Ten things to do in Tirol this winter
The Austrian Tirol is a winter paradise, packed full of activities and events. From skiing and boarding, to partying in world class winter sports resorts. Flying down a snowy valley, to hurtling down it on rails. Sipping a drink in an ice bar, to snuggling up in reindeer skins in an igloo. We've compiled the top ten activities to do in the Tirol this winter . . . 1. Ski or snowboard the Tirol’s fabulous five glaciers for year round skiing and guaranteed snow. And for snow babes, from 15th – 18th April each glacier resort is offering a `Snow White’ package to include 3 nights in a 4* hotel, a two and a half day ski pass, two days ski guiding, a `wellness & skiing’ presentation and ladies’ test skis to try out. Prices from just € 347,00 and available in Kaunertal, Pitztal, Sölden, Stubai and Hintertux. Gletscher.tirol.at
2. `Fly’ down the Möseralm valley on the Fisser Flieger, the world’s first four person hang-glider. The ride, which is suspended on a steel cable, takes its passengers, harnessed into jackets, from an altitude of 1,900m, over a 700m flight, at a speed of 80km per hour, down to the Möseralm, a vertical descent of 47m. Serfaus-fiss-ladis.at
3. Try the Alpine Coaster at Imst, the longest in the Alps, starting at a height of 1500m and dropping down the valley. The best fun to be had in the snow off skiis, as the `sledges’ travel along at speed along chrome rails, between trees, snowy mounds and at varying heights off the ground. Alpine-coaster.at
4. Spend a night in the snow and ice at an altitude of over 1600m, snuggled up in reindeer skins in the `Alpeniglu’ hotel in Kitzbühel. Carved and decorated igloos, offer accommodation for up to 24 people, romantically candle-lit at night. The Alpeniglu has its own ice restaurant, 5m high ice-lounge with clear ice walls and a domed roof, a church and kids fun park. Visit Kitzbuhel.com
5. Say `cheers’ in the biggest ice bar in the Tirol, the "Ice House" at Fügen in the Zillertal. The average inside temperature is minus five degrees and drinks are served in frozen ice `glasses’. Ice-house.at
6. Go gay in Sölden during ManMountain, the biggest gay ski week in the Alps, 24th – 31st March 2007. On offer are exclusive gay ski and snowboarding lessons, end of week downhill Sound of Music Ski Racing, with prizes for the best fancy dress, and nightly events in bars and clubs, hosted by top London DJs. Manmountain.co.uk
7. Get a high in the newest and coolest place to be seen in the Alps. The crystal themed, crystal shaped and Swarovski studded `Top Mountain Star’ restaurant and bar is perched at 3,080 metres, giving one of the most stunning viewing platforms in the Alps, with floor to ceiling windows and 360 degree views. Obergurgl.com
8. Try a touch of the hard stuff. There are 64 schnaps distilleries in Stanz in the Upper Inn Valley village of Stanz, known as the `distilling village’. The distiller's craft has long traditions here and is known for its "Stanzer Zwetschke". Tirolwest.at
9. Join the party in Mayrhofen and come `Snowbombing’ in 2007. From 9th – 16th April the resort comes alive with over 3000 British party goers, live bands, top DJ’s, fun, games, snow-man building competitions, 24 hour bars, an Arctic disco, brass bands, egg and spoon racing and, of course, top skiing and snowboarding. Snowbombing.com
10. Ski or snowboard the 250kms of the Ski Welt, Austria’s largest linked skiing area, with a backdrop of the rocky Wilder Kaiser mountains and boasting more than 92 lifts, 250 km. of trails, and 160 km. of snowmaking spread above nine villages. It’s a winter sports paradise.
Tirol Tourist Board: Tirol.at
