Snow news is good news – December in the Austrian Tirol
After a promising October, the early snowfall across the Tirol region provided favourable conditions, allowing the five glacier skiing areas to open earlier than planned. November’s snowfall proved a little less forthcoming, but with a good base the first non-glacier skiing area, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, opened ahead of schedule on 10thNovember. As more resorts prepare to open, it is a welcome relief that temperatures fell over the weekend and the beginning of December brought plenty of fresh snow.
For the latest update check out the latest video snow report from Kitzbühel, filmed on Saturday 1stDecember. Click http://www.youtube.com/tirol?x=cwT7gYxVO5w
This weekend (1st/2ndDecember) saw cult German band, The Scorpions, rocking the official opening of Ischgl’s long ski season, which will run through until the beginning of May. The resorts of Kühtai and Kaltenbach, in the Hochzillertal, kicked off the winter season, with Mayrhofen, Serfaus and St Anton opening over the weekend of 8thand 9thof December. The most eagerly anticipated opener of the season will commence on 14th/15thDecember as the new ‘Ski Jewel’ lift link will join the resorts in the Alpbach and Wildschönau valley’s for the first time.
Latest News from the Austrian Tirol
Emergency App ‘Bergrettung Tirol’
A new emergency app has been developed for use throughout the Tirol province and one which could act as a lifeline in potentially life-threatening situations. When it comes to mountain rescue detecting the exact location of the incident can be challenging and valuable time can be lost. This app enables the transmission of the exact location (GPS coordinated) to the Leitstelle Tirol GmbH at the push of a button and at the same time establishes a telephone connection. The emergency services are alerted and assistance is sent to the scene faster and more precisely. The app is available on Android and iPhone. The Leitstelle Tirol GmbH is the central emergency dispatch centre in Tirol. There is also a test feature to check the data transmission and telephone connection without causing false alarm.
Download on itunes: here
Download on Android: here
Wow, this BMW can fly
This winter guests staying at the luxurious on-mountain ski lodges, the Wedelhuette or the Kristallhuette, in the Hochzillertal ski area can arrive in true VIP-style. One of the LEITNER ropeways gondola cabins has been transformed into the interior of a BMW 7-series limousine, including brown leather seats with massage and heating function, multimedia system and most importantly a champagne glass holder. A ride on the ‘BMW Individual for LEITNER’ gondola starts from €25 per person for guests staying at the Wedelhuette or Kristallhuette or from €75 per person, including ski pass and lunch at one of the properties. For more information visit www.vipgondel.at/en
Top Tirol Tour Operator Deals
Save £250 – Kirchdorf
Crystal Ski (0871 231 2256; www.crystalski.co.uk) has seven nights at the 3* Hotel Neuwirt on half board in Kirchdorf, with prices starting from £299 per person (was £549), including return flights from Manchester, Newcastle or Gatwick and resort transfers. Departs 5th January.
Save £240 – Mayrhofen
Thomson Ski (0871 971 0578; www.thomsonski.co.uk) has seven nights at the 2* Mayrofen Guesthouses in Mayrhofen, with prices starting from £259 per person (was £499), including return flights from Manchester, Newcastle or Gatwick and resort transfers. Departs 5th January
Save £125 – Christmas in Söll
Direct Ski (www.directski.com) has seven nights at the 3* Hotel Austria in Söll, with prices starting from £315 per person (was £465) from Gatwick or from £295 per person (was £445) from Manchester. Price includes half board, resort transfers and is based on 2 sharing. Departs 22nd December.
Save £280 – Kitzbühel
Inghams (01483 791 114; www.inghams.co.uk) has seven nights at the 3* Hotel Strasshofer in Kitzbühel on half board, with prices starting from £449 per person (was £729), including return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Departs 5th January.
Save £404 – St Anton
Esprit Ski (www.espritski.com; 01483 791900) has seven nights at the Chalet Markus in St Anton, with prices starting from £325 per person (was £729), based on a family of four (2 adults and 2 children under 12) at a total cost of £1,300 (was £2,041). Price includes return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers, free WIFI, free babysitting, and catered chalet accommodation with a cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, children’s high tea and four-course dinners with complimentary wine. Esprit Classic Child Care is available from £199 for a week of exclusive Esprit ski lessons. Departs 6th January.
Save £155 – Hochgurgl
Neilson (0844 879 8155; www.neilson.co.uk) has seven nights at the 4* Hotel Riml in Hochgurgl on half board, with prices starting from £870 per person (was £1025), including return flights from Birmingham to Innsbruck and resort transfers. Departs 19th January.
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 Meixner, Marketing UK, Tirol Tourist Board
Patricia.Meixner@tirolwerbung.at, Tel. +43 512 5320 643
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