equipment. More experienced skiers can enjoy moonlight guided ski tours or night skiing.
If skiing is not in your repertoire try a rapid plunge down the mountain on a toboggan or a fast paced turn on a bobsleighed. Innsbruck also is home to several ice rinks that offer ice skating and curling.
Be sure to visit the New Bergisel Ski Jump which stands 154 feet tall and affords spectacular views of the town and stadium below. Have dinner in the complex’s restaurant while enjoying a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks.
Need a day away from the slopes? Then travel into the town to explore some of its many worthwhile sites.
The Triumphal Arch on the south end of Maria-Theresien-Strasse, the main street through the city, is lined with many 17th- and 18th-century houses and is also a main shopping district for picking up souvenirs.
At the opposite end of the street is St. Anna’s Column, a popular location for photo opportunities. This monument, a statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a crescent moon atop a Corinthian column, is located in front of the town hall.
Adjacent to the town hall is the city tower, formerly a prison cell; visitors can now visit it for panoramic views of the city and surrounding mountains.
The Innsbruck tourist information Web site (www.innsbruck-tourism.at/) recommends seeing the city’s main tourist attraction, the Goldenes Dachi or Golden Roof. This three-story balcony is adorned with Gothic oriels (bay windows) that are topped with 2,657 gold-plated tiles. For the story behind the painted balcony, visit the museum Maximilianeum in the building adjoining the Golden Roof.
Also worth a visit is the Cathedral of St. James. Although this church was heavily damaged during World War II, its lavish baroque interior makes it worth a visit. Items of interest include a monument honoring Archduke Maximilian III.
Step into a world of fantasy and awe with a visit to the Swarovski Kristallwelten or Crystal World. Inside this man-made hill, visitors will be able to tour the seven connected chambers filled with crystal and fine cut stones. Visit the crystal dome for a chance to see what it is like to be inside a giant crystal or spend time finding the perfect crystal souvenir from the shop.








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