Tirol kicks off winter 2013/2014!
Ski resorts across the Tirol region open in style over the next month with parties, concerts
and competitions to celebrate the start of 2013/14.
SEPTEMBER
The Austrian Tirol region is home to five glacier ski areas, including Hintertux in the Zillertal, which is open 365 days a year.
Skiing and snowboarding is already open on the Pitztal and will be joined this weekend by three more ski resorts.
Today (20th September), things will commence on the Stubai Glacier and on the Rettenbach Glacier in Sölden, whilst Kaunertal will open on 21st September.
OCTOBER
To mark the opening of the 2013/14 ski season launch parties will take place throughout October and will include:
- From 12th – 13th October, the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glacier will be the venue for the First Snow Glacier Opening with two days of free ski and snowboard equipment testing, live concerts and DJ's.
- The first FIS Ski World Cup race of the winter will take place from 26th to 27th October in Sölden. It will be ladies first for the Women's Giant Slalom followed on Sunday by the
Men's Giant Slalom competition on the Rettenbach Glacier.
- From 26th – 27th October, Tirol's highest glacier festival will take place on the Pitztal Glacier, with the opportunity to test skis, boards, freeriding equipment as well as compete in a Giant Slalom.
- Kaunertal will officially open with the legendary opening festival weekend running from 11th – 13th October. The Kaunertal Opening will include snowboard and freeskiing contests, concerts and parties as well as the "Testival", sampling new material for 2013/14 season.
- In Stubai, the MOREBOARDS Stubai Zoo snow park opening, includes a packed programme
of jib battles, trick sessions, snowboard pro and rookie contests, video workshops and girls' camps. There is also the opportunity for testing the latest brands and to party at several venues in Neustift.
NOVEMBER
From November the non-glacier ski resorts gradually start to open. One of the first is
Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, which will celebrate over two weekends the 14th – 16th November and
from 22nd – 23rd November with a programme of live music in the mountain huts and in
the indoor riding arena.
- One of the most legendary opening weekends is in Ischgl with its "Top of the Mountain"
extravaganza. The 2013/14 ski season opens on Thursday 28th November with skiing and
snowboarding in the Silvretta Arena. On Saturday 30th November, Canadian band
Nickelback, will perform a high energy gig to the masses.
DECEMBER
- In St Anton am Arlberg the start of the season will be officially marked under the theme of "Country & Snow". Feel the Wild West vibe from 6th – 8th December 2013, where plaid
shirts, boots, jeans and cowboy hats will be mixing with skis, boards and helmets. There will be three days of ski testing as well as country music bands, concerts, line dancing providing the entertainment.
- Over in SkiJuwel Alpbach-Wildschönau, Alpbach will open over the wekend of 13th – 15th
December with the SkiOpening party, including live music, DJ, plenty of skiing and the latest equipment testing. A 2 night stay starts form €109 per person, including SkiJuwel lift pass.
- In the Zillertal Arena, Gerlos opens on Friday 13th December with an open-air party and live bands playing over the whole weekend.
- Heralding the start of the winter season in Mayrhofen will be the RISE&FALL sporting event
on 14th December 2013. Building on the success of last year's inaugral event where over 30
teams battled for victory in the ski touring, paragliding, mountain biking and snowboarding
disciplines.
