Dramatic snow-capped peaks, plunging valleys dissected by mountain streams: Innsbruck's setting is one of almost unreal picture-postcard prettiness, whatever the season. But it is in winter, under a blanket of snow, that the town's pulling power is at its greatest, drawing in swarms of skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts.
Not for nothing does Innsbruck have two Winter Olympics under its belt. Ringed by seven ski areas - all accessible with one lift pass - the local terrain offers something for everyone. Beginners will be drawn to Igls, intermediates to Axamer Lizum and Patscherkofel, and wild-eyed adrenalin junkies to the Seegrube. And for those who can't tear themselves away from the slopes even in summer, there's year-round skiing on the Stubai Glacier.
It's in terms of its cultural and historic resources, however, that Innsbruck leaves other ski hotspots far behind. Briefly the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, this 800-year-old university town boasts the palaces to prove it. The Hofburg's Giant's Hall, with its trompe-l'oeil ceiling and dazzling Rococo décor, is likely to inspire as many gasps as a black diamond run, as is the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), a balcony covered with over 2500 copper tiles built for Emperor Maximilian I's wedding.
Its Altstadt (Old Town) is filled with Baroque and Gothic architecture, picturesque squares, narrow alleys, galleries and museums. From late November and most of December, Innsbruck also hosts two Christmas markets.
Come the warmer months, the town's location at the heart of the Tirol makes it an obvious base for exploring the natural splendour and quaint villages (complete with lederhosen-donning locals) of the region.
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