Cross-country Skiing: Trins (independent)

Day 1
Fly to Innsbruck; transfer by road to Trins.

Day 2 - 7
Examples of self-guided winter activities include:
Cross-country Skiing
From Trins it is possible to ski on relatively flat tracks along the Gschnitztal. This is ideal for beginners and as a first day for more experienced skiers 'to get their ski legs back!' There is a convenient ski bus which operates in the valley to allow a flexible choice of distance. On specific days, additional ski buses run to two other valleys, the Obernbergtal and the Schmirntal. Both these valleys have more challenging skiing and are quiet, remote locations - often you will be the only people skiing there! The hardest skiing is reached by taxi at Maria Waldrast, the former Servite monastery, where there is a network of tracks winding up and down through the forest. The reward for this is a warming mug of glühwein at the end of the day in the monastery.
Most of the area's cross-country skiing tracks are prepared for classic technique, but it is possible to do some skating in both the Gschnitz and the Obernberg valleys.

Cross-country skis can be hired for approximately EUR8 per day from the ski hire shop in Trins.
A selection of cross-country skiing route notes and map are supplied upon booking and sent out with the booking confirmation.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoes can be hired for EUR6 per day from the ski hire shop in Trins. You have the choice of touring independently or on some days there are guided tours offered by the tourist office and/or local guides.
Tobogganing
There are many natural toboggan runs in the area. Traditional wooden toboggans can be hired from the ski hire shop in Trins for EUR4 per day. Some of the toboggan runs are serviced by ski lifts, whilst others involve walking up the hill before descending!
Downhill Skiing
There are two local downhill skiing areas:
1) In Trins there is a convenient slope for beginners using a drag lift. This system is serviced by a free minibus from the door of the hotel.
2) The main skiing area, suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers, is located at Steinach, again serviced by a free ski bus from the door of the hotel. 7 lifts serve 11 pistes totaling 28 Km - of these there are 9 Km of blue runs, 10 Km of red runs and 9 Km of black runs (including the World Champion Manni Pranger run, reckoned to be the steepest run in Europe!)
It is also possible to ski in the Stubai Valley, served by a limited free ski bus service.
Downhill skiing at the Steinach ski area: allow approximately EUR140 for a 5 day ski pass and EUR15 per day for ski hire from the Trins ski hire shop. It is also possible to join a ski class for about EUR90 for 5 days (if you use the Trins ski hire shop it is possible to obtain a combined price for ski hire and ski school). For more information about the alpine skiing in this area visit www.bergeralm.net. For more information about the Trins ski hire shop and ski school visit: www.topschi-tirol.info
Winter Walking
There are fine paths in all of the locations where cross-country skiing takes place. These areas are serviced by the same buses as for the cross-country skiing programme.
Day excursion to see the old town in Innsbruck
Day excursion to the South Tyrol (Italy) - it is possible to visit the border town of Brenner as well as the medieval town of Sterzing (Vippitano). On a long day it is also possible to visit Bozen to see the ice man - Oetzi

Day 8
Return transfer to Innsbruck; fly to London