Apparently the Alps are closed for business
So came the message relayed by a customer today who contacted us, giving the hope of an early season ski holiday in the Alps a last chance. Without naming names he had contacted a major online ski company enquiring about glacier skiing in Austria – the reply – was a pretty conclusive ‘sorry, there is no snow in the Alps right now’. Do you laugh or cry? Not only does the industry have a strong € to contend with but also a weak worldwide economy and then some amateur snow forecaster at a leading ski company comes out with that bleak assessment of nearly 2m of fresh Austrian glacial snow. Shattering. There are countless hotels, apartments, pensions offering great early season deals in yet another classic start to the winter season and a guy on a long haul flight, tickets booked into Europe is told that Alps are closed for business. Where are the team leaders to brief their call centre staff? If a company is not based in the Alps then at least look at a webcam, a snow report, anything really. And if you don’t offer ski holidays outside the main stream resorts what is the point of turning away another convert to the higher existence of snow sports? Last month it was a customer who came to us after hearing that the Hintertux Glacier was closed (interesting - I understood it was open 365?) and would also be closed in November – this information from a very big player – I cry. Up your game guys, there are a lot of hard-up skiers and snowboarders who don’t need another reason to get their snow fix on Ski Sunday this winter.
Plenty of snow, and plenty of deals with aircraft and accommodation. Probably at more than half the price at Christmas and New year and a substantial discount on the January price.
Plus no queues on the lifts, some slopes might be shut, but it gives time to visit the Christmas markets.
Great to hear that the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier is deep in snow as well. It was really depressing to hear skiers being turned back from the Austrian Alps by one of the leading ski companies. France might have little snow but Austria is deep in the stuff. This time of the year offers some of the very best skiing in the season, accommodation are flexible on the length of stays, flights are better value. I have yet to get my first powder day but friends of mine have already had several – conditions in Austria are outstanding not snow barren! As I mentioned this followed news that the Hintertux Glacier would not be open in time for a late December trip of one of our clients – this news came from another very big player. Austrians ski from at least October till June and this year is no different than any other.
Well, have been skiing end of July at hintertux glacier and it was awesome!
Have been skiing again over there couple of weeks ago and last weekend at stubaier glacier! the conditions are pretty good at the moment… even better conditions then on some winter days!
And there is already same fresh powder
So guys in the travel agencies, take your skies and have a look at the mountains! then you would know that there are perfekt skiing conditions on the glaciers right now!
Hi Anja
I managed the Hintertux Glacier in June and yes it was really great this year. I will be on the Stubai Glacier next week hopefully, my colleague has already been there and said conditions were absolutely “perfect”. It is easy to look out of your window and see all the snow in Austria of course but even without this access it is pretty easy to see that Austria is deep in snow and very much open for business!
Say it as it is Matt. An chance of liasing with the bbc for that occasional late night ski / snow report we get here in wet and snow starved blighty ? The truh needs to be heard.
Well we have some new camera hardware this winter and will be running some great interactive snow reports - look out for those.
We are featuring both the Stubai glacier and the Pitztal glacier and our packages include airport transfers. You will need to find your flights to Austria though (although there is a pretty good range of flying into Munich and I think some into Innsbruck at this time of year)
Hi Katie, hopefully you guys will know when the glaciers are open and what the current conditions are. In an industry that is going to face a tough year with some pretty hard up customers it is beyond belief what feedback we get from customers regarding conditions and season times. A ski / snowboard holiday is not your bucket and spade fortnight and customers need a whole range of accurate information.