Summer holidays 2020 in Ötztal

Since 16 June, unrestricted freedom of travel to Austria has been possible again. Random border controls may nevertheless be carried out. As there may still be restrictions on travel depending on your home country, we strongly recommend that you observe the national regulations of your home country. Arrival is permitted both by public transport and by private car. Enough parking spaces are available directly at the accommodation in all hotels, guesthouses and holiday apartments throughout Ötztal.

All details about how to get to Ötztal

You can find all information about current timetables and changes on the following websites:

Ötztaler Verkehrsbetriebe public bus line
Tirol's transport service VVT
Austrian railways ÖBB
Innsbruck airport

Our summer bus lines and hut & hiking taxis will take you effortlessly to your hiking destination in an environmentally friendly manner in the summer of 2020. Please be sure to observe the general hygiene & distance rules in the respective means of transport. All passengers must wear a mouth and nose cover. It must also be used in the train station area or at the (bus, train or taxi) stop, provided that the minimum distance to other people cannot be maintained.

If possible, the ticket should be purchased online in advance. But it is also possible to buy it on site (bus driver). Ötztal Card & Ötztal Premium Card holders don't need an additional ticket on regular buses, they simply show their Card to the driver.

Surface disinfection and bus ventilation measures are carried out daily in all skibus shuttles and public buses. The buses are continuously ventilated during breaks or non-operating times. Wearing nose and mouth covers in public transport is required by law. In addition to the passengers, all bus drivers coming into close contact with guests are also instructed to wear nose and mouth masks. We strongly recommend wearing nose and mouth cover also at the Ötztal Regiobus stops.

We would like to point out that especially at peak times between 8.30 am and 9.30 am as well as between 3.30 ppm and 4.30 pm the buses and the stops can be very busy. Please show consideration for all passengers when getting on and off the public buses. Additional buses will be in operation during peak times but we ask you to plan your journey thoroughly in advance. We expressly reserve the right to limit the number of passengers on the public bus and skibus lines.

Please note: Bus tickets should be reserved in advance if possible - tickets.vvt.at

Health and safety for all guests and locals is a top priority in Ötztal. This means that a worriless holiday, whether in a hotel or apartment, will be possible in the summer of 2020. Please follow these guidelines to protect yourself, all other guests and the hosts in the valley in the best possible way:
– Please start your journey only if you feel healthy.
– In order to be able to trace possible chains of infection, the accommodation needs the data of all travelers - no matter if it is a mountain hut or a hotel in the valley.
– Maintain the minimum distance to people from another household at all times and in all public areas of the accommodation. Please note the information on the spot as well as the floor markings.
– Bring your own mouth and nose cover for you and your family and wear it in all public areas of your accommodation.
– In Ötztal you can purchase your personal mouth and nose cover in Ötztal design at all Information Offices.

Booking is possible at any time via our Online Booking Platform. Additionally, you benefit from a free Cancellation Guarantee. Cancellations are free of charge up to 7 days before arrival and no deposit is required within the validity period: 01.05.2020 - 04.10.2020. For more insider tips you reach us by phone on +43 57 200-0 from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, by e-mail at info@oetztal.com or on our social network pages.

– Again, keeping enough distance is the order of the day. Therefore, no handshakes please.
– It is best to inform your host already in advance of the approximate arrival time to ensure an uncomplicated check-in with the necessary intervals and without "jams" at the reception desk.
– Often you can transmit your personal data already in advance. All those who use this service not only save (vacation) time but also increase safety for themselves and everyone else.
– If possible, pay the accommodation bill contactless.

– All rooms and apartments are cleaned thoroughly by trained staff before arrival. Constantly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, etc. are given special consideration.
– Regular airing of all rooms increases your safety.

Of course, safety measures to contain the COVID 19 pandemic do not influence the culinary art. Breakfast, dinner and cake & snack buffet (if offered) still taste equally good by observing these measures:
– Guests can serve themselves at the buffet. The host will provide disinfectant or disposable gloves before you go to the buffet.
– It is forbidden to eat or drink in the buffet area.
– Table decorations, cruet stands and objects for repeated use at the table are not available. If you need spices for seasoning, they will be brought by the staff and cleaned and disinfected immediately afterwards for each guest.

Here too, the general distance rules apply to all people who do not live in the same household. By observing the minimum distance, mouth and nose covers are not obligatory anymore.

– In the hotel pool 6 m2 are available for each guest. The minimum distance at the pool edge, in the access and exit areas and in the lounger area must be observed at all times.
– In front of the sauna facilities you will see the exact number of people allowed in the cabin at the same time. It must be strictly observed.
– It is strongly recommended to use the wellness facilities only with people who live in the same household.
For people who live in the same household, the distance in the pool, in the sauna, etc. may be less.
– We do not recommend towel-twirling.
– In the hotel's fitness area, the minimum distance between the individual athletes must not be less than 2 meters. After the training all devices must be disinfected by the guest and the employees.
– There is a limited number of participants for the hotel's activity and leisure time programs. If possible, activities are offered outdoors.
– Likewise, the necessary minimum distance is observed during child activity programs and activities are held outdoors as often as possible.
– A mouth and nose cover must be used during all treatments, be it beauty programs or massages, if there is direct contact with the employees. It's not possible to maintain the required minimum distance here.

The two inclusive cards are available to all guests with all services this summer (except the Fun Park in Huben). For the first time in the summer of 2020 there will be the option of loading a digital Card to your smartphone. More detailed information is available at our Information Offices or from your accommodation provider. The digital Ötztal Card can only be purchased in the web shop.

Here you will find a detailed summary of all services included in the Card and the additional benefits that you can use. For more detailed information, please contact your Ötztal Premium Card partner accommodation or the service team of Ötztal Tourism at +43 57 200 0.

Our manifold restaurants are looking forward to spoiling you with Tirolean specialties and international cuisine. The local food prepared with love still tastes good.

– Make a table reservation in advance. Due to the greater distances between the tables, there may otherwise be waiting times during peak hours.
– The table is assigned to the guests by the staff.
– The food & beverage cards are either for the unique use or they are disinfected after each guest. In some restaurants the menu is also offered digitally on the own cell phone.
– On table decoration as well as Menagen at the table one does without. If you need spices for seasoning, they are brought by the staff and cleaned and disinfected before the next guest.
– It may be consumed both on the terrace and in the restaurant only on seats.
– All restaurants must close at 22.00 o'clock. This measure is initially limited to 3 weeks and is valid until 16.10.2020.

Detailed opening times of Ötztal's gastronomical services are available at:
RESTAURANTS
CAFÉ & BARS
MOUNTAIN HUTS & ALPINE PASTURES

Scenic Ötztal offers a huge choice of activities, both outdoors and indoors. Be it walking, hiking or biking in the mountains, visiting one of the many museums or playing a round of minigolf or pit-pat. Please also note the general distance & hygiene guidelines. No mouth and face cover is required for outdoor activities.

As usual, our mountain gondolas and lifts take you comfortably to the higher mountains of Ötztal. In all mountain gondolas and lifts only a certain number of guests are transported per gondola or chair. There may be short waiting times. The exact number of people allowed depends on the size of the respective cabins and can be checked on site when boarding. As usual, our trained staff is happy to help you and always available to answer questions and take care about concerns.

The 007 Elements James Bond World as well as the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum, the Nature Park House in Längenfeld, the Local Heritage Museum, the Tower Museum and the Ötzi Village & Birds of Prey Park are open as usual. As there is a limited number of visitors, we recommend that you reserve the tickets in advance. So nothing will cloud ultimate holiday fun.

Regardless of whether it's an outdoor pool or a swimming lake: a dive into the cool water promises perfect refreshment on hot summer days. The distance & hygiene guidelines apply to all outdoor swimming pools in Ötztal and the bathing lake in Umhausen.

Special rules apply to Lake Piburger See in summer 2020: Swimming is only permitted in the official bathing area of the lakeside swimming bath. Swimming in all other areas of the lake is not permitted. The region's mountain rescue team will supervise the entire area, offences will be punished. All connoisseurs of Ötztal know that we have countless mountain lakes that invite you to cool off. Sometimes pristine and even all alone - only the mountain, the lake and you.

Aqua Dome – Tirol Therme spa center in Längenfeld:
The Aqua Dome in Längenfeld will also be available to all day guests for relaxation in the summer of 2020. The water area, the sauna parlors and the fitness studio are open. Only the steam baths will remain closed for the time being. The risk of contagion in water is very low due to the addition of chlorine in the thermal water - always by maintaining the minimum distance. As there may be waiting times due to the limited number of admissions, we ask you to reserve the tickets online in advance.
– The employees were specially trained on the official hygiene & distance rules. All instructions given by the staff must be followed.
– In the access area to the respective pools you will find the maximum number of people allowed in the pool. It is of utmost importance that all guests adhere to these guidelines.
– The limited number of sauna visitors must also be observed at all times.
– The trained employees will clean and disinfect frequently used places and surfaces even more often.
– In the gym, all courses can only be carried out with a limited number of participants. Please reserve your ticket in advance.

Freizeit Arena Sölden:
Just like the Aqua Dome, the adventure indoor pool and sauna in Sölden will be available in the summer of 2020. The steam baths are also open at Freizeit Arena. The most important guidelines for Freizeit Arena are the general distance rules, the hygiene standards such as frequent hand washing & disinfecting, and sneezing & coughing into the elbow. All frequently used areas will be cleaned and disinfected even more often so that you can enjoy carefree swimming fun.
– The employees were specially trained on the official hygiene & distance rules. All instructions given by the staff must be followed.
– In the access area to the respective pools you will find the maximum number of people allowed in the pool. It is of utmost importance that all guests adhere to these guidelines.
– Always maintain a minimum distance of one meter between the single loungers and resting places.
– The use of sauna facilities, warm air & steam baths is only possible for people who live in the same household.
– Aufguss rituals and towel-twirling are strictly prohibited in the sauna.

Due to lower visitor capacity, we strongly recommend to make a reservations for all pools via phone or online in advance. So nothing stands in the way of great bathing fun.

Ötztal is the undisputed number 1 cycling destination in the Alps. We have splendid nature surrounding us, the passion for two wheels and are happy about everyone who shares this enthusiasm with us. Be it a pass height or mountain summit, an idyllic valley floor or a dreamlike single trail: We keep the Ötztal flag flying when it comes to truly unforgettable cycle and bike experiences.

Bike Republic Sölden:
The Bike Republic Sölden with all its fantastic trails, lines and uphill transport facilities will be available also this summer. Since the distance to other bikers also increased the safety of each individual even before Corona, there is no special regulation in the summer of 2020.

In order to be able to stop at one of the countless mountain huts and Alpine pastures, please be sure to bring your own mouth and nose cover. The capacity of each mountain gondola or lift is signposted directly at the respective facility. We ask for your understanding if there are short waiting times. Our trained staff is always available to help and advise you. For all those who want to improve their skills on the mountain bike, our bike schools are available as usual. Thanks to small group sizes, the necessary distance can easily be maintained during bike courses or lessons. Pump tracks: The general distance rules also apply to the pump tracks in Ötztal. They must be observed especially when accessing and leaving the course. Bike washing stations: Please only enter the bike wash facilities one by one and wash your hands well before and after.

Ötztal Cycle Trail:
There are no special regulations for using the Ötztal Cycle Trail, and therefore a ride through Ötztal, off the main road, can be enjoyed without any problems.

Nothing stands in the way of a truly relaxing hike to our splendid mountains. On more than 1600 km of marked hiking trails the minimum distance can be maintained without any problems.

Many of our myriad sights are in the outdoors. For example, the Stuiben Falls, Tirol's biggest waterfall, continue to fascinate visitors and the countless suspension bridges or viewing platforms have lost none of their attraction. Here it is important to keep the minimum distance as on all hiking and walking trails.

In our climbing gardens and via ferratas, we strongly recommend that you keep the minimum distance to other people (2 meters for sporty activities).
When climbing in the climbing garden, routes should not be climbed next to each other. Please also ensure that there is sufficient distance when choosing a route. Keep as much distance as possible from other rope teams in the climbing garden.

It is recommended to wear gloves on the via ferrata and not to touch your face. If you want to overtake other climbers in via ferratas, then only use ledges, niches or walking routes with a minimum distance of one meter.

For all those who want to discover new outdoor sports or just improve their skills, our service providers such as mountain guides, rafting & canyoning guides, hiking guides, etc. are fully available. The groups will be small enough that the minimum distance (varies depending on the activity) can be maintained at any time. For many Alpine sports small group sizes have already been specified and implemented for many years due to safety reasons relevant to alpinism. Therefore, the minimum distance can be easily maintained and no mouth and nose cover is necessary while practicing sports. You must bring your own mouth and nose cover since taxi or bus transfers can sometimes be required to practice the sport. Disinfectants are available at the respective meeting points in the offices.

River rafting will only take place in large boats in summer 2020 and the boats will be occupied by fewer people. A measure that gives everyone more space. All other details and further information are available directly from our outdoor experts.

Would you like a new outdoor jacket? Or do you prefer a chic dress for the evening? Sports shops selling suitable equipment from the trendiest brands to the latest clothes of the season, cool boutiques offering extravagant fashion and more make a shopping tour in the valley essential for both ladies and gents. Not to mention the many food stores, gift shops, flower shops and craft shops that also have souvenirs for home.

In all shops it is important to keep a minimum distance of 1 meter from other persons. The general hygiene regulations, especially hand disinfection, must also be observed. Please note that a mouth and nose cover must be used in all stores.

If you develop COVID 19 symptoms (dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc.) during your stay, you must call the Austrian emergency number 1450 immediately. The instructions given by the expert staff and all further steps (possible testing, isolation, etc.) are then specified by the authority and advice must be followed. Also inform your host about it.

In an emergency, please always call 144. Please also inform the emergency call staff that the symptoms could be a suspected case in connection with COVID 19. Under no circumstances should you visit a doctor's office personally in the event of a suspected case.