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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Skating or classic?
6 cross-country skiing tips for beginners
6 cross-country skiing tips for beginners
Cross-country skiing on a winter holiday in the mountains - the best cross-country skiing tips for beginners
No matter whether you want to try something new this winter and do a few laps on the cross-country ski trail or you already consider yourself a real cross-country skiing pro - getting a few tips never hurts ;)
On the trail, ready, go!
Cross-country skiing is now one of the most popular winter sports, and young people in particular are discovering this endurance sport for themselves. Cross-country skiing not only trains numerous muscle groups, but also makes the calories fall off!
If you haven't started cross-country skiing yet, it's high time you did, because winter is short and the cross-country trails in the world are too beautiful not to do it 😉 We'll tell you everything you should pay attention to as a beginner.
This is what you should keep in mind as a beginner in endurance sports
1. The right material is the be-all and end-all
Cross-country skis, cross-country boots, and cross-country poles – and you're complete with all the gear you need ;) What you definitely shouldn't underestimate is that different techniques require special equipment. So our tip for you: Rent your equipment from a local ski rental shop, try out different models, and once you've found a cross-country skiing technique that works for you, you can invest in your own gear ;).
2. It all depends on the technology
Do you think that when cross-country skiing you just have to swing your poles and the cross-country skis move by themselves? Um... not quite. Basically, there are two techniques. In the classic style on a groomed trail, you move your arms and legs diagonally to each other. This technique is also easier to learn. In skating, on the other hand, you have more speed and move in a similar way to inline skating.
3. The choice of clothing
Cross-country skiing will warm you up quicker than you think :) That's why your clothing should ideally be breathable and moisture-wicking. Thick winter jackets that make you look like a Michelin Man are a clear beginner's mistake – you need clothes that allow you plenty of room to move. Do you already have winter running clothes? Perfect, this is perfectly sufficient! And as always, the good old layering principle applies ;)
4. Learn from the pros!
If you're unsure whether cross-country skiing is really your new winter sport, then you should take a cross-country skiing course. This course will teach you all the correct techniques for pushing off, gliding, and braking, as well as emergency falls. After just a few hours, you'll quickly notice tremendous progress :)
P.S. Already an advanced skier but want to refresh your brain cells after a summer break? A course at the start of the season works wonders!
5. Know the rule!
Just as you can't just snatch a wave from a local surfer while surfing, you should also follow a few basic rules when cross-country skiing. The FIS has developed a set of rules of conduct that explain how to properly overtake other skiers, which markers to follow, and much more. Before you hit the trail, you should really internalize these rules and be able to recite them in your sleep—joking aside, but really take them to heart :)
6. Professionals are not born overnight
Well, something like that - the point is: Cross-country skiing requires good fitness, and to make it easier for you, you should start proper training early. Jogging or trail running is ideal for this. But don't worry if you haven't had time to work on your fitness: You can simply train it at the same time as your first turns :)
The most important rule is still - have fun!
Here you can find out everything about the right technology & equipment
Cross-country skiing expert Martin Scheiber explains and shows you everything you need to get started!
Cross-country skiing in the Ötztal: The most beautiful trails in Umhausen-Niederthai
Learn cross-country skiing: Classic | Technique & exercises
Learn cross-country skiing: Skating | Technique & exercises
Cross-country skiing: The right equipment for classic and skating
Learn cross-country skiing with professionals: The ultimate cross-country skiing camp in Ötztal
Learning to cross-country ski: Braking | Classic & skating technique
The perfect accommodation near the cross-country ski trails:
Explorer Hotels Avalanche Awareness Camp
✔ February 6-8, 2026
✔ Avalanche transceiver search
✔ Avalanche awareness
✔ Tour planning
Ski touring camp in Garmisch
✔ January 23-25, 2026
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✔ For intermediate skiers
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✔ Ski Touring Guiding
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✔ Risk Management
Ski Deal
✔ 10% discount
✔ Limited bookings
✔ Arrival daily
✔ 3 nights or more
Thermal baths included!
✔ Only in Bad Kleinkirchheim
✔ Free daily spa entry
✔ from 1 night
Explorer Week
✔ Stay 7 nights or more and save 15%.
✔ Arrival daily.
Ski Hit | Neuschwanstein
✔ Ski pass included
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✔ 2 - 6 nights
Ski Hit | Oberstdorf
✔ Ski pass included
✔
✔ 3 - 6 nights
Ski Hit | Bad Kleinkirchheim
✔ Ski pass included
✔
✔ 3 - 6 nights
Ski Hit | Montafon
✔ Includes a 2.5-day ski pass
✔ from 3-5 nights
✔ bookable only Sun - Fri
Cross-country skiing camp in the Ötztal
✔ January 16-18, 2026
✔ Skating & Classic
✔ Beginners & Advanced
Cross-country skiing camp in Oberstdorf
✔ February 6-8, 2026
✔ Skating and Classical
✔ with Eva and Maria
Cross-country skiing camp in Oberstdorf
✔ January 9-11, 2026
✔ Skating
✔ with Eva and Maria
Team outing
Ski Week | Neuschwanstein
✔ Includes 6-day ski pass
✔ Arrival daily
MONTAFON: Kids on Ski - for children between 3 and 5
✔ Only in Montafon
✔ 7 nights
✔ includes 5 x 2-hour ski lessons, rental equipment, and a 6-day ski pass for children
✔ Children stay free
✔ Arrival on Sundays
Flexible Rate
✔ No deposit required
✔ Only a 10% fee for rebooking/cancellation up to 3 days before arrival
Climate Rate
✔ 10% off
✔ from 1 night
✔ only when arriving by train/bike
Ski Week | Oberstdorf
✔ Includes 6-day ski pass
✔ Arrival daily
Special Rate
✔ No deposit
✔ from 1 day
✔ 80% cancellation fee except for re-letting