Cross-Country

Here is a trail map.

Here is an interactive trail map for the Seefeld cross-country runs.

Seefeld is Europe’s, maybe the world’s, capital of cross-country skiing. As mentioned in the introduction, this was the site of the events for two Olympics. The Nordic Ski World Championships took place here in 1985 and a Cross-Country Skiing World Cup was held here in 1999 and will be held here again in January 2006.

The cross-country office is at the Olympia Sports Center (3060). It is open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12:30–1:30 p.m.). On Sunday, they open 45 minutes later and close 30 minutes earlier.

There is an interconnected network of 255 km. of trails that includes something for every level of skier and skater—152 km. are classic trails and 110 km. are skating trails. Take your choice of the best.

The trail between Seefeld and Mösern (3 km) is illuminated from Monday till Saturday between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The trails are free for anyone holding a guest card (meaning that they are staying in a hotel, B&B or apartment in the village). Trails are set and groomed daily.

This cross-country paradise offers lots of possibilities on beginner and intermediate runs extending into backcountry woods, deep forest and meadows; skating lanes are also available. It’s generally rolling terrain, but with enough turns, dips and downhill runs to keep it interesting for most skinny-skiers. There are a few restaurants and inns along the way for rest stops and lunch. The ski bus isn’t supposed to stop at Seefeld, but most drivers will, if you ask. Trails are extremely well laid out and groomed. In complicated backcountry areas a map would be handy because many trails intersect and directions are not always well marked. Here, as elsewhere in Austria, trails tend to be overrated for difficulty, at least by American standards. An intermediate trail is usually just a little beyond beginner level, and an intermediate can easily handle one marked difficult.