Leutasch
A Cross-Country Skiing Destination
Leutasch is not a single town but a commune of small villages and clusters of houses extending a few kilometers around the main centre of Weidach (Altitude 1150m.). The valley in which it sits runs northeast for about 9km and west for 15km. The mountains to the north are 2500 to 3000m high and define the border with Germany.
Location: Tirol, Austria
Getting There: The nearest airport is at Innsbruck, well served by the major airports of Munich and Vienna. Trains from Innsbruck take about 30 min. to reach the town of Seefeld the nearest station to Leutasch. A short taxi or bus trip completes the journey.
Accommodation: The choice is between being 'in town' (Weidach) or at one of the hotels scattered along the trail system. Weidach has a variety of hotels and pensions and the number of eateries make bed and breakfast an option. The town also has the only XC ski shop and a ski school as well as banks and a swimming pool. Staying on the trail out of town means taking the dinner, bed and breakfast option but puts the trails at your door. A couple of supermarkets are easily accessible either on foot or on skis.
Trails: The major trails running along the valley floor are an easy grade and are groomed for both classic and skating, as are some shorter, medium grade loops that climb into the hills. Classic only trail link into the Seefeld system. Total groomed distance is about 65km, signage is good, as is the trail map. Fees do not apply to guests staying in the area. Beyond the western end of the trails there is another 15km of ungroomed track going up to nearly 1600m.
Other Features: The trails of Seefeld (225 km) can be reached on ski or by bus but they differ in that they are almost all classic (only) and some are quite a hard grade. Seefeld is much bigger, has many more shops as well as a casino and, unlike Leutasch, is a major downhill centre and accommodation is dearer. The World Masters is scheduled there in 2003 and more skating trails will be required by then.
Opinion: Leutasch is readily accessible and the easy trails make it an excellent "first stop" on a trip to Europe.
Reviewed By: Stan McDonald
Contacts: Leutasch tourist office Phone: (43=Austria) 5214 6207
Email: info@leutasch.com
Web page : www.tiscover.com/leutasch
The Seefeld web page is: