Winter Driving Austrian Alps

Dear Jack, The Fernpaß is open year-round. It doesn't close for winter and it is quite a major route (for trucks, including) between Fussen and Innsbrück. Occasionally, snowstorms might close it for couple hours, or for the night. Signaling is extensive, if the road is closed, they don't let you climb the pass after the Fernpasstunnel. In any case: just check the weather forecast before leaving and you shall be fine. No need to detour via München.

I agree that since it's a major road it should be open; barring a huge snow storm like last winter. Even on a clear day, though, it's a tough one, and honestly, my kids are good car riders, but they've gotten sick a few times going through there.

Do not attempt to drive through the Fernpass if it's snowing. I made this mistake one time and almost died. Scariest thing ever. Ended up turning around (no small feat on that road) and driving almost an hour back into Germany until we found a hotel with a room available. The owner told us to wait until after 9 the next morning and they should have the road cleared. They did and we got through fine but since then, as a rule I try to avoid it in the winter and go around Munich instead if I can help it. I'm actually headed up to Germany tomorrow for work and we'll be taking the Munich route.

Thanks. Looks like I'll go through Munich to Innsbruck, but I'd like to get to Reutte.
How are the roads between Innsbruck to Reutte in the winter?

I'm one of the people Ansbach James mentioned. Me, having visited both, I would much rather be over the German border in Fussen, a really nice town. Reutte did nothing for me. That off my chest, my memory of the road from Innsbruck to Reutte is that of a single lane each way on a basically nearly straight nearly level road along long valleys with mostly open, nearly treeless, meadowland. The road can be slow when trucks and tractors slow down the traffic. I've never done it in winter but I would expect it to be clear most of the time.

I think Rick promotes Reutte because he gets a good group deal for a busload at zum Schluxen, which is a ways out of town. I stopped in Reutte to have lunch in 2009 while changing trains on my way to Pfronten. I had expected a lot due to Ricks promotions, but I was sorely disappointed. The town itself is kind of "dumpy". Maybe it's because of the gravel quarry outside of town. Pfronten, in Germany a few km up the Ausserfernbahn from Reutte, is a much nicer town.

Hi Jack, First I need to ask the same question... Reutte? We didn't stay there, but stopped for a while on two seperate trips. I still don't get why it's in any travel book. We stayed twice and liked both our stays at the Hotel zum Hechten in Fuessen. We also like the old town of Fuessen a lot. http://www.hotel-hechten.com I'd wait until I was actually there to make the call on what route to take. My take on the Fern Pass... it's not much of a pass at all really. Some twisties, but nothing too much. http://www.alpineroads.com/tyrol.php#fernpass Hope this helps. Paul