Vacation in Kühtai, municipality of Silz

Located just a half-hour drive from Innsbruck is the picturesque Kühtai - a popular winter sports resort in the Stubai Alps. The people of Kühtai know how to reach great heights - after all, it is the highest point between the Sellraintal and the Ötztal. And so it comes as no surprise that Kühtai can call itself Austria's highest-located holiday resort. Quite justified at 2,020 meters.

With this elevation, it's not surprising that a snow guarantee can be given in winter. This is a delight for skiers who are just a stone's throw away from the hotel to the slopes, snowboarders who can perform their stunts in the fun park, and cross-country skiers who can leave their tracks in the snow on the beautiful natural trails. 40 kilometers of ski slopes and 12 lifts provide variety. Even darkness cannot put an end to the skiing fun, as selected routes are opened for night skiing or night tobogganing with the help of floodlights. And for those who can't do anything with sliding boards, perhaps they will find their calling in snowshoeing.

But Kühtai is worth a visit not only in winter. In summer, the valley shows its other beautiful side. In addition to mountain biking, it is especially hiking that makes vacationers' hearts beat faster. During a hike through nature, you can inhale pure Kühtai air. Even allergy sufferers can breathe a sigh of relief - because pollen are not native here.

One of the best times for a summer vacation in Kühtai is the end of June or the beginning of July. This is the blooming season of the alpine rose, and the whole area is bathed in a bright red. This is also when the "Knappenweg" shows its most beautiful side - a hiking trail that leads from Kühtai to Hochötz. Once, miners with their ox carts were traveling here - it was the heyday of ore and copper mining. Even today, the trail exudes historical flair and leads past rare plants to the so-called Knappenhaus, which now houses a mining museum.

Perfect for unwinding is also the Three Lakes Tour, which leads to the Finstertaler Reservoir, the two Penderle Lakes, and the Hirschebensee.

And for those who want to go even higher, the Three Lakes Railway takes them to the Gaiskogel - one of Kühtai's local mountains. At an altitude of 2,400 meters, one thing is clear: the view over the lakes leaves little to be desired. The only better view is from the Sulzkogel - because this one is in the three-thousander league.