„Country in the mountains“ - that is what they called Tyrol in the early Middle Ages. After all, the state in western Austria counts almost 600 three-thousand meter mountains. Among them are the highest mountains of Austria: the Großglockner in East Tyrol reaches a height of 3,798 meters and the summit of the Wildspitze in North Tyrol reaches 3,768 meters.
Only about one eighth of the 12,650 square meter covering area is continuously inhabited. A quarter of it is in fact a nature reserve. The third largest federal state in the alpine republic is particularly well-known for its many skiing resorts. There are over 100 resorts, which amount to over 3,000 kilometers of ski-runs. The list of popular ski resorts is long: From Ischgl and Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in the west, over Sölden and Kitzbühl, to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental and the Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei in the east. With the glacier skiing areas in the valleys Pitztal, Kaunertal and Stubaital as well as the all-year-round skiing region Hintertux Glacier, a long skiing season is guaranteed.
Apart from the pleasure on the trails, mountain huts tempt with regional delicacies like bacon dumplings, Gröstl or Schlutzkrapfen consisting of hand-made dough filled with cheese or meat. Tyrol is the state with the longest border, which makes Germany, Switzerland and Italy its neighbors. Thanks to the Inntal autobahn and the international airport Innsbruck, holiday makers can easily reach their destination. It is not surprising, that no other state in Austria counts as many overnight stays as Tyrol each year.
