November 2005
Piste of the Action
Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, it’s snow time! Yes, this month marks the start of the ski season at a number of resorts both near and far. So click on those bindings and head to the hills. It’s downhill all the way.
• One of the first resorts to open its doors to the snow-hungry crowd is Stubaital, where the season got underway on October 19.
•
Hello and
Ok! readers should head nowhere else but Ischgl, where the celebrity ski season kicks off on November 25. As well as a glut of design hotels, the resort is renowned for its “Top of the Mountains” free opening concert on November 26. Although the line-up has yet to
be confirmed, the event always manages to pull some
big names.
(www.ischgl.com)
• Expect more big-name acts at the Pitztal, opening on November 26. Celebrations at the Hochzeiger Mittelstation get underway as early as 10 am. See you on the first lift! (
www.pitztal.com)
• Opening weekend in Zell am
See-Kaprun has always been such
a big hit that organizers have decided to split this year’s event over two weekends. The first, for snowboarders, takes place November 25–27. The following weekend, December 2–4, will mark the official start of the season for classic skiers. (
www.events.one.at/snowjam)
• Those who love a touch of Majorcan atmosphere in the mountains (the music, not the weather!) should head to the Ötztal resorts of Obergurgl, Hochgurgl or Sölden, where the party kicks off on November 25.
• For those who can wait just a teeny bit longer, there are some great offers to be had in Kitzbühel, where the season starts on December 8. For between € 154 and € 289, depending on accommodation, visitors can enjoy three nights’ accommodation,
a two-day ski pass and admission to the opening celebrations. (
www.kitzbuehel.com)
• Those who love a bargain should head to Axamer-Lizum, where ski pass prices have been frozen at last year’s rates.
And, what’s more, you even get the added bonus of a new four-seater chair for your money! The season’s opening celebrations take place on December 9. (
www.axamer-lizum.at)
• The same weekend marks the start of the season in the Zillertal Arena. All resorts—Mayrhofen, Fügen, Tux, Gerlos and Kaltenbach—will be buzzing with parties and special events. (
www.zillertal.at)
• A week later, on December 16, it’s the turn of the Wilder Kaiser ski area. Two-night packages, including ski pass, cost between € 114.50 and € 182.50. (
www.skiwelt.at)
If you’re after a few quick thrills, however, why not check out the five Bavarian resorts—Brauneck, Wallberg, Spitzingsee, Sudelfeld and Zahmer Kaiser? Snow permitting, these plan to open on December 1. Save valuable time when you’re there and buy your ski pass in Munich before you go. In a new initiative this year, the Ertl und Renz sports shop in Ohlmüllerstrasse, run by ski star Martina Ertl-Renz and her triathlete husband, Sven Renz, will be selling passes for all the above resorts.
