Experience a day of skiing in Reutte, nestled in the Austrian Tyrol region, just a short day trip from Füssen. Hit the slopes and enjoy breathtaking mountain views, immersing yourself in the beauty of the Alpine landscape.
As mentioned in our Füssen post (check it out here), when planning our winter trip, we hoped for a ski day to embrace the European winter. However, with uncertain snow forecasts for the nearby Tegelberg ski station, located at the Alps' foothills near Füssen, we devised a plan B. The helpful Information Center in Füssen informed us about alternative ski stations, accessible for free with the Füssen card provided by our hostel stay. Among them was the Reuttener Seilbahnen ski resort, situated in the Austrian town of Reutte.
Excited by the chance to ski in the Alps and explore a new country, we turned to online webcams to assess the snow conditions at this Austrian ski station. To our delight, conditions were far superior to those at Tegelberg. Without hesitation, we made our decision — we were off to Austria!
IN THIS GUIDE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Located in the picturesque Austrian Tyrol region, Reutte is a charming town renowned for its stunning mountain scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities. Situated near the border with Germany, Reutte offers easy access to the Bavarian Alps and is a popular destination for both local and international visitors.
Reutte is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The region boasts a network of hiking and biking trails that wind through lush forests, meadows, and alpine landscapes. During the winter months, Reutte transforms into a winter wonderland, offering excellent skiing and snowboarding opportunities in nearby resorts such as the Hahnenkamm and the Tannheimer Tal. For those interested in history and culture, Reutte's town center features charming cobblestone streets lined with traditional Austrian buildings, as well as quaint cafes, shops, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisine.
With its blend of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and outdoor activities, Reutte offers something for everyone, making it an ideal destination for a day trip from Füssen or a longer stay in the Austrian Alps.
GETTING THERE
Reutte, nestled in the Austrian Tyrol region, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation:
- By car: If you're traveling by car from Füssen or nearby towns, the journey to Reutte is straightforward. Simply follow the well-marked roads, taking the quickest route via the A7 and A12 highways. The drive offers scenic views of the Alps and typically takes around 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
- By train: Another convenient option is to take the train from Füssen to Reutte. While there isn't a direct train route, you can make the journey with a transfer in nearby towns such as Pfronten-Ried or Kempten. The train ride offers picturesque views of the countryside and takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, depending on the connections.
- By bus: Traveling by bus is a convenient option, often simpler than opting for the train. Regular bus services connect Füssen to Reutte, providing comfortable rides with flexible departure times. Be sure to check the schedule in advance, as bus frequency may vary based on the time of day and season. Line 74 typically completes the journey to Reutte in approximately 30 minutes.
Regardless of the mode of transportation you choose, reaching Reutte is relatively straightforward, allowing you to focus on enjoying your day trip to this charming Austrian town.
REUTTENER SEILBAHNEN SKI RESORT
HOW TO GET THERE?
We boarded an early morning bus in Füssen, arriving at the city center around 9.45 a.m. on a Saturday. Unsure about which bus to take to the ski resort, we waited until the tourist center opened at 10 a.m. Despite their suggestion of line 4268, the staff seemed uncertain about the weekend schedule, which surprised us given the resort's popularity in winter. Turning to online resources, we found cab companies offering rides from the city center to the ski resort, at a cost of 15 EUR for the trip.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Just to be clear from the start, we're not exactly experts when it comes to skiing. While we've had a few lessons in the past, skiing isn't exactly second nature to us, especially coming from the tropical city of Rio. So, our analysis might not be the most professional! Reuttener Seilbahnen is a mid-sized ski resort, more suitable for intermediate skiers, as we quickly discovered on our first attempts down the easiest slopes. Compared to American ski resorts, we found Reuttener Seilbahnen to be quite challenging, so brace yourself for a few tumbles!
One interesting feature of this ski resort is the option for hourly tickets, in addition to day and half-day passes (check their website here for more information). Given our time constraints to catch the bus back to Füssen, we opted for the 4-hour ticket priced at 29 EUR per person. There's also a 2 EUR deposit for the wireless pass card, refundable at the end of the day. We rented our ski equipment — boots, skis, helmet, etc. — from a store located at the base of the mountains, costing us 26 EUR per person (check prices here). This store also doubles as a ski school, offering classes for skiing and snowboarding. Despite the occasional falls, we had a blast navigating the slopes, although the lack of beginner trails meant we spent a lot of time going up and down.
Later, we discovered another beginner trail called Schollen-wiesen lifte, which the lady at the ticket office failed to mention. This could have saved us a few spills. However, it didn't offer the same breathtaking views as the top of the mountain. The gondola lift conveniently drops you off near the Panorama restaurant Hahnen-kamm, where you can take a break and soak in the stunning mountain scenery — an experience we highly recommend.
Since the trail leading to the bottom of the mountains was intermediate, and feeling a bit apprehensive about tackling it, we opted to descend via the gondola lift. After returning all our equipment, we made it just in time to catch the bus back to Reutte, which we were pleasantly surprised to find we could ride for free with our Füssen card — although we weren't entirely sure if that was the proper procedure, the bus driver didn't seem to mind.
On our journey back to Füssen, we asked the driver to drop us off near the Lechfall waterfall (check out our post about Füssen here), just after crossing the Austrian-German border, so we could explore this attraction.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
HIGHLINE 179
Highline 179 is a suspension bridge hanging from an altitude of 114 meters that connects the Ehrenburg Castle ruins with Fort Claudia. This bridge offers amazing views and a floating sensation that apparently defies even those who are not very afraid of height. Such a structure won a place in the Guinness Book of Records as the "Longest Tibet-style footbridge".
| Opening hours - daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Admission - 8 EUR |
EHRENBERG CASTLE
Nestled near Reutte in the Austrian Tyrol region, Burgenwelt Ehrenberg is a captivating historical complex. Perched atop a hill, these ancient ruins command panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a picturesque backdrop for exploration. Visitors can immerse themselves in the medieval ambiance as they explore the various buildings and exhibits within the castle. From reconstructed living quarters to armories and dungeons, each area offers insights into life within a medieval fortress. Guided tours provide fascinating narratives of the complex's history and significance in the region.
| Opening hours - daily from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. |
| Admission - 8 EUR |
FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, our ski day in Reutte provided a wonderful alternative when Füssen's snowfall was scarce. While Reutte may not be our top choice for a return visit, we're intrigued to delve deeper into the charms of the Tyrol region and discover more of its hidden treasures.
And now it's your turn to let us know your impressions, thoughts and also tips to visit the Tyrol region in Austria or any other ski resort. Have you already been to Tyrol? We look forward to reading your comments in the section below.
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