Igls

Igls is an alpine town in the Inn Valley just south of Innsbruck in North Tyrol, Austria.

Understand

As a town between Innsbruck and the Patscherkofel mountain, Igls is most appreciated as a haven of quietness just south of the regional capital city. It is popular with tourists in summer because of its archaeological heritage and hiking opportunities, and in winter for the ski facilities on the 🌍 Patscherkofel.

History

The history of Igls is largely a mystery, although row graves were uncovered within its administrative boundaries, and the nearby Goldbichl hill to the south is an important archaeological site for Tyrol. There is discussion over the name of Igls, which is either said to originate from an 11th century monastery at the Tegernsee, which had possessions in Igls.

Igls developed from a rural village into a summer resort for the Innsbruck upper class in the 19th century, and with it came the construction of the first hotels in the town.

Igls rose to international fame through the Olympic Winter Games of 1964 and 1976 being organized on the slopes of the Patscherkofel. An ice bobsleigh track and Olympic ski run were constructed, and these facilities are still in use for international sports competitions such as the Youth Olympics of 2012.

Igls is a victim of global warming: snowfall is diminishing year after year. Lack of snow has resulted in the closure and decommissioning of the Patscherkofelbahn base station which used to offer skiers a direct ascent onto the Patscherkofel from the heart of Igls. The new base station straddles the mountain a few km to the south-east, and with skiers passing through the town by bus instead of visiting, the future of the tourism sector in Igls is uncertain. Restaurants and night life have reduced their opening hours to compensate for the lack of patrons, but travellers with a keen eye can profit from the reduced demand for accommodation as hotel prices have also dropped significantly.

Orientation

Igls is a town of ca. 2450 inhabitants, on the heights south of the Inn Valley, and south of regional capital city Innsbruck to which it administratively belonged until 1961. It lies in the shadow of the Patscherkofel mountain, popular in summer for hiking and in winter for skiing.

Climate
Igls
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
40
 
 
4
−5
 
 
 
30
 
 
7
−4
 
 
 
40
 
 
12
0
 
 
 
40
 
 
15
4
 
 
 
70
 
 
21
8
 
 
 
110
 
 
23
11
 
 
 
120
 
 
25
13
 
 
 
90
 
 
25
13
 
 
 
60
 
 
20
9
 
 
 
30
 
 
16
5
 
 
 
30
 
 
8
0
 
 
 
50
 
 
4
−4
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
See the Igls forecast at Annual Weather Averages
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
1.6
 
 
39
23
 
 
 
1.2
 
 
45
25
 
 
 
1.6
 
 
54
32
 
 
 
1.6
 
 
59
39
 
 
 
2.8
 
 
70
46
 
 
 
4.3
 
 
73
52
 
 
 
4.7
 
 
77
55
 
 
 
3.5
 
 
77
55
 
 
 
2.4
 
 
68
48
 
 
 
1.2
 
 
61
41
 
 
 
1.2
 
 
46
32
 
 
 
2
 
 
39
25
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Igls has an alpine climate, characterized by cold winters and mild but wet summers. In winter, because of its altitude, much of Igls precipitation falls as snow. From November to March, Igls is often covered in a picturesque snow layer ranging from a few cm up to almost 1 m. Snowfall on the Patscherkofel usually lasts until April or May.

Get in

By tram

Tram  6  connects 🌍 Igls Bahnhof to 🌍 Bergisel in Innsbruck. The route is very scenic, as the tram meanders through the pine forests and offers travelers a great view over Innsbruck. Bergisel is a 2-min walk away from 🌍 Innsbruck Stubaital Bahnhof.

By bus

Bus  J  passes through Igls on the way to the Patcherkofel Talstation. Get off at 🌍 Igls Ortsmitte. Alternatively, take bus 4141 and get off at 🌍 Altes Rathaus.

Get around

Igls is small enough to get around by foot. To get to the 🌍 Patcherkofel Talstation, take bus  J  direction Igls Patscherkofel and get off at the terminus station where the entrance of the Patscherkofelbahn is to your left.

See
  • 🌍 Heiligwasser Pilgrimage Church (Heiligwasserkirche) (Patscherkofelbahn). The Heiligwasser (literally "Holy Water" in German) pilgrimage is on the slope of the Patscherkofel mountain at an altitude of 1234 m, following a path of 10 chapels of which 5 remain. According to the legend, an angel appeared to 2 peasants searching for lost cattle in 1606, and showed them the way to a spring where they found their cattle. In return, the angel commanded a chapel to be built next to the spring, an undertaking completed by the bishop of Brixen. The site soon became a destination for pilgrims, and in 1661 a church was built to replace the chapel, in which a first religious service was held a year later. Halfway the 18th century, the church was expanded with a side chapel, and buildings around the church were constructed to accommodate the needs of pilgrims, who attribute healing effects to the spring's water. Of particular interest is the churches 3-sided choir with hexagonal choir tower and typical onion shaped roof. The portal is decorated with a fresco from 1743. The ceiling frescoes were added in 1945 by Hans Andre. The Baroque high altar dates from the first half of the 15th century but was stolen in 1971 and replaced with its current copy. Free. (updated Oct 2018)
  • 🌍 Goldbichl. 24/7. One of the most important archaeological sites in Tyrol, Goldbichl is a 1064 m tall hill which was used as a place of worship in the Bronze Age. The oldest finds at the site are flint arrowheads from the Neolithic period, originating from Verona, and proving that long distance trade was possible in that era. The hill gained importance in the Bronze age, 4 millennia ago, when sacrificial fires were lighted on altars made of clay and stone, which were visible from afar in the Stubai Valley looking out over the deforested hill. Remains of residences and gardens were found on the northern side of the hill, built on terraces separated from the religious sites by ramparts. The terraces are still recognizable today, although the hill has been reforested since Roman times. Interestingly, the grave of a young woman, buried here after her cremation, has been uncovered. The grave made news headlines because of the numerous ceramic artifacts and other funerary objects found along the scorched skeleton. The location of her grave suggests she might have been a priestess. The Bronze Age site existed until the 16th century BC. In the Iron Age, around 600 BC, the site found renewed interest and underwent expansion with fortifications such as walls and palisades. Evidence suggests that the site became the center of a settlement, and sporting competitions were organized around the sacrificial fires. Goldbichl remained important until the Alps were conquered by the Romans between 100 and 15 BC, and all the heathen facilities were destroyed. The site can be visited, and in 2006 an archaeological trail was constructed which leads up to the summit from the northeastern side, ca. 15-min walk. Free. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Pfarrkirche (Parish Church Igls), Widumweg 4, ☏ +43 512 377394, fax: +43 512 377394, . W F 17:30-18:30, Tu Th 19:00-20:00. Former Romanesque parish church consecrated in 1286, and rebuilt in a late Gothic style in the 15th century. In 1705 it was once again rebuilt in a Baroque style. Free. (updated Oct 2018)

Do

Igls is best known for its Olympic facilities for alpine skiing and bobsleigh competitions. With 18 km of slopes, it also has a lot to offer to casual skiers who can explore the Patscherkofel mountain ski area with the brand new Patscherkofelbahn ski lift.

  • 🌍 Alpengarten Patscherkofel, Zirbenweg 11 (walking distance from the Patscherkofelbahn). Jun-Sep 09:00-17:00. An exceptional collection of rare plants and flowers in Austria's highest alpine garden at an altitude of 2,000 m, the 15 000 m² garden is taken care of by the University of Innsbruck. In addition to native alpine flowers such as Edelweiss and Gentian, there are several species from the Himalayas to admire as well. Founded in the 1930s, the garden aims to preserve species that have disappeared in the wild. Visitors can follow a circular path along the gardens many trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers. Free. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 The Rung Thai Massage, Bilgerstrasse 9 (walking distance from the Igls historic centre), ☏ +43 676 3329507, . M-Sa 11:00-22:00. The best way to relieve tensed muscles after a day of skiing, massages are available from 30 min to 90 min. €25/30 min. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Olympic Sliding Centre (Olympia Eiskanal), Heiligwasserwiese 1, ☏ +43 512 377160, . 08:00-18:00 daily. Built in 1975, this 1270 m long bobsleigh track was the first in the world constructed with supplemental artificial refrigeration to make the track usable year round. With a height difference of 100 m, 14 curves and a refrigerated surface of 5500 m², the track descends the Patscherkofel mountain with curves up to 7 m high. It is used for training purposes, and last used in the 2012 Winter Olympics. (updated Oct 2018)
  • 🌍 Olympia Golf, Badhausstraße 60b, ☏ +43 512-379150, . Golf course between Igls and the Patscherkofelbahn (updated Oct 2018)

Winter sports

Igls is most popular to travelers as a ski resort in winter, thanks to the Patscherkofel mountain in close proximity. With 18 km easy and intermediate slopes, the Patscherkofel ski area is ideal for beginners. Igls had its own gondola cable car up to the Patscherkofel summit until 2017 when it was replaced by a new aerial tramway with a higher capacity. It unfortunately no longer has a station in Igls itself, skiers must take a bus to the new base station about 20 min away from the Igls centre. Usage of the bus is free with a Patscherkofel skipass.

NameTel.Altitude / / / /
Patscherkofel+43 512 377234900 - 1.960m8 Lifts: 1 / 2 / 518 km Pistes: 10 / 8 / -
  • 🌍 Übungslift (practice lift), Bilgeristraße 22. As only slope on the outskirts of Igls, the Übungslift is still in service for beginners, whenever there is snow in downtown Igls. (updated Sep 2018)

Buy
  • 🌍 Intersport, Römerstraße 81, ☏ +43 512 319361, . 8:30-17:00 daily. Store specialized in mountaineering equipment for winter and summer. Although they're likely on the expensive side if you seek to buy your ski gear here, their location next to the Patscherkofel Talstation makes them a convenient solution if you happen to break equipment, lose ski goggles or gloves, or need your skis waxed. They also have PPE in stock all year round. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Spar, Hilberstraße 2 (in the centre of Igls), ☏ +43 512 378649. M-F 07:00-19:00, Sa 07:00-17:00. Convenience store with a wide selection of fresh produce and dry/canned foods. Also sells toiletry items and tape/glue to fix equipment. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Arakelian, Hilberstrasse 24, ☏ +43 512 377300, . Jeweler and gift shop in historic centre of Igls, under supervision of master gold smith Philip Arakelian. (updated Oct 2018)

Eat

Drink
  • 🌍 Tee Hütt'n, Am Bichl 30, ☏ +43 664 - 43 68 391, . Closed in sommer, open from 8 Dec. until spring.. Cozy bar for hikers and skiers seeking refuge from the alpine weather, or simply relaxing after a day exploring the Patscherkofel. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Hanibal, Bilgeristraße 24, ☏ +43 676 3692988, . W-F 12:30-23:00, Sa 12:00-23:00, So 12:00-22:00. Hookah lounge and good food, with a variety of oriental specialties on the menu. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Cafe Fioriona, Bilgeristraße 2, ☏ +43 512 377052. 11:00-23:00 daily. A cafe with typical Austrian Konditorei (cakes and baked goods), with indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Oct 2018)

Sleep
  • 🌍 Hotel Bon Alpina, Hilberstraße 8, ☏ +43 512 377600, fax: +43 512 377 600-10, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Large hotel in the Igls historic centre, with plenty of accommodations for hikers and skiers: indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, and storage room for ski gear. Among the cheaper options to spend the night in Igls, and good value. Dinner separately is €17.50 for a 3 course meal. Wifi is BonAlpinaFree with password BonAlpina%. (updated Dec 2018)

Connect
  • 🌍 Post Office (Postambt), Hilberstrasse 20, ☏ +43 810 010100. M-Sa 8:30-12:30. Send snailmail and parcels, sells stamps and packaging materials. (updated Sep 2018)

Stay safe

Igls is generally a very safe town. During the winter ski season, drunk tourists are known to cause trouble in bars and nightlife venues, where some warm up with excessive alcohol consumption after enjoying the Patscherkofel slopes on skis or snowboard.

Igls' locals are reserved but helpful, so should anything happen to you, do not hesitate to ask for assistance. There is adequate mobile reception in the entire town and most arts of the Patscherkofel.

Go next
This article is issued from Wikivoyage. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.