The Best Of Tirol Guide

Insider’s Guide to Tirol

Tirolean Alpine Winter

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Tirol / Heart of the Alps

t Your direc to connection of the „Heart the Alps“!

Charter flights to Innsbruck from: Birmingham 3 flights per week Bristol 2 flights per week Dublin 1 flight per week Edinburgh 2 flights per week London 10 flights per week Manchester 5 flights per week Newcastle 1 flight per week Southampton 1 flight per week For bookings please contact your local travel agency.

Scheduled flights to Innsbruck from: Bristol 2 flights per week www.easyjet.com Liverpool 1 flight per week www.easyjet.com London up to 4 flights per day www.ba.com, www.easyjet.com Manchester 3 flights per week www.monarch.co.uk

Further connections are bookable via Amsterdam (www.transavia.com, www.klm.com), Frankfurt (www.lufthansa.com) or Vienna (www.austrian.com).

Update: July 2014, subject to change.

Tirol - located in the Heart of the Alps

Welcome to Tirol How do you choose where to go on your winter ski or snowboard holiday? Do you head to the same resort? Or like to try somewhere different each season and notch up the number of ski resorts visited? Or perhaps you have had a few years off the scene? Figuring out where to go can be pretty daunting so we have done the hard work for you and carefully selected the top reasons to go to some of Tirol’s most loved resorts. Naturally we didn’t expect you to take our word for it so we asked some locals to provide their insider tips too. Read on to discover what brings skiers and snowboarders back to the Tirol year after year.

How to get to the Austrian Tirol?

Located in western Austria, the Tirol region is known as the Heart of the Alps and is home to over 100 ski resorts. With world-famous ski resorts like St Anton and Kitzbühel, along with long-time British favourites such as Mayrhofen, Obergurgl and Alpbach, the Austrian Tirol suits everyone from first-timers · www.visittirol.co.uk

to seasoned ski veterans. Superbly groomed slopes, genuine hospitality, true mountain charm, high-quality accommodation and affordable prices are just some of the reasons Tirol is a great choice for this winter.

Innsbruck Airport is served by daily scheduled flights and numerous charter flights from UK airports. easyJet flies directly from London Gatwick, Bristol and Liverpool to Innsbruck. British Airways has a direct route from London Gatwick to Innsbruck, whilst Monarch flies from Manchester to Innsbruck. The airports in Salzburg, Munich, Friedrichshafen, Memmingen and Zurich are an alternative to get to the Austrian Tirol.

Exclusive or shared transfers (www.transfer.tirol.at), as well as car hire companies, are available to make the final journey to your destination.

And with most resorts located between 30 minutes and 1 ½ hours away skiers and boarders can benefit from the added bonus of a short transfer. www.visittirol.co.uk

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

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5 reasons to visit.....

Wilder Kaiser

Head east of Innbruck to find the resorts of Söll, Going, Ellmau and Scheffau, with access to the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Austria‘s largest ski area.

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

• Inspiring scenery Beneath the mighty Wilder Kaiser mountain range are the traditional ski resorts of Söll, Going, Ellmau and Scheffau. Each resort has direct access using a network of 90 ski lifts to Austria’s largest interconnecting skiing area, the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, with 280 km of slopes.

• Austria’s largest ski area With 280km of slopes providing perfect intermediate territory, the wide and open pistes are immaculately groomed, flattering all skiers and boarders whatever their skill level. You can ski all day without taking the same lift or the same run twice.

• Apres-ski activities Beyond the slopes try a horse-drawn sleigh ride, Alpine curling or ice skating. With 14 km of tobogganing on 5 dedicated runs, choose from romantic forest tracks, · www.visittirol.co.uk

speedy routes or family favourites, like the moonlight toboggan run at Hochsöll. Here you will also find the largest night skiing area in Tirol with 10km of floodlit slopes.

• Tirolean Hospitality The genuine welcome received in the Wilder Kaiser region goes a long way. On the mountain there are more than 70 rustic ski huts, providing an authentic mountain atmosphere and serving the best mountain food - just what you need for a well-earned break from all the action.

• On-mountain childcare Dropping the children off at ski kindergarten then having to make your way up the mountain is not the most efficient use of time.

In Scheffau head to the top station of the Brandstadl lift as a family, where children will love the Schneepiraten KidsClub and parents can get straight on the slopes.

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Marco Fuchs

Live like a local Marco Fuchs ... lives in Ellmau, he is a ski instructor and manager of the 1. Ellmauer Ski- and Snowboard School. Skiing is not only his job, it’s his passion.

• The day begins with ... ... an early wake up call. There’s nothing better than the buzz you get first thing on a morning as you sweep down a freshly groomed run, wind in your face, crunching snow at your feet - this is my kind of freedom.

• Ski this first ... ... it’s impossible to say as the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental consists of 280km of slopes.

• Don’t miss this ... ... snowtubing! Blasting down a 120m track is a lot of fun and you can make a night of it too as it’s floodlit a few times a week.

• Locals do ... ... love to go skiing, just like our visitors. We enjoy having a break in a ski hut, eat some Tirolean specialities and of course après-ski is a must!

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

• Locals don’t ... ... only ski and toboggan during the day.

Floodlit slopes means the fun doesn’t stop when darkness falls.

How much?

Zenith Holidays (www.zenithholidays.co.uk) offers a week at the Hotel Austria in Söll from £595 per person, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers.

Bristol and Liverpool available on a Sunday.

Independent packages start from €386 per person for ‘Super Ski Weeks’ to the Wilder Kaiser, including 7 nights on B&B, 6 day ski pass, 25% discount on ski hire and ski school and a Wilder Kaiser Guest Card. (offer valid 6 – 19 Dec 2014 & 14 March – 12 April 2015) www.wilderkaiser.info

· www.visittirol.co.uk

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5 reasons to visit.....

Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau Two years ago the Alpbach and Wildschönau valley‘s were finally linked by a new lift, creating the Ski Juwel ski area.

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

• Ski Juwel shines brightly benefits and discounts. Use of the local ski Offering a combined total of 109km of slopes, bus network, a weekly sport and outdoor the recently created Ski Juwel Alpbachtal programme, as well as entrance to various Wildschönau skiing area has plenty of skiing attractions and discounts on shopping and and snowboarding for all abilities on wide, restaurants are generally included. open slopes. Freestylers will enjoy the action in three snow parks. Nightskiing is also • Family Skiing popular as is tobogganing, ice-skating and Families and children are well taken other apres-ski activities. care of in the Alpbach Valley and in the Wildschönau, with dedicated children’s • Traditional Villages areas and valley lifts in Reith, Alpbach and Wherever you choose to stay there is no Kramsach as well as in Oberau and Niederau. shortage of good quality accommodation Bobo the Penguin and the Dragon Club are in one of the authentic mountain villages. ready to teach your little ones.

Alpbach has long been a British favourite and has never lost sight of its mountain heritage, • Cross-country Skiing whilst the charming villages of Niederau, In addition to downhill, cross-country Oberau, Thierbach and Auffach make a great skiing makes for an exhilarating alternative, base from the Wildschönau side. amidst delightful winter scenery. The Wildschönau valley has over 50km of cross• Guest Cards country trails, whilst the Alpbach Valley All guests staying in the Ski Juwel receive boasts a network of close to 100km wella free Alpbachtal Seenland Card or a maintained and prepared routes.

Wildschönau Card, offering numerous · www.visittirol.co.uk

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Nicola Thaler

Live like a local Nicola Thaler ... has lived in the Wildschönau Valley for over 20 years and first came here as a holiday rep. Nicola is married with 3 children and works for the Wildschönau Tourist Board.

• The day begins with ... ... an excellent breakfast of locally produced bread, butter, jam, ham and eggs, with stunning views from my window of the Schatzberg and Gratlspitz mountains!

• Ski this first ... ... from the top of the Schatzberg, be the first skiers on the connecting lift to Inneralpbach for first tracks on fresh snow – heaven!

• Don’t miss this ... ... the new toboggan run in Niederau from the Lanerköpfl down to the village – 5 km of thrilling fun for all the family!

• Locals do ... ... go winter walking on the Alpbacher Höhenweg and enjoy the second to none Alpbachtal winter scenery – charming wooden houses, panoramic view over the village Alpbach.

• Locals don’t … ... drink. Only joking! We love typical Tirolean cuisine, Kristallbier and a Wildschönau Krautinger schnapps.

How much?

Neilson Active Holidays (www.neilson.co.uk; 0333 014 3351) offers a week at the 3*+ Hotel Alpenland on half board in Niederau from £475 per person, including flights from Gatwick, Manchester or Birmingham (+£20) to Salzburg and resort transfers.

Independent packages start from €182 per person for a 3 night ‘Ski & More’ short break to Alpbach, including a 3-day Ski Juwel ski pass and Alpbachtal Seenland Card. www.skijuwel.com

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

WIN a ski

h visit livin gwell.cooliday m/ski

Get in shape for the slopes

and WIN a Ski Holiday to the Austrian Tirol!

Your LivingWell team and the Austrian Tirol region is standing by to help you prepare for the ski season. Plus, enter our exclusive members-only draw and it could be you enjoying a fantastic ski holiday with Inghams in the Austrian Tirol, the Heart of the Alps.

WIN a ski holiday to Tirol’s Wilder Kaiser holiday region with INGHAMS • 7 nights including half board for two in the 4-star superior Hotel Leitenhof in Scheffau • 5 day ski passes for the Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental, Austria’s largest interconnecting skiing area with 280 km of slopes • Flights and transfers included

It’s not to late to become a LivingWell member and be in the draw to win.

For more information and to enter, visit livingwell.com/ski

Price Draw Terms and Conditions apply.

Competition closes on the 15th of December. For full terms and conditions visit www.livingwell.com/ski

5 reasons to visit.....

Kitzbüheler Alps

The ski and tourist region of the Kitzbüheler Alps is home to over 20 holiday villages, including Hopfgarten, Kirchberg, St. Johann and Fieberbrunn.

• Culinary delights The cuisine in the Kitzbüheler Alps is flavoursome and versatile, ranging from local Tirolean dishes such as ‘Kaiserschmarrn’ (sweet pancakes with raisins), ‘Gröstl’ (meat and potatoes) and ‘Backhendl’ (fried chicken) - through to sophisticated national and international dishes.

• 1 Ski Pass, 1000km of pistes • A resort for everyone The Kitzbüheler Alps is one of the biggest and Every ski resort in the Kitzbüheler Alps most interesting ski regions in the world and has its own individual appeal. Fieberbrunn can be explored on one ski pass. The Kitzbüheler is the Freeride hotspot, Brixen scores on Alpen AllStarCard gives unlimited access to location with lifts going up both sides of the more than 1000km of slopes in the big name valley, St Johann is a paradise for beginners, ski areas, including St Johann, Kitzbühel, Hopfgarten has affordable accommodation, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Ski Juwel whilst Kirchberg is right on Kitzbühel‘s Alpbachtal-Wildschönau and Pillerseetal. doorstep.

• Cross-country and winter hiking • Top Events Across the wide sunny valleys of the Kitzbüheler Winter is busy in the Kitzbüheler Alpen, Alps are almost 600km of cross-country trails from traditional folk customs during Advent for all levels. The landscape lends itself to winter to spectacular sports events, like the Tyrol hiking and snowshoeing too, through forests, Koasalauf in St. Johann in Tirol and the across fields, past farms on the beautifully Biathlon worldcup in the Pillerseetal. prepared and well-signposted trails.

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Fritz Minhard

Live like a local Fritz Minhard ... ... is a founding member of the Skischool Wilder Kaiser St.Johann in Tirol and has been a ski instructor for over 25 years! In summer he runs his own company, Active World Holidays.

• The day begins with ... ... the first run of the gondola to one of the beautiful mountain huts for a big breakfast and mountain views • Ski this first ... ... freshly groomed morning slopes on the sunny, eastern side first, then move across to the western side of the mountain!

• Don’t miss this ... ... a wonderful break with a Kaiserschmarrn and a hot chocolate on a sunny terrace

· www.visittirol.co.uk

• Locals do ... ... try to put their “signature” into the freshly groomed slopes • Locals don’t ... ... ski until the sun goes down How much?

Crystal Ski Holidays (www.crystalski.co.uk; 020 8939 0726) offers a week at the three-star Hotel Fischer in St Johann from £649, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Direct flights also available from Stansted (+£9), Birmingham (+£29), Manchester (+£39), Newcastle (+£39) and Edinburgh (+£49) Independent packages start from €351 per person for 7 nights, including a 6 day Kitzbüheler Alpen AllStarCard ski pass. www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com

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Home to the Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel is worthy of its world famous status with fantastic skiing and snowboarding and a beautiful old town.

• Freeride Paradise Possibly Kitzbühel’s best kept secret is the amount of accessible off-piste terrain, a whopping 200km2! A good guide is essential, not just for safety reasons, but for showing you where to find the powder as many of the routes are hidden behind forests or set back behind the mountains.

• Ski the Streif Feared and respected in equal measure, the Hahnenkamm downhill race is the victory every Alpine skier on the World Cup circuit dreams of. Skiing the world-famous ‘Streif’, under the direction of a local ski guide, can really enrich the experience.

• New Bichalm Lift Seeking out the best untracked backcountry around the Bichalm area will be more accessible this season with a new chairlift.

Deliberately small with a limited capacity, the impact on the natural surroundings is always at the forefront of all nature-loving freeriders.

• Best Ski Resort in the World Kitzbühel has always been regarded as one of the big names in the ski world and in 2013 and 2014 was awarded the highest accolade of being the best skiing area in the world by ‘Skiresort.de’, the world’s largest website for ski resorts.

• 155 snow-sure days!

The Kitzbühel microclimate is pretty special and as winter temperature records prove there has been a cooling trend over the last 21 years. In fact, winter 2011/12 was the coldest for more than 30 years and it’s safe to say there’s about 155 ski days on average.

5 reasons to visit.....

Kitzbühel

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Beppo Hechenberger

Live like a local Beppo Hechenberger ... ... is one of the most experienced ski guides in Kitzbühel and works for the ‘Alpin Experts’ ski school.

• The day begins with ... ... a breakfast of local cheese, ham and bacon bought from the Tyrolean Bauernstandl market, which takes place every Friday and Saturday in the resort centre.

• Ski this first ... ... the Streif in the morning sun!

• Don’t miss this ... ... a ride on the Streif simulator at the museum at the top of the Hahnenkamm gondola. Shaped like a giant skier, you climb inside, placing your face inside the helmet, slot in a euro and experience the most terrifying ride of your life!

· www.visittirol.co.uk

• Locals do ... ... enjoy and appreciate the potential available to us in the mountains but still show a great deal of respect and consideration for nature • Locals don’t ... ... consider Kitzbühel only as a backdrop but as one of the most beautiful and diverse places to live, whether in or out of season.

How much?

Snow-Wise (www.snow-wise.com; 020 33978450) offers 7 nights at the 4 star Hotel Schweizerhof, Kitzbuhel from £1095pp including (scheduled) flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, (private) transfers and half board.

Regional flights on request, supplements vary.

Independent packages start from €280 per person for a 4 night’s accommodation on half board and including ski pass. www.kitzbuehel.com

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5 reasons to visit.....

Zillertal

The Zillertal is home to some well-known resorts, including Mayrhofen, Tux, Kaltenbach, Gerlos and Zell am Ziller.

• The largest ski area Over 489 kilometres of pistes, accessed by 177 lifts and cable cars, the Zillertal Super Ski Pass covers the four skiing areas, namely the First Zillertal skiing area with Hochzillertal, Hochfügen and Spieljoch, the Zillertal Arena, the Glacierworld Zillertal with Hintertux and, of course, Mayrhofen.

• Best mountain huts With over 150 mountains huts in the Zillertal region, skiers and snowboarders can not only expect breathtaking views of numerous 3000m peaks but culinary highs to match.

Whether the focus is fine dining or traditional Tirolean cuisine, there’s always a great emphasis on seasonal and natural products.

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• Five Snowparks Those looking for freestyle action will find five terrain parks in the Zillertal, suitable for everyone from beginners to pros. Take time to practice and perfect on the kickers, rails and corners and the superbly prepared halfpipes and superpipes.

• Snow Guarantee Zillertal’s slopes range from 630m in altitude and go up to 3250m, providing great snow conditions, enhanced by environmentally friendly snowmaking equipment, which are fed with crystal clear mountain water and can cover 75% of the slopes, if needed. And of course, the Hintertux Glacier, the only year-round ski area in Austria, is located in the Zillertal.

• Snowbombing There is no festival that can match Snowbombing and for one week in April, Mayrhofen turns into the stage, hosting the ultimate show on snow. Leading DJs, club nights, live acts and snowboarders come together for this ultimate event, with amazing line-ups.

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Werni Stock

Live like a local Werni Stock ... ... has been a professional snowboarder since 2007 and is often found performing double backflips in one of Zillertal’s snow parks. He regularly jumps his way into the top ten at the international Air & Style competitions.

• The day begins with… ... early morning action. With the sun hitting the snow for the first time in the morning is the best start of the day for me when I can scratch my first lines on snow!

• Ski this first… ... one of my favourite slopes is the panorama run in the ski area of Mayrhofen for fantastic views of the snow-covered 3000m peaks.

• Don´t miss this... ... check out the cosy huts next to the slopes.

Not only for the breath-taking views of the mountains, but for the top quality Tirolean cuisine that you can find in the huts in the Zillertal. · www.visittirol.co.uk

• Local do... ... apres-ski. We love sitting together with friends after a perfect ski day, having some drinks and making plans for another day on the slopes.

• Locals don´t... ... go on holiday. Zillertal has everything to offer you could need for perfect winter days.

How much?

Ski Solutions (www.skisolutions.com) offers a week at the 4* Hotel Strass in Mayrhofen from £764, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Regional flights are available at a supplement.

Independent packages are available through the Zillertal tourist board. www.zillertal.at

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5 reasons to visit.....

Innsbruck

City skiing at its best, Tirol’s capital Innsbruck is easily accessible and has slopes and snow on its doorstep.

• On the slopes in 30mins How many cities can you name where you can be on the slopes within an hour of landing? Not many. The Olympic city of Innsbruck was made for skiing and a quick ride on the Hungerbergbahn can take you up to the slopes on the Nordkette.

• Nine ski areas The Tirolean capital is surrounded by a total of nine ski areas and 285km of piste, making up the Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck. From the Olympic slopes of the Axamer Lizum to glacier skiing on the Stubai, all the ski areas are easily accessible using the free bus service and covered on one lift pass - the Olympia SkiWorld Pass.

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• Ski and Culture Of course, it’s not all about the skiing. Take time to explore Innsbruck’s historic Old Town and its well-known landmarks. Stroll through the medieval lanes in the Old Town, marvel at the Golden Roof and visit traditional treasures such as the Hofburg palace.

• Olympic heritage Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics three times, in 1964 and 1976 and again in 2012 for the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games. Take time to visit the Olympic Ski Jump on Bergisel or have a go on the bobsleigh run in Igls for the ultimate adrenaline rush!

• Build your own skis/snowboard Make and design you own high quality and individually customised skis or board in a weekend workshop with SPURart. All aspects can be customised and the ski building pros at SPURart provide all the advice and guidance you need. www.spurart.at

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Jenny Bartholomew

Live like a local Jenny Bartholomew ... ... is one of the pros at SPURart and spends her time showing people how to build their own skis in Innsbruck.

• The day begins with ...

Looking out of my window at the mountains and thinking how lucky I am to live in a city where I can see the nearest ski resort from my bed.

• Ski this first ...

Kühtai – my personal favourite because it has a great mix of on and off piste skiing and is spread across both sides of the valley so you can chase the sun throughout the day.

• Don’t miss this ...

The Christmas markets in December. There’s nothing better to get you in the Christmas spirit than wandering around the Innsbruck Christmas markets with a hot mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) after a great day on the slopes. · www.visittirol.co.uk

• Locals do ...

Know the best mountain huts…for a great meal, great après session or great evening of tobogganing.

• Locals don’t ...

Have friends on a powder day. I’ve never seen a better example of this commonly used phrase in action than when trying to get first tracks on the Nordkette after a big dump.

How much?

Ski Safari (www.skisafari.com; 01273 224060) offers 4 nights B&B at the 5* Grand Hotel Europa in Innsbruck from £475 per person, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and return airport transfers.

Independent packages start from €369 per person for the ‘Olympia SkiWorld Innsbruck’ package for 4 nights on half board, including ski pass. www.innsbruck.info

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5 reasons to visit.....

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl

Obergurgl-Hochgurgl is located in the Ötztal region, down the valley from Sölden and just over an hour from Innsbruck airport.

• Stunning views For breath-taking panoramic views of the Ötztaler Alps stretching out to the silhouette of the famous Dolomites in the south, head to the Top Mountain Star viewing platform at 3080m, the summit of the resort’s ski area.

Here you can take in fabulous, unparalleled views of 21 mountain peaks higher than 3000m.

• Snow-sure from November to May Early to open, late to close. At 1930m, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl spends much of the season covered with snow. There’s 110km of beautifully prepared pistes, starting at 1800m and peaking at over 3000m. The resort opens in the middle of November and its impressive altitude means it remains open until May.

• Off the slopes It’s not only skiers and snowboarders who keep coming back to Obergurgl-Hochgurgl year after year, but non-skiers too. Winter hiking, snowshoeing and the wide Nordic skiing tracks create that winter wonderland feeling, whilst tobogganing on the 3km run adds to the après-ski fun.

• Ski-in/ski-out convenience So much to offer. Thanks to its high speed lift systems, the snow-sure slopes remain crowd-free so beginners, intermediates and families can enjoy the generous network of runs. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl’s a hit for those looking for ski-in/ski-out convenience, offered by most of their 4* and 5* hotels.

• Top ski schools The ski schools in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl are highly-regarded as having some of the best instructors, whether you are a total beginner or an experienced skier in need of extra tips.

Watching little ones make their first turns under the gentle guidance of the caring ski instructors is child’s play.

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· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Hansjörg Gamper

Live like a local

• Locals do ... ... dance on the tables at least once a week at the lovely Nederhütte, with their incredible après ski party and live music.

Hansjörg Gamper ... ... has lived in Obergurgl for almost 30 years. In winter he works as a ski and snowboard instructor, is a member of the local mountain rescue team and • Locals don’t ... ... tell everybody about their secret off-piste is probably one of the best off-piste track seekers in runs and favourite hidden powder tracks. the world.

From time to time they let their secrets slip during après-ski time.

• The day begins with ... ... taking part in “First Line” Skiing, followed How much? by a mountain breakfast at the Hohe Mut Alm. Inghams (www.inghams.co.uk; 01483 791 114) offers a week at the 4* Hotel Bellevue in • Ski this first ...

Obergurgl from £659 per person, including ... the blue 26a in Hochgurgl. Perfect start flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort to the week with stunning views across the transfers. Flights are also available from Oetztal Alps.

Birmingham (+£49), Manchester (+£49), Leeds-Bradford and Edinburgh (+£59).

• Don’t miss this ... ... night skiing on the perfectly groomed Independent packages start from £459 per slopes and the “Skivolution” ski show by the person for a 3 night stay in a 4* hotel on half Skischool Obergurgl on Tuesday evening. board, including a 3 day ski pass. www.obergurgl.com

· www.visittirol.co.uk

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• Location, location, location Whether you fly into Innsbruck, Friedrichshafen, Zurich or even Munich, St Anton am Arlberg is easily accessible by Regarded as one of the world’s top ski resorts, rail transfer. Helping to reduce your carbon St Anton am Arlberg lives up to its reputation. footprint, the railway station is located right in the centre of town and there are regular shuttle buses to the villages.

• Tradition and Modern Alpine Life St Anton am Arlberg is constantly evolving • Off the slopes as one of the most cosmopolitan resorts As the spiritual home of apres-ski, St Anton in the Alps, with its current surge in new am Arlberg demands as much stamina luxury properties and through its innovative on the slopes as it does off. Once you’ve infrastructure, like the Galzigbahn. Living ticked off the legendary MooserWirt and by the motto the ‘Cradle of Alpine Skiing’, KK, save some energy for tobogganing, ice the resort and neighbouring villages of skating, curling or a horse-drawn sleigh Pettneu, Flirsch and Strengen have never ride. Meanwhile the ARLBERG-well. lost their way, preserving rural tradition and com complex in St Anton offers a mix of heritage. impressive wellness facilities.

5 reasons to visit.....

St Anton am Arlberg

• Freeride Heaven Considered one of the world’s finest freeride areas, St Anton is the Holy Grail for expert skiers, thanks to the sheer diversity of its off-piste terrain, with over 200km to explore and its consistently high snowfall records, from December through to April.

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• What’s on Winter events run throughout the season, from weekly Ski Shows on Wednesdays to ‘Ladies First’ week in January to the ‘New Orleans meets Snow’ festival in April. One highlight is the iconic end of season ski race ‘The White Thrill’.

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

John Jackson

Live like a local John Jackson ... ... has lived in St Anton for about 13 years and currently works as a restaurant manager.

• The day begins with ... ... a substantial, tasty breakfast and a cup of tea. That keeps me going for a few hours – so I don’t miss any of the untouched powder.

• Locals do ... ... love the fascination of the mountains. We may live here but the love and appreciation of our mountains grows each day.

• Locals don’t ... ... have time to be lazy. Life is hard in the mountains (As John kicks back in the sun with a cool drink in his hand and a big smile on his face!)

• Ski this first ... ... on a good powder day, make your way up to Schindler. From there, take the route Nr. 15 - Schindlerkar. What a perfect start to the day!

How much?

VIP SKI (www.vip-chalets.com; 0844 557 3119) offers a week at the Hotel Montjola in St. Anton from £899, including flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, catered accommodation and resort transfers.

• Don’t miss this ... ... a well-earned beer in one of the numerous après ski bars. The only thing more tempting than the second beer is a sauna.

Independent packages, ‘Powder Snow and Ladies Weeks’ from 10th – 31st January, start from €520 per person in a 3* Hotel with breakfast and a 6-day lift-pass. www.stantonamarlberg.com

· www.visittirol.co.uk

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And suddenly you sense what people here mean by “a zest for life”.

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Ta l k t o o u r h o l i d a y a d v i s o r s on 08451011818

Foto: TVB Paznaun-Ischl

Top Events in Tirol 21st – 25th January 2015 Hahnenkamm Men‘s Downhill, Kitzbühel Regarded as the most demanding course on the world cup circuit, the world famous Hahnenkamm will attract the world’s best skiers and thousands of visitors. www.kitzbuehel.com · www.fis-ski.com 31st January 2015 SWATCH Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn The world’s elite freeriders meet at Austria’s most prestigous freeride competition in Fieberbrunn, Tirol‘s ultimate backcountry mecca. www.freerideworldtour.com 3rd – 4th January 2015 63. Four Hills Tournament, Innsbruck The world’s top ski jumpers gather at the Bergisel ski jump for the third round of the Four Hills Tournament for one of the most popular events in the professional winter sports calendar. www.bergiselspringen.at

· www.visittirol.co.uk

23rd - 27th March 2015 Altitude Comedy Festival, Mayrhofen Where better to stage this perfect mix of skiing, comedy and music than in one of Tirol’s leading resorts, Mayrhofen. John Bishop and Eddie Izzard were among last year’s stellar line-up and 2015 won’t disappoint. www.altitudefestival.com 18th April 2015 „The White Thrill“, St. Anton The mass start with 555 participants is a one of a kind challenge. Nine kilometres of unprepared slopes, 1,300 metres in altitude difference and a tough150 metre ascent take most hardcore amateurs and even pros to their absolute physical limits. www.stantonamarlberg.com 2nd May 2015 Ischgl Top of the Mountain Concert Following tradition, Ischgl will host their famous Top of the Mountain concerts at Easter and at the end of the season. Big names like Kylie Minogue, Pink and Elton John have all performed here. www.ischgl.com

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

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27 SPECIALIST SHOPS NATIONWIDE London: Covent Garden, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford, Kensington High St & St.Paul’s One New Change • Cambridge Lion Yard • Xscape Milton Keynes • Bristol • Tamworth Snowdome • Manchester • Chester • Liverpool • Xscape Castleford/Leeds • Glasgow intu Braehead • Aviemore • Fort William The North Face Stores London: Covent Garden, St.Paul’s One New Change, Westfield London & Westfield Stratford • Cambridge Lion Yard • Sheffield Meadowhall

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New Catalogues Out September Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports Ski Testing Partner Winter 14/15

GO SKI GO BOARD Launched last year, GO SKI GO BOARD is Snowsport England’s national participation campaign aimed at getting more people into and back into snowsports by letting them sample the thrill of skiing and snowboarding.

Supported by the Austrian Tirol as the exclusive destination partner, the GO SKI GO BOARD campaign has brought together a network of the UK’s indoor and artificial snow slopes to offer value for money, all inclusive ski or snowboard sessions.

New for 2014/15 is the GO FREESTYLE, GO RACE programme. Following the success of Team GB skiers and snowboarders at the

Sochi Winter Olympics, GO FREESTYLE AND GO RACE are aimed at those who have already caught the snowsports bug, enabling them to take their skiing or snowboarding to the next level.

GO FREESTYLE gives people the chance to hit the snowpark for the first time and get a taste for what it feels like to fly over a jump or slide along a rail, and GO RACE gives people the chance to try skiing through gates for the first time and experience the buzz of ski racing.

To find your nearest participating slope in England and your nearest GO SKI GO BOARD, GO FREESTYLE or GO RACE session visit www.goskigoboard.org.uk

AT THE SUMMIT

SINCE 1903

The kit may have changed, but the passion’s the same. Since the Ski Club was formed 111 years ago we’ve been helping people have the best possible time on the snow. Visit skiclub.co.uk to find out how you can be part of the club’s future.

Special Offer £10 off a year’s standard Individual or Family new membership*

· www.visittirol.co.uk

Visit skiclub.co.uk/join or call 020 8410 2015 and quote:

TIROL1415

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

*When joining by Direct Debit.

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Tirol Info Maria-Theresien-Straße 55 6020 Innsbruck · Austria +43.512.7272-0 +43.512.7272-7 info@tirol.at www.visittirol.co.uk www.facebook.com/visittirol

Official Ski Testing Partner

Tirol / Heart of the Alps

· Insider’s Guide to Tirol

· www.visittirol.co.uk

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