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Get more from the summer in the Stubai Valley

8th May 2016 Print
Nature Scenic Site Elfer

Visitors to the Stubai Valley can also expect a lot from a summer holiday in 2016. More offers, excursions, sports activities and great moments to enjoy. The Stubai Glacier has plenty of unique glacier experiences paired with numerous hiking opportunities. At the mountain adventure park Schlick 2000, a tree-house trail has been created; at the Serles cable car mountain station in Mieders, the Serlespark is opening its doors; the Elfer cable car lift in Neustift will bring you more action with the Eins Einser trail, and with new spots to enjoy nature's spectacle and the extended leisure programme, there is lots to be discovered.

Summer activities on offer in the Stubai Valley continue to grow year on year. Thanks to investments in new projects and the expansion of existing products in both the mountain and the valley, guests will see their wishes fulfilled.

More glacier action at the Stubai Glacier

In summer 2016, the mountain ascent is possible with the Gamsgarten gondolas and the Rotadl chairlift up to the Rotadlkopf mountain peak at 3,015m. From here, visitors can have an entirely new view of the glacier world. When hiking along the Daunferner Glacier it all becomes tangible. At the exit to the Rotadl cable car, guests can take part in a daily informative talk and learn about the glacier and the origins of the ski resort. The ice cube bar at the Daunferner Glacier keeps the hikers supplied with snacks and drinks. At the Gamsgarten mountain station, you can enjoy a BBQ, Tyrolean delicacies and ice cream specialities. Children can enjoy the children's play area and the water games. The Gamsgarten mountain station is also a meeting point for daily guided hikes towards the Daunderner Glacier. Standing at 3,210m, the mountain peak platform TOP OF TYROL can be conquered by hiking from the Rotadl mountain station across the secure glacier path and passing the Jochdohle, which is the highest mountain restaurant in Austria. A visit to the Schaufeljoch chapel is also recommended. For those looking to cool down on the hot summer days, a visit to the ice grotto at the Stubai Glacier is a good idea. A 200m long round tour through the ice grotto sheds light on glacier phenomena, such as glacier milk, moraines and much more. Opening times are dependent on the snow conditions and access path. The Stubai Glacier is open in summer 2016 from 9 July to 4 September.

There is a lot of building activity during the summer months at the Stubai Glacier for the new 3S Eisgrat cable car lift - the largest individual mountain cable car project ever to have been realised in Austria. From the end of October 2016 onwards, it will take you up Eisgrat faster and more easily.

Expanding the hiking possibilities at Schlick 2000

The mountain adventure park Schlick 2000 more than lives up to his reputation, and the tree-house trail will expand the hiking activities available from the summer onwards. The new adventure trail runs from the Froneben middle station up to the Alm resting point, the guest house Vergör. Climbing continuously up into the treetops, its beautifully designed tree-houses allow a view into the history of Fulpmes, the blacksmiths' village in the Stubai Valley. A large part of the interactive stations is dedicated to mining. It also provides information for both young and old about the surrounding fauna and flora. The path is either directly accessible from the middle station, or can be linked with a tour beforehand of the Alpine Plant Learning Path, the Nature Trail, the Adventure Trail and the Disc Trail. The last trail is a highlight for children. With the Disc Trail, there is a race with wooden discs, which you can hire beforehand from the service windows at the mountain station. The aim of the race is to roll the wooden disc along the track and over difficult obstacles down to the valley, without letting it fall on the floor.

Experience the Serles cable car lift in Mieders in a new way

The Serles lakes located near the Serles cable car lifts in Mieders at the Koppeneck mountain station are more than just a reservoir. In addition to the main basin, shimmering in emerald green, there are three further water basins. Together they form the new Serlespark in summer, a world of adventure and recuperation for the whole family. Children can enjoy the Serles water in the flat basin, a water play area with a tap and watering system, and a wild water trail for playing and Kneipp hydrotherapy. Parents can relax while keeping an eye on the children, in the oases of calm found at the Serles lakes, where they can enjoy views of the surrounding Serles mountain panorama, the Kalkkögel and Nordkette mountain ranges. Stunning views can also be enjoyed from the new platforms offered by the Serles cable car lifts. The three viewing platforms, which carry the names Koppeneck, Karwendelblick and Serlesblick, are best enjoyed on a circular hike, which takes you to Maria Waldrast, the highest abbey in Europe.

Action-packed Elfer, Neustift

The Elfer in Neustift promises more action. With paragliding and kite flying, the Elfer has been the number one attraction in the valley for decades. From July 2016, there will be more great opportunities for adrenaline junkies to enjoy, such as downhill biking, racing along the Eins Einser trail from the mountain into the valley. The extensive range of biking activities available is completed by the first mountain bike downhill trail in the Stubai Valley of moderate difficulty covering a distance of approximately 5 km. Because the gondolas on the Elfer cable car lift can transport bikes, access to the trail is easy and straightforward, also making it easy to do over and over again. Children can burn off excess energy at the new playgrounds located at the Elfer mountain restaurant, and feel like they're flying with the new paraglider swing. Finally, the circular hiking path to the Autenalm Alm is more for the hikers.

More scenic nature sites

In addition to the five existing scenic nature sites, summer 2016 will see an additional three sites, which are the perfect places to rest and reflect. The Hühnerspiel scenic nature site is idyllically located beneath the Brennerspitze peak, from where a view can be enjoyed across Stubai and beyond to the inn valley. The Wildeben nature site is also located beneath the Serles - the popular mountain peak in Stubai - which is located just a stone's throw away from the mountain lodge bearing the same name. The third new scenic nature site has been created in the Schlick and is positioned so that you can see from there all the way to the glacier's eternal ice.

More enjoyment

The Stubai Leisure Programme has also been expanded and now offers even more fun on the Alm, with a picnic basket from the Froneben Alm mountain lodge in the mountain adventure park Schlick 2000, for example. Sumptuously filled with home-made delicacies, this basket can be enjoyed together with friends or family near the Alm. Further enjoyment can be had at a wine and fine brandy tasting session with Johann Gumpold in Neustift, or by visiting the Krösbacher mountain butchers in Fulpmes. As part of the programme, you can also see the handicraft of a wood turner, a beekeeper and an Alpine herdsman. However, these are just some of the activities available in the programme, where different highlights are recommended every day of the week.

More pleasure with the BIG Family Stubai

The valley's hospitality to children and families deserves a particular mention. In the BIG Family Stubai Summer Club, children are able to enjoy the variety the mountain world has to offer, away from games consoles and mobile devices. It is open from 27 June to 9 September, and from 3 to 21 October 2016 for two age groups - from four years upwards and from 10 years upwards - and offers a tailored entertainment activities programme for children, under the supervision of highly trained staff. This year will see Manni Matschmonster accompany the young children on their excursions, while the older children can get a taste of adventure at the adventure park on the climbing courses, in the Alpine garden in Schlick 2000, or on tandem flights. A ride on the rafting boat or the summer toboggan run, which can be reached with the Serles cable cars in Mieders, are guaranteed to deliver even more exciting adventures. The programme is rounded off with a round of minigolf and Geocaching.

A real “sweetener” for families is the BIG Family Stubai Summer Card - available when checking into one of the BIG Family partners. All children up to 15 years of age can use the lift facilities (Stubaier Glacier, Schlick 2000 in Fulpmes, Serlesbahnen in Mieders and Elferlifte in Neustift) free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult, whilst also enjoying many other benefits.

Get more from your holiday with the Stubai Super Card

In addition to the card for young guests, this summer will also once again offer the Stubai Super Card - something that all guests of the Stubai Valley can benefit from. When holidaymakers book their stay with a participating partner, they will also enjoy many additional benefits free-of-charge.

New for summer 2016 is that the cardholder can use the new StuBay adventure waterpark once a week for three hours and the summer toboggan run in Mieders once a week. In addition, a range of attractive bonus offers with bonus partners can also be enjoyed. This means that you also get a 30% reduction in the regular admission/travel price at participating partners. This can range from admission to the Stubai Glacier ice grotto, the use of the mountain lodge taxis (Hüttentaxis) through to reduced admission prices to museums, both within the valley and beyond to Innsbruck.

All services included in the offer, bonus partners and accommodation providers offering the Stubai Super Card can be found at: stubai.at/en/activities/hiking/stubai-super-card/  

Guests will receive the Stubai Super Card upon check-in from 26 May to 26 October 2016.

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Nature Scenic Site Elfer