Oct. 12, 2011

Initially it was believed there must have been a successful marketing push behind the surge but the range of resorts, dates and industry profiles suggests something more general at work. As a company we push the quality and authenticity of Austrian resort ‘messages’ hard, the snowfall figures are beyond debate and are strongly in favour of Austria and surveys suggest that Austria offers some of the best value for money in the Alps, alongside Italy. There are many, many epic destinations for corporate clients and groups outside of Austria with Zermatt and Megeve high on any list. Val d’Isere has the label, ski area and to a degree an unswerving loyalty whilst 1850 still makes headlines for prices when the ski area should be worthy of more columns of coverage. Verbier has a great deal going for it, especially the skiing, St Moritz and Davos are headline names with mighty ski areas above them but when it comes down to choices it hard to overlook Austria and that seems to be in evidence for corporate and group ski planners. Austria offers events that are unsurpassed with the Hahnenkamm race weekend in Kitzbuhel is akin to Wimbledon – the Hahnenkamm offers unique drama, unmatched risk and ultimately the adoration and respect of the entire snow sports world. In terms of apres ski then whatever the pace Austria has it – Ischgl offers both Sir Elton and The Killers the chance to host the end of season bash and whatever the demography of those in attendance the feeling is the same – blown away with presence and setting. Snow sure? Austria has the absolute best snow record in the Alps, it has 3 ski holiday resorts over 2km high and glacier skiing that is unequalled in the Alps with seasons that run from October to June (and year round). And crucially in these times when corporate ski groups are looking at ‘bang for the buck’ value for money then Austria (along with Italy) is peerless for corporate ski trip value. Wherever corporate ski groups end up in Austria, it is tough to find locations and suppliers in Austria whose prices aren’t justifiably fair. In this climate Austria is peerless.