MY TIROL (Summer in the Mountains) 01/2014

Edition 01 · 2014

My tirol The Insider’s Guide to the Tirolean Summer in the Mountains

Sports & Activities: The Mountain Professor page 22 Nature & Pleasure: The Mountain Medic Meets his Alpine Counterpart page 54 Family Experience: The Bear Necessities of Geocaching page 64 Culture & Gastronomy: 72 hours in Innsbruck page 80

So close, so far.

Editorial

Josef Margreiter

CEO, Tirol Tourist Board

Tirolean Summer in the Mountains.

With an elevation of more than 3,000 kilometres (we call it ‘vertical drop’) between the Tirol’s lowest point in Ebbs - at 473 metres and our highest - the Wildspitze at 3,768 metres, it is no wonder that we have a wide range of activities to do. Add to that, over one quarter of the Tirol’s natural landscape is protected by law, which means we are a county covered in lush, health-giving forest where - particularly during mountain summer months - you can fill your lungs with air that’s cleaner, purer and fresher than usual. It’s the perfect fuel for muscles being used to power a mountain adventure, whether on a full-suspension mountain bike or simply a leisurely ramble over the foothills with your family. So please enjoy this magazine, and accept my heartfelt invitation to our beautiful land.

Kindest regards, Josef Margreiter

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My Tirol 3

Sport & Activities

Nature & Health

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42

Editorial

Conquering Tirol

Feeling Tirol

6 In Pictures

A Tirol mountain summer, captured on camera.

15 Tirol Today

Tirol in figures and a taste of the local dialect.

16 The Secret of My Strength...

Franz Hackl, Elisabeth Gürtler and Enrique Gasa Valga reveal their sources of power.

Small talk: A short interview with canyoning guide Michael Amprosi.

Small talk: an interview with movement therapist Dörte Kuhn.

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Mountain climbing The Mountain Professor

Hiking Where the Wild Things Are

In the mountains with the legendary alpinist Peter Habeler.

The legendary Streif ski run as a hiking tour.

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Mountain panoramas Spectacular Scenes

Mountain biking The Joy of Trail Riding

Singletrack: trails that are pure pleasure.

46 Five exceptional viewpoints, accessed via the mountain railway.

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Bike technology Stay Safe in the Saddle

E-Bike The Benefits of an Extra Boost

Safety tips from a mountain bike trainer.

Electric bikes in the Kitzbühel Alps.

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Mountain biking Tirol in a Nutshell

Nature parks Holiday Volunteer Work

A guide to mountain bike trails and uplifts throughout the Tirol.

Purposeful holiday adventures in the Tirol.

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Health Mountain Doctor Meets Alpine Doctor

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Mountain running To the Limit

An interview with actor Hans Sigl and sports physician Wolfgang Schobersberger.

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Tips & Info

Multi-champion Jonathan Wyatt on the appeal of mountain running.

Mountain myths If Mountains Could Talk

Legends of the Tirol mountains.

58 At a glance: More information about hiking, cycling, nature, golf and special offers.

34 Summit “Hats Off”

Climber meets skier: Jakob Schubert and Christoph Bieler.

38 On the Cover: Rettenschöss near Kufstein Photographer: Josef Mallaun

p 22, The Mountain Professor

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Tips & Info

At a glance: More information about mountain biking, mountaineering, climbing, watersports.

p 34, Climber meets skier

p 54, Health Talk

Contents

Family Experience

Culture & Gastronomy

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98

Discover Tirol

Enjoying Tirol

Imprint

Small talk: an interview with Anna Schöpf from the Vitalhof Tischlars organic farm.

Small talk: A cultural summer in Tirol – interview with writer Anna Walker.

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Geocaching The Bear Necessities

Innsbruck 72 Hours with ...

99 Arrival & Contacts

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Smart phone treasure hunts for children, in the Serfaus mountains.

... Johannes Reitmeier, Manager of the Tirol country theater.

The Pieces of My Heart

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Nature The Spirit of Discovery

Mountain life High in the Karwendel

Travel Report

Exploration and activities especially for children.

Meet Norbert Stadler, Karwendel’s longest-serving Senner.

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Climbing “Climbing is Innate to Children”

Tirol brandies The Art of Distilling

Climbing expert and teacher, Mike Gabl on climbing with children.

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88 Tirol cuisine Dumpling Lessons

Andreas Mair shares his recipe for baked Graukäsknödel.

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Tips & Info

Alpine kitchen “You Can Taste the Mountains”

At a glance: More information about accommodation, leisure activities and special offers

Journalist and author Karin Steinbach Tarnutzer on her childhood memories of the Tirol.

There’s more to brandy than you might imagine!

Family action The Land of Adventure

Your guide to adventurous family activities in the mountains.

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An interview with the East Tyrolean chef Gerald Rieger.

92 Architecture Won Over by Wood

How wood captured the modern architecture movement.

96 Tips & Info

At a glance: More details on food and drink, culture and film, and special offers.

p 64, The Bear Necessities

p 80, 72 Hours in Innsbruck

My Tirol 5

Sunrise over the Alps As the first rays of sun break through the dawn, and illuminate the colours on the surrounding peaks, you‘ll know straight away that the early start was worth the trouble. And without question, a tour around Stubai in the Wipptal Valley can test even the most arduous of hikers. Add in the fact that you‘ll have to ascend while it‘s still dark - exciting and star-lit as it is - and things don‘t get easier. But the reward is more than worth it: to conquer the 830-metre mountain, and to celebrate with one of nature‘s most awesome spectacles: a sunrise over the Tirol.

In Pictures

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8 My Tirol

In Pictures

Nature‘s Swimming Pools Mother nature is obviously a fan of swimming. Take this natural pool not far from the Shepherd‘s hut in Pfluntal, near St. Anton am Arlberg. In spring, when the snow melts fill the geologically-formed, natural basin, it‘s where you‘ll find the locals heading, including Claudia and Marcel, the children of a shepherd, who virtually run up to the 2,200-metre altitude pool for their first natural bath of the year.

Back in the Valleys Having been protected over the cold winter months, the grazing animals of the Tirol are brought back to pasture. And this four-month-long haitus deserves celebrating. As a major event for both humans and animals, going back to time immemorial, the celebrations pass through villages, and locals and visitors alike delight in seeing the animals decorated by their proud guardians with flowers, belts, bells and ribbons.

In Pictures

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12 My Tirol

The City at a Glance Head up the cable car to the Nordkette mountain for the perfect view of Innsbruck.

Though if you‘re like Filip Polc - the Slovakian pro downhill mountain biker you‘ll only get a snippet or a glance. Filip completed the Nordkette Downhill Pro 2013 in a time of just 10-minutes and 8.91-seconds, desceding the 1000-verticalmetre course in less time that it would take to come down by the cable car itself.

In Pictures

Tirol Today

Tirol in Figures Was the year of the Sacred Heart of Jesus pledge, when the people of the Tirol vowed to unite in the struggle against Napoleon’s troops. Fires are lit on the mountainsides each June to commemorate the event.

1796

573 three-thousand-metre peaks rise in the Tirol – a statistic which earned it the name ‘Land in the Mountains’ during medieval times. The three highest peaks are the Großglockner (3,798 metres), the Wildspitze (3,772 metres) and the Watzespitze (3,533 metres).

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110.000

saints are remembered at Mount Saint George’s Abbey in Schwaz. Tirol’s oldest pilgrimage site, this monastery dates back more than 1,000 years.

300 Local Dialect The Tirolean dialect is as diverse as the country itself two terms you should know.

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brass bands and around 15,000 musicians perform in the Tirol – with 279 settlements in the region. Yup, that’s more than one brass band per community!

Cattle, 70,000 sheep, 5,500 goats and 2,000 horses spend the summer months on the Tirol’s pastures – it’s not only people who are attracted here in the warmer weather!

Hatscher, The [Hadscha, däa]

ums Oaschleck’n [ums Oaschläckhn]

If you ask how far it is to a certain hut, beware if a local tells you to expect ‘a Hatscher’ – you’ve got a long slog ahead of you.

This phrase may have an ulterior meaning in some circles (in Germany it’s the alternative to brown nose) but its use in Tirol is perfectly harmless: Oaschleck‘n means ‘a hair‘s width’, so to reach the gondola ‘around Oaschleck‘n’, means you only just made it in time.

SummerDrive Tirol on the road in the heart of the alps

Tirol and BMW have forged a unique cooperation bringing their competence together to devise three inspiring routes providing a unique and first class mountain experience.

Höhenwege

Friedensglocke at Mösern near Telfs

FeuerWerk – HolzErlebnisWelt at Fügen

“Two powerful brands hit the road.”

“Breathe in the grandeur of the Zillertal peaks.”

Along breathtaking routes through the heart of the Alps: Tirol Werbung in cooperation with car manufacturer BMW has created an extraordinary adventure out on the open road in 2013. This stunning collaboration helps you to exult in the highest of the high points along the most splendid routes and through the most rapturous landscapes of Tirol. Discover and enjoy the immense diversity of a Tirolean summer in the mountains. Collect unforgettable moments in mountain scenery of heart-throbbing fascination. At the wheel yourself, you enjoy all the benefits of BMW ConnectedDrive. On an experience of the mountains unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

This route through the incomparable Zillertal takes you into an unparalleled mountain world and lets you feel Tirol’s deep-seated bond with the multi-faceted raw material called wood. At Fügen’s HolzErlebnisWelt on the Zillertal valley floor you will see for yourself at the Organic-Mass Demo Power Plant every hidden energy potential that wood possesses, before walking through deeply moving mountain forests to dreamlike panorama views.

Riding on an E-bike mountain tour, you leave asphalted streets and uncover brand new perspectives and unique culinary moments.

On alluring routes through Tirol

Breaking new ground • SummerDrive Tirol will surprise you each and every year anew with brand new routes, helping you to discover and experience the unlimited facets of Tirol.

• Visit our website, let your brain cells and your imagination get inspired.

• Hit the road: out to your very own, utterly personal mountain experience in Tirol.

Piburger See at Ötz

“The way is the destination.”

Tirol and BMW utilise a plethora of sports possibilities as well as highly varied experiences of nature in designing special routes for your pleasurable thrills. Apart from high altitude trails in the Zillertal we also entice you down the paths water wends through the Ötztal. And we draw you in close to the history of the Olympic Games region of Seefeld. With SummerDrive Tirol we aim to inspire you so that you will then hit the road yourself, and immerse in a Tirolean summer in the mountains all on your own. www.summerdrive-tirol.com

The Power of the Mountains Tirol has the power to invigorate and replenish your body and soul: feel energised by delicious mountain fare, take time to connect with the people you meet and absorb the raw power of nature at its best.

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The Secret of My Strength...

Elisabeth Gürtler ... finding space to unwind in Seefeld

Enrique Gasa Valga ...the Tirol: a natural dance partner

„Whenever I‘m in Seefeld I quickly detach „In the Tirol, the audience’s response to from the hustle and bustle of daily life. I our dance events is always inspiring. As an go hiking or Nordic Walking, then relax artist, I have to continually develop myself – on the terrace and drink in the peace and something that’s made easier by the Tirol’s serenity of the mountains with an Aperol rich cultural atmosphere and the honest Spritz in hand, before treating myself to a feedback from locals. An added advantage massage or beauty treatment. After three of working in the Tirol is the willingness days I feel completely relaxed, with my of professional dancers to perform here: batteries fully refuelled.“ international stars are always keen to spend time in the Tirol; I don’t have to drag them The Austrian entrepreneur is head of the here and they don’t need much persuasion!”

Spanish Riding School, Hotel Sacher, the Austrian Court Hotel and the Hotel Astoria in The Barcelona-born dancer is Director of the Seefeld. dance company at the State Theatre Innsbruck.

Franz Hackl ... soothing scenes in Pillberg „The hotel Grafenast in Pillberg is familyrun for over 100 years. Here, much of what I love most about the Tirol can be found in a condensed form: a relaxed way of life, the mountains on my doorstep and a beautiful view of the Inn Valley from the terrace. And for the finishing touches, the hotel Grafenast‘s warm hospitality and delicious regional specialties complete the package.“ Tirol native, Franz Hackl is a jazz trumpeter, bandleader in New York and founder of Tirol’s annual Outreach Festival in Schwaz.

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Sport & Activities

Sport & Activities

Conquering Tirol page 20 The Mountain Professor page 22 The Joy of Trail Riding page 26 Stay Safe in the Saddle page 28 Tirol in a Nutshell page 29 To the Limit page 30 If Mountains Could Talk page 32 Hats Off page 34 Tips & Info page 38

Hiking in the Tannheimer valley

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Expect views like this when climbing near the alpine village of Vent.

Short & Sweet A Legendary Hike

Harmony between Nature and Man

Innovative and invaluable

Held annually on the last Saturday in August, hikers, Nordic-walkers and fellrunners can tackle either the 35 or 52kilometre versions of the Karwendel Marches (or “Karwendelmarsch” as we call it). Starting out from the village of Scharnitz, the route descends to Pertisau, on Achensee Lake. As well as the physical challenge, and competitive element, there are of course plenty of participants there to experience the untouched nature of the beautiful Karwendel region.

In 2007 the Association of Mountaineering Villages was formed, with strict entry criteria: villages wishing to join must embrace tourism and modern attitudes to safety, but must also hark back to the legendary eras that have made their villages and mountains so attractive in the first place. Thus the ‚Bergsteigerdörfer‘ were born. Summer activities here are as varied as the villages themselves, ranging from simple walks or mountain hikes to alpine climbing, technical pitches and newly built sports climbing areas.

For active, tech-savvy visitors to the Tirol, two phone apps are a must. Climbing enthusiasts will appreciate the free, stateof-the-art Climbers Paradise App, which includes stacks of great features and valuable tips about climbing in the region; and for rapid assistance during mountain accidents, the Tirol Emergency Mountain Rescue App is invaluable – significantly reducing search and rescue time by accurately pinpointing victims. Both apps are free-of-charge.

www.karwendelmarsch.info

www.bergsteigerdoerfer.at

www.tyrol.com

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Sport & Activities ›

Rock, water and highadrenaline adventures Interview by Daniel Naschberger

experienced. International canyoning companies and experts visit us regularly here in the Tirol to learn about the latest safety standards.

Michael Amprosi

Have you got any tips for beginners?

Safety is paramount: only go canyoning when accompanied by a certified, local guide. As a very unique sport that combines rock climbing and white-water, you need to be properly prepared. To travel safely through the canyons, you need the right equipment – this includes neoprene clothing, a helmet, harness and carabiners – all of which a decent guide can supply. They can also gauge your skill level before you set out, and pick a route that suits your level of ability.

What’s so special about the canyoning in Tirol? In the Tirol, you can jump, slide and Abseil, climb, jump, slide, swim or dive – when abseil in almost every canyon – there are you’re canyoning, there are more ways than one very few places in Europe where you can do to navigate a ravine. Ötztal canyoning guide all three in one location. And then there’s Michael Amprosi, tells us how it’s done. the abundance of places to go: in my home area of Ötztal, I’m spoilt for choice. What nature has created in Tirol took thousands How would you describe canyoning? of years – it’s not something you can just It’s a nature experience of a special kind – copy. a sporting adventure, an adrenaline rush, which combines the elements of water and Where are the canyoning hotspots in Tirol? As I mentioned, the Ötztal region is rock in a really unique way. definitely at the forefront. There are more How has the sport has developed in than ten beautiful canyons here, including recent years? The modern-day form of the Auerklamm gorge – one of the best canyoning has been about for a couple of known and most visited canyons in Central decades. Before then, people went ‘gorge Europe; a definite highlight. The Zillertal is walking’ – a sport that’s been around for also fantastic, especially Zemmgrund Vala fair while. In recent years, canyoning ley. But in Tirol, you can find canyons and techniques have developed significantly guides almost everywhere from St Anton particularly in terms of security, which am Arlberg in the far east of Tirol to Kufhas increased considerably. Tirol is a world stein in the far west of the region. leader in technical security, and the best – guides here are highly trained and very Thank you for the interview.

Canyoning Guide

My Tirol 21

The Mountain Professor

By Sylvia Ainetter

Peter Habeler made history in 1978 when he summited Everest without the use of additional oxygen. On his 70th birthday in 2012, a new high altitude trail – the Peter Habeler route – was opened in his honour, in his home valley: the Zillertal Alps.

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Sport & Activities ›

M

ay the 8th 1978 was another his father and tried to fill this gap in his momentous day in the history life by seeking a substitute in the company of mountaineering. Two men of local mountain guides. Even at a young summited the 8,848-metre peak of age he knew the mountains on its doorstep Mount Everest - the highest mountain in better than many others and, by 16, he was the world - for the first time ever without already tackling technical rock and ice using artificial oxygen. Peter Habeler climbing pitches. He went on to become the from the Zillertal and Reinhold Messner youngest head of the Austrian mountain from South Tirol became world famous, guides, which he led for many years. and their feat received more media Anxiety is something he’s never had. „So coverage than any other mountain many people hold themselves back through expedition before. fear. I never wanted to be like that,“ he admits.

Peter Habeler is 71 years old now but you’d be forgiven for thinking he was far younger. Before Everest, Peter had already made Strong and agile, his life is still very much many first ascents in the American here in the mountains, and there’s always Rockies and was one of the first Europeans to ascend the big walls in Yosemite National Park, California, scaling immense The media echo of the mountain rock faces at impressive speeds, including expedition was enormous.

El Capitan – at the time the hardest climb a smile of his healthy looking face and a in the world, and still a serious benchmark joke on his lips. „I‘ve got a mountain tick,“ in skill, nerve and stamina. In 1975, he and he laughs. As we hike to the Olperer Hut in Messner ascended the North Face of the the Zillertal Alps, Peter could easily stride Eiger in less than ten hours before going ahead but, instead, he adapts his pace to fit on to be the first to make an alpine-style with the rest of the group. I ask how many ascent, which involves carrying all your times he’s travelled this route: „Many, many own equipment, of the 8,080-metre times,“ he says, „but my aim isn’t to lead the Hidden Peak in Pakistan. mountaineers’ tally sheets.“ Bergkameraden The Zillertal Alps are his home, and are Reinhold Messner first met Peter Habeler where it all began for him, all those years in the early 1960s, while climbing with ago. Habeler was born in Mayrhofen in the mountaineer Sepp Mayerl. Messner was Zillertal valley. At the age of eight, he lost 18, Habeler was 20. It was obvious that the

two made a perfect partnership. „Even then I felt a kind of natural affinity with him,“ Habeler writes in his book, The Lone Victory, in which he recounts their Everest expedition. Nevertheless, they maintained a certain distance: they rarely talked about their private lives and seldom saw each other if they weren’t climbing mountains. But on the mountain they were partners, trusting each other 100 per cent. Today, speaking with Habeler about Reinhold Messner, you can still sense the deep connection between them. „I visit Reinhold regularly,“ he says, „we understand each other very well.“ When I ask about the disputes following the publication of his book, Habeler simply says: „They were provoked by the media.

And that was a long time ago.“ The ascent of Everest made Habeler and Messner allies, entering new territory.

Previously, few people believed it was possible that such a feat could be accomplished without taking oxygen supplies. „When we planned the Everest expedition, we were told we’d either die or suffer severe brain damage,“ says Habeler, „You have to do things which set you on fire.“ „but that didn’t stop us.“ Why expose yourself to such great danger? „We were accused of being tired of life, but that wasn’t the case. We were ›

My Tirol 23

adventurers, deeply confident in our ability. We were convinced that it was feasible and that we could do it,” explains Habeler. “I‘ve always wanted to live life to the fullest, and still do,“ he adds.

According to Habeler, passion is the most important thing in everything you do. „You have to do things which set you on fire“ he says, and this burning passion is still something he has plenty of. The mountains are his home and he treads with care, never losing sight of the beauty of nature, and never ignoring the dangers that lurk within the mountains. „You have to know when to turn around. And I often do,“ says Habeler.

After their Everest ascent, Peter Habeler took a break for a while, and he and Messner went their separate ways. While Messner pursued his next goal – to climb all fourteen of the eight-thousanders – Habeler spent time in the Zillertal with his wife and sons. But summit fever soon grabbed him again, and a few years later he climbed three more eight-thousanders: Nanga Parbat in 1985, Cho Oyu in ‚86 and Kangchenjunga in 1988.

The fight against death For extreme mountain climbers in the Himalayas and other high altitude regions of the world, death is omnipresent, and is something Peter Habeler has stared in the face more than once. In The Lonely Victory he describes his intense experiences at the summit of Everest: „I reached a veritable euphoria. I felt relaxed, comfortable, and felt like nothing could happen to me. [ ...]

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I can well imagine how Mick Burke felt – sitting at the top, smiling happily and thinking how fantastically beautiful everything is, wanting to stay there. And then his life was extinguished like the flame of a candle.“ Back then and still today, 35 years after his Everest summit, Habeler is very much aware of how precious life is. Rather than gaining a victory over the mountain, he saw his achievement more as a victory over himself, citing Viktor Frankl: „Who is stronger now? It or me?“ Among his mountain comrades are other big names like Marcel Rüedi, Michl Dacher, Top victories are wins over himself.

Carlos Buhler and Martin Zabaleta. „Many are dead now,“ says Habeler, and is silent for a moment.

Still active The ascent of Everest led to many lectures and publications and, in 1999, Habeler gained the title of ‘Professor’. At more than 70 years old, the ‘Mountain Professor’ is still active, lectures about his experiences, and leads a successful Alpine School in the Zillertal. He doesn’t even suffer from physical discomfort. „Yesterday, after a ten-hour climb, I had back ache but otherwise, I never find myself in pain. I‘m really lucky,“ says Habeler who, although no longer tackling eight-thousanders, still takes on 6,000 metre mountains.

He travels a lot, regularly flying to Nepal, the Middle East and United States, but never lets go of his love for the Zillertal and always remains faithful to his native mountains. When we finally reach the Olperer Hut we take a rest and celebrate with wine and pancakes. The Peter Habeler trail was dedicated to him on his 70th birthday and a section of the route passes just above the hut, where Peter Habeler began his first mountaineering experiences as a child.

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Peter Habeler – The Altitude Trail The Peter Habeler Trail circumnavigates the peaks of the Western Zillertal Alps.

You can depart from Ginzling in the Ziller Valley, St Jodok in Schmirn, or Vals in Wipptal. Alternatively, you can join the trail from the Pfitschtal Valley, Schlegeis reservoir or from Hintertux.

The total distance is around 56-kilometres, with approximately 5,000metres of ascent and descent.

Mountain refuges along the route: • Gasthaus Touristenrast (1,345m) • Gera Hut (2,324m) • Tuxerjochhaus (2,316m) • Friesenberghaus (2,477m) • Olpererhütte (2,389m) • Pfitscherjochhaus (2,275m) • Landshut Europe Hut (2,693m) Maximum altitude: 2,911-metres Minimum height: 1,345-metres

i Altitude Trails in Tirol Eagle Walk Tirol‘s most famous hiking trail is broken down into 126 stages, spread over 1,480-kilometres and covering 87,000-metres of altitude. Sections towards the west offer extreme alpine experiences, but there are also plenty of easy-going day hikes. www.tirol.at/adlerweg Stubai High Trail One of the highlights along the Peter Habeler course is the Schlegeis Reservoir, which sits below the famous Olperer hut.

120-kilometres long and over 8,000metres in altitude, the Stubai High Trail is definitely something for the more ambitious. The Innsbruck Hut and the Starkenburgerhütte mark the start and finish points. www.stubaier-hoehenweg.at Ötztal Trek

The Man Himself Peter Habeler was born in Mayrhofen and explored the Zillertal Alps as a child. He achieved many first ascents in the Rocky Mountains and climbed the North Face of the Eiger in less than ten hours. In 1975, along with Reinhold Messner, he made the first alpine-style ascent of an eight– thousand metre peak (Hidden Peak – 8,068-metres). Three years later, they climbed Mount Everest without artificial oxygen. Other summits have included: Cho Oyu (8,188m), Nanga Parbat (8,125m) and Kanchenjunga (8,598m).

The Ötztal Trek runs for more than 400-kilometres from Ötztal station, taking in ridges, saddles, summits and huts to reach Obergurgl and Vent. Entry and exit points can be found all over the trail, and the trek includes a total elevation of 30,000-metres. www.oetztal.com Paznauner Trail The starting point of the Paznauner Trail is the parish church in See. From here, the route leads for more than 120kilometres along the Paznauntal valley, covering 11,000-metres of altitude. www.paznaun.com

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The Joy of Trail Riding

By Klaus Erler

It’s time to go biking: get out in the mountains, ride at full power or test yourself on technical trails. A forerunner in the modern mountain biking movement, Nauder’s trails are in a league of their own.

W

hen the mountain bike movement first took off in the eighties, it was a sport for tough men and women: no shock absorbers to cushion the impact, no disc breaks for sensitive speed control and a limited selection of marked routes to choose from.

Thirty years later, technology has progressed from the primordial mountain bike to a sophisticated two-wheeler with light, lush suspension and hydraulic brakes – ready for anything. ‘All-mountain’ or ‘enduro’ riding combines the physical exertion of mountain biking with the exhilaration of a fast, flowing descent.

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Downhill Grit your teeth and use strength and determination to conquer the ascents, knowing that you’ve got the thrill of a descent to come. The technology of enduro bikes means that sections of the mountain that were previously un-passable can now be conquered, providing you’ve got the technical expertise and mental stamina.

Conquering the Whole Mountain Nauders is made for mountain biking: it has a unique location in the three-country triangle of Austria, Italy and Switzerland, and is surrounded on all sides by the stunning panorama of Plateau Plamort. The

region’s newest mountain biking route, the three-country enduro route, or ‘Dreiländer’, passes through this mountain idyll.

Starting out at Mutzkopf mountain station, the Dreilander’s trails and terrain are hugely varied. At first, a flat, narrow path winds through pine trees before continuing along a forest road to the Bergkastel lift station, where you can either tackle the altitude using muscle and determination, or go easy on yourself and take the lift.

From the mountain station, a forest track leads to Plateau Plamort and a rewarding intermediate stage of the tour. The rest of

Sport & Activities ›

Be careful when riding on trails. You’ll need to use all your skill and concentration.

the route is packed with variety – expect to pass everything from a World War II tank to Reschensee lake as you ride along gravel tracks and forest trails, which alternate between being wonderfully laid back technically challenging.

reward is a graceful, flowing ride, which takes in sweeping s-curves along fun yet challenging runs. As you start to relax, you begin to appreciate the outstanding mountain scenery as you ride past glittering lakes and peaks – this really is

Overcoming obstacles Throughout the course, it’s essential to maintain your balance and stay focused – concentration is everything on technical trails like this. Streams, fords and scree sections all demand subtle braking and superb body control, and it takes commitment to ride over root-riddled sections. But as you gain confidence, the

When trail riding, you need excellent control and good concentration to tackle tricky root sections.

Dreiländer Enduro Treck, Nauders The Nauders Bike Arena comprises of some 80 routes of varying difficulty, making up more than 2000-km of track in total. Ambitious mountain bikers come here to tackle the region’s 15 enduro routes. The Dreiländer enduro course is open from late May to late September, with start points at any of the five lift stations along the route. Using these lifts to cover around 38-kilometers of uphill, the Dreiländer takes in 23kilometers of downhill and can be completed in around five hours. If you’d prefer to tackle the 2,800-meters of altitude without lifts, you’ll need to set aside the whole day.

one of the region’s most beautiful routes.

When you finish, the rush of adrenaline and pride in your own ability is a fantastic – feeling.

My Tirol 27

Bike Safety Interview Daniel Naschberger

how to act in an emergency, or help people with broken or defective bike parts. We aim to raise safety awareness and actively encourage our clients to be more responsible for themselves and the mountain.

Who can participate, and must riders meet any special requirements? Anyone can join: endurance riders, free riders, or just single track fans. You just need to have an interest in riding trails, but you must have at least some experience of riding mountain bikes. Also, you need a wellmaintained full-suspension bike, but these can be hired at the venues.

Kurt Exenberger

Austrian mountain-bike team coach

He is the national mountain-bike team coach and head guide at the SAAC bike camps, where certified coaches pass their knowledge onto downhill and single track fans.

What is the objective behind the SAAC Bike camps? Mainly, we deal with the safety aspects of mountain biking in the Alps. But recipients will also receive tips on proper riding techniques, and how to behave properly, in a sustainable way, in any alpine region. We also give advice on

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What is the appeal of learning to master your bike on trails? When riding on our trails you will learn to read the ground like a map. Mountain biking is an extremely technical and complex sport, much like skiing, and learning these skills will help participants to become better cyclists as a matter of course. Better techniques allow for better riding. Balance, concentration and greater courage are skills that can be transferred to everyday life. And, of course, it produces endorphins.

And consider too, that it also helps you to ride more safely, which will hopefully prevent accidents.

Thank you very much for the inter– view.

Sport & Activities ›

Tirol in a Nutshell

By Matthias Krapf

Walchsee St. Johann in Tirol Alpbach

Kirchberg

Pertisau

Ehrwald

Westendorf Seefeld in Tirol Innsbruck

Schwaz

Imst Landeck Fulpmes

Steinach am Brenner

Nauders Lienz

Mountain bikers are spoilt for choice in Tirol, with more than 6,000-kilometres of varied routes and spectacular mountain trails to pick between. Even better, the Tirol’s mountains can now be traversed in one continuous route, using cable car support. Even for hard-core riders, a 650-kilometres and 25,000 metres climb can be too much, but with one of the 17 uplifts (cable cars, chairlifts and trailers) to help you gain 12,000 metres altitude, you

can rest on the ascents and save your energy to push yourself on the downhills. The continuous route runs in 15 one-day rides from Nauders in Tirol all the way through to Walchsee, in the far east of Tirol. Next year, there are plans to extend the route even further with new sections being added.

All the information about the new mountain bike tours through the Tirol region. www.tyrol.com/bikesafari –

My Tirol 29

“Push yourself to the limit” Interview Daniel Naschberger

Jonathan Wyatt

Six-Time World Mountain Running Champion

The six time world champion has been the most flamboyant personality in international mountain running since the late 1990s. New Zealander Jonathan Wyatt talks about the fascination and physical challenges of his sport, and his enduring relationship with Tirol.

What’s the fascination with mountain running? It’s such a classic sport and so simple to do. It’s basically just you, on your own, running tirelessly and pushing yourself to the limits. Add nature, the mountains and the fresh air and, for me, it’s the perfect combination.

At the beginning of your career you were a long-distance runner and participated

30 My Tirol

was taking a break from athletics and thought ‘why not’.

When I won the race, someone suggested trying the World Cup. And the rest is history.

When you look back over your career, are you surprised that you’ve been so successful? The biggest surprise for me is that I have continued my career for so long, because when I started mountain running I was already a little tired after so many years in athletics. But this sport brought my motivation right back, so I stuck in there and discovered how easy it is to do something you love.

How do the physical demands of ‘normal’ running and mountain running compare? When mountain running, you have to be very patient in the beginning. It takes time to get used to running uphill. It’s important to find a good rhythm and to hold back from at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. running too fast. You have to train your Why did you choose to become a body, building confidence and stability mountain runner? I was a practicing when running on uneven, sometimes athlete and road runner for a long time. slippery surfaces – a skill which only However, I started at a young age with cross comes with time. country so, in a way, the mountains have brought me back to my roots – I wanted What tips do you have for mountain to spend more time with nature. A friend running newbies? As the home of had the idea in the mid-1990s that I should mountain running, Austria – Tirol in compete in a mountain running race – I particular – is the ideal place to start. It’s

Mountain Running Events in Tirol July

Schlickeralmlauf

Jonathan Wyatt at the Schlickeralmlauf the Stubai Valley and at Tour de Tirol (left).

rich in nature with so many different routes to choose between. Beginners should learn the sport step by step, setting goals and working towards them.

As with any sport, regular practice is essential. Start slowly over relatively short distances, alternating between running and walking, increasing both gradually as your fitness improves. Some believe that if they can run over long distances on the flat, they can run equally well on the mountain – which of course does not work.

Can you describe your relationship with the Tirol? I’ve accomplished most of my races and celebrated great success here.

Some of the world’s most appealing events are held here, such as the Kitzbühel Horn run, or Schlickeralmlauf Telfes. At the beginning of my career I coached several summers in a row in Leutasch, where the local routes and scenery are extremely beautiful and truly inspiring.

Thank you for the interview.

–

The first mountain run in Telfes was held in 1988, and the Stubai Valley has since hosted Mountain Running World Cups in both 1990 and 1996. September 5th-7th 2014, Telfes is to hold the 14th Masters World Running Championships for seniors (35 to 79 years).

August

Glungezer Mountain Run Austria’s hardest mountain run enters its fourth season in August 2014. Starting from the beautiful Karlskirche church near Volders in the Inn Valley, the routes covers an altitude difference of 2120-metres, winding up to the peak of Glungezer mountain.

Harakiri Mountain Run In 2014 the Harakiri Mountain Run returns more challenging than before.

Expect a new concept in mountain running, developed with the help of Zillertal professional runner, Markus Kroell.

Kitzbühel Horn Run The Horn Run and is one of the most internationally renowned and toughest mountain races in the world. Racing to a 1,996-metre summit, athletes have 1,234-metres of ascent to climb in just 12.9-kilometres, with slope gradients reaching 20% in some sections.

My Tirol 31

Kaiser Mountains

You can see the Emperor’s profile best when looking from the south. The head lies between Treffauer and Ellmauer Halt, with the Red Gorge ascending behind.

Frau Hitt

Mountain myths and legends

By Sylvia Ainetter

A queen turned into stone, a sleeping emperor, knights made of rock and the pulpit of the devil: the Tirol’s mountains are alive with myths and legends.

32 My Tirol

In prehistoric days, Frau so called Lady Hitt ruled over a fertile land, where Innsbruck sits today. Lady Hitt was a cold-hearted, arrogant lady who loved no one except her son Hagen. One day, by an act of pure stupidity, Hagen fell into a swamp and the queen ordered her subjects to clean him with soft bread crumbs, so that his skin stayed as soft as possible. A terrible storm then rolled across the land, bringing lightening and thunder. When the storm finally passed, the fertile land had become a barren rocky landscape and, atop one of the rocks rose a stone in the form of Lady Hitt.

Frau Hitt is a summit in the southernmost mountain chain of the Karwendel mountain range. The rock resembles a woman sitting on a horse and is located at 2,270-metres.

Sport & Activities ›

Taken from „The most beautiful Tirolean“, selected and narrated by Karl Paulin, Penguin Publishing

Serles

Teufelskanzel – The Devil’s Pulpit

In a castle high above the Wipptal lived a With sheer walls, the towering crag at Kufcruel and oppressive knight called Serles. stein is known as the ‘Devil‘s Pulpit’. Satan One day, while out hunting with his two once stood here to preach to the people. He hard-hearted sons, they trampled across spoke with such eloquence that soon, a huge meadows and fields where the delicate crowd of people had gathered to listen. At grain was ripening. The old farmer whose the end of his sermon, to give special harvest had just been ruined prayed for emphasis to his words, he took an axe and them to stop but Serles and his sons showed said, „I will slice through the pulpit with no mercy. Instead, they ridiculed the farmer three blows of this axe. My words are by chasing him across the fields. In despair, true!“ But the hard rock deflected each of the farmer let out a curse and heaven his blows – rocky splinters flew all around avenged the crime, punishing Knight but the pulpit stood firm. Embarrassed by Serles and his sons by turning them into his failure, he fled. As he did, the watching stone. Today, these three fossils can be crowd sunk into the ground and, today, the found where the knight’s castle once stood. small mounds beneath the pulpit called ‘Tollbühl’.

The Serles is a 2,717-metre high mountain that looms between Stubaital and Wipptal. It’s also At a height of 802-metres, the Devil‘s Pulpit is known as the Altar of Tirol. located in the Kaiser Mountains

Kaiser Mountains According to legend, the Roman emperor Charlemagne rests in these mountains. The profile of his face can be seen in the rock, his crown sitting lop-sided on his head and his hands clasped across his chest in death.

Beside him, three mountain peaks keep watch. The clearest views of the Emperor’s profile can be seen from the south, with his head resting between the picturesque peaks of Treffauer and Ellmauer Halt. In winter, when fresh snow falls in the hollows, the Emperor’s face resembles a skull.

The Kaiser Mountains sit between Kufstein and St Johann in the far east of Tirol. The Wild and Tame Emperor mountain ranges are the area’s most prominent, with the ‚Ellmauer Halt‘ as the highest peak reaching 2,344-metres.

My Tirol 33

Two Champions, One Rock Face

By Daniel Naschberger

When two successful professional athletes meet, there is always a story to tell, but what if they are separated by thirteen years of experience? Current climbing World Champion, Jakob Schubert, invited Olympic champion and world champion of the Nordic Combined, Christoph Bieler, to join him for a head-to-head on the angel wall at Tumpen in Ötztal.

G

enerations apart? On the one hand you have the ‘youngster’ Schubert, who at just 23 years of age is considered one of the world’s best climbers, and who still has a tremendous career ahead of him.

On the other, you have the ‘warhorse’ (or ‘veteran’) Bieler, who at 36 has experienced everything that can be experienced by a professional athlete with a long and illustrious career behind him.

Schubert chose the Quasimodo route up the rock face. “It‘s a relatively easy climb,” says the world champion, “really, I‘m not exaggerating.” Bieler, meanwhile, has his reservations. “I used to climb a little in my spare time, but now I‘ve a family, I don‘t really do it that much any more”, he admits, “This is really quite a challenge.”

Nevertheless, Christoph took up Jakob‘s invitation. He watched while the climber sprinted up the route, and, having arrived at the top, let down a rope and slid down once more. Bieler then began his ascent, top-rope climbing under Schubert‘s guidance. The Nordic Combined pro was sure-footed, if not as fast as his rockclimbing counterpart, and reached the summit ably. Having completed the route,

34 My Tirol

Bieler also descended, visibly relieved to be back on terra firma.

“There were tricky spots up there,” he admits, “it made me realise just how skillful good climbers are.” And, with this in mind, the two then exchanged a few words.

Christoph Bieler: Jacob, how did I do?

Please be honest.

Jakob Schubert: You put in a pretty good performance. I must admit that it was a pretty difficult route actually, for casual climbers. Technically it was very challenging, so hats off to you. You fought your way up there.

Ah, I felt I hadn‘t done too well, but if you say it was good, I‘m satisfied. How did you actually started climbing? It all began when I was twelve years old, and my godfather took me to an indoor climbing gym for the first time. That was a lot of fun.

After that I went to the Innsbruck Climbing Centre every week. Eventually, they asked asked whether I’d be interested trying out for the team, and I just stuck with it.

Is that when you also started to compete?

Exactly. Once I was in the team, I entered

Sport & Activities ›

Jakob Schubert (right) among the international elite of the climbing bouldering as well as in the. He is youth world champion, 2012 he secured the World Cup title in the men‘s.

Christoph Bieler (right) has been active since 1996 in the Nordic combined World Cup. With the Austrian team won at Olympic Games and World Championships, two gold and two bronze medals. my first few first competitions.

What did you like the most about climbing then, and what appeals to you about it today? Well, as a teenager I played football too, but climbing eventually won out. In football I didn‘t like the training and was only happy during the matches.

Climbing was different – there was a sense of community that‘s built into the training.

What still fascinates me about climbing is the variety: There are so many disciplines: lead climbing, bouldering, multi-pitch routes. You can be on the rocks or in an indoor hall. Climbing is never boring.

Tirol is known for its great climbing opportunities. What tips can you offer amateur climbers - both the beginners and the more advanced ones? I think amateur climbers who want to be like the professionals should climb as often as possible and try the kind of things that they‘re most passionate about. Motivation is the most important thing if you want to improve.”

A fairly simple goal for me might be just to climb a route all the way to the end.

Yes, it could be. I think the important thing

is not to force anything, but to do the sorts of things you‘re really want to try.

Where are your favourite climbs in Tirol? In Tirol we‘ve the good fortune to be blessed with some outstanding rock faces. There are plenty of places where you can find just perfect conditions, like here, at Engelswand in Ötztal. There are also some great places close to here. Over in The Zillertal there are plenty of routes that appeal to me. Even the Schleierwasserfall near Kitzbühel is a dream.”

You‘re still a very young athlete, but you‘ve already achieved some great successes. What was it when you won the gold at the 2012 World Club. You were only twenty-one-years-old and yet you were the best in the world! It was absolute madness! I remember the whole experience really fondly. At the time I realised it was a little strange for me to be so young, and to have a shot at the gold. In the World Cup you really need to give your best performance on that one single day; a small mistake can cost you a lot. Still, I am really glad that things have worked out so well at the beginning of my career. It means a lot to me.” ›

My Tirol 35

Rock climbing seems challenging not only in a technical and physical way, but also mentally, isn‘t it? Yes. In fact, competitive climbing the mental side is especially important. If I‘m in the lead and lapse mentally, I‘ve missed my chance. At the World Cup, I was just so focused on the day, and everything worked.

What do you get up to when you‘re not climbing? I‘m taking a business degree in Innsbruck, and I also like to play tennis and basketball, and watch all kinds of sport on TV. I sometimes see you competing!

Good to hear it! What sort of winter sports do you like? Everyone in Tirol likes some of the winter sports. As a child, I was into skiing and snowboarding. Nowadays, I still ski quite a bit.

How about cross-country skiing? I‘ve only tried it once or twice, but it was fun.

What about Nordic Combined? You want to give that a go? I don‘t know. Last year our climbing team tried the biathlon. I guess Nordic Combined would be the next step. I‘d have to prepare myself mentally for it though.

I‘d really like it if we could try something together again, in the winter.

Thanks so much for this climb, though.

Even if it was a bit frustrating to see you just run up that route. I‘d like to pay you back for that in the winter. A nice – invitation. I‘ll look forward to that.

To be continued...

In January 2014, two professional athletes met on the mountain; climber Jakob Schubert and Nordic Combined Olympic medallist, Christoph Bieler.

Read MY TIROL, The Tirolean Alpine Winter, in winter 2014/15.

36 My Tirol

125

MM

$ INTEGRATED POSTMOUNT

- 15MM THRUAXLE FRONT

* DOWNSWING DIRECTMOUNT

( FRAMEGUARD TECH

â REMOTE FORK LOCKOUT

" ALLOY 3D DROPOUT

' PRESSFIT BB

: DIRECTMOUNT REAR

& PRO DAMPING SYSTEM 2

à REMOTE DAMPER LOCKOUT

, 12MM THRUAXLE REAR

) TAPERED STEERER

! INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING

Tips & Info

Mountain Biking

Mountaineering

Climbing

General MTB Info

Tour Tips

General

To learn about the Tirol’s top mountain biking spots, our quality-assured accommodation (including places with bike washes and cycle-friendly rooms) and information about bike parks and singletrack: www.tyrol.com/mountainbiking

For mountaineering tips, including the best mountain huts and summit experiences: www.tyrol.com/hiking-tours

Everything you need to know about climbing in the Tirol, including route suggestions and quality assured accommodation: www.tyrol.com/climbing

Mountain Guides

Climbers Paradise

Biking Trails

Details of the Tirol’s 700 mountain leaders and the services they offer: www.bergsportfuehrer-tirol.at (in German)

The ultimate information hub for all climbing enthusiasts: www.climbers-paradise.com (in German)

A catalogue of more than 180 bike routes, sortable by route length, travel time and altitude difference: www.tyrol.com/bikeroutes Bike Trail Tirol Full details about Bike Trail Tirol – the longest continuous mountain bike circuit in the Alps: www.tyrol.com/bike-trail-tirol SAAC Bike Camps Accident prevention training camps, covering riding techniques, gear and safety, all delivered by Alpine professionals: www.saac.at Hand Bike Routes Mountain biking for disabled riders: the Tirol’s 19 tested hand bike routes at a glance: www.tyrol.com/handbike-routes

38 My Tirol

Alpine Information Up to date info about trail conditions, mountain huts etc. Call +43.512.587828-25 or email: info@alpine-auskunft.at Tirol’s Emergency Mountain Rescue App An invaluable companion: use to report an emergency while the App automatically transmits details of your location: www.bergrettung-tirol.com (in German) Eagle Walk The eight Alpine stages of Tirol‘s most famous long-distance hiking route: www.tyrol.com/eagle-walk

Sport & Activities

!

Whitewater Sports

Events

Offers

Rafting

Sports Events in Tirol

Top Packages

Because watching sport can be as much fun as participating: summer’s sports highlights in the Tirol: www.tyrol.com/events

This website gives you an overview of the best offers for your summer holidays in Tirol. www.tyrol.com/offers

Tirol rafting companies at a glance: www.tyrol.com/rafting Canyoning Information on canyoning in the Tirol’s most beautiful gorges: www.tyrol.at/canyoning

It is now easy to take your bike up to the top of our trails using gondolas equipped with bike transport racks.

My Tirol 39

Nature & Health

40  My Tirol

Nature & Health

Feeling Tirol page 42 Where the Wild Things Are page 44 Spectacular Scenes page 46 The Benefits of an Extra Boost page 48 Holiday Volunteer Work page 52 Mountain Doctor Meets Alpine Doctor page 54 Tips & Info page 58

Panoramic view along the ‘Zirbenweg’

My Tirol 41

“Being amongst nature makes you happy” Interview Sylvia Ainetter

them easier to stick to; you put in the exact time, type of exercise, location and duration and so on. It also helps if someone else is keeping an eye on your schedule too. Say a friend is looking forward to that Zumba hour all week? It makes it harder to say ‚no‘.

Dörte Kuhn

Therapist, Life Coach, Fitness Trainer

The therapist, life coach, and fitness trainer wants to uproot couch potatoes, take them to the mountains and get them enjoying sport.

Is nature important? Yes, really important. Recent studies show that going for a walk in a natural setting is more relaxing than taking a stroll in the city. And this isn‘t just idle speculation; researchers have measured cortisol and adrenaline levels. When you‘re walking through the mountains, you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings, the views across the valley, and the sense of achievement you get when you reach the end of your trail. It doesn‘t matter if you‘ve at a snail‘s pace; the same sort of exertion in a city environment won‘t make you feel as happy.

Tell us about your Active Weeks breaks.

We wanted to offer a vacation in the mountains for people who want to start living a How do you get a real coach potato to more active life, but don’t know where to enjoy sport? It is important to find start. There are many reasons why people something that you enjoy first and foremost. don’t exercise as much as they’d like to: they You also can‘t train hard from the might not have enough time, or they might beginning. Some exercises, like spinning, not know what sort of exercise is best. are not suitable for beginners. So long as Working parents with young children often you gauge the level of training correctly, miss out. Or rather, they know something is missing in their lives, but they’re not sure anything is possible how to change this. We want to help them, How do you get someone fit, and keep and, hopefully, with our Active Breaks, we them fit? Well, there are some old, but really can. effective tricks. You keep exercise – appointments in a schedule, which makes Thank you for the interview.

42 My Tirol

The Lanserhof near Innsbruck is a tranquil place in a sublime setting.

Nature & Health ›

Short & Sweet Detoxing in Lans

From little seeds grow mighty trees

Rediscover Nature

A detox is a great way to rid your body of The stone pine forest above Jerzens has prounwanted junk, and Lans is a great place tected the town from avalanches and falling to do it. The Lans detox is a great health debris since the town‘s inception. Due to its programme offered by the Lanserhof diverse nature, the stone pine plays an imresort, featuring a specially calibrated diet portant role in Pitztal. The exhibition „The as well as individual therapeutic treatments. Stone Pine - The Trespasser with Talent“ The resort, near Innsbruck, was recently takes you into the fascinating world of the awarded the European Health & Spa Award. Swiss stone pine.

There is a veritable sea of scents, colours and flavours waiting for visitors at the Buchhammer family organic herb garden. The proprietress, Verena Buchhammer, also offers tours of her garden and adjoining workshops, if you‘re keen to find out more about how they manufacture their herbal teas, syrups and salts:

www.lanserhof.at

www.kaunergrat.at

www.pitztal.com

My Tirol 43

Where the Wild Things Are

By Daniel Naschberger

The Streif piste in Kitzbühel is one of the best-known ski runs in the world. Yet the route has a very different character as a summer hiking trail.

At 9.30 sharp our local mountain guide Susi Cufer is waiting for us ready for us, beside the valley station of the Hahnenkamm cable car. Susi knows The Streif like the back of her hand, familiar whether covered in snow and peppered with summer flowers. Three times a week, from June until October, Susi or one of her colleagues embarks up the world-famous slope with parties of hikers or skiers for an alpine circuit. These free guided tours are incredibly popular, and not just because Kitzbühel is a skiing hot spot, attracting thousands of visitors each winter.

where we can behold the whole valley from the Wilder Kaiser to the Schwarzsee.

Opposite, standing almost 2,000-metres high is the impressive Kitzbühel Horn.

“Ski pioneer Franz Reisch initiated the first ski tour of Kitzbühel in 1893,” our guide explains, “and it didn’t take long before the area became a true Mecca for skiers.

Races took place regularly from 1895, and the Hahnenkamm has been held regularly since 1931.”

Kitz mountain guide Susi Cufer knows the Streif like the back of her hand, and here on Lärchenschuss she explains the route to take.

At the Start The route‘s starting point, at 1,665-metres They‘re also well attended because the above sea level, is marked by a modest quality of the guides are so high. Ms mountain hut. Yet, this small shelter Cufer is witty and charming, entertaining contains the history of the Hahnenkamm us with some great anecdotes and lots race, told in an evocative display of words of interesting facts about the route and and pictures; these describe the race, but its history. We learn that, to begin with, also the meadows, trees and extensive the area was called Almgebietes, or ‘place trails. Our way down looks steep, but this where you’ll need equipment’. Skiers might isn’t The Streif route that skiers follow: “In dash down wildly, taking no more than a the summer you see very little of the track, few minutes to reach the valley below, yet perimeter fences and the like in almost all sections away,” explains Cufer. there‘s so much that they miss.

“If we were one of the downhill ski At the summit of The Streif Upon arrival via the Hahnenkamm cable racers, this is the point at which we’d be car, we take in the fresh mountain air summoning up our courage, perhaps and enjoy the view. Susi leads us to the letting out a cry, and then launching observation deck, the KitzPanorama, from ourselves down.” Instead, we begin our walk.

44 My Tirol

The Streif looks on in winter: Downhill skier Romed Baumann bravely leaps over the lip of the course.

Nature & Health ›

The Start Gate 00:00:00 Vertical drop: 860m Length of the route to the finish line: 3,312m Susi Cufer says “at the start, the ski route is very fast. Within a few seconds the skiers reach the fastest part of the course. And just as they’re approaching 120km to 130km an hour, they approach the first jump: The Mousetrap!”

The Mousetrap Skiers 00:08:50 Hikers 12:00:00 The Mousetrap is the steepest part of the entire route. At 85% it’s a slope that demands the utmost from skiers. This part of the course also features the longest jump of the The Streif, where skiers often launch around 80 metres in length. “The famous skier and former race director Toni Sailer once said that this place is like a mouse trap that snaps shut at the right moment - hence the name” Susi Cufer explains.

Steeps Skiers 00:22:50 Hikers 25:00:00 This passage is the iciest place in winter and, for skiers, this is where extremely high centrifugal forces come into play. “The way you leave from this point on the route is key to winning your race” our guide explains. Then we walk on towards Brückenschuss a flatter section where we can all catch our breath.

Gschöss Skiers 00:39:30 Hikers 45:00:00 During the ski race, the trick is to take as much speed into the flatter sections of the course, and it’s usually here that the race is won or lost. Our guide Susi keeps our own speed up, leading us at a moderate pace along the trail. The Hahnenkamm competitiveness is infectious!

The Old Corridor Skiers 00:49:20 Hikers 01:10:00:00 This is the most turbulent part of the route, with fast, changeable ground. And just as your thighs are burning with fatigue, you get to glimpse the next section of the race: The Seidlalm.

The Seidlalm Skiers 01:03:20 Hikers 01:35:00:00 We‘re half way around the track now, and reward ourselves by taking a snack break.

Time for some hearty, Tirol treats. While we enjoy our food, next to the famous mountain restaurant also named the Seidl Alm, one of the best seats in the house for the Hahnenkamm race, Susi let’s us into a secret: “It was in this restaurant that they came up with the idea of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in 1966,” she says.

Laerchenschuss Skiers 01:15:50 Hikers 02:00:00:00 After lunch we continue down the Streif.

From The Seidlalm skiers have to take a jump into the unknown, unable to see where they‘re going to land. For us hikers, the pace is far more relaxed, and we can look over each brow and take in the views.

The Mountain House Skiers 01:37:60 Hikers 02:35:00:00 It is hard to believe that people would build their houses in such challenging terrain, but the views and sunsets must outweigh the cost of transporting the materials up the mountain. We pass by this wonderful dwelling quite comfortably on foot. “At this point, the skiers legs often get tired, and they really have to fight to carry on,” says Susi.

Target Shot Skiers 01:59:70 Hikers 02:50:00:00 Nearing the end, the skiers really go for it. “Imagine the cheer of 50,000 frenetic fans,” says Susi. “The skiers get an extra shot of adrenlaine knowing there’s a crowd willing them on at the finish.” And whilst we don’t merit the same adulation today, the 860-metre descent has been more than rewarding: it’s been a learning experience too.

For more information: www.kitzbuehel.com

–

My Tirol 45

The „Top of Tyrol“ summit platform in the Stubai Alps offers breathtaking views, and due to its special architecture can be seen from the base too.

Hafelekar in Innsbruck

Picture This

By Sylvia Ainetter

To take in the most beautiful views in Tirol, you‘ll need to get up into the mountains. Don’t worry though, for photography lovers we‘ve picked out three great view points that can be reached without too much effort.

46 My Tirol

The Nordketten ski area looms over the city of Innsbruck. From the summit – the Hafelekar at 2,269 metres – you’ll get some magnificent views over Innsbruck, all the way over into the Stubai and Zillertal Alps and across to the Wipptal in Italy.

It only takes twenty minutes to get from the city centre up into the high alpine terrain. Head to the Hungerburgbahn, the highest stop of the local funicular railway; the station is a sight in itself, as it was designed by the great BritishIraqi architect, Zaha Hadid. From there you can take the cable car up to Seegrube - 1,905 metres above sea level - and finally the peak of Hafelekar at 2,269 metres.

Nature & Health ›

‚Top of Tyrol‘ at Stubai Glacier

The Zugspitze in Ehrwald

For a 360-degree views over the Stubai Alps, the Dolomites to the Ortler massif, a visit to the purpose-mountain-top viewing platform is a must. ‚Top of Tyrol‘ at an altitude of 3,210 metres is not only a great vantage point, but also an architectural gem; made from of weatherresistant COR-TEN steel wraps that cling onto and envelop the surrounding rocky landscape. The sand-blasted steel bars jut out 9 feet over the edge of the summit, providing a vertiginous floor of gratings for visitors to walk out onto. Its curved barrier has a handrail fashioned of larch wood, making for a beautiful – and safe – viewing experience.

The Zugspitze peak offers the perfect mountain view, being the only peak of this magnitude for miles. Travelling here is impressive experience; visitors usually head via Tirol‘s Zugspitze Railway, which climbs Germany‘s highest mountain at an impressive rate. At the top there’s a spacious terrace as well as the breathtaking views; look out across the wide expanse and it’s possible to see four countries: Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Keen-eyed visitors can also see the Grossglockner and the Piz Bernina peaks as well. And if you’re lucky, the Munich television tower.

Take the cable car to the Schaufeljoch Mountain Station, at 3,160 metres. From there‘s a ten minute walk to the ‚Top of Tyrol‘.

Eagle Eyes Why not experience Tirol from the point of view of one our most treasured creatures, the eagle? Take the famous Tirol mountain trail, the Eagle Walk , and you can take in fifteen stunning panoramas, each equipped with special, digitallyadapted telescopes that display mountain names and information about the route and your chosen vista. Wherever you are, you can get an eagle-eyed view. www.tyrol.com/eagle-walk

The valley station for the Zugspitze Railway is located in the west of Ehrwald at the foot of the rock massif starting at 1,225-metres. The mountain railway then climbs an impressive – 1,725-metres to reach its destination.

My Tirol 47

On an e-bike tour around the Brixental, you can rest while you ride.

Mountain Biking For All

By Sylvia Ainetter

Sometimes, mountain biking sounds like a lot of hard work doesn’t it?

If only there was a way to see the mountains without all that pedaling uphill. Well thanks to eBikes, that’s now a reality, and the Kitzbühel Alps is the perfect place to try them out.

48 My Tirol

I

t‘s half ten on Thursday morning. those hills. I feel a little inexperienced, as Outside the sun is shining, though it‘s other two riders on my tour have given still a little chilly. A great day for eBiking, it a go beforehand. Reino and Ike are a then. In the Intersport store right next mother and daughter, also from the Netherto the Hopfgarten cable car station, our lands. They often holiday in Brixen.“ We go bike guide is already waiting. Anouk is hiking, swim a little and take it easy over originally from the Netherlands, but has here,” says Ike. This the second eBike tour been living in the Brixen Valley more than they‘ve taken, “because we liked the first twelve years. “In the winter I work at the one so much.”

Alpine Ski School, and in the summer I’m a bike guide at Alpine Bikeguiding,” she says. Take it away “It‘s a great luxury to be able spend my days At first I am a little sceptical. The e-bike in such beautiful surroundings. “ looks like a normal city bike. Do I really want to ride this 500 metres up the Per, an employee at Intersport Oberhauser and all-round sports enthusiast, prepares Standard, high, and eco. our rides and selects some bicycle helmets How an E-bike. for us both. Then I straddle the eBike for the first time. You’d be forgiven for mountainside? A small plastic card beside thinking that it’s a regular mountain bike, the handlebars explains how my bike - the but the hidden battery pack helps you climb Flyer - works. A button on the handlebars

sets the level of electrical assistance at one of three levels: standard, high, and eco. It is also possible to completely turn off the 250-watt motor. The fear that I could plough through the shop turns out to be – thankfully – misplaced. The electric motor engages only when I step into the pedals.

“The engine serves as a support,” laughs Anouk. “An electric bike is not a moped.”

I‘m almost a little disappointed.

Helmets on, and we’re ready to go. We ride out through the parking lot of the cable-car station and take in one last look at the Parish Church of St. James and Leonhard. The baroque building is considered to be one of the most beautiful in Tirol, and is occasionally referred to by proud locals as the Cathedral of the Brixen Valley. With the iconic building behind us and head towards the amuse›

My Tirol 49

eBike-region Kitzbühel Alps – Kaisergebirge The Kitzbühel Alps has largest contiguous electric bicycle route network in the world. This covers over about 1,000 kilometres of cycle paths, with a surface area of approximately 1,800 square kilometres.

Facilities • 310 eBikes for guests • Over 80 rental stations (about 70 hotels) • 59 destinations and battery exchange stations • 7 service bike shops • free e-card with bike hire bike tour advice www.e-bikewelt.com

ment park of Salvenaland. Here the lake flows a beautiful stream. Then, we saddle glistens in the sun, and the first swimmers up again, ride along at a leisurely pace, and of the day have taken to the water already. take all sorts of little of breaks. For example, Perhaps thanks to the eBike’s assistance, we we pass a paddock of local Haflinger horses, don‘t feel quite hot enough to dive in, and and jump to shoot a few pictures and relax. so we continue. The speedometre tells you that we are travelling at between 15 and Icy Bathing 20 miles per hour, and yet with virtually Finally, we reach the main road. What now? no effort. To see just how much help the “Unfortunately, we have a bit of a trek ahead,” eBike is giving me, I turn off the auxiliary says Anouk, surveying the route in front of engine, and promptly realize how hard the us. The road rises steeply and we are glad to pedals suddenly feel. I change gear, and catch have the support of the electric motor. Still, up with the group. Anouk laughs. “ I can remember doing that,” she says. “Originally The motor is used as a support.

I wanted to run with my own bicycle An E-bike is not a moped. without a motor, but I‘m just not up to it.” it is rather tiring; the motor takes some We ride out on a dirt road towards Kelchsau, of the effort out of a hill climb, but not all stopping on a number of occasions to of it. Now, we‘ve dropped down to 12allow Reino and Ike to shoot photos of kilometres per hour; not as fast as we were the impressive Alpine views all around us. going, yet speedy enough to overtake a We stop beside the first drinking fountain party of hikers. They look around, and, along our route, fill up our water when they see that we are motorised, they bottles and take a short rest. Beside us let out a laugh - and so do we.

50 My Tirol

The road ends in Kelchsau, a village on the outskirts of Hopfgarten. This little hamlet is 823-metres above sea level, and some some beautifully ornate old farmhouses.

After passing through the tiny village centre, we arrive at a toll station and a small reservoir. Time to cool down, maybe.

“If you want, you can go for a swim,” says Anouk. “Just remember, the lake is only 12-degrees though!” Perhaps a little too cold for us.

“The last time around, I put at least a toe in. Oh, icy!” says Ike and laughs. “Maybe I‘ll go on my way back!” Now we still have quite a ride ahead of us. The final destination for our tour is Niederkaseralm at 1,050 metres. This mountain pasture is not only a pretty spot, but also a great rest stop for eBike riders, as you can switch the batteries in your bikes here for fully charged ones. Good news, as ours are running low.

Nature & Health ›

Reino, Ike and our editor Sylvia (left) ride toward Niederkaseralm with their e-bikes.

We take a slightly inclined road that runs Cheese from the Alps Now, its time for us to make our exit, and through woodland and pastures, offering And now for the highlight of the tour. a speedy one at that. The first five-hundred great views over the Kitzbühel Alps with its After the steep climb a snack waiting for metres pass by pretty rapidly; thanks to magnificent alpine scenery.. Time to take us. The hostess at Niederkaseralm serves us the electric motors we whizz down hill. a deep breath and enjoy the scent of the with an traditional Tirol platter, known as The speedometre says we are doing nearly forest. After taking another small break, we Brettljause; butter, country bacon, smoked 40-kilometres per hour. We speed through begin to feel pretty hungry. “Not to worry, sausage, cheese and black bread, with a Kelchsau without stopping once, and the we‘re almost there,” says Anouk. “When garnish of freshly grated horseradish. Over rest of the route is pretty easy too. At the we see a red and white flag, our end will be ninety dairy cows live on the pasture, and insight.” their the raw milk is processed directly into 30 Kilometres and 1,000 metres of butter, cheese, cottage cheese and yoghurt, altitude: for non-bikers a special Ten minutes later we spot the flag, and then served up on plates for guests such experience. dismount. The end of our trip was pretty ourselves. tough, yet we managed it all, with a canny end of our odometre shows we‘ve covered combination of electrical propulsion and After our snack we take a look around about 30 kilometres, and that’s without sweat. “I‘m glad to see the track wasn‘t the stunning place, paying particular the 1,000 metres we climbed in altitude. too much of a problem,” says Anouk. attention to the cheese. There huge wheels For us non-mountain bikers, it’s a pretty “Depending on the groups, I vary the of Kaserer Almtilsiters are stacked and tough route, helped in no small part by our number of breaks and adjust our temp.” maturing, waiting to be sold or served to battery-assistant. “Next time, we‘ll swim in Our tour, which takes place every guests on the terrace. The pasture has its the lake,” says Ike, after we arrive back at Thursday, was pretty much perfect. “You own cheese factory , but this is not open Intersport Oberhauser. Anouk laughs and seemed to like it,” says Anouk. “A period today. “I was once with a group for a visit agrees, “until next time!”

– of three to four hours is just right for here,” says Anouk. “It was really very most!” exciting.”

My Tirol 51

Any Volunteers?

By Klaus Erler

Volunteering in the Tirol mountains is perfect for all involved: the visitors themselves get an unforgettable holiday, spending time in the region‘s nature parks or the Hohe Tauern National Park and Tirol’s national treasures are cherished and preserved for future generations.

W

hat you can make with your own hands is always more memorable than forgettable, manufactured experiences. All five of Tirol‘s nature parks and the National Park Hohe Tauern therefore offer some kind of volunteering breaks, in which visitors swap their labour for an unforgettable and unique experience.

trees, helping farmers bring in the hay, and assisting in the renovation of mountain paths. In return the volunteers all sleep in the valley, and get to eat the delicious local food, in the form of snacks, breakfasts and suppers.

Sigrun Hannes can attest to how good the experience is. Last summer the Munichbased sports student took part in the Intense Berger Almpflege Thaurer Alm (pasture care in lives in the „Fro“ Thaurer Alm) volunteer project. Already a and „Dock piercing“ keen mountain runner, Hannes was used to All roles help to promote the concept of spending time in Tirol. Yet, by taking part sustainability – a term commonly bandied in this project, she discovered a new side about, but rarely meant in earnest – but to mountain life. From cutting back the which the volunteering project has in spades. sprawling pines and weeding the unwanted plants from the mountainside, she took on A Sustainable Role and surpassed - the traditional role of At the heart of Tirol‘s volunteering scheme holidaymaker. Equipped with proper is the preservation of valuable cultural tools and surrounded by like-minded folk, landscape. This involves planting of young Hannes was no longer idle traveller, taking

52 My Tirol

photographs and leaving only footprints (as the old saying goes). Instead, as a kind of part-time park ranger, she helped to preserve the local infrastructure and beauty of the pastures for the rest of Tirol‘s visitors. And few things are as relaxing as doing good for others.

Hard Work?

For Hermann Sonntag, managing director of the Karwendel Alpine Park, volunteers are a true blessing. Since 2008, his park has been offering volunteering breaks; in 2013 he recorded a total of 1,600 work hours, contributing to eight different projects under his stewardship. For a small team, in charge of 727km2 of natural parkland, it’s a huge help.

Not that it’s been a one-way street.

Feedback from the participants has been overwhelmingly positive too, with some

Sigrun Hannes helps out with the clear-up of the overgrown pines at Karwendel Alpine Park.

i Volunteering in the Tirol remarking that the labour served as an important counterbalance to their computer work. Others say that satisfaction comes after a long day‘s work, seeing the fruits of “This landscape is the result of hard work.”

must first remove the stones and weeds and thorns. As a tourist, I just saw it all as natural beauty. Now I have a much more realistic approach. I feel I have developed as a person too, and that fills me with pride.”

Local organisers are keen to engender this kind of viewpoint. As Hermann Sonntag one‘s labour and enjoying the tired ache of says, “we try to explain relationships. In honest work. the area of pasture care, for example, there were once professionals who did Sigrun Hannes is one such volunteer, this job, but now the vocation has died out. reckoning that the project has opened up These days, we do not have the staff to keep the possibility of future humanitarian these valuable grazing areas in good order, work. And when it comes to Tirol‘s cultural nor the labourers to fence in the meadows landscape, she’s had her eyes opened as and protect the cattle.” to the reality of the back-breaking work that makes the country so beautiful. “This Thankfully, volunteers have filled this gap, landscape isn‘t naturally occurring, but the providing the perfect symbiotic relationresult of hard work,” she says. “I understand ship between man and land, and proving that a mountain meadow doesn‘t form that you don’t have to be a local, to be – itself. In order for cows to graze, someone considered Tirolean.

Karwendel Alpine Park is not the only nature park to run a volunteer program.

Four other Tirolean nature parks and the Hohe Tauern National Park also invite people to help with upkeep at these natural treasures.

• Tiroler Lech Nature Park

‘Monitoring the German tamarisk’

• Kaunergrat Nature Park

‘Pasture management on the mountain’

• Ötztal Nature Park

‘Mapping of rare plants and animals’

• Karwendel

‘Pasture care in Thaurer Alm’

• High Mountain Nature Park Zillertal Alps

‘Mountain hay project’

• Hohe Tauern National Park

‘Wildlife monitoring’

www.tyrol.com/volunteering

My Tirol 53

The Mountain Medic Meets his Alpine Counterpart Interview Daniel Naschberger

Wilder Kaiser serves as the backdrop for special kind of exchange: Hans Sigl, star of the popular Der Bergdoktor (The Mountain Doctor) TV series, meets his real-life counterpart - Wolfgang Schobersberger, a genuine sports medicine professional - to compare their jobs, and talk about the realities of living and working in the wonderful, and occasionally challenging conditions of the Tirol.

54 My Tirol

ski superstar Annemarie Moser-Pröll. But a few years later, I turned to medicine.

Obviously you’re an actor, and not a real doctor, but can I ask whether the medical profession ever an option for you?

Hans Sigl: Well, I undertook my national service at the Innsbruck clinic and the medical field has fascinated ever since. At first I was in back room, packing thousands of swabs each day; that was a little too much for me. I asked if I could have a little contact with patients. So I ended up as an orderly in the wards. For about ten months, I saw what the medical staff did in everyday life and it impressed me hugely. And yet, despite my admiration for the medical profession, I think I always knew it wasn’t my destiny.

So having played a doctor on screen, would you say you’ve learnt a lot about medicine?

Sigl: I didn’t take much of an interest in the medical knowledge and understanding, yet I have increased my awareness, slowly. But then again, much of what I learn on set, I forget after that day‘s shoot. I think this is because I lack the basic knowledge. I can scribble down medical terms, like they appear in my script, but for actors, mood and expression seem to be more important.

What about you, what were your ambitions?

Wolfgang Schobersberger: As a teenager, I wanted to be a sports reporter. I saved up and spent my pocket money on a recording device and, thanks to a contact of a friend of mine, I ended up interviewing the former

So having starred in the police series, SOKO Kitzbühel for years. Which would you say is easier, playing a cop or a doctor?

Sigl: Neither is easy! Nevertheless, I’d say I prefer playing a doctor, because the role of a policeman got very monotonous over the

Nature & Health ›

Hans Sigl (left) trained as an actor, singer and dancer at the Tirolean State Theatre in Innsbruck, where he worked for many years in the company. He is famous as a native of Styria for his role in ‚SOKO Kitzbühel‘ in which he played a policeman. Since 2008, Sigl has played the part of mountain doctor Martin Gruber.

Dr. Wolfgang Schober-Berger (right), a university professor, is the director of the Institute for Sport, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism in Natters, near Innsbruck. He takes care of teams of athletes of all levels, from grassroots to professional.

years. The line was always something like ‘where were you, between 5pm and 6pm yesterday?’ It grated after a while. Doctors are more interesting. I think the hardest role is that of the patient actually, because you have to display such intense feelings.

So let me ask you, as a real doctor, what do you think of medical shows on TV? Schobersberger: Well, some of them are very entertaining. I like Der Bergdoktor.

I also watch House MD. The only series I don‘t really like is ER. Perhaps it’s too much for me.”

of western Austria is demonstrably healthier than those in eastern Austria.

Here, so many sports are virtually on your doorstep, which, of course, has a positive effects on your body. City dwellers need the time off work to get out into nature; yet here, it’s quite easy to get some athleticism into the working day.

Sigl: It‘s like our film set; we work where people spend their holidays. Yet the mountains sort of divide people. I see this again and again with my cast mates. They are either fascinated by them or repelled by them. Personally, I believe that every mountain is a place of power and I feel that time and time again when I‘m in Tirol.

And does being in and around the Tirol help soothe the stresses of being in the medical profession?

Schobersberger: You can get into a great And I guess you get to see a lot of interesnatural environment almost anywhere in ting places shooting the TV series?

Tirol very, very quickly. You can play sports, Sigl: Yes, pretty much. After all, I work go hiking, or just relax outside. I think this throughout the summer on the mountains. › is one of the key reasons why the population Most of our scenes are shot outdoors.

My Tirol 55

Welcome to Tirollywood

By Daniel Naschberger

T

he Austrian Alps are a veritable 2001-present: SOKO Kitzbühel ‘dream factory’ for film studios. The 13th season of this crime drama will be Der Bergdoktor is just one of many aired in 2014 . Catch it on ORF and ZDF. productions using the Tirol as a Location: Kitzbühel and surroundings backdrop to film and television series.

For film fans looking to relive famous 2007-present: The Mountain Doctor The Mountain Doctor has won the hearts of scenes, here’s where to look.

TV viewers for over 20 years. The current 1940: “Die Geierwally” doctor is played by Hans Sigl, who lives in (Wally of the Vultures) Ellmau near the Wilder Kaiser.

A German literary adaptation diirected Location: Ellmau

by Hans Steinhoff , based on the elements of the novel by Wilhelmine von 2009: The Midwife - In Life and Death German -Austrian film history with Brigitte Hillern Hobmeier in the lead role, awarded the Locations: Sölden , Längenfeld , Hafelekar Adolf Grimme Prize in 2012.

1950: Das Doppelte Lottchen Locations: Bschlabs, Hall in Tirol, Museum The first adaptation of the novel by Erich Tiroler Bauernhöfe Kramsach Kästner. This won the 1951 prize for best 2010: Chalet Girl German Feature Film.

Locations: Thiersee, Rattenberg ,Reith im A romantic comedy starring Bill Nighy, Brooke Shields and Gossip Girl’s Ed Alpbachtal Westwick, whose attempts to find love on 1971: The Last Valley the slopes prove to be as challenging as A film adaptation directed by James learning to snowboard.

Clavell based on the novel by JB Pick. Locations: St. Anton am Arlberg, Kaunertal With Michael Caine and Omar Sharif in glacier the lead roles.

2010: Tatort – Lohn der Arbeit Location: Trins The 708th episode of this long-running TV 1993 Wildbach - Season 1-4 crime series, which airs on ARD , ORF and German television series that aired SRF, featured Tirol. The screenplay is by between 1993 and 1997; also broadcast Felix Mitterer, and Harald Krassnitzer on Austria‘s ARD. takes the role of the investigator.

Location: Alpbach Location: Hall in Tirol www.tyrol.com/tirollywood

56 My Tirol

–

So,happiness that comes with this role Bergdoktor. The power of nature is almost always in front of me.

Schobersberger: Yet this is not apparent for someone who doesn‘t live here. The power of nature is an everyday thing for us, while for others only a rare experience.

We‘re exceptionally lucky.

After six years spent starring in Der Bergdoktor, does the region still have any secrets left?

Sigl: Absolutely – and not only after six years in Der Bergdoktor, but also after 44-years in Austria. Being an actor often means waiting around - while adjustments are being made to the set and so forth - so normally during this time, I go for country walks. I’m constantly discovering new things. Sometimes I just sit and meditate, or even just close my eyes and just listen to the surroundings. The Wilder Kaiser - where I have been more or less over the past six years - changes from day to day. I guess that’s the power of the mountains, and part of their appeal.

Can I ask what - from a medical point of view - the health benefits of mountain

air are? Is it still considered as relevant for health as it was in the 19th century?

Schobersberger: Absolutely: a drop in oxygen levels, due to the altitude has a a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system. People knew about this over a century ago in Europe. The first health resorts were set up to take advantage of this therapeutic aspect. Climate therapy is a well-established term. The slight lack of oxygen during a holiday in the mountains is only part of it. Other aspects include breezes, and the change in temperature.

And it’s not just about how pure the air is, the change of scenery is one of the important factors too, I think.

So modern medical science sees positive effects of a mountain vacation on the body and psyche?

Schobersberger: Exercise and sport help in many areas, whether as a prevention against obesity, a way to lose weight or improve glucose metabolism or regulate blood pressure. And of course, the mental aspect should not be overlooked.

Movement and nature are in harmony when a mountain vacation goes well.

Thank you for the interview.

–

Hans Sigl on the trail: perhaps en route to a new series of Tirollywood films?

My Tirol 57

Tips & Info

Hiking Tourentipps You’ll find more than 180 hikes on this site, categorised by difficulty, distance, duration, and height difference. www.tyrol.com/hiking-tours Eagle Walk Europe’s longest-distance hiking path, the Eagle Walk, is broken down into 126 stages.

Find out about each section, pick up touring tips and discover how to access the various start and finish points via public transport: www.tyrol.com/eagle-walk Other Long-distance Trails Details about more of the Tirol’s longdistance hiking routes: www.tyrol.com/long-distance-trails Checklist Essential information on mountain etiquette and safety, with emergency numbers, mountain trail classifications and other useful tips: www.tyrol.at/hiking Alpine Information Up to date information about mountain hazards, trail conditions and huts. Call +43.512.587828-25 or email: info@alpine-auskunft.at

58 My Tirol

Cycling Tirol’s Emergency Mountain Rescue App

An invaluable companion: use to report an emergency while the App automatically transmits details of your location: www.bergrettung-tirol.com (in German) Mountain huts Everything you need to know about the Tirol’s vast network of alpine shelters: www.alpenverein.at (in German) Mountain hiking The Tirol’s huge choice of hiking opportunities: www.bergsportfuehrer-tirol.at (in German) Hiking Hotels Walk without luggage and get your bags transported from one hut to the next – includes services for the Eagle Trail: www.wanderhotels.at Accessibility Guided wheelchair tours in the mountains: www.tirol.at/rolli-wandertouren

General Tips for cycling and touring in Tirol, including packages and quality assured accommodation: www.tyrol.com/bicycling The Inn Cycle Path Details of the tour’s individual stages, as well as attractions and accommodation along this 550km route, which leads from Maloja Pass to Passau: www.innradweg.com (in German) Via Claudia Augusta An easy-going cycle route along the Via Claudia Augusta Roman road: www.viaclaudia.org Drau Cycle Path The ‘Drauradweg’ runs for around 366km from South to East Tirol and onwards to Carinthia and Slovenia: www.drauradweg.com Electric Bikes Tirol is a paradise for E-bikes: get tour tips and information about bike rental and battery charging stations: www.tyrol.com/ebike

Nature & Health

!

Nature

Golf

Offers

Tirol’s Natural Gems

Golf Courses

Top Packages

Discover the Hohe Tauern National Park and other nature parks in the Tirol: www.tyrol.com/nature-parks

Tirol’s Golf Courses at a glance: www.tyrol.com/golf

Photography

This website gives you an overview of the best offers for your summer holidays in Tirol. www.tyrol.com/offers

Join specialist photography workshops, with a focus on nature in the Tirol: www.tyrol.com/nature-photography Volunteering Get involved in voluntary work within Tirol’s nature parks and protected areas: www.tyrol.com/volunteering Nature Watch Guided tours for nature lovers: www.tyrol.com/nature-watch

The 9-hole golf course in Lans: a green in front of spectacular alpine scenery.

My Tirol 59

Family Experience

60  My Tirol

Family Experience

Discovering Tirol page 62 The Bear Necessities page 64 The Spirit of Discovery page 68 “Climbing is Innate to Children” page 70 The Land of Adventure page 72 Tips & Info page 74

‘WildeWasserWeg’ in Stubai Valley My Tirol 61

Walks through romantic gorges are an experience for the whole family.

Short & Sweet Discover and Wonder

Mountain Happiness for Everyone

Discovery Hike

The Alpine School in Westendof might have a timetable, but this is no ordinary school. Instead of maths, school children can instead spend time getting close to nature and discovering how to learn, play and eat well. In the holiday season, the Alpine School is open to those interested in nature and farm loving people of all ages.

With 18 certified summer lifts in Tirol, Discover the legend of the Wildschönauer everyone can become a mountain climber. dragon with a family walk along this popuThe lifts take you to soaring heights, lar route: a dragon is said to have created where you’ll find spectacular views and the gorge here during a struggle with a lomany other attractions. 13 of the summer cal farmer, who eventually killed the beast. lifts take visitors to special family There are lots of opportunities for kids to mountains where you’ll find varied play and splash in the water. The paths are activities to delight the whole family. suitable for pushchairs:

www.alpenschule.at (German)

www.sommerbahnen.tirol.at (German)

62 My Tirol

www.wildschoenau.at

Family Experience ›

Closer to Nature Interview Sylvia Ainetter

for many is a horse-drawn carriage ride – a great experience for the whole family.

What is the role of nature during a holiday on the farm? Helping children and adults to reconnect with nature is one of the simplest but most fundamental aspects of what I do. We tailor the activities to meet children’s needs, telling stories and helping them to discover the plants and animals around the farm. I think it’s important that children feel comfortable and closer to nature while they’re here. I’m also a trained herbalist, so I take guided sensory hikes through the farm, teaching children about the plants, which they can taste and smell.

Anna Schöpf

Farm stays at Vitalhof Tischlars

Anna Schöpf hosts farm holidays on her farm (Vitalhof Tischlars ) in Oetztal. Here, she talks about her life on the farm and explains what her guests can look forward to.

What do your guests like to eat from the farm? We eat the herbs and berries from our garden all year round and our guests enjoy picking them when they’re ripe. Our fresh eggs are especially popular, as is our bacon. Regional produce has a high priority at Vitalhof Tischlars: all our products come directly from our farm or from the local environment, which most of guests really appreciate.

Which is your favourite area of the farm? Our horse yard. We have eight horses in total, with six different breeds. What’s the appeal of living on the farm?

But in bad weather I’m happiest in our The family atmosphere is a big part of wellness area! It’s the perfect place to relax. living on a farm. We all stick together, which is very important to our family, and What can children do on the farm? We this rubs off on our guests. But of course have a large playground and a games room. the proximity to nature plays a big role too.

The children also love getting stuck-in with As a farmer you have to work very hard but life on the farm – they usually spend a lot being with nature all day also gives you a of time with the animals, feeding them and lot of freedom. I love being my own boss – I helping with the milking. If they like, they can decide when to take my free time and can even adopt a rabbit or another small what to produce. Taking care of my guests animal while they’re here and look after it is a big part of what I do and my son is very for the duration of their stay. We also teach much involved in the agricultural side of our young guests how to behave around things. our horses; if they feel comfortable they – can take riding lessons too. The highlight Thank you for the interview.

My Tirol 63

The Bear Necessities of Geocaching

By Klaus Erler

Geocaching – electronic paper chasing – is a perfect summer activity for exploring new places.

Specifically designed for children, Serfaus’ Bear Caching Park encourages young people to get active and discover the mountains for themselves, with a high-tech treasure hunt.

The two siblings are in Serfaus Bear Caching Park with their mum Paula, on a Geocaching adventure. Combining technology and nature, Geocaching has won many fans in recent years but this electronic treasure-hunt has always been a little too technical for children.

Serfaus solves this problem, with a simplified search designed especially for young people at the Bear Caching Park, which opened in 2013 as part of the 15,000-square-foot Murmliwasser adventure area, near Serfaus’ Komperdell middle station.

Mountain Adventures The father and co-ordinator of this brainwave was Richard Hochenegger, mma and Stefan are fascinated: The who works with the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis blue point highlights their current lo- mountain resort. Hochenegger put smartcation and the red pin on their smart- phones – which many children are better phone map marks their next target – but at using than their parents – at the centre where’s the hidden route to reach it and how of the adventure, doing away complicated do they access the secret information?

GPS devices.

E

64 My Tirol

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is an electronic treasure hunt, using a GPS device. You feed the GPS with co-ordinates and the screen reveals hidden treasure, or ‘caches’, buried in the local environment. Supported by sophisticated technology, the appeal of Geocaching is in the fun of experiencing the great outdoors, combined with the thrill of a treasure hunt that ends with a reward.

Family Experience ›

The treasure hunt follows the story of a brown bear, as you trace his footsteps to seven different stations, exploring the natural environment and, at times, Sometimes it is cross country through the forest. going cross-country through the forest. The technology is so simple that children as young as six can use it.

A Simplified Experience The hunt takes about an hour and can be enjoyed as a whole family adventure.

Simply download the free Caching Park App onto an Apple or Android phone at the start point, using the park’s free WiFi connection. Once installed, the program displays a map with location pins and search clues. On finding a station, you have to hunt for a secret code mounted on › hidden bear characters.

My Tirol 65

The final clue of the treasure hunt is ‘in the belly of the Great Bear‘.

Finding the characters is fun, as they can hide anywhere on the trees on in the surrounding habitats – you’ll soon get the hang of it with the help of your smartphone.

Each set of digits you type in loads a new pin onto your screen, enabling you to move forward to the next station.

The young explorers have to orient themselves correctly, following the map On target: in the belly of the Great Bear. on their smartphones carefully so that they accurately approach their next target. They have to decide which forest

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trails to follow, using their smartphone as well as clues in the environment, such as a bear’s claw on a stone, a raided bee hive or hollowed out trees, to guide them.

Eventually, you reach the highlight of the park: the belly of the great bear.

A Special Treasure Beautifully carved, about head-high, is the wooden sculpture of a bear. Inside his cave-like belly is the final clue to the treasure but, on entering the dark cave, you’ll hear the warning growls of the bear.

Make it to the back of the cave and a small ray of light reveals the last clue to the treasure’s location… which, of course, we’ll – leave you to discover for yourself!

On top of wooden sculpture you´ll find the last clue to the treasure’s location.

i Treasure Hunting for the Whole Family Geocaching is offered in all the villages in Tirol, not only in Serfaus - here are some other examples. Ötztal The Ötztal region offers a great choice of a Geocaching adventures. Several trails are specifically designed for children and use simple maps that don’t rely on GPS devices. To get started, visit a tourist information office to obtain a treasure-hunting card: Alpbachtal Juppis’s Treasure Hunt promises a special experience for the whole family. Visit seven stations in the Alpbach Valley, answering seven clues along the way. Covering just three kilometres in total, you can take as much or as little time as you like – anything from two hours to an entire day, if you choose to spend more time at each station.

Tux-Finkenberg Night caches are a highlight of visiting the Zillertal: reflectors lead the way to secret treasure, with tricky clues and puzzles hidden on trees, caves and caverns as you explore a magical moonlit world.

Achensee The area around Lake Achen is home to stacks of Geocaching opportunities. GPS devices are available at Achensee’s tourist offices, or you can use a GPS-enabled smartphone to hunt for the lake’s hidden treasures.

Igniting the Spirit of Discovery

By Matthias Krapf

Children are naturally curious and love to explore new things – in Tirol, there’s a lot to discover.

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Adventure Park Vider Truja The Wonder of Water

Pflach Bird Adventure Trail See, hear and learn

Alpine Zoo Innsbruck Up Close with Alpine Animals

This exciting and educational water-themed adventure park is found at the Idalp, above Ischgl. Expect water mills, climbing frames and a water playground, amongst other H20-based features, which teach children all about this vital natural element. www.ischgl.com

What does a Reed Bunting sound like?

Using the six themed interactive learning stations along the trail you will be able to find out, young and old alike will learn about the different species of bird that make the Lech nature reserve their home. www.naturpark-tiroler-lech.at

Innsbruck’s Alpine Zoo is home to around 2,000 animals and 150 different species.

Living close to their natural habitats at the foot of the Nordkette Mountain, no other zoo in the world has such a complete selection of Alpine animals. www.alpenzoo.at

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Goldwasser Nauders The Glimmer of Gold

Moosle’s Research Path in Lermoos An educational journey of discovery

Ball Forest Glungezer Rolling Around in the Woods

Throughout the centuries, gold has been washed into the streams surrounding Reschen Pass. Children can search for golden nuggets by sifting the rocks and river debris, keeping their eyes peeled for glimmers of gold. www.nauders.com

The seven exciting stops on this adventure trail at the foot of the Zugspitze will have young scientists gasping in awe. Discover the local flora and fauna in their natural habitat either on ground level or towering above the forests in treetop tree houses. www.zugspitzarena.com

At 1,560 metres, the world’s only pine-ball run combines exercise, play and creative design in one of Europe’s oldest pine forests. Wooden marble runs travel through the forest like a roller coaster – balls roll from tree to tree, with jumps and inclines. www.kugelwald.at

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Family Experience ›

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Alpinolino Westendorf Investigate an Alpine World

Wildbichl Game Reserve in Kufstein Wildlife trail

Triassic Park Flagstone in Waidring A Primeval Adventure

With help from Bert the Eagle, hunt for Marmota marmot, who has escaped his mother, and investigate the unique alpine world and fascinating animal inhabitants of Alpinolino Westendorf at an altitude of 1,770 metres. www.westendorf.at

Come and explore the local wildlife: red deer, lynx, ibex, mouflon (wild sheep) and owls, the Wildbichl Game Reserve has them all. Tip: in spring you’ll likely see the newborn animals as they make their first steps into the world. www.wildbichl.com

Take an adventurous journey through a prehistoric underwater world with long-extinct marine reptiles. In the Triassic Park Flagstone in Waidring, children get to be paleontologists, ready to investigate what the ancient sea has left behind. www.triassicpark.at

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Witches‘ Water Hochsöll A Sensory Experience

The Walchsee Moorland A unique primeval landscape

Nature Adventure Trail in Kals On the road in the National Park

Built in an area once thought to be bewitched, water, fire and wind are the focus of the Water Witches’ theme park in Hochsöll. Follow a mountain river from its source, walk barefoot along a path and discover the singing stones. www.hexenwasser.at

This fascinating and interesting landscape, Tirol’s largest moorland, and its inhabitants will entertain for hours. Children will learn about frogs, newts, dragonflies and water beetles whilst on this brilliant tour through the Walchsee Moorland. www.kaiserwinkl.com

Come and check out the unusual wooden carved figures along the path in Kals, it will seem that they come alive and talk to you.

Trek through the Hohe Tauern National Park on this beautiful and alluring nature trail. www.nationalparkerlebnis.at

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Kids Love Climbing

There are many climbing routes for children in the Tirol. They can safely discover the wonderful world of climbing for themselves.

Interview Klaus Erler

bouldering and by ten they can start roping up – but they should always be fully supervised.

Mike Gabl

Climbing specialist and trainer for Austrian Mountain Guides

Mike Gabl delivers intensive climbing training in Imst and has led the sport climbing section of the Austrian Mountain Guide training for many years. Here, he explains why climbing is so beneficial to children.

How old do children need to be to start climbing? Climbing is almost innate to children. They develop simple climbing techniques when they learn to walk, so the challenge isn’t to get them climbing - they do that already - it’s to teach them how to climb safely and responsibly. Children as young as four can begin with low-level

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What effect does climbing have on children? Modern day neuroscience confirms that, for healthy development, children need the opportunity to test physical limits and explore their tactile environment. Overly worrying them with too many safety warnings can be psychology counterproductive but specific training in responsible techniques are important.

I know of no other sport that promotes the mind and body as a whole to the same extent that climbing does. It can also have a beneficial impact on social competence, with children learning to focus and take greater responsibility for themselves.

Where can children climb in Tirol?

The Tirol’s alpine terrain is best suited for young people from about 14-years old and upwards, while younger children can train at indoor and outdoor climbing walls. Tirol is a world leader in climbing routes, safety and quality, making it an excellent choice for young climbers. In 2013, the Tirol’s probability rate that’s similar to hiking – it climbing areas were analysed, rated and really is quite safe. categorised, according to their suitability for families and children – for example, Where can children learn to climb? ‘child-friendly’ crags offer the greatest Mountaineering schools in Tirol offer climbing classes for children, from twopossible protection against alpine dangers. hour family tasters to season-long courses.

Is climbing dangerous for children?

Rock climbing has become an increasingly And lastly, how has climbing in the safe sport over the years, with an accident Tirol changed in recent years? Forty

Family Experience ›

Top 5 Climbing Areas for Families Last summer, the Tirol’s climbing areas were rated on a point system, relating to their suitability for families. Maximum protection against alpine dangers, childfriendly routes, hazardous entries/exits and the availability of child-friendly rest stops were just some of the criteria included in the review. The following five climbing areas received the best scores: 1.

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Oberried in Längenfeld/Ötztal Engelswand in Tumpen/Ötztal Schrofenwies in Lechleiten/Lechtal Fernergries in Kaunertal Moos in Sölden/Ötztal

For information on all family climbing areas, see: www.climbers-paradise.com

years ago, climbing was a sport for young, fit people, no younger than around sixteen years old. Since then, it’s evolved to a year-round sport for everyone. This has been made possible with the expansion of climbing infrastructure, well-maintained routes and hassle-free indoor climbing and bouldering walls.

Thanks you for the interview.

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In Adventure Land

By Daniel Naschberger

Action, adventure and adrenaline: Tirol is packed with exciting activities for the whole family and promises endless opportunities for adventurous days in the mountains.

Look deep in the Tannheimer Valley Fun, excitement and adventure 17-metres above the ground! With seven courses and 70 different climbing elements involved, families who love to climb are sure to find something in Nesselwängle in the Tannheimer valley. The courses are spread over three different levels, from the beginner to the very brave, and for an extra adrenaline rush why not try out the flying-fox zip lines, soaring above stunning landscape. Children are accompanied at all times by professionally-trained coaches who teach them the trick of the mountain. www.tannheimertal.com

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Family Experience ›

An unforgettable experience amidst the Kitzbühel Alps: the ‚Kletterwald Hornpark‘ in St. Johann in Tirol.

High-speed fun in Fiss

Ice magic in Hintertux

Spectacular Pillerseetal Valley

Pull on a pilot’s vest, thumbs up and you’re off. Carrying four passengers, the Fiss Flyer is somewhere between an aircraft and a hang glider. Starting from the Möseralm hill station, you ride backwards and upwards at 40-kilometres per hour until the flyer reaches its the highest point, before racing downhill again at up to 80kilometres per hour, giving views across the region’s stunning alpine meadows.

Expect even more adrenaline from the Streaker, a bit like a toboggan with a joystick, and Skyswing, a giant, free fall swing.

Experience summer and winter in one day at Austria‘s only year-round ski resort.

Take a guided tour through a natural ice palace, see sparkling ice formations, discover glacial crevasses, touch ice stalactites and marvel at frozen waterfalls.

Hintertux also gives you the opportunity to explore the extensive cave system of Spannagelhöhle, Europe’s highest show cave. During your tour, learn about the cave’s history, discover the special flora and fauna of the ice world and breathe in the healing cave air.

You might imagine that the largest roller coaster in Austria is the Prater Park in Vienna, but you‘d be wrong. In 2013, in St Jakob in the east of the Tirol, Family Land opened and its massive rollercoaster, ‘Big Bang’, was unleashed on the world. At 22-metres tall and 500-metres long, guests fly along the track at speeds of up to 80kilometres per hour over mountains and through the park itself. Situated amid the beautiful Kitzbühel Alps this amusement park is an outstanding day out for the entire family, from grandparents to toddlers.

www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at

www.hintertuxergletscher.at

www.pillerseetal.at

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Tips & Info

Accommodation

Leisure time

Family Tirol Hotels

Family Tirol Villages

Swimming

Certified family orientated hotels in Tirol offer a wide range of programmes for children, and can supply baby monitors too. www.tyrol.com/family-hotels

Check out these top family-based regions and their game programmes. Zenzi the goat mascot may well be there in the summer. www.tyrol.com/family-tirol-villages

Discover Tirol‘s beautiful bathing lakes and swimming pools: www.tyrol.com/swimming-lakes

Farm Holidays

Hiking Checklist

All the information you need to plan an authentic farm holiday in the Tirol: www.bauernhof.cc

Plan a safe and exciting family hike in the Tirol, following this practical checklist: www.tyrol.com/hiking

Camping

Tyrolean Summer Lifts

An online catalogue of campsites in the Tirol: www.campingtirol.at

Everything you need to know about Tirol’s 13-summer lifts, with specific info for families: www.sommerbahnen.tirol.at (in German)

Alpine Huts Discover the Tirol’s family-friendly Alpine Club huts: www.alpenverein.at (in German)

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Excursions A huge choice of trips to keep the whole family entertained: www.tyrol.com/family-attractions

Family Cycling Child-friendly cycle tours with gentle terrain and wildlife watching on-route: www.tyrol.com/cycling Time-out Tips Top leisure tips from the independent online magazine, Mamilade: www.mamilade.at (in German) Climbing for Children The most suitable climbing routes and via ferrata for family climbing: www.climbers-paradise.com (in German)

Family Experience

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Offers Top Packages The best deals for family holidays in the Tirol: www.tyrol.com/offers

Zenzi the goat is the heroine of this year‘s game History of Tirol Family villages. The naughty little goat just wants to go on adventures.

Luckily Toni takes good care of her.

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Culture & Gastronomy

Culture & Gastronomy

Enjoying Tirol page 78 72 Hours in... page 80 High in the Karwendel page 84 The Art of Distilling page 86 Dumpling Lessons page 88 “You Can Taste the Mountains” page 90 Won Over by Wood page 92 Tips & Info page 96

Church parade in Alpbach

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Each summer the Tirolean Paznaun valley transmogrifies into a region of enjoyment blending hiking, nature and gourmet cuisine.

Short & Sweet In Brief

Gauder Fest

Culinary Way of St James

In Stanz bei Landeck, 54 of the 160 households have their own distillery they make a delicious plum liquor. Little surprise considering this wonderful fruit grows abundantly on the local sunny slopes. This is a great culinary place, you can learn about how the little blue fruit completes the process from the distillation to the tasting.

Austria‘s largest spring and folklore festival began more than five hundred years ago.

Gauder Fest takes place in Zell am Ziller on the first weekend of May. The festival traditionally starts on Friday with the customary tapping of the beer keg and the famous Gambrinus speech. A farmers‘ market, craft stalls and sunday procession fill the rest of the weekend.

Each summer, Ischgl, Galtür, Kappl and See in the Paznaun valley in western Tirol host the Culinary Way of St James, combining mountain hiking with first-class cuisine. Four international award-winning chefs create gourmet regional dishes, which are served up in select alpine huts for people to sample as they hike through the mountains.

www.tirolwest.at

www.gauderfest.at (in German)

www.paznaun.com

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The Words I Discover When Walking A Cultural Summer in Tirol

Interview Barbara Wohlsein

What role does walking play in your writing? When walking I record sentences, I observe situations and often integrate these experiences into my writing. During the writing process itself, particularly when I‘m working on something long-term, walking also helps me to find a balance and take breaks.

Anna Weidenholzer Author

The Austrian author of ‘Winter is Good for Fish’ won first place in the Achensee Literatour, 2013.

Have you spent much time at Achensee before? No, the scholarship presentation in May was my first time on Achensee but I didn’t get to see much of the lake. It snowed and the mountains were hidden behind clouds.

What do you make of the surrounding Alpine landscape? The Tirol’s mountains look like storybook peaks, made out of paper maché. It truly is a very beautiful place.

Do you write differently, depending on whether you’re in a city or the countryside? Every area has its own characteristics and I enjoy watching many different people – Achensee, for example, has many German holiday makers who have shaped my walks and been included in notes. But when it comes to the actual writing, the process is similar wherever I am – it’s an internal process in a closed room so it makes no difference whether I’m in the town or countryside.

Do you walk alone? Alone or with one other person, but not in big groups – for my work, the fewer people the better.

Do you like hiking in mountains and high peaks, or prefer easier strolls? I love both. On a daily basis, I enjoy walking on the flat but hiking in the mountains is a different experience: sitting on top of a summit and looking down can be almost a meditative and gives you a great perspective, which I really value.

Thank you for the interview.

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Marking the summer with high profile music events is a long standing Tirol tradition: Tirol Festival Erl 10.07. 2014 - 08.03.2014

Festival Erl takes place in the small town of Erl, on the Bavarian border. 2014’s program includes an adaptation of Richard Wagner’s ‘Ring’.

Innsbruck Summer Dance 18.06-17.07.2014

For four weeks each summer, the Innsbruck Summer Dance program transforms Innsbruck’s Congress centre with a festival of international dance.

2014 marks the event’s 20th anniversary.

Festival of Early Music 12.-31.08.2014

Hosted in Innsbruck each August, this festival attracts illustrious musicians and opera stars. The focus is Baroque opera, with concerts and an international singing competition held in the city squares and at historical sites across Innsbruck.

Klangspuren Festival, Schwaz 11.-27.09.2014

A celebration of contemporary music, Klangspuren brings pioneering new styles and performers to Schwaz each year. The festival also hosts a composer in residence and stages a regional musical pilgrimage.

More events: www.tyrol.com/events

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Mariahilf, with its historic facades, is one of the oldest districts in Innsbruck.

72 hours in Innsbruck...

By Barbara Wohlsein

The Tirol Kaufhaus on Maria Theresia Street is an architectural masterpiece.

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Culture & Gastronomy ›

...with Johannes Reitmeier, Director of the Tirol State Theatre and Symphony Orchestra, Innsbruck Friday Saturday 3 pm 10am „On arrival in Innsbruck, head straight „Saturday mornings are best spent to the Town Hall Galleries and find a seat strolling through Innsbruck’s old town at the bar, which is set high above the and downtown areas. The houses in these city. Enjoy a leisurely coffee or a glass of districts are beautiful and the variety of Prosecco and take in your first impression small shops always impresses me. If you of Innsbruck’s unique location and exciting love to shop for home accessories and blend of urban life and stunning mountain trinkets, Studio Tyrleris is the place to go. scenery.“ The Swarovski home is also a must – its stunning jewellery creations, unique shop 7pm design and changing art installations are all „For the evening, I recommend visiting well worth the visit.“ an authentic restaurant or tavern to taste Tirol’s local cuisine and experience the 1 pm flavours of the city, which rely on an „Give your feet a rest and take a break in one abundance of fantastic local produce. of the city’s superb coffee houses or pastry Whatever you taste, you’ll no doubt come shops. Valier, Munding , Murauer and across the ingredients in the market the Katzung are all fantastic cafes, and the next day – which make great souvenirs to quality of cakes and petit fours in Inns› take home.“ bruck is excellent.“

The Man Himself Johannes Reitmeier hails from Kötzting in Bavaria and has been Director of the Tirol State Theatre and Orchestra in Innsbruck since the 2012/2013 season. Previously, he was director of the Southeast Bavarian Cities Theatre (1996 to 2002) and Monnier (2002 to 2012). Riding Meier is also an author.

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Swarkovski, in Innsbruck‘s Old Town, exhibits some exceptional art installations.

2 pm „In the afternoon, take a trip to the Nordkette mountain ranges. Direct from the city center, the Hungerburgbahn funicular railway is the fastest route into the Alps; even the futuristic train station itself, designed by leading architect Zaha Hadid, is worth a look. You could also take the Nordkettenbahn cable car from the city, which links with the Seegrube lift to take you all the way up to the peak of Hafelekar mountain. Wear decent footwear and you can take a circular walk here. The view of the mountains and the city below is incomparable.“

Visitors can expect an incredible all-round view of the city from the aptly named Cafe 360.

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8 pm „For Saturday night, take your pick from Innsbruck’s immense range of cultural events and evening venues. From theatres and coffee shops to clubs and restaurants, I know of few cities this size that offer so much choice.“

Culture & Gastronomy ›

Johannes Reitmeier on Innsbruck „Before I became a director in Innsbruck, I saw the city more as a stopover, on my way to a skiing holiday or a visit to Italy. Since moving here I am always amazed at how much life and culture the city has, especially given its modest size. The last few years have been particularly exciting in Innsbruck. It’s a very attractive city, which doesn’t hide its urbanity but is, at the same time, surrounded by a unique natural landscape.“

A cultural experience at The Tirolean Provincial Theatre: „The Judge and his Hangman“ by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and Richard Wagner‘s „Parsifal“.

Sunday 10 am „On Sunday, pay a visit to the Imperial Palace to experience its magnificent historic rooms, where the Habsburgs once ruled.

Equally impressive is the Hofkirche with its bronze figures, known as ‘the Black Men‘.

Take a break at the famous Café Sacher right next to the Imperial Palace.“ 2 pm „Spend the afternoon visiting some of Innsbruck’s museums. The Tyrolean State Museums communicate the history of Tirol and are home to an impressive variety of art and exhibits. Tirol Panorama is another one not to miss – the modern – building, located on Bergisel, is reminiscent of an important chapter in the history of Tirol. For something a bit different, the famous Bergisel ski jump, designed by Zaha Hadid is nearby and, if you still want to see more, visit the beautiful Wilten monastery.“ –

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High in the Karwendel

By Sylvia Ainetter

Norbert Stadler is the longest running Senner, or ‘cow shepherd’, in the Karwendel.

He’s already spent fifty-one summers in the Binsalm but he’s not thinking about quitting.

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t 1,500-metres, surrounded by the Karwendel Mountains, the Binsalm is one-hundred and sixty acres of pasture land, an inn and a seventybed barn perfectly set up for tired hikers.

This is where the Karwendel’s longest running Senner calls home each summer.

periods. But when Norbert finds time to take a break, he withdraws to his favourite place – an isolated little hut above the pub. He loves spending time there, without electricity, a television or other people. „There’s the most beautiful view across the Karwendel,“ he says, „I often gaze at the mountains for hours.“ The simplicity When Norbert Stadler first came to the doesn’t bother him, on the contrary: „For Binsalm at the age of eight, it looked quite my birthday I was given a telescope for the different: „At that time, in 1962, there were hut, but I‘ve not taken it there. The only no guest houses. It was all about the beef. item I have in there is a single gas light – My father opened the restaurant in 1972.“ because it’s not good to read by candle And with that, a lot changed. light.“ If you listen to Norbert Stadler, you could almost think he wished life would return to the days of his childhood. “I love being with „Stundenlang schau ich da oft in die Berge!“ my animals. The inn isn’t so important to me,” he says. „But you can’t write that,” he quickly adds, with a laugh.

Twenty-seven years ago, Norbert took over his father’s pastures and has managed them ever since with his wife. „Some things in life require two. Without my wife that special something would be missing on the mountain,“ says Stadler.

The seventy-bed bed guesthouse can be a lot of work, particularly during busy

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Stormy times Norbert’s days on the mountain start early. „I wake at six and make breakfast for the guests,“ he says. „At seven my wife and I drink my coffee. Then it‘s out to the animals to check they’re all healthy and where they should be.” Only cattle are kept up on the pastures, with the cows needed closer by in the barn by to provide milk for the guests’ breakfasts and dinners. “Occasionally, I’ve been out to discover that one of the animals has had an accident or even been struck by lightning, but this is rare,” he explains.

Over the past fifty years, the herds have experienced all sorts of weather conditions, including snow in the summer. „If the snow lasts, the cattle have to be fed and housed in the barn. But this is only in emergencies, as I don’t have much hay to go round.“

Culture & Gastronomy ›

Despite going through some dark times in his life, Norbert is full of humour, always ready for a joke. But 2008 was a particularly difficult year: when splitting wood on his farm he got his right hand caught under the blade, almost severing it completely. A rescue helicopter brought him to Innsbruck hospital where the hand was reattached during a complex operation. „They did great job of it,“ says Norbert. „I mean, I could even play the accordion after surgery. That made me very happy – I always wanted to learn,” he says, laughing uproariously again. But at times he still struggles to hold his hand, as it remains numb in places.

A life on the pasture: Norbert Stadler spent his first summer on Binsalm in 1962.

Later that year, the next blow came when Norbert suffered a heart attack: „I hadn’t long recovered from the surgery. It was a hard time.“ Back then, he thought he might have to give up the pasture but his wife wanted to go on for one more summer.

“As soon as I was back on the mountain, I felt much better.”

And fortunately so: „As soon as I was back on the mountain, I felt much better,“ he smiles. In 2010, after he had recovered, Norbert built a small chapel next to his pasture. It is dedicated to St Korbinian, the patron saint of hikers. Since then, weddings, baptisms and mountain fairs all take place here.

Staying active With his handicap, there are things he can’t do now. Norbert doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen because it’s difficult to cut with a knife but he still follows one of his greatest passions: motorcycling. „I used to run rallies, I was in quite good shape,“ he says. He’s also an experienced motorcycle guide in North Africa. „This year I visited Tunisia for the 72nd time. My passport doesn’t even have that many pages in it!“ On the Alm, the anticipation begins in February.

Norbert no longer works in winter, he leases his farm and enjoys retirement. „In the autumn, I‘m always glad when I can leave the pasture and return to the valley.

But then in february, I can hardly wait to get back up here – doing nothing is not for me!“ –

The Binsalm is located at 1,500-metres in the Karwendel and is home to one of the Tirol’s 2,100 mountain huts. The starting point for a hike to Binsalm is the parking area at Eng. From there, a walking path and a gate lead to the pasture, which is farmed from mid-May to late October. www.binsalm.at

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The Art of Distilling

By Sylvia Ainetter

Booze is booze isn’t it? Apparently not.

For the manufacture of fine alcohol, superior natural resources and considerable experience are essential.

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mportant for socialising, cooking or digestion: fine alcohol is a significant part of Tirol traditions. Martin Fankhauser of Zillertal Stiegenhaushof has been making brandy in his distillery since 2005, receiving top prices for his brandies and liqueurs.

stainless steel,“ says Fankhauser. „And after each batch is made, the entire distillery is cleaned with citric acid.“

brandy with up to 80 percent alcohol, but it’s still not quite ready. „I then dilute it with water to 41 per cent alcohol and store the brandy for two years, so the flavours can fully develop.“

It‘s all about tact The mash is cooled and left in the tanks for three weeks to ferment and produce A question of taste alcohol. Yeast is added to ensure the „Good shots can be recognised by their To create a superior brandy, there are fermentation process is even and to keep smell and taste,“ says Fankhauser, „and it several things you need to know: „The most the full flavour of the fruit. The mash is shouldn’t burn in the throat.” His brandies important aspect is the raw ingredient – then placed in large boilers and heated to 80 regularly feature in competitions and, in the fruit,“ says Fankhauser. „It must be degrees, causing the alcohol vapours to pass the past seven years, have won the fully ripe but with no rotten bits.“ Having through a tube known as a ‘ghost tube’. As it Stiegenhaushof distillery many awards: the right sugar content and aroma are cools, the vapours condense back to liquid. At the International Spirits Fair Destillata essential, he explains: „If the fruit is either 2012, Fankhauser’s plum, grape and not mature enough or over-ripe, you can Although the process may sound straight- nutmeg brandy nutmeg won two gold taste it in the liquor.“ Once you’ve sourced forward, getting it right is a fine art. At medals, while his elderberry liqueur, the beginning of the process, the liquid Golden Delicious Apple Brandy, Scheuerl„The most important tends to be very bitter and by the end the birne and raspberry apple brandy all won aspect is the raw ingredient – alcohol content is too low. Only in the middle silvers. Fankhauser is particularly proud the fruit.“ section do you find delicious, aromatic of his original Zillertal Bergheubrand – a brandy, so this part needs to be separated brandy made from apples, raspberries and the best fruit, it is carefully cleaned and out. hay. crushed. „We mainly use local fruit varieties, but you could also create kiwi and „The fine art of distilling lies in the And his personal favourite? „The banana liquor, if you like,“ he suggests. A perfect extraction of the liquor, which takes Bergheubrand. But also pear brandy. I like stainless steel tank is filled with the mashed a natural sense and a lot of experience,“ says them both very much,“ laughs the Zillertal fruit. „Hygiene is vital. That’s why we use Martin Fankhauser. The result is a fine local. Well then: Cheers!

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i Mini-encyclopedia Distillation Liquid is evaporated by heating and re-liquefied by cooling . Therefore, the distillate (the liquor) is the condensed steam.

Double burn Distilling the liquor twice to achieve a more refined product.

Feinbrand A refined, multi-distilled alcohol produced via a second distillation. Characterised by its balanced, rounded taste.

Mash Fruits, mostly berries, macerated in alcohol, drained and then distilled, the result is a spirit.

Obstler

The Stiegenhaushof Schwendau distillery in Zillertal is one of Tirol’s best. Take a guided tour and learn all about the schnapps and brandymaking process, while tasting some of the distillery’s exquisite spirits. www.tyrol.com/brandyroute

When two or more types of fruit are mashed and fired together, they create a fruit brandy, commonly known as schnapps. Obstler is a type of schnapps made in the Tirol.

(Source: Fankhauser)

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Dumpling lessons

By Barbara Wohlsein

Choosing from the Tirol’s many culinary delights, chef Andreas Mair from the Mitterharthausen castle in Vomp serves up a summer specialty: fried Graukäsknödel (dumplings) with green salad.

A

16th century castle located next to the River Inn, summer is a special time at Mitterharthausen; flowers blossom in the spacious garden, fragrant herbs flourish and the trees provide welcome shade.

Completing the idyll, chef Andreas Mair takes his favorite seasonal products from the local Schwaz region. The ingredients for baked Graukäsknödel, which is on the menu today, all come from the local environment. „The potatoes I get from my uncle,” says Mair, “and the eggs from

Andreas Mair (40) is head chef at Mitterharthausen castle in Vomp and chairman of the Association of Tirol Culture. He graduated from the Agricultural College in Redwood before attending the Villa Blanka School of Tourism in Innsbruck. After several years working with Swiss gastronomy, he returned to the family business at Mitterharthausen castle.

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the nearby farm. We use Tirol milk and Graukäse, or ‘grey cheese’, from the Weerberg,” says Mair.

Mitterharthausen castle is one of around 90 designated houses that possess a Tirol Alpine Summer card, guaranteeing that the produce they use here is regional.

Andreas Mair himself loves the simplicity and variety of this local fare: „I like almost everything we grow, but early potatoes served with fresh herbs and a few fried mushrooms from the forest – that‘s – something special.“

Culture & Gastronomy ›

How To Make Fried Graukäsknödel (Makes around 20 dumplings)

Rub together roughly 300-grams of boiled floury potatoes with 300-grams of grey cheese. Chop three tablespoons of chives into small pieces.

In a bowl, combine the potatoes, cheese, 70-grams of breadcrumbs and a beaten egg.

Add the chives and season with salt and pepper. Mix all the ingredients together and knead to form a smooth mixture. From this mixture, make around 20-small dumplings with a diameter of 2 to 3-centimetres.

Whisk an egg with a little milk in a bowl and, in another bowl, prepare the breadcrumbs.

Dip the dumplings twice: first into the egg and milk, then roll in the breadcrumbs.

Fry the dumplings in hot oil (at about 160 degrees) until they are golden brown.

Serve with a marinated salad. If possible, use edible flowers (photo: nasturtium) to – decorate.

Traditional Tirol Inns Green signs reading ‘traditional Tyrolean inn’ can be found at around 125-dining establishments throughout Austria. The seal highlights an establishment’s high quality cuisine and special connection to native Tirol gastronomy. The association was founded in 1992 to give likeminded restaurateurs a common brand. www.tiroler-wirtshaus.at (in German)

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“You Taste the Mountains” Interview: Barbara Wohlsein

Despite its small size, East Tirol is home to ten record-breaking restaurants.

We met Gerald Rieger – head chef at the Zedern Klang Spa Hotel in Hopfgarten, Defereggental – who holds two toques and 15 out of 20 points, under the prestigious Gault Millau rating system. the influence of the mountains and the earthiness of the craft certainly play a role.

And of course we use the best regional What dish embodies a typical Tirol sum- products, which provide the optimum mer in the mountains? I would say pink conditions for cooking at a high level. fried Gamsrücken (meat) on mushroom risotto with rosemary essence and sprout And do you ever eat at East Tirol’s other How does the atmosphere of the hotel confit. This meal includes meat from the award-winning restaurants? Of course, affect your cooking? The Spa Hotel is region and fungi directly from the forest, this contact with my colleagues and fellow an oasis of calm and its soothing wooden served with fresh vegetables and herbs – for chefs is very important. interior naturally influences me and my me, this embodies the Tirol’s pure mounWhat is the best compliment a guest can entire team. This feel-good atmosphere is tain summer. pay you? Whenever they thank me for the palpable in our creations.

How important was it to you to receive food, it makes me happy.

Do many of your dishes use flavours your Gault Millau toques? It was a from Defereggental and East Tirol? professional milestone, which I’m naturally And finally, what do you most like to Of course. We use many local products very pleased about. And for my kitchen cook and eat for yourself? I like game and which taste unique because the flavours of team it was one of the most exciting awards fish dishes best.

Defereggental are naturally influenced by we have received in recent years.

Thanks for the interview .

– the local mountain landscape.

In Tirol there are now ten award What is your favorite local dish? winning restaurants – why do you think Gamshenkele (cured meat), and Gams- that this little patch of Austria is so rohschinken (cured chamois meat), with successful when it comes to food? Thelavender cream cheese. re are probably several reasons for this: How would you describe your cooking philosophy? My kitchen is very straight forward; honest, with craftsmanship at a high level. I am also very conscious of our fresh and simple products. I don’t things with bells and whistles on.

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And your favorite ingredient? Something very simple: fresh herbs from our garden.

Culture & Gastronomy ›

Gerald Rieger was born in Styria, grew up in Upper Styria, and completed his apprenticeship as a chef in Kaprun, working his way up from commis chef. He has been employed in other well-known Austrian establishments in Sölden, Obergurgl, Galltür, Leogang, Bad Kleinkirchheim and Kloppeinersee as well as in Germany.

The best of the best The restaurants below have been awarded at least three toques in the 2014 edition of the prestigious Gault Millau Restaurant Guide.

Simon Taxacher is one of the four-awardwinning chefs in Austria - his culinary delights were awarded 19 points out of 20.

• Rosengarten in Kirchberg, Simon Taxacher (4-toque gourmet chef, 19 points) • Alexander in Fügenberg, Alexander Fankhauser (3 Hauben, 18 Punkte) • Heimatliebe in Kitzbühel, Andreas Senn (3 Hauben, 17 Punkte) • Paznaunerstube in Ischgl, Martin Sieberer (3 Hauben, 17 Punkte) • Petit Tirolia in Kitzbühel, Steve Karlsch (3 Hauben, 17 Punkte)

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The hotel made of wood: The four-star Gradonna Mountain Resort in East Tirol.

The enduring appeal of wood

By Sylvia Ainetter

A beautiful and biodegradable natural resource, for many years wood was the main material used in Tirol’s traditional buildings. More recently, it’s found its way into modern architecture.

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F

arm houses with wooden balconies, quaint pine doors, larch slats in barns: in Tirol, wood construction has a long history. „Wood has always been a readily available material. It’s also easy and fast the work with,“ explains Arno Ritter, Head of the Tirol Architecture Forum.

However, it’s the relationship with wood in the 20th century that’s so interesting. „People who had a lot of money in the past plastered their wooden houses to make them look more expensive, so it wasn’t obvious at first that they were made of timber,“ says Knight .

Alpine clichés There are many different traditions for working in wood in the Tirol, for example: Rhaeto-Romanic buildings in Oberland are stone buildings with wooden features,

Kultur & Kulinarik ›

Born in Vienna, Arno Ritter has directed the exhibition space „Aut. Architektur und Tirol“ in Innsbruck since 1995. In 2012, he was the commissioner of Austria‘s contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale.

tourism architecture – it was seen as a cheap, traditional stereotype,“ says Knight, „so it was a while before architects, artisans Previously, wood was shunned in modern and builders found their way back to this architecture, this was for several reasons: material.“ „Working with wood has social and political connotations, especially in Germany and „Today, in modern architecture, people are Austria,“ says Knight. During the post-war turning back to this traditional material – reconstruction period, wood was an not in the sense of the Alpine cliché, but for important building material and used the functionality and qualities wood has. widely for temporary structures and The intelligent way to continue using this shelters. „It got a bad reputation because of traditional resource is to grasp the qualities this. The buildings were seen as cheap and of the material and the craft, using these ugly, and were not overly secure,“ Knight to develop contemporary ideas,“ says the explains. In the 1970s, new materials architecture expert. such as plastics and metals became more available on the market and wood became Which wood?

Selecting a type of wood depends primapassé. rily on the task in hand. In Tirol, conifers, Then there was the growing tourism pine, larch and stone pine are the most industry. „Wood wasn’t favoured for readily available. The high resin content of whilst in the lowlands and in East Tirol pure timber houses are much more common.

larch makes it especially good for stables and other exterior buildings, because of its resistance to weathering.

Swiss stone pine has experienced a renaissance in recent years: traditionally, it was used to build clothes boxes because its high resin content repels moths. Living areas have always been a popular place for pine too: „The ‘pine room’ was originally used in typical stone buildings such as castles and palaces,“ says Knight, „because stones radiate cold, pine wood paneling was installed to insulate the indoor environment.“ It’s also thought that the essential oils in pine have a positive influence on the heart rate and can enhance the quality of sleep, so pine beds have been back in vogue in recent years. ›

My Tirol 93

The hotel made of wood: The four-star Gradonna Mountain Resort in East Tirol.

Holzwege

By Sylvia Ainetter

A successful symbiosis using traditional wooden materials and modern architecture.

Building with wood The biggest advantage of wood is its weight. „You can create things in wood that would be very difficult to realise with lighter materials,“ says Knight. The construction of wooden houses is also very fast: the elements can be made in the workshop and then assembled on site.

Particularly in tourism, where new buildings and conversions need to be built quickly, this is a huge advantage.

Wood is also a renewable resource, which makes it an attractive material in today’s ecologically conscious times,“ says Ritter.

Austria’s Vorarlberg area has always been a pioneer of modern timber construction but you’ll also see an increasing number of wooden houses that go beyond traditional Alpine clichés in Tirol. Even in tourism, more entrepreneurs are venturing away from traditional-style buildings – with some inspirational results.

–

Olperer hut in the Zillertal Architect: Hermann Kaufmann ZT GmbH Completion: 2007 The Olperer hut is located at around 2,400-metres above sea level in the Zillertal Alps. Used as a summer lodge, it resembles a wooden house stripped to the bare essentials. A stone wall, built with stones from the local environment, forms the terrace and serves as a retaining wall that supports this partly-suspended structure. The building is largely constructed from laminated spruce, which provides solar protection in the summer months without adding too much insulation.

In the dining room, a panoramic glass window opens to give views of the Schlegeisspeicher and the three highest peaks in the valley. The Olperer hut was awarded the Holzbaupreis Vorarlberg prize, as one of the best pieces of architecture in 2009.

Gradonna Mountain Resort ****s in Kals Architect: Association Helmut Reitter

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Completion: 2012 The car-free Gradonna Mountain Resort and Hotel is located just off the ski slopes of Kals am Grossglockner, at an altitude of 1,350-metres. Every building in this luxury chalet and hotel complex is made of wood.

Combining nature and tradition with modernity, the spruce interiors promote a natural and serene atmosphere, with pinechosen for the stylish bedrooms, owing to its sleep-inducing qualities.

The main building and bathhouse on Natterer See lake in Natters.

Architects: Thomas Giner & Erich usurer Completion: 2008 The two-storey structure is inconspicuous on the shoreline landscape of the Natterer See. With its light wood interior, the building keeps up the atmosphere of the traditional campsite which surrounds it.

The structure was awarded the 2008 New Building for Tirol prize, and the BTVBauherrenpreis for Tirol and Vorarlberg in 2010.

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Live like the Tyrolean on facebook.com/handltyrol

A lesson in Tyrolean ham

Did you know that we Tyroleans have been taking our time to create authentic taste for over 111 years?

Our lovely Tyrolean nature also wants to be enjoyed in peace

Seasoned by hand, gently smoked over beech wood, left to cure in the clean Tyrolean mountain air for a long time

Good things take a while When it comes to our authentic Tyrolean ham and our exquisite raw sausages, we at HANDL TYROL have been observing one rule above all for over 111 years: quality lasts the longest.

It takes much longer than you’d think for us to serve you our Tyrolean specialities.

And why is this? We take our craft very seriously.

Only carefully selected meat of the best quality is used in our Tyrolean specialities.

Moreover, a lot is still done by hand. It takes

longer, true, but, quite simply, you can taste the difference.

we are still doing it that way today – four generations down the line. Quite simply: quality lasts the longest.

A hectic pace isn’t conducive to good taste. Surrounded by lush alpine meadows and mighty mountains, our Tyrolean ham specialities are given the time they need to cure in the clean Tyrolean mountain air. Beforehand, they are refined using the best natural herbs, and gently cured over beech wood – for the typical Tyrolean taste. This traditional production method takes up to six months. This is the way great-grandfather Karl C. Handl did it, and

Your HANDL TYROL master curer

Live like the Tyrolean!

Tips & Info

Food and Drink

Tirol traditions

Quality Local Produce

Refined Restaurants

Almabtriebe - Cattle Drives

Detailed information about the main features of Tirol’s local produce: www.amtirol.at (in German)

Tirol’s top eateries, as rated by the Gault Millau restaurant guide: www.gaultmillau.at

Traditional Tirol Inns & Hostelries

Flavours of Tirol Route

Around 200,000 cattle move from the high pastures of the hills down to the valley for winter. Traditionally, ‘Almabtriebe’ (the cattle drive) is celebrated with a festival in many villages and towns. www.tyrol.com/cattle-drives

Find out about Tirol’s traditional hostelries and their like-minded philosophies: www.tiroler-wirtshaus.at (in German) Pastures Discover more about the Tirol’s 2,100+ Alpine pastures: www.tyrol.com/hiking ‘Bewusst Tirol‘ An overview of all the inns and hotels that use locally sourced produce of the best Tirolean quality. www.amtirol.at

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Discover hearty Tirol specialties: www.tyrol.com/tirolean-gourmet-routes Schnapps Route Discover the history and art of distilling schnapps and brandy: www.tyrol.com/brandyroute

Sonnwendfeuer Midsummer sees traditional mountain fires lit for the solstice: www.tyrol.com/summer-solstice-fires Blasmusik The music calendar of Tirol’s 300+ brass bands: www.blasmusikverband-tirol.at (in German)

Culture & Gastronomy

Culture and film Tirol Culture

Contemporary Art

Cultural highlights in Tirol – can be sorted by region or genre: www.tyrol.com/events

14 exciting galleries in Innsbruck and Schwaz: www.innsbruckcontemporary.at

Tirol Cinema

Museums

Find out which films are currently showing in the Tirol, as well as when and where: www.cinetirol.at

An overview of the Tirol’s huge range of museums: www.tyrol.com/museums

Architectural App tours in Tirol

Castles

Sightseeing tours of extraordinary buildings in the Tirol – available as a smartphone App: www.aut.cc (in German)

Excursions to a number of fascinating castles in the Tirol: www.tyrol.com/castles-palaces

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Imprint Publisher and Editor: Tirol Werbung Maria-Theresien-Straße 55 6020 Innsbruck · Austria Photo Credits: page 3 Bernhard Aichner page 6/7 Emanuel Kaser page 8/9 Josef Mallaun page 10/11 Peter Neusser page 12/13 Felix Schüller page 17 Franz Oss, Gerhard Berger, Emanuel Kaser page 18/19 Peter Neusser page 20/21 Bernhard Aichner page 21 privat page 22/25 Emanuel Kaser page 26/27 Christoph Bayer page 28 Bike Academy page 29 Vivalpin page 30 Sportograf page 31 Stubai-Bilder.at page 32/33 TVB Wilder Kaiser page 34/36 Franz Oss page 39 Maria Ziegelböck page 40/41 Jörg Koopmann page 42 privat page 42/43 Lanserhof GmbH page 44/45 Gerhard Berger, Jürgen Klecha page 46/47 Stubaier Gletscher /eyes5 Mirja Geh page 48/51 Alex Ziegler, Gerhard Berger page 53 Sigrun Hannes page 55/57 Emanuel Kaser, TVB Wilder Kaiser page 59 Alex Ziegler page 60/61 Frank Bauer page 62 Frank Bauer page 63 privat page 64/66 Franz Oss page 70 privat

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page 70/71 page 72/73 page 75 page 76/77 page 78 page 79 page 80/81 page 82/83 page 84/85 page 87 page 88/89 page 91 page 92/93 page 93 page 102

Sepp Rettenbacher Monika Höfler Hans Herbig Frank Bauer TVB Paznaun - Ischgl Gerhard Berger Bernhard Aichner, Robert Gruber, SIGNA, Emanuel Kaser Lichtblick, Bernhard Aichner, Innsbruck und seine Feriendörfer Franz Oss Stiegenhaushof Emanuel Kaser Hotel Zedernklang e. U. Gradonna****s Mountain Resort Châlets & Hotel Günter Wett privat

Texts: Target Group Publishing GmbH Brunecker Straße 3 6020 Innsbruck · Austria Translated from the German: Chris Moran & Peter Carr All Conditions Media Printer: NIEDERÖSTERREICHISCHES PRESSEHAUS Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH Gutenbergstraße 12 3100 St. Pölten · Austria Cut-off date: November 2013. All contents have been diligently comiled and verified, nonetheless no liability can be assumed for their accuracy.

Arrival & Contacts

Tirol Online www.tyrol.com www.facebook.com/tyrol www.youtube.com/tirol

Getting to Tirol Tirol is easily accessible by all means of transport, and prides itself on being convenient, and environmentally friendly.

By car

By train

By plane

Tirol is easily accessible by car. However, when travelling by motorway remember you will need the vignette tollgate pass, breakdown cover, and to pass border control, so allow time for unforeseen problems.

Trains allow for a comfortable journey with easy connections from many different European cities, so you will be relaxed and traffic-free throughout your journey. Plus the savings to be had from Ă–BB, SBB and DB make taking the train to Tirol a great option.

Innsbruck Airport is served by daily scheduled flights and numerous charter flights from international airports. Alternatively, the Tirol is also easy accessible by air from Munich, Memmingen, Zurich and Salzburg.

Any questions?

The Tirol Information team can help with planning your holiday, and can provide any tips or advice you may need. For any advice or information, just ask and we will be happy to post the appropriate documents. Our experts are only too happy to help. t +43.512.7272-0 e info@tirol.at My Tirol 99

Items Close to my Heart Edited by Matthias Krapf

Whether you‘re looking for something inside the home or outside in the garden, there will be something for everyone in this collection.

Crazy Idea

Foto: Tirol Shop

The Tirol is famous for its noble schnapps, and there‘s no better way to drink it that from this elm-encased stainless steel hip flask. Only available in the Tirol shop.

Dimensions: 145 x 110 x 40mm.

Capacity: 190ml. www.tirolshop.com

It is a good idea to have the right backpack when hiking or climbing this year. The Karwendel Kohla Tirol series are an extremely light and functional companion when in the Tirol mountains. They feature multi-function pockets and adjustable ‘Super Dry’ ventilation systems, among other innovative ideas. www.kohla.at

Foto: Kohla

Light Companion

Look Carefully

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100 My Tirol

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There is much to discover in the mountains, and with the CL Pocket — a particularly lightweight pair of compact binoculars of the Swarovski Optik CL range — you will be able to see it sharply. Here, visual comfort is packaged in compact dimensions. www.swarovskioptik.com

The Pieces of My Heart

Pure Nature A pair of glasses made of wood?

For Tirolean eyewear brand ROLF, natural materials are the ideal starting point to develop innovative ideas. Each pair of glasses is unique, like these made from smoked oak and maple. www.rolf-spectacles.com

:R Fo t o

olf S

pec ta

cles

Tirol Handbag Felt is great, and not only for slippers! Check out the practical shoulder bag ‘Murmele’ made from this versatile traditional material. Made right here in the Tirol from beautiful, soft 100% pure wool. www.tirolshop.com

Foto: Firma

Foto: Tiroler Steinöl

Force of Nature Due to its naturally high sulphur content, Tirolean stone oil— quarried shale from the Seefeld and Achensee areas— has been used in creams, ointments, massage oils and soaps for its soothing and nourishing effect for centuries. www.steinoel.at

My Tirol 101

Travel Report

Karin Steinbach Tarnutzer Journalist and author

Small Debris As I Climb A short essay from the Tirol mountains from a ex-pat Bavarian, who then migrated to Switzerland in her mid-thirties, and now calls Tirol home.

I

nvoluntarily, the eye is drawn to the right.

They are visible just before the train enters the tunnel. The familiar spikes of bright limestone, those spikes that do not fit the rest of the gneiss-walls of the Stubai Alps. Kalkkögel in the Tirol has been called the ‘Southern Dolomites’, and Walter Klier’s proposition that it is the ‘realm of the vertical ballast’ still rings true. The long debris flows below the walls speak volumes of its rock quality.

And yet, from the towers a fascination grows, from which I cannot escape. It has nothing to do with adventurous climbs – as I have never climbed into those fragile horizontal bands of shale. Nor do I believe it is the romantic romping of the historical Alpinists such as Hermann Delago and Otto Ampferer, or Hias Rebitsch or Hermann Buhl, which fascinates me.

The real draw takes me back to my childhood, and more specifically, in the two summer holidays my family organised in the Stubai Valley. After hiking the classic routes of the valley: the Saile and Serles, a visit to the Stark Burger Hut and a romp over to the High Castle stall, my father decided that we three girls were ready for the highlight of the holiday: the March tour’s travel tip.

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I do not remember much, at least 35years have passed since that day, but in my memory—the memory is through a child’s eye, of course—the image of an incredibly long and steep scree field appears. My father had to step so carefully, so as to not dislodge the shale too much, but whenever he stepped, the mountainside would slip, so making ground was difficult work. The day was sunny and hot, and above us were shadows and peaks that frightened my sister terribly.

This place, this hike, I imagine, must have started my fascination with the mountains.

While I admired the horizon of the glacier crowned peak - not realising that one day I would climb it (a decade later as it turned out - and then up and over the mighty Mischbach to the summit) Or maybe the climbing bug bit as I ran down the descent at a fast pace through the rubble and the stones as they rhythmically clacked together creating a beat? Or maybe it was the day I played with the red-haired little girl who seemed like a great climber? Even if I never remember, there‘s something about seeing the Kalkkögel peaks through the train window that awakens a feeling I can only – describe as like ‘coming home’.

about her early experiences in the mountains, and a childhood memory from Tirol.

The new Tirol Collection

Summer in the Mountain

路 www.tirolshop.com

路 Tirol Shop Innsbruck 路 Maria-Theresien-Str. 55 路 6020 Innsbruck