Au – Schoppernau, Bregenzerwald – the snow capital of the Alps

10th January 2008 – Bregenzerwald, the snow capital of the Alps. Located to the east of Bregenz, Bregenzerwald offers some 22 villages as well as the best snowfall record in Europe. I spent today skiing at Au – Schoppernau and Damuls. Whilst it has not snowed any noticeable amount in Austria for 10 days or so the piste skiing in Bregenzerwald today was excellent with great weather and slightly milder conditions than those of late. Bregenzerwald is very understated whilst being extremely stylish, Swiss looking buildings but with a very Austrian welcome and a snow record that is second to none in the Alps – truly astonishing amounts of snow fall on this part of the Alps. Bregenzerwald is reputed to have the best snowfall accumulation in the entire Alps. Today I skied at Au – Schoppernau and did not see a single snow cannon; the reason is that there aren’t any even with a top lift height of just over 2000m, this place just gets so much snow. The resorts are quiet by Tirolean and Salzburg standards on the whole but have a real style about them without being exclusive. The welcome we have had has been outstanding, whether in the hotel, the mountain restaurants or on the ski lifts.