Man and woman frolicking in the snow

Your winter holiday at Lake Achensee, Tyrol

Experience Pertisau in winter

The 4* Hotel Pfandler in Pertisau is your retreat for a winter holiday at Lake Achensee in Tyrol. Whether you want to whizz down the slopes of the Zwölferkopf, whizz down the natural toboggan run, cross-country ski through the snow-covered Karwendel valleys or take a leisurely winter hike - we offer a variety of options to make your stay unforgettable. Even in the high season, our hotel in Pertisau is an oasis of peace, while Pfandler's umbrella bar or the Laterndl disco offer you the opportunity to enjoy the nightlife in Pertisau to the full.

Winter family holiday with ski & snowboard or toboggan 

The Karwendel mountain railway takes you effortlessly up to the Zwölferkopf, where you can spend a day skiing in the sun with breathtaking lake views. Alternatively, you can explore the panoramic circular hiking trail and possibly encounter some Alpine wildlife along the way. The Zwölferkopf is not only an ideal ski area for families and beginners, but also impresses with perfectly groomed pistes and a varied landscape. The 5 km long natural toboggan run is a great experience for the whole family. Nestled between the Karwendel and Rofan mountains, high above Lake Achensee, this area offers views that are unique in the Alps.

Snow biking at Lake Achensee near the Hotel Pfandler

Get to know and love this fascinating sport at Lake Achensee, the 1st snowbike region in the world. Whether on your own or with the support of a snow sports instructor, you are sure to have lots of fun and a great change of pace on your winter holiday.

Sitting on a bike with skis instead of wheels, you will experience a completely new way of skiing. With short skis on your feet, you'll quickly get the hang of it after a few wobbly turns and discover a fascinating alternative to traditional skiing.

That's why it's worth giving snowbiking a try

  • intuitive to learn
  • very easy on the knees and joints
  • perfect combination of bike and snow
  • no winter sports experience required

The snowbike stands on 2 skis, the front one of which is steerable. Suspension in the seat ensures comfort and absorbs shocks from the piste. Small skis on the feet provide stability and safety like training wheels. After just 15 minutes, even beginners are able to master easy slopes.

Snowbike hire near Hotel Pfandler in Pertisau

You can hire snowbikes directly at the valley station of the Karwendel cable car at Sport Leithner. There you will also receive a brief explanation of the bike and how to use it.

Have you become interested in snowbiking? Book your holiday at Hotel Pfandler now and look forward to lots of fun at Lake Achensee.

Where lies Lake Achensee?

Lake Achensee lies in north Tyrol, only about 13 kilometres from the Austrian-German border. Located between the Karwendel mountains and the Brandenberger Alps, the crystal-clear lake is the largest lake of Tyrol. Lake Achensee is immediately surrounded by five villages, namely Achenkirch, Maurach, Steinberg am Rofan, Wiesing and Pertisau, the latter of which is home to the Hotel Pfandler.

What activities are possible in winter in Pertisau at Lake Achensee?

Starting directly in the village, the Karwendel mountain cable car leads to the popular ski region at the Zwölferkopf, and also cross-country skiers will get their money’s worth. Further popular pastimes are tobogganing, winter hiking and ski tours. Unfortunately, ice skating on Lake Achensee is not possible as the lake does not freeze over due to its great depth.

How high lies Lake Achensee?

Lake Achensee lies on 929 metres above sea level.

When is snow at Lake Achensee?

The region around Lake Achensee is a build-up for clouds and thus blessed with snow in winter. The ski season usually runs from mid-December to the end of March. Beside natural snow, there are also modern snow machines to help out.

Why does the Lake Achensee not freeze over?

Although Lake Achensee lies on over 900 metres, it does not form a sufficiently thick ice cover in winter. Due to its very great depth of up to 133 metres Lake Achensee does not freeze over even in harsh winters and can therefore not be stepped on.

Winter hiking in Pertisau

Marvellous winter landscape & warm hospitality at Lake Achensee

Pertisau is ideal for relaxed winter hikes. The entire village and the area around Lake Achensee offer well-groomed winter hiking trails. Watch the cross-country skiers pass by as you hike along the trails. There are refreshment stops at the serviced mountain huts.

A special tip for hiking enthusiasts: The authentic Achensee beer is brewed in the Langlaufstüberl inn, right next to the cross-country skiing centre - a taste experience that you will only find on a winter holiday in Pertisau. Try this local speciality, because with exercise comes thirst!

On the Zwölferkopf you will find a wonderful circular hiking trail (4) along the ski piste and through the forest. Along the way you will find life-size depictions of the animals of the Alpine region. Informative information boards make this panoramic walk a great experience for young and old. For a change of pace, you will find a picture frame, giant wooden furniture and a high seat to climb up to.

In the neighbouring Triestenau Valley you will find a cross-country ski trail as well as a picturesque hiking trail. This secluded valley without huts is particularly quiet and offers the opportunity to observe wild animals or at least discover their tracks in the snow.

Snowshoeing in the tranquil winter wonderland near Lake Achensee

Your winter excursion will be even more magical if you set off equipped with snowshoes. These allow you to make good progress even in deeper snow. Hike along secluded forest paths and across glistening slopes to truly blissful places. Snowshoe hikes are becoming increasingly popular and offer a particularly intense experience of nature away from the busy ski resorts.

In the Karwendel valleys, you can hike via the Falzturnalm to the Gramaialm or via the Pletzachalm to the Gernalm or the Feilalm. All 5 inns are serviced and invite you to stop for refreshments. Conversely, the Tristenautal valley is particularly quiet, with the occasional deer or hare jumping across the hiking trail. The tranquillity is partly due to the fact that there are no huts in this particularly romantic valley.

Or perhaps you prefer to walk along the shores of Lake Achensee to Maurach without too much effort. Stroll through the town centre where sports and fashion shops as well as a perfumery and supermarkets are good for a treat or two. You can then return via the Vitalmeile or take the free regional bus.

At Hotel Pfandler we are happy to provide you with tour tips for snowshoeing and winter hiking at Lake Achensee. Tired but happy, you step through the door again in the afternoon and can then warm up in the wellness area - our saunas, the indoor pool and our massage team are already waiting for you!

Tobogganing at Lake Achensee

Sledging in Tyrol near Hotel Pfandler

While people used to smile at you if you showed up in the mountains with a toboggan, tobogganing in Tyrol has been experiencing a real renaissance in recent years. Specially prepared toboggan runs make tobogganing a popular winter pastime for young and old. Today's modern toboggans are far ahead of classic sledges and ensure perfect gliding and optimum manoeuvrability. With the family, with friends or as a couple, nothing stands in the way of tobogganing fun - including a cosy stop at a mountain hut.

Toboggan runs at Lake Achensee near Hotel Pfandler

Which winter toboggan runs are there at Lake Achensee?

Zwölferkopf toboggan run in Pertisau

Tobogganing fun right on the Pfandler's local mountain with a length of 4.5 km! The Karwendel mountain railway takes you up right on the doorstep. You can buy the toboggans you need in the sports shops at the valley station, and then you're off up the mountain. Once you reach the top, the toboggan run takes you down over many bends and speedy straight sections - unrivalled fun! And to warm up, you can stop off at the heated Pfandler Schirmbar opposite the valley station.

Of course, there are other natural toboggan runs in the Pfandler area:

  • Achenkirch toboggan run with a length of 3.5 km
  • Maurach toboggan run with a length of 1.5 km
  • Pertisau toboggan run with a length of 1.3 km
  • Steinberg toboggan run with a length of 0.8 km
  • Wiesing toboggan run with a length of 3 km

Further information on the six natural toboggan runs can be found on the official tourism portal of Achensee.

You can easily reach the shorter toboggan runs by following the existing winter hiking trails. In Achenkirch, you can take the lift up to the starting point, the Karwendel mountain railway takes you comfortably up to the Zwölferkopf and a Rodelexpress takes you to the Pertisau toboggan run.

Night tobogganing on the toboggan runs in the area

Night tobogganing is a special highlight. In Achenkirch, people meet up on the Christlum every Wednesday for night-time fun. The other toboggan runs in Maurach, Pertisau, Steinberg and Wiesing are floodlit in the evenings throughout the week.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Hotel Pfandler for your winter holiday! Send us an enquiry now to plan your stay.