FREERIDE TIROL'S BEST SKI AND SNOWBOARD RESORTS WITH OUR LOCAL GUIDE
Innsbruck is the snowboarding capital of the Tyrol region and comes with quite a pedigree. It has twice hosted the Winter Olympics, it’s the home to the likes of Burton and Method Mag and is surrounded by an incredible amount of resorts where you’ll find terrain that ranges from friendly to insane.
While the Austrian Tyrol is home to some of the biggest resorts in the world, some of the best powder days are to be had in smaller, ‘locals’ resorts which get overlooked. These are our secret spots where you’ll still find powder, even days after a storm. Our Innsbruck guides are on-hand to give you that local intel and put you in the right spot each day for the best snow. You’ll chase the snow and ride at different resorts each day. You’ll get to shred some of the most insane terrain in Europe with incredibly beautiful backdrops.
On this trip you’ll stay in the heart of Innsbruck’s historic Old Town so you can immerse yourself in the culture as well as enjoy the vibrant hustle and bustle. The city is steeped in history and it’s a tourist attraction in its own right. Each night, join the crew to explore the narrow winding streets of old town packed with traditional restaurants, bars and beer halls.
You’ll have a guide on-hand who knows a thing or two about finding the best snow and terrain, as well as sharing unique insights into the local culture and food. Our local guide is born and bred Innsbruck and can’t wait to show you the highlights of his hometown. Plus he’s a passionate freeride snowboarder, instructor, photographer, FWQ athlete and all-round good guy.
Dates
10 March - 16 March, 2024
Duration
6 nights & 5 days on-mountain
Price
EUR 2,350 per person
Single share room
Tour Type
Freeride - off-piste and in the trees
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Austria Freeride Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT INNSBRUCK
Innsbruck is the capital of the Tyrol region and boasts 9 resorts within 45 minutes drive including NordPark that you access via funicular from town. With 128,000 residents and steeped in history it’s a tourist attraction in its own right and with has all the services you’d expect for a city. Wander into the old town, the narrow winding streets lead into the plaza where you’ll see the Gothic 15th century three-story balcony called the Golden Roof. Burton Snowboards set up their first European headquarters in Innsbruck in 1992.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
March is one of our favourite times to ride in the Tyrol. The resorts are quiet and in great condition, with all pistes open for top to bottom riding. You can expect anything from deep snowy days riding in the trees to perfect bluebird days where you can ride fresh snow in the alpine. Even if we don’t get fresh snow overnight, the altitude and our local knowledge will ensure you’ll be able to ride light dry snow days after a storm.
CITY STAY
We make sure all our guests stay in quality accommodation that’s in the best location. Throughout the tour you’ll stay in a 4 star hotel in the heart of Innsbruck just steps from Old Town. Our single rooms are equipped with a comfortable bed, flat-screen TV, safe, WIFI and ensuite bathroom. Every morning you’ve got a hot breakfast to enjoy in the restaurant.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. When we are on mountain, our typical guest to guide ratio is 6 people per guide. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
FLEXIBLE ITINERARY
We keep the itinerary flexible so your local Mint Tours guide can hunt down the best conditions all day, every day. Each day your guide will assess the conditions and decide which is the best place to ski and snowboard based on weather and snowfall. Each day we’ll load up the van’s and drive to our chosen area. This flexibility ensures that we will find you the best snow and conditions all day, every day!
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Essential Info
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 6 nights Single Share accommodation, 4 star hotel in Innsbruck (1 person per room)
- 5 days of on-snow guiding
- 5 days of private transfers to and from resorts
- 6 breakfasts at the hotel (all dietary needs catered for)
- Arrival and departure transfers, Innsbruck Airport or Innsbruck HBF
- Hosting and guiding by Mint Tours
- Fully-escorted tour, guide on hand throughout the tour
This tour is suitable for intermediate to advanced snowboarders and skiers who are comfortable riding the whole mountain. All the guiding is within the resort boundary.
If you’re not quite up to the ability level for this tour, don’t dismiss the possibility of experiencing the best powder turns of your life! Talk with our team and they will be able to make recommendations for other suitable tours, or how to work towards joining this tour.
When you are ready to book, we’ll ask you to self-evaluate what type of rider/skier you are. This will help us book you on the right tour. The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to relax and enjoy your tour.
This tour is 6 nights and runs from Sunday to Saturday. You’ll ride every resort mid-week to avoid the weekend day-trippers and maximise your time on-snow. If 6 nights isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s. Join us in Innsbruck, then start a new tour in a different destination the following day.
DATES
- 10 – 16 March, 2024
BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR
Book this as a private tour with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small. Booking a private tour so you can ride with like-minded friends is the best way to guarantee the speed and ability levels of your group.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT IS A FREERIDE TOUR?
Our Freeride Tours offer you the best chance to ride off piste and in powder. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the resorts we visit, which gives you the ultimate advantage when your chasing deep, un-tracked snow. We’ll aim to ride and ski a lot of powder, glades and trees so please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees for 5 days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that a destination has to offer. The accommodation for this tour is single share i.e. 1 guest per room.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
No, lift tickets are not included for this tour. This allows us to keep the itinerary flexible and chase the snow.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?
It’s hard to estimate when the tour will fill up, so our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel. That way you can secure your preferred travel dates and you won’t be disappointed. Bookings close 90 days before a trip departs, however most tours typically fill up well before this.
WHAT IS THE ITINERARY?
For further information, including a tour itinerary send us an enquiry.
WHAT TYPE OF TERRAIN WILL WE RIDE/SKI?
On this tour we will ride a mix of terrain within the resort boundaries. There’s a range of terrain to access from alpine, bowls, playful or challenging tree runs, some with features such as pillows and drops. In March you can typically expect deep snow, soft landings and lots of fun features. All guiding is conducted within the resort and avalanche safety equipment, snowshoes, split boards or touring skis are not required.
WHO WILL BE IN MY GROUP?
We decide the group you’ll ride or ski with based on a complex handful of factors — it’s part math, part safety, and part ability and fitness. Know that we always have your best interests in mind when creating the group. As much as possible, we strive to place you in a group with other riders/skiers who have similar on-snow abilities and pace. If you are travelling with friends or family who are different abilities, please let us know when you book the trip.
If you have concerns about your group while you’re on tour, please discuss with your guide at the earliest opportunity. If we’re able to adjust we will try to do so, and if we’re not, we’d love the opportunity to explain why. We want you to have the best tour possible.
FITNESS
Whether you’re a snowboarding veteran or have just booked your first tour, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your Mint experience is to start a pre-trip fitness regime. We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but you do need some fitness endurance. You’ll spend five, full and consecutive days on-snow, so you should be physically fit enough to comfortably ski/ride for five consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
The accommodation for this tour is Single Share i.e. you have your own private room for the tour. About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Europe has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE IN MY GROUP?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ride at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our typical guest to guide ratio is 6 : 1.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
We keep the tour itinerary flexible so you can ride at the best resort on the day. Each day your guide will make the decision on which resort to ride based on a number of factors including weather, snowfall, group ability and interest. We have many resorts that we can access. The driving time to each destination varies and can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour from the hotel in Innsbruck.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
Yes, we can arrange pre or post tout accommodation. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Our guides for this tour are Andy Baumann and Scott Anfang.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered by comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
CAN I BRING MY PARTNER WHO DOESN’T SKI OR SNOWBOARD?
We can tailor the tour to suit your non-skiing or snowboarding partner. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO INNSBRUCK?
We’ll provide you with instructions to get to Innsbruck. If it’s your fist time to Austria or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
Yes. We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that all our tours are led by snowboard/splitboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Please bring all your equipment with you for the tour.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Innsbruck can be a very cold place in winter, with temperatures typically ranging from 0 to -15°C / 32 to 5°F. We strongly recommend that guests dress in layers of clothing specific for traveling in backcountry areas. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, insulated layer(s), merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. Guests will need to bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear). Powder boards and ski’s are recommended.
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snowboarding and an eagerness to explore all that Europe has to offer.
PRICE
EUR 2,350 per person
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
To secure your spot on tour a 50% deposit is payable to secure your booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
View our terms and conditions HERE