In this article, we have gathered the most important information about the town, the cable car, and the alpine coaster.
- Imst – General Information about the Town
- Accommodation in Imst
- The Alpine Coaster – The Longest in the World!
- Hiking Trail in the Wild Rosengarten Gorge
- Impressive Viewpoints of the Entire Region
- The Imst Ski Resort
- Other Attractions
Imst – General Information
Along the Inn River, about 50 kilometers west of Innsbruck, lies the town of Imst. It is a nice and quiet town in an excellent location between the wonderful Ötz Valley and the Pitz Valley. Like most villages and towns in Tyrol, Imst is also located at the foot of a high mountain (Alpjoch) that rises to a height of 2,100 meters above sea level. In winter, the place serves as a small and pleasant ski resort for beginners and families.
As early as 1891, the town became famous, and not because of the alpine coaster. The well-known Austrian composer Karl Zeller composed an operetta about the songbird seller from Imst that became very popular. The operetta is called Der Vogelhändler and it is performed in theaters throughout Austria to this day.
In addition, every 4 years a particularly bizarre festival is held in the town. The festival is called Schemenlaufen and only men can take part in it. The festival participants are dressed in costumes and masks in the form of women and dance throughout the town with bells tied to their hands. This unique festival has been included in the UNESCO heritage list. If you want to see the festival with your own eyes, you will have to come to the town in February 2028!
If you don’t feel like waiting, you can watch clips from the 2024 festival here.
The town is an ideal place to visit, whether in winter or summer, and it is full of cultural and fun events. Throughout the year, theater performances, classical concerts, and modern festivals are held there.
The Alpine Coaster in Imst – The Longest Alpine Coaster in the World
The winding and steep track of the alpine coaster starts at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, at the middle station of the Imster Bergbahnen cable car that makes its way to the summit of the Alpjoch mountain. Get ready for an exciting and fast descent on a track full of surprises, 3.5 kilometers long. The track has many turns, jumps, and sharp descents that will make your heart skip a beat, but don’t worry, you can control the speed and slow down accordingly. The maximum speed you can reach on the way down is 40 km/h! Of course, it is important to observe all safety rules and ride carefully. Along the track, there are safety nets that will protect you in case, God forbid, you take the turns too fast.
Part of the track is at a height of about 6 meters in the air and it is definitely an experience! You can ride alone or with another person. Small children must be accompanied by an adult.
Curious to know what the track looks like? Watch the video from this wonderful attraction:
Essential Information for Visiting This Attraction
Operating Times:
- From the beginning of May to mid-May: Thursday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- From the third week of May to the first week of October: Every day from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- From the second week of October to the beginning of November: Thursday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
- During the Christmas period: Friday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More information on winter operating times.
- More information on summer operating times. Please note that operating hours may change depending on the weather and conditions on site.
Cost:
One ride on the alpine coaster only:
- Adult: €11.60
- Child (7-15): €8.40
- Child (3-6): €8.40
One ride on the alpine coaster and a cable car ride up:
- Adult: €19.90
- Child (7-15): €15.00
- Child (3-6): €8.40
For more detailed information on prices.
It is possible to purchase tickets online on the alpine coaster’s website. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
- Official Website
- Address: Hoch-Imst 19, 6460 Imst
- Map
Rosengarten-Schlucht
If you haven’t yet chosen which gorge to visit in Tyrol, you should know that the Rosengarten-Schlucht is considered one of the most beautiful in the area and is a short walk from the center of Imst.
The Schinderbach river flows strongly for 2 kilometers between huge rock formations – this is the natural Rosengartenschlucht gorge. On the path along the gorge, you will have to walk on wooden bridges attached to the massive rock walls that get narrower the deeper you go into the gorge. Besides the wonderful combination of the rushing river and the high mountains, there are two exceptional places on this route. Near the gorge, there are residential houses built right on the mountainside, directly overlooking the spectacular gorge. Another beautiful place is the Blue Grotto, located deep in the gorge. According to findings at the site, people were searching for silver-bearing stones here as far back as Roman times. Maybe you can even find a very special souvenir! From the Blue Grotto, you can continue up the mountain to the Hoch-Imst area or return to the starting point.
- Starting point of the trail: Johanneskirche (St. John’s Church) in the center of Imst.
- Walking time: 3 hours
- Difficulty level: Easy – Medium
- Also suitable for families with children. Open only in summer.
Impressive Viewpoints in the Imst Area
Whether you want to stop for a rest after a walk in the natural gorge, or if you are looking for a good place to sit and enjoy the view, you can visit one of the wonderful viewpoints and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the entire area.
SunOrama
This terrace is located on the southwest side of the upper cable car station on the Alpjoch summit. You can sit comfortably on the wooden chairs and look out towards Imst and the Gurgital valley. The observation deck is open in summer and winter.
Adlerhorst
This viewpoint is a short distance from the upper cable car station on the Alpjoch summit. The observation deck was built of metal, protruding several meters from the edge of the mountain, so you can feel like you are really flying in the air.
The Ski Resort
The small ski resort located at the summit of Hoch-Imst is particularly suitable for families, but it also has enjoyable slopes for experienced skiers. The ski resort also has slopes for snowboarders and stunt skiers. In total, there are about 9 kilometers of ski slopes. One of the longest slopes in Tyrol is located at this ski resort, and it is also illuminated at night.
The season at this ski resort starts from mid-December and lasts until mid-March (depending on the weather, of course).
Other Attractions in the Area
If you come to the town, you must not miss a visit to the Ötz Valley, where you can enjoy a variety of great attractions such as Area 47, Aqua Dome, and the Stuibenfall waterfalls. You can read about all the recommended attractions in the Ötz Valley in our detailed article.
Another valley in the Imst area is the Pitz Valley, which also has a variety of outdoor activities. You can read about all the recommended attractions in the Pitz Valley in our detailed article.
