Current as of: April 19, 2024 - 19:53
Cross-Country Skiing at Leutasch and Seefeld Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
- Destination: Austria
- Programmes: Winter
-
Activity Level:
Multi-Level
- 8 Days: Flight Inclusive
- 8 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 18+
- Trip Code: K07LE
Trip Overview
Leutasch is truly a winter wonderland – its high level plateau and tranquil valley provide some of the prettiest and most extensive cross-country skiing and walking trails in Europe.
The Winter Olympics have been held here twice and 2019 saw the World Cross Country Ski Championships held in nearby Seefeld.
There’s plenty of skiing here for all levels, with the loipes opposite the hotel providing excellent practice areas, as well as doorstep access to the rest of the network. There are gentle plateau trails, peaceful valley runs and more challenging routes on the wooded hillsides offering stunning valley views. There’s clear signposting and an excellent free trail map for perfect self guided exploration, along with superb downhill skiing in Seefeld, just 15 minutes away. If you fancy a change from cross-country skiing, there are also horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice skating and snowshoeing available locally.
At a Glance
- Management by local hotelier
- Cross-country skiing for all levels
Highlights
- 4 star family run hotel with superb facilities: heated indoor pool, saunas, steam bath and jacuzzi
- Over 260km of immaculately groomed and signposted cross-country skiing trails - perfect for independent exploration
- Choice of other activities: winter walking, horse drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing, downhill skiing
- Pretty Alpine villages, onion-domed churches, chocolate box snowscapes
Adult min age: 18
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Leutasch
- End City: Leutasch
Flight Inclusive
- Start City: London
- End City: London
Land Only Itinerary
Arrive in Leutasch
Arrive at Innsbruck Airport, from where we take you to Leutasch (45 mins).
Typical Itinerary
Head into the village to pick up your skis, boots and poles then set off on one of the many trails in the Leutasch Valley. There are plenty to choose from, with over 150km of classic cross country skiing tracks, 112km of skating cross country trails and 143km of prepared winter walking routes in the area. Explore the picture perfect snowy landscapes to a backdrop of white capped mountain peaks, snow dusted forest and traditional Alpine huts. For a longer day out, hop on the convenient ski bus to discover the Olympic village of Seefeld.
After a day out on the trails, return to the cosy comfort of the ever welcoming Hotel Hubertushof for afternoon coffee and cake, not to mention relaxation in the hotel’s excellent wellness centre.
For less confident skiers or beginners, ski tuition can be arranged at the local ski school in the village. Please let us know if you would like us to arrange this service.
Return Home
We take you to the airport in time to connect with your flight home.
Accommodation
Hotel
Your base for the week is the luxury and family run 4 star Hotel Hubertushof, tucked away in the hamlet of Reindlau, with a stunning backdrop of the snowcapped Wetterstein mountains. It boasts all the luxuries you would expect of a high-class hotel, and is just a short bus ride from the village (a complimentary bus pass is included for all stays). The bedrooms are spacious yet cosy, with the wooden panneling and carved furniture which is so typical of the Tyrol region. Included as standard is the hotel’s superb afternoon ‘sweet hour’, when a variety of snacks and cakes are served to refresh hungry skiers and once a week, guests are invited onto the hotel’s panoramic terrace for an evening of Gluhwein tasting.
The hotel offers a heated indoor swimming pool, two saunas, steam bath, whirlpool bath and boot room. Beauty treatments and massages are also available at an additional cost (payable locally), should you wish to spoil yourself.
Single supplement from £ 214
Food & Drink
Buffet breakfast, afternoon snack and evening meals.
Austria is renowned for its wholesome, robust food and you will be thankful for this after a hard day’s skiing. Typically, you will be set up for the day by a breakfast of cold meats and cheeses, along with the traditional bread, jam and coffee. Austrians tend to eat heartily at lunchtime and less in the evenings; you will be well catered for at dinner. Local specialities include Wiener schnitzel (breaded veal cutlet) and various stews of beef and pork. Dumplings, potatoes or noodles are all regular accompaniments along with vegetables in a style similar to English cooking. Desserts are often fruit based – such as Apfelstrudel – or cream pastries. Rehrucken is a traditional chocolate and almond cream cake. On average Austrians, drink twice as much coffee as beer. There are many different types to choose from, particularly in the larger towns and cities and are often drunk in specialist coffee houses, known locally as a Kaffeehaus. It is often served in large cups and finished off with a healthy dose of whipped cream.
Austrian wines tend to be sweet white varieties, similar to German Mosel wines. The three best-known areas for producing white wines are Krems, Klosterneuburg and Gumpoldskirchen. The main red wine producing area is Voslau. Of course Austria is better known for its beer and you will find a wide variety of local brews. The best known are Gösser and Augustiner Brau and come in light or dark forms.
Weather & Seasonality
Seefeld is situated at 1180m and at this height snow can lie from December to mid-March, with fresh snowfalls at any time. Average daytime temperatures in winter are around -5ºC, though they can fall as low as -15ºC with approximately 8 to 10 hours of daylight. At all times of the winter you can hope for periods of clear bright weather and in February and March it can become surprisingly warm in the sun. Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day.
Weather Charts
Joining Instructions
Your trip normally starts at the hotel in Leutasch on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary.
Full joining instructions including route notes, hotel list and local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. Please note maps will be provided upon arrival at your start hotel.
The tour only prices for this holiday exclude transfers from innsbruck airport , Innsbruck station or an Innsbruck hotel, but these can be arranged for you. Please contact us at least 1 week before departure to book this service. Supplements apply.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Leutasch
Location end: Leutasch
Transfer Details
Standard transfers
Transfers will be arranged from Innsbruck airport, Innsbruck station or an Innsbruck hotel as required, at no additional charge. Transfers are based on 2 passengers traveling.
What To Take
Essential Equipment
3 or 3-4 season waterproof walking boots with semi-rigid soles, and good ankle support.
Shoe grip
A small rucksack to carry the items you will need during the day (water bottle, extra clothing…)
Good quality waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers and gaiters
Warm fleece
Warm hat and gloves
Occasionally we experience unseasonably warm days, where t-shirts, lightweight trousers and light fleeces are all that’s required.
Optional Equipment
Large capacity water bottle and/or thermos flask
Sunglasses and high factor sun cream and lip protection
Sit-mat (or small square of karrimat) for resting in the snow
Trainers/comfortable shoes for the evenings
Swimwear
Reading List
- Stride and Glide – A Manual of Cross Country Skiing and Nordic Walking Paddy Field and Stuart Montgomery
- Cross-Country skiing: Building Skills for Fun and Fitness Mountaineers Outdoor Expert
- The Essential Cross-Country Skier: A Step-by-step Guide Rick Lovett and Paul Peterson
- Lonely Planet – Austria
- Austria – DK Eyewitness Travel Guide
Practical Information
Visa
Austria
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Austria. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/austria
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/austria
- United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/austria/entry-requirements
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Austria.html
Vaccinations and Health
Austria
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Local Time
Austria's time zone: Europe/Vienna (UTC +02:00)
Electricity
Austria's electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Austria's currency: Euros (EUR)
ATM Availability
ATM facilities are available in Seefeld and most shops accept credit cards.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
For the lunches we suggest allowing between €10 and €12.
You may wish to allow for some additional expenses on your free day as there are many optional activities available in Seefeld; cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, tobogganing and snowshoeing. Equipment hire and passes are available locally. Your leader can provide further information.
Responsible Travel
At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.