Snow sports and mountaineering, of course
The first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Tyrol is skiing, with its wonderful resorts, its top competitions and the many champions that the region has produced, such as Toni Sailer, Gregor Schlierenzauer, Werner Grissmann or the Hinterseers father and son. The Tyroleans have also distinguished themselves in the most varied disciplines of snow sports, from telemark to ski jumping, snowboarding or Nordic combined. So, no need to say it: powder lovers, Tyrol is the place for you! This is simply a skier's paradise, with almost 7,000 km of slopes on the Austrian side and more than 1,200 km in the South Tyrol. And mythical resorts like Ischgl, Sölden or Kitzbühel.
As far as mountaineering is concerned, Tyrol has, unsurprisingly, also given birth to many champions. Alongside Reinhold Messner, perhaps the most famous climber in history, Tyrol has also given birth to peak heroes such as Hans Kammerlander (extreme climber) or Sepp Mayerl. The numerous glaciers in the region, its complex and very vertical relief make it one of the paradises of mountaineering in Europe, containing some of the most complex and interesting routes of the continent, whether it is pure climbing routes in the Dolomites on sandstone relief or typical treks of the crystalline massifs where the taking of the summits requires long and perilous walks mixed with climbing. Notice to the adventurers!Ranggeln, the traditional Tyrolean sport
This is the Tyrolean sport par excellence! This ancient form of wrestling is still practiced with great gusto, especially at folk festivals. On a grassy field, preferably on a beautiful alpine meadow, ranggeln (rustic wrestling) was originally a legal instrument: in the mountain farming communities, free farmers had to settle certain disputes (often related to land ownership) by means of hand-to-hand combat. A very specific idea of justice: the one who won the fight won the trial! Moreover, the winner of the ranggeln is titled Hoagmoar, which in Tyrolean dialect means something like "administrator of the adjoining land". The aim of the fight is to tackle the opponent to the ground on the shoulder. The wrestlers use mainly throwing techniques and joint locks.
As everywhere, soccer
Despite the importance of sports related to the mountains, which are omnipresent in the Tyrol, it is, like almost everywhere else in the world, soccer that carries the passion of the crowds in Innsbruck as in Bolzano! FC Südtirol, based in Bozen-Bolzano, is a Serie C club (the3rd Italian division). It is very popular in Alto Adige and its matches keep a good part of the local population in suspense. On the Austrian side, the Tyroleans have had more problems because they had the misfortune to see their FC Tirol Innsbruck go bankrupt in 2002... FC Wacker Innsbruck then took over and is now regularly in the first and second division. Of course, on both sides of the border, the results of the national teams are closely followed: Austria, led by David Alaba, and Italy, led by Marco Verratti and Gianluigi Donnaruma, will be European champions in 2021.
In summer, it's time to go hiking
During the summer months, hiking is the most popular activity in the Tyrolean Alps. 24,000 km of hiking trails in the Austrian Tyrol, 16,000 km in the South Tyrol, all carefully marked and impeccably maintained: that says it all! The infinite number of possibilities for excursions, from a few kilometers to several days and of all levels of difficulty, the numerous refuges offering room and board, or simply a good draft beer at the end of the route on a sunny terrace, everything is set up to facilitate the organization of a tour in the Tyrolean landscape. And it is so much the better because the beauty of the landscapes, the wild and majestic aspect of the mountains, the bucolic setting, really make it a dream destination for walking. Located in Austria, the Eagle Route is one of the most famous "GR" of the country, with 33 stages, 413 km of course and 31,000 meters of altitude difference. So, get your boots on to enjoy the wonders of the Tyrolean mountains!
The cradle of the via ferrata
The vias ferratas are of Italian origin. During the Great War, these steep passages built in the mountain by the military allowed them to move quickly. Today they are climbing routes of different levels of difficulty, very popular with sportsmen. In order to use the fixed structures of the routes, you need the right equipment (a harness and carabiners, and a helmet). Guides can accompany the climbers.
A cycling paradise
For those who like small gears, Tyrol is an ideal destination, with its many passes, steep and winding roads. In summer, there are plenty of bicycles on the roads of Tyrol. For mountain bikers, it goes without saying that the region has a variety of marked routes to suit their tastes, as the slopes of the mountain ranges always present the greatest challenges. There are almost 6,000 km of marked mountain bike trails in Tyrol. And there are hundreds of rental agencies waiting for you. The Tirol Bike Trail is the longest mountain bike route in the Alps, with 32 stages covering more than 1,000 km. But biking can also be done on flatter, more relaxing terrain: in the valley bottoms, the streams and rivers are lined with well-maintained bike paths that invite you to take a relaxing, bucolic ride along the water's edge.
Refreshing lakes
After a beautiful hike, Tyrol has many lakes suitable for a swim and a refreshing dip! And thanks to the good sunshine, they can sometimes reach temperatures of over 20°C despite their altitude. Often the banks have been developed into lidos where you can relax or even rent small boats to sail. Head for the Achensee, the Heiterwanger See and the Schwarzsee in Austria, or in Italy the lago di Braies and the lake of Caldaro.
