More than just a family skiing holiday

What makes for a perfect winter holiday with the family? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as every member of the family, whether young or old, has their own ideas. Fortunately, though, there’s something for everyone in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena. The world of excitement on the sunny side of the Zugspitze draws visitors to its seven ski areas and countless kilometres of cross-country ski trails. It also offers all kinds of ‘ski-free’ action – from llama and torchlight hikes to horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, tobogganing, and igloo building.

Here are six winter activities away from the pistes for an exciting and fulfilling family winter holiday:

Llama hiking: a winter hike with fluffy friends

Heidi Hofherr, a Tyrolean celebrity from Biberwier, is better known as the ‘llama whisperer’. Animal lovers young and old can join her and get to know and love the child-friendly shaggy animals on a walk together. The excursion lasts about one and a half hours and explores the winter landscape around Biberwier. The tours take place regularly in winter and can also be booked privately.

Torchlit hikes: mystic, romantic evening excursions – not just for couples

The clear winter air as you make your way through the evening winter landscape with a crackling torch in your hand – it’s an unforgettable experience. The Tiroler Zugspitz Arena offers two different options: the unique atmosphere of a torchlight hike and the one-and-a-half-hour torchlit tour, which is free for guests – torch included. Dates can be found by going to www.zugspitzarena.com, and you can sign up at the tourist information by 4pm the day before an excursion.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides: a trip into the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

There’s always something magical about a sleigh ride. It’s no surprise, then, that the cosy rides through the winter landscape are becoming increasingly popular. And while they’re stepping on it up front, you can snuggle up in the blanket on the back seat of the sleigh and allow yourself to be swept through the magnificent countryside. An essential fixture after the sleigh ride: a stop at one of the many cosy inns between Ehrwald, Biberwier, and Berwang.

Fun in the Tyrolean ice: skating and ice stock sport

When there’s a chill out and you can see your breath, it’s the perfect time for ice skating. All nature and winter sports lovers can go out and enjoy the great ice rinks in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, where you can also try out an old Tyrolean tradition: ice stock sport. A rental stock costs 8 euros for adults and half price for children up to 14 years of age.

Tobogganing: the ideal alternative to the pistes

If you love the thrill of the slopes but aren’t a natural at skiing – we’ve got just the thing for you! Tobogganing is THE winter sport for everyone. And who wouldn’t enjoy a sport that you can do sitting down?

It doesn’t matter whether you get to the top on foot or by lift, the way down is the same for everyone: on two steel runners – great fun guaranteed. When you’re having so much fun, the day can be over quickly. But in the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, night-time tobogganing is where it really gets going. You can try out this evening adventure in Ehrwald, Berwang, and Lermoos.

Arctic action in the heart of Tyrol: building an igloo together

Snow architects wanted: in the midst of the deep snow of the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, you can build an igloo and dive into the world of the Inuit. Working together, you’ll need to compress the snow, saw blocks of ice, and ultimately put together the winter home using traditional building methods.