The short answer: Go in February, book from €550 per person for a week including accommodation and ski pass, enjoy valley temperatures of 0 to +5 °C in the afternoons, fly into Innsbruck Airport in 25 minutes or Munich Airport in roughly 2 hours by road, and ski terrain sitting between 1,100 m and 2,500 m altitude.
Where are the best apres-ski bars in Wipptal?
Wipptal stretches south of Innsbruck along the Brenner motorway and covers several smaller ski areas including Schlick 2000 (Fulpmes), Steinach am Brenner, and the Schmirn-Vals area. Each has a distinct apres-ski character.
Steinach am Brenner is the valley hub for evening action. A handful of bars along the main street fill up from around 15:30 onwards after the lifts close. Live music with Austrian folk-pop crossover is standard on Fridays and Saturdays. Schlick 2000, closer to Fulpmes, has a more relaxed terrace scene with a younger crowd and several slope-side huts that serve Jagertee and local schnapps until 17:00.
| Venue area | Altitude of bars | Typical opening | Beer (0.5 L) | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steinach am Brenner village | ~1,050 m | 15:30 to 22:00 | €4.80 to €6.00 | Live bands Fri/Sat |
| Schlick 2000 slope huts | ~1,600 to 2,000 m | 13:00 to 17:00 | €5.20 to €6.50 | DJ sets weekends |
| Schmirn-Vals valley | ~1,100 m | 16:00 to 21:00 | €4.50 to €5.50 | Recorded music |
| Matrei am Brenner | ~950 m | 16:00 to 23:00 | €4.50 to €5.80 | Occasional live |
Slope-side huts close earlier than village bars, so the typical Wipptal apres-ski day runs in two stages: drinks on the mountain from 13:00 to 17:00, then a second round in the valley from 18:00 onwards.
How much does a Wipptal apres-ski holiday cost?
Wipptal is one of the more affordable apres-ski destinations in Tyrol. Compared with Ischgl or Sölden, prices are noticeably lower across accommodation, lift passes, and drinks.
A practical week budget for one person travelling in February looks like this:
| Cost item | Budget option | Mid-range option |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights (UK to Innsbruck) | €120 to €180 | €180 to €280 |
| 7-night accommodation (half board) | €280 to €380 | €420 to €600 |
| 6-day ski pass (Schlick 2000) | €175 to €195 | €175 to €195 |
| Apres-ski drinks (7 evenings) | €80 to €120 | €120 to €200 |
| Total per person | ~€655 to €875 | ~€895 to €1,275 |
Ski hire adds roughly €25 to €40 per day if you do not bring your own equipment. Booking accommodation in Steinach or Fulpmes rather than Innsbruck saves transfer costs and puts you within walking distance of the bars.
Flight time from London to Innsbruck is approximately 2 hours. From Innsbruck Airport to Steinach am Brenner by road takes around 35 minutes.
What is the ski terrain like in Wipptal before the apres-ski starts?
The skiing in Wipptal is genuinely good for intermediates and advanced skiers, which makes the apres-ski feel earned. Schlick 2000 in Fulpmes is the largest area with 32 km of marked pistes reaching up to 2,477 m. Snow reliability is reasonable from December to late March thanks to an extensive snowmaking system covering about 70 percent of the runs.
| Ski area | Top altitude | Piste km | Blue | Red | Black |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlick 2000 (Fulpmes) | 2,477 m | 32 km | 30% | 55% | 15% |
| Steinach-Bergstation | 2,014 m | 18 km | 40% | 50% | 10% |
| Schmirn-Vals | 2,200 m | 20 km | 35% | 50% | 15% |
Beginners will find enough easy terrain at all three areas, and the smaller crowds compared with the big Tyrolean resorts mean more relaxed learning conditions. Wipptal does not have a mega ski circuit connecting all areas by lift, so most visitors choose one base and day-trip by car or regional bus to the others.
The valley base stations sit at around 950 m to 1,100 m, meaning lower-altitude snow can be thin in early December. February and March are the sweet spot for combining good snow with full apres-ski atmosphere.
Planning your full ski holiday including accommodation and lift passes? Browse all wintersport destinations on Nivosola for more resorts, price comparisons, and travel tips.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for apres-ski in Wipptal?
The liveliest apres-ski season in Wipptal runs from mid-January to mid-March. Slopes are busy, terraces are packed, and temperatures sit around -2 to +4 °C in the valley.
How much does a beer cost at apres-ski venues in Wipptal?
Expect to pay between €4.50 and €6.50 for a half-litre beer at most apres-ski bars in Wipptal. Shots and cocktails typically range from €5 to €9.
Which resort in Wipptal has the best apres-ski?
Steinach am Brenner and Schmirn-Vals are popular bases. Steinach offers the densest concentration of bars within walking distance of the slopes, making it the easiest choice for a dedicated apres-ski evening.
