Stubai Valley / NEW: now open
Open since November 15, 2024 • Skiing at over 3,000 m • Austria's largest glacier • 4 ski areas • Alpine pastures and mountain lakes • Stubai High Trail • Schlick 2000 Bike Park
Open since November 15, 2024 • Skiing at over 3,000 m • Austria's largest glacier • 4 ski areas • Alpine pastures and mountain lakes • Stubai High Trail • Schlick 2000 Bike Park
Kitzbühel
At the Bikepark & Bergbahn St. Johann • only 20 minutes to Kitzbühel • Hiking and climbing at the Wilder Kaiser • SuperSki Card ski pass with 2,750 km of slopes
At the Bikepark & Bergbahn St. Johann • only 20 minutes to Kitzbühel • Hiking and climbing at the Wilder Kaiser • SuperSki Card ski pass with 2,750 km of slopes
Ötztal
AREA 47 • 1,600 km of hiking trails • 870 km of mountain bike routes • WIDIVERSUM • Ötzi Village • Umhausen Birds of Prey Park • Stuibenfall
AREA 47 • 1,600 km of hiking trails • 870 km of mountain bike routes • WIDIVERSUM • Ötzi Village • Umhausen Birds of Prey Park • Stuibenfall
Zillertal
1,300 km of bike tours • Top bike destination in the Alps • Hiking & climbing • 179 lifts / 508 km of slopes • Only 600 m to the Hochzillertal ski area • 10 min to the Zillertal Arena
1,300 km of bike tours • Top bike destination in the Alps • Hiking & climbing • 179 lifts / 508 km of slopes • Only 600 m to the Hochzillertal ski area • 10 min to the Zillertal Arena
Bad Kleinkirchheim / Carinthia
In town: St. Kathrein Thermal Spa & Römerbad • 15 minutes from the most beautiful bathing lakes in Carinthia • incl. Sunshine Card • September & October including Carinthia Card with free cable car & more
In town: St. Kathrein Thermal Spa & Römerbad • 15 minutes from the most beautiful bathing lakes in Carinthia • incl. Sunshine Card • September & October including Carinthia Card with free cable car & more
Neuschwanstein
At the Alpspitzbahn in Nesselwang with summer tobogganing & Alpspitzkick • only 20 minutes to the royal castles • slopes, ski school, children's ski area & daily night skiing directly at the hotel
At the Alpspitzbahn in Nesselwang with summer tobogganing & Alpspitzkick • only 20 minutes to the royal castles • slopes, ski school, children's ski area & daily night skiing directly at the hotel
Garmisch
Great location in the Kuhflucht nature and recreation park with views of the Zugspitze and Alpspitze • 5km to Garmisch-Partenkirchen • Eibsee • Partnachklamm • Near the hotel: heated outdoor pool, sports center
Great location in the Kuhflucht nature and recreation park with views of the Zugspitze and Alpspitze • 5km to Garmisch-Partenkirchen • Eibsee • Partnachklamm • Near the hotel: heated outdoor pool, sports center
Montafon
Piz Buin, Silvretta-Montafon with 300km of ski slopes • Silvretta High Alpine Road • directly at the Mountain Beach, 270km of bike trails
Piz Buin, Silvretta-Montafon with 300km of ski slopes • Silvretta High Alpine Road • directly at the Mountain Beach, 270km of bike trails
Hinterstoder
Ideal location at the valley station of the Hinterstoder cable car • Just a few steps from the village center • Active Card: 40 free and 20 bonus services daily
Ideal location at the valley station of the Hinterstoder cable car • Just a few steps from the village center • Active Card: 40 free and 20 bonus services daily
Oberstdorf
Germany's southernmost holiday resort • perfect starting point for mountain hikes and bike tours • 200 km of hiking trails at all altitudes • Germany's largest and highest ski area
Germany's southernmost holiday resort • perfect starting point for mountain hikes and bike tours • 200 km of hiking trails at all altitudes • Germany's largest and highest ski area
Berchtesgaden
A few minutes from the famous Königssee • Berchtesgaden National Park • Watzmann • Kehlsteinhaus • Berchtesgaden Salt Mine • Outdoor pool only 200 m away • NEW: Jenner cable car
A few minutes from the famous Königssee • Berchtesgaden National Park • Watzmann • Kehlsteinhaus • Berchtesgaden Salt Mine • Outdoor pool only 200 m away • NEW: Jenner cable car
A weekend at the Explorer Cross-Country Camp for beginners
Report on the Explorer Cross-Country Ski Camp in Ötztal
The participants of the Explorer Cross-Country Ski Camp enjoyed an exciting weekend in the Ötztal Valley. Technique training, workshops, and lively conversations made for an unforgettable experience!
Feedback from camp participants
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I would book the camp again in a heartbeat!" Bettina
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I now feel really confident and ready to hit the trails on my own." Franzi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Very friendly, professional cross-country instructors, uncomplicated hotel, excellent support from the Explorer (hotels)" Sven
Our sports buddy tests the cross-country ski camp and gives you the insights 😎
Friday
Materials science
On Friday afternoon, we met at the Explorer Hotel Ötztal and met the other camp participants. We were welcomed with a drink (yum) and the Explorer goodie bag.
Then the equipment was distributed and the group was divided into classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing. Boots and poles were tested for the correct size, and we received some information about what to look for when choosing equipment!
The first meters on the trail
After warming up, we strapped on our skis and competed in teams to complete various challenges. It was pretty fun, as we weren't quite as agile or skilled on cross-country skis yet.
The playful approach definitely helped us to be less tense and not overthink every single movement. That really helped me!
Technical training
After a good warm-up, we started with the technique. Here we practiced different braking techniques and covered the first few meters.
PS: I thought skating would have at least some similarities to skiing, but it wasn't! Only when braking do you have a slight advantage as a skier. 😉
Saturday
Warm-up, games & technology
After a delicious breakfast, the day began with a cross-country ski run. Warm-up exercises and mobilization got us up to speed quickly. Keeping our balance in the snow wasn't easy, but we were perfectly prepared to strap on our cross-country skis again!
Afterward, we learned different steps and the best ones to use on steeper sections and turns. Today, the first small hill was also on the agenda.
Burgers & Pictures
As a reward, we walked together to the Ötztalerei and treated ourselves to a burger. 😋 It was delicious!
We also looked at pictures from the weekend and gave our horses marks. 😉 Don't worry, we were just given tips, because you can easily spot mistakes in pictures.
Wax lecture
The waxing demonstration was the perfect end to a successful day. I now feel confident caring for and waxing my cross-country skis myself in the future. Afterward, I just went to bed, dead tired. After all, the cross-country skiing fun continued on Sunday!
Sunday
Trail, trail and more trail
After a hearty breakfast, we headed back to the cross-country ski trail. We were already feeling a bit of muscle sore from day 3. 😉 But it wasn't all that bad.
Today was all about improving our technique, and what better way to do that than by covering a few kilometers together on the cross-country ski trail. We set off with our guides in bright sunshine before it was time for our final lunch break together.
biathlon
That was one of my personal highlights. To round off the day on the cross-country ski trail, we tried biathlon. It's definitely not to be underestimated. I actually had to do a few penalty laps, because aiming after being out of breath from cross-country skiing is pretty difficult! That was the crowning conclusion of the camp. After a drink together at the Explorer Bar, we headed home.
PS: From now on, you can find me on the cross-country ski trail!
Want more information about the cross-country ski camp? Check out the camp video!
Will we see you at an Explorer Camp this year?
Camps in the Explorer Hotels
Garmisch
Trail running in Garmisch
✔ April 23-26, 2026
✔ Trail running with Michi Zahler
✔ GaPa Trail starting point
Hinterstoder
Kids Bike Camp
✔ July 31 - August 2, 2026
✔ Kids aged 6-12
✔ with the MTB Racing Team
✔ Camp can only be booked as an add-on
Zillertal
Bike Camp Zillertal
✔ May 22-24, 2026
✔ Mountain biking
✔ With the pros from the Mountainbike Racing Team
Oberstdorf
Trail running in Oberstdorf
✔ October 9-11, 2026
✔
✔ For beginners and advanced participants
✔
✔ Trails with Gitti and Andy
Montafon
Mountain Bike Ladies Days Montafon
✔ June 26-28, 2026
✔ Beginners and intermediate players
✔ Organizer: Ladies Days
✔ Book directly with Ladies Days
Montafon
Trailrunning Camp Montafon
✔ July 17-19, 2026
✔
✔ Organizer: Sabine Reiner
✔
✔ Book directly with Sabine Reiner
Website