A short 15 to 20min drive from central Innsbruck, Schlick2000 is the sort of ‘small’ ski resort that all Powderhounds will fall in love at second sight. Second sight because at first sight it is impossible to view the bulk of the ski area. As the access gondola passes mid-station & enters the alpine, a better sense of Schlick’s potential becomes apparent. Exiting the top station, the reason for the love is obvious.
The resort’s terrain is predominantly above 1650m & in a north-facing, snow attracting bowl hemmed in by a fine range of rocky ramparts which provide a perfect skiing back-drop. Despite being the end of March, & with the valley smelling delightfully of freshly sprayed cow manure, Schlick maintained a cold, deep snowpack. Relatively mild temperatures didn’t seem to affect the excellent quality snow either. Ok, there was an exception (as per the rule!). The valley trail to the gondola base was suffering badly. Enough that this little black duck downloaded at the end of the day from the mid-station – shameful but necessary.
Schlick is not a huge ski resort by any stretch of the imagination, but it has more than enough oomph to keep all abilities well satisfied. Novices have a mid-mountain area all to themselves, together with adequate progression lifts & slopes. Progressing beginners can tackle several long trails from top to mid station. Intermediates have the pick of trails & advanced riders can zoom down several steeper pistes, but also some marked routes (bumped), larch forest & open off-piste bowls. Experts will delight in the long backcountry options (including tree-skiing) descending into the valley under the upper gondola. Some easy boot-packing from the top of the 6-seater chair at Sennjoch & up the ridge to skiers left toward the 2611m Hoher Burgstall will get you fresh off-piste turns all day long .
Skiing Schlick on a sunny spring weekend brought out all manner of sun-soaking locals. Most seemingly with a preference for absorbing vitamin D & imbibing amber fluids, over actually skiing. The runs were bereft of humanity, but the many bars, sun terraces & lounge chairs were packed to overflowing. Mid-weeks must be splendid indeed!
Typically for an Austrian ski resort, the mountain restaurants are all first class. Brilliant views from the terraces at Kreuzjoch or Sennjoch are ‘par for the course’. Another five equally good propositions are at various points lower on the mountain. One of the more interesting is the Galtalm. Wonderful food served up for lunch is bookended with a fun tow to the Alm behind a snowcat (via a winter-walking trail) then a ski back down to the gondola mid station via a nice intermediate run. Looks like one can stay overnight as well – wish we’d packed the PJs!
The quick drive up from Innsbruck provides one of those wonderful travel outrages. Road tolls are paid on a short section of the Brenner road to access the Stubaital & then again, a short distance at the exit off - a nonsensical revenue raiser (makes sense (cents) after all)!
On the subject of driving to Schlick, it is worth knowing that signage to the ski resort once in the town of Fulpmes is inconspicuous so keep your eyes peeled! Car parking is plentiful undercover at the gondola terminal (costs) & further down the road out in the open (free but requires a walk/bus).
Schlick is a wonderful combination of a good value, great snow, fun off-piste & gorgeously located resort. What it lacks in acreage & skiable vertical, it makes up for with its Tirolean authenticity. And whilst not a destination ski resort in & of itself, Schlick is an Innsbruck powder day proposition of the highest order & a worthy contender for best ski resort at second sight……!