The best time to visit Innsbruck
Innsbruck has two full seasons and, between them, weeks when the Nordkette stands still — precisely the weeks nobody checks.
- For walking
- June–September
- For skiing
- December–March
- To check
- Early November and late April
Innsbruck works on two seasons: June to September for walking, December to March for skiing. Between them the Nordkette funicular and cable cars go in for maintenance — roughly the first three weeks of November and the last week of April — so the city works and the mountain above it does not.
The year month by month
The season picks the mountain — November and late April decide whether there is one at all
The weeks to check
The Nordkette's summer timetable runs until 1 November and the winter one starts around the twentieth; in between neither the funicular to the Hungerburg nor the two cable cars above it run, so there is no way from the city to the Hafelekar. The second pause is shorter, the last week of April, between the winter and summer timetables. The city carries on as normal, and in the second half of November the old town already has its Christmas market — all that is missing is the altitude you came for. The dates are published in advance and shift from year to year, so check them before buying a ticket.
Why September beats July
July and August are the warmest months in the valley, about 25 °C by day, but also the wettest: 130 to 145 millimetres a month, roughly three times January. September brings the daytime temperature down to about 20 °C and the rain to 80 to 90 millimetres. Until 30 September the Nordkette still runs its longer summer hours, and most mountain huts stay open to the end of the month; from October the hours shorten and the huts close one by one. The price of September is a shorter day and colder mornings.
Which month for whom
- A first visit — June or September. The Nordkette runs its longer summer hours and the paths up top are clear of snow.
- For walking — late June to the end of September, while the mountain huts are open.
- For skiing — January and February. One pass, Olympia SkiWorld, covers nine ski areas around the city including the Stubai glacier, and ski buses run to them from the centre.
- For quiet before winter — October. The Nordkette still runs, only on shorter hours, and the valley is at about 16 °C.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
When does the Nordkette funicular not run?
Roughly the first three weeks of November and the last week of April, for maintenance; the cable cars above it stop too. The exact dates are published in advance and change from year to year.
Which is the best month for Innsbruck?
For the mountain, September: about 20 °C in the valley, a third less rain than July, and the mountain huts still open.
Can you ski from Innsbruck?
You can, from December to March at the ski areas around the city, and on the Stubai glacier from October to mid-May.
Ready for Innsbruck?
Where to next
Getting around Innsbruck
→Innsbruck's airport sits inside the city, bus F reaches the centre in about 15–20 min, and the same IVB…
Kitzbühel · 78 km
→A medieval town known for one ski run in January
How well does Innsbruck suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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