Festive snow report and fun off the slopes in Tirol
With less than a week to go until Christmas the skiing conditions in the Austrian Tirol are simply wonderful. The Tirol video team visited the newly connected Ski Jewel Alpbachtal Wildschönau ski area yesterday, 19th December and here’s the latest video report from the new ski area: Snow Video Report from Ski Jewel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
From 17th – 18th December 2012, up to 20 centimetres of fresh snow fell in the Tirolean mountains, with a further 15 cm reported yesterday, 19thDecember. (Source: Tirol Avalanche Warning Service)*
Fun off the slopes in Tirol
There’s much more to winter snow holidays than skiing or snowboarding. Non-ski winter activities, such as snowshoeing, tobogganing or horse-drawn sleigh rides have become as much a part of the winter holiday experience as the skiing itself. Aside from the usual activities offered, the Tirol has a few resorts offering something that little bit different. Why not kick off your winter holiday in 2013 with a unique and unforgettable experience from winter Segway trekking to husky snowshoeing.
Winter Segway in Serfaus
Recently awarded the title of Best Ski Resort 2012 by the Mountain Management study, the resorts of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis are lesser known in the UK. Only an hour from Innsbruck, the resorts offers extensive snow-sure skiing on 185 km of beautifully groomed pistes, more than half of which lie above 2,000 metres. Before exploring the snowy landscape on a Segway, have a practice session at the obstacle course in Fiss. After seeing how easily the well-balanced tyres grip the snow it won’t be long before you are performing elegant pirouettes in the snow. A 90 minute panorama or adventure tour starts from €59 per person. For more information visit www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at or click here.
How much? Ski Bespoke (01243 200202, www.skibespoke.com) offers seven nights' half-board at the four-star St Zeno Hotel from £1,530pp, including flights and transfers.
Husky Snowshoeing in Leutasch
The Leutasch valley is one big snowy playground and a wonderful place to try one of the more unusal winter activities. Husky rides have been popular for many years but this adventure takes it to another level. Forget being pampered while the huskies pull you through the snow, this is your turn to do some work. With snowshoes clipped over your walking boots and a lead strapped round your waist, its time for your energetic husky to lead you on a walk. You may be dog-tired by the end of the day but it is one of the most exhilarating and fun ways to discover the Leutasch Valley. Husky snowshoe safaris cost €54. For more information visit www.tirolalpin.at.
How much? Inntravel (01653 617005, www.inntravel.co.uk) offers seven nights' half-board at the four-star Hotel Xander from £798pp, including flights and transfers.
Snow kiting in Achensee
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Rofan mountains and close to the shores of Lake Achensee, the resort of Achenkirch is perfect for a winter wonderland holiday, with skiing on over 27km of slopes and prepared winter paths for walking, hiking or snowshoeing. But there’s more. Thanks to its favourable geographical position, Achenkirch is a hit for those looking for a more extreme adventure. Snow kiting offers the high speed feel of downhill skiing but it is the kite catching the wind that propels you instead of gravity. Any level of skier can try this sport and once you are kitted up with skis, a steerable kite and a harness all that is required is snow, a bit of wind……and a fair bit of courage. A 2 day beginner course including equipment, instruction and learning manual starts from €185 or a taster 2 hour session costs €60. For more information visit www.snowkite-achensee.com.
How much? Stay at the 3* Hotel Fischerwirt in Achenkirch (T: +43 5246 6258; www.fischerwirt1.eu), with prices starting from €48 per person on half board. Flights are available from London Gatwick to Innsbruck with easyJet www.easyjet.com or British Airways www.ba.com. New for 2012-13 Monarch (www.monarch.com) will fly from Manchester to Innsbruck or from Leeds-Bradford or Birmingham to Munich airport. Affordable resort transfers are available through www.transfer.tirol.at.
And for bad weather days….Indoor Golf
Bad weather days present two options. Brave the elements and have the mountain to yourself or let nature take its course and make the most of other activities on offer. The resort of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in the Ӧtztal is home to Europe's largest indoor golf facility at the 4* Hotel Riml, devoting 700m² of space to the facility. Teeing off from an altitude of 2200m, you can choose to play one of the world’s most beautiful golf courses using the various golf simulators. For more information visit here.
How much?
Neilson (0844 879 8155, www.neilson.co.uk) offers seven nights' half-board at the four-star Hotel Riml in Hochgurgl from £1019 per person, including flights and transfers.
For more information on the Tirol region www.visittirol.co.uk or keep updated at www.facebook.com/visittirol
ENDS
For further information and images contact:
Becky Horton, Horton PR
becky.horton@hortonpr.co.uk; 020 8330 2143; 07766 738020
Patricia Mexiner, Marketing UK, Tirol Tourist Board
Patricia.Meixner@tirolwerbung.at, Tel. +43 512 5320 643
Notes:
Current snow depths (December 19th, 2012):
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental: 95cm
Ski Arlberg: 135cm
Silvretta Arena: 100cm
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis: 85cm
Ski-optimal Hochzillertal: 80cm
Kitzbühel: 85cm
Zillertal Arena: 90cm
Mayrhofen: 75cm
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau: 100cm
Nauders: 90cm
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