Snowshoeing in Osttirol
in the Hohe Tauern National Park
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Who says that only skiers have fun in winter? Hiking with snowshoes through magical winter landscapes and over glistening white hills simply makes you happy. The majestic backdrop of the Tauern mountains invites you to go on extended hikes and ambitious tours even in the cold season. Walk endlessly through the snow-covered winter wonderland - past frozen waterfalls, icy bushes and snow-covered fir trees.
Your benefits at the (snowshoe-) Wanderhotel in Osttirol:
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Free hire of snowshoes, poles, rucksack and spikes
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2-3 hotel-guided snowshoe hikes - free of charge
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1 National Park snowshoe hike free of charge
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Free shuttle for hotel-guided tours
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Basecamp with lockable drying cabinet
Official partner of the Nationalpark
As an official National Park partner business, we want to make the uniqueness of the Hohe Tauern National Park tangible and tangible for our guests. We support the philosophy of the Hohe Tauern National Park and are committed to the associated quality criteria. Thanks to this partnership, every guest receives 1 free national park ranger tour. The rangers are professionals in various subject areas, giving us different perspectives on our natural environment.
Winter in the Hohe Tauern National Park
On 2-3 guided winter tours per week, you hike with our mountain guides to the most beautiful places and explore unspoilt regions. Unlike skiing in East Tyrol, you can feel nature even more intensely when winter hiking. No previous experience is necessary for snowshoe hiking. Equipment is available for hire at the hiking hotel Outside.
FAQ's
Winter holidays in Matrei in Osttirol
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What is worth knowing about Matrei?
Matrei is a market town with 4,675 inhabitants and is part of the Lienz district. Located at 975 meters above sea level, Matrei sits at the confluence of the Tauernbach and the Isel rivers and is the largest municipality in East Tyrol. The municipal area includes not only the 3,674-meter-high Großvenediger but also the entire Tauerntal and the upper Isel Valley.
Archaeological finds in the Matrei region have been dated back to the early Bronze Age. Until the 20th century, Matrei was known as Windisch-Matrei. Today, tourism plays a crucial economic role, especially considering the significance of winter tourism in Matrei.
The region of East Tyrol is an exclave of Tyrol since it is not connected to the rest of the state. In 1919, Austria had to cede South Tyrol to Italy, and since then, East Tyrol no longer shares a border with North Tyrol. The major rivers in the region are the Drau and the Isel, which converges with the Drau in the district capital, Lienz. There are more than 150 mountains in East Tyrol that exceed 3,000 meters in height.
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How do I get to Hotel Outside?
From Munich, it's approximately 190 kilometers to us, from Cologne 770 kilometers. Hamburg is about 970 kilometers from Outside, and from Berlin, you have a journey of 780 kilometers to Matrei. Vienna is about 440 kilometers away, and from Zurich, it's about 450 kilometers.
The easiest way to reach your destination is by car. If you are coming from Germany, take the A 8 highway from Munich. At Rosenheim, switch to the A 93 towards the border at Kufstein. After crossing the border, you will be on the toll-required A 12. Exit the highway at Kufstein and follow the signs for Felbertauernstrasse, which will take you to Matrei. Please note that a separate toll is required for using Felbertauernstrasse.
To arrive without a vignette, you need to exit at Kiefersfelden and follow the B 171 towards Innsbruck to Kufstein.
Of course, you can also come by train. The final station of your journey is Lienz station, from where we can offer you a free shuttle to the hotel and back. In addition to Lienz, you can also take the train to Kitzbühel and then continue with the express bus to Matrei in East Tyrol.
The nearest airports are Salzburg and Innsbruck, both about 160 kilometers away.
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Which parking options does the hotel offer?
There is a free parking lot directly opposite the hotel. Additionally, there are covered parking spaces that you can reserve in advance (€10 per day).
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Can I charge my electric car in Matrei?
At the hotel, there are three paid Type-2 charging stations with up to 22KW charging capacity.
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Do you need winter tires or snow chains to get to Matrei in Osttirol?
In Austria, there is a winter tire requirement that applies from November 1st to April 15th. This means that winter tires are mandatory on vehicles in wintry conditions. Therefore, we recommend fitting winter tires for your journey to East Tyrol. Additionally, carrying a pair of snow chains in the trunk will give you the assurance of being prepared for any eventualities.
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Is there a ski resort in Matrei in Osttirol?
Yes, Matrei in East Tyrol has the Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei ski area. It is an attractive ski resort at the foot of the Großglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. With various slopes for all skill levels, modern ski lifts, and breathtaking alpine scenery, the ski area provides optimal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.
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How many lifts and slopes does the Großglockner Resort ski area have?
The ski area has 16 modern ski lifts, capable of transporting more than 24,000 people per hour, reaching heights of over 2,400 meters. This virtually eliminates waiting times. You have more than 47 kilometers of ski slopes available for your downhill enjoyment.
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How snow-sure is the ski resort?
100% of the slopes can be artificially snow-covered, and even three artificially snow-covered valley descents ensure snow reliability throughout the entire winter.
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Are the lifts also open in the summer?
The Goldriedbahn cable car is open in the summer, providing easy access to various hikes such as the European Panorama Trail over the Kals-Matreier Törl.
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How is the weather in Matrei in Osttirol?
The protected location south of the main Alpine ridge and the shielding by the High Tauern in the north create special climatic conditions. East Tyrol is the region in Austria with the fewest rainy days and the most hours of sunshine per year. You can find a weather forecast for the next few days as well as the live view from our webcam on the website.
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What activities can one undertake in Matrei in Osttirol in the summer?
The area around Matrei is primarily known for hiking and mountaineering, thanks to the presence of the Großglockner. The Hohe Tauern National Park is well-known across Europe and is a popular destination for mountain enthusiasts and hiking aficionados. The guided ranger tours offered in the national park rightfully enjoy great popularity. Naturally, in an area with 60 peaks above 3,000 meters, there are also plenty of opportunities for climbing.
For bikers, there are numerous mountain biking routes that will get them sweating. Adventurers, especially, will enjoy a rafting or canoeing tour on the Isel, the longest river in the Southern Alps. The extra dose of adrenaline can be found in paragliding, and if the joy of life for you lies in riding horses, then you can find it in the riding hall in Matrei.
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Can I go shopping nearby?
You can buy everything you need for your vacation in one of the three supermarkets in Matrei. There is even a butcher and a farmer's store in the village.
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Is there a doctor or a pharmacy nearby?
Several doctors are available, and you will also find a pharmacy right in Matrei.