July 16th, 2011 by Saalbach local
You don’t have to look far to find a summer party in Austira. Many villages have a Dorf-Fest in Summer or Autumn which is a wonderful excuse to drink beer and eat great food in the streets until late at night. Saalbach used to have an amazing Dorf-fest which involved a boat race on a man made river. It no longer takes place due to permission being removed from one land owner so now there are a number of smaller festivals. I do miss the opportunity to dress up as Amy Winehouse, drink beer in the afternoon and race down a river of foam followed by a party on a fake beach. Now you wouldn’t get that in England - and if you did it wouldn’t be kid friendly like it is in Austria.
Alm festivals are basically mountain hut festivals - good if you fancy a walk to and from the party. There are about 2 a week near us so its not hard to find a happening hut. They are quite traditional often with local musicians and traditional dress. there may also be a small market and children’s activities to keep the family happy. If your lazy get the cablecar up and down.
A great Austrian excuse for a drink in the morning is Frühschoppen - translated its morning pint. Yes you start drinking about 11am with food and music and go home at about 5pm full of beer and ready to sleep. The thing that amazes me is the amount of beer that people who are the age of my parents manage to put away at these things and still remain standing. They are definitely atmospheric and fine if you can stomach beer that early and plan to be in bed early.
My favourite festival of all is Bauern Herbst - a kind of farmers festival that you see from August through to October. This can be anything from a harvest festival party, to a food event celebrating the harvest to a farmers market. It always includes fresh produce and local ingredients and as ever music and beer usually figure. A fantastic way to ski and experience some of the real Austria is to go to the Glaciers between September and the end of October and go to some of the Bauern Herbst events. It really gives you a local view of Austria as although your welcome it really is a locally let and not a tourist experience.
March 18th, 2009 by matt
The Krippenstein Freeride Arena Sekundenjagd ski race – image © skiingaustria.co.uk
Just had this through from Isabella at the Krippenstein Freeride Arena, a Freeride off-piste race that is not for the faint hearted and where the trusted snow plough will be a rare sight. Speaking of sights, for those that want to visit one of the best off-piste and Freeride regions in Europe or those who want to ski at the impressive Dachstein West ski region and also see this spectacular race, the cable car company are offering free access to the cable car for those not carrying ski or snowboard gear. Obertraun is the pretty lakeside resort that accesses the Krippenstein Freeride Arena. Anyway the press release for the Krippenstein Freeride Arena Sekundenjagd ski race:
“Freesports Arena Krippenstein: Sekundenjagd ski slalom on 11 April 2009
On 11 April 2009, skiers will be racing through Krippenstein to knock seconds off their time in the traditional off-piste race. Guests can expect to enjoy a spectacular course, free ascent for spectators and a greatly improved finish area. The race was established a few years ago as a qualifier for the Red Bull White Rush and has now secured itself a place as one of the top-freeski events in the Alps!
More than 70 international skiers are expected to start out on this top class high-speed competition: the freeriders are required to complete a stretch with a 590 m altitude difference prepared by the wind and weather alone – guaranteeing the spectators a magnificent sight! The wild race literally runs up and down from the starting point on the Däumelkogel to the finish line at the Schönberghaus by the centre station of the Krippenstein cable car. The athletes have to endure a demanding 2.5 minutes.
This year, spectators and fans have better access to the finish area and can therefore enjoy better views of the race. Guests without skis will be transported to the station free-of-charge! Organiser Heli Putz from Outdoor Leadership sums it up: “Interest in freeriding is generally on the increase as is interest in events such as the Sekundenjagd race. We have been able to secure some great sponsors in the form of Kästle and Red Bull and can therefore offer a more exciting race with an improved supporting programme for the spectators!”
During the 50s and 60s, skiing legends such as Ernst Hinterseer, Hugo Nindl and Willi Bogner conquered the exact same route of the Krippenstein. Today, the route comprises just 15 direction posts as opposed to 80 back then. This makes this spectacular course all the more difficult and selective.”
This is a route that I took with a guide in January 2009 filmed using a helmet camera - it was tough and very steep skiing!