Key Events In The Austrian Tirol This Winter…
From sporting events and music festivals to cultural highlights, there’s always something going on in the Austrian Tirol
Comprising approximately 80 ski resorts and 3,000 kilometres of pistes showcasing modern lifts, the Austrian Tirol is also home to the thrilling Hahnenkamm downhill race, the flamboyant Snow Polo World Cup, the vibrant Snowbombing Festival and the multimedia dance show ‘Gaia Stubai – Mother Earth’, amongst others.
3-4 January 2018: Four Hills Tournament in Innsbruck
Watch the world's top ski jumpers as they gather at the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck for the third round of the traditional Four Hills Tournament. Held at four sites in Germany and Austria, over a nine-day period, the tournament has developed into the premier ski jump event. At 50 metres high and 90 metres long, the jump is one of the most popular spectator events in the professional winter sports calendar. For more information, visit: www.bergiselspringen.at
6-21 January 2018: Sled dog camp and races in PillerseeTal
It’s a dog’s (and musher’s) life at the sled dog camp and races in PillerseeTal. Guests have the opportunity to meet the mushers and their dogs, and learn all about their life and craft of wild-sled running at this four-day event. Activities include dog-sleigh rides, igloo building and chats round the campfire. Those who want to know more can take the three-day Adventure Husky course and learn to mush with the experts. The course costs from €289 pp (two sharing) and includes four nights’ accommodation, three-day mushing course for beginners and some meals. For more information, visit: www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/pillerseetal/winter/sled-dog-camp-races.html
11-14 January 2018: Snow Polo World Cup in Kitzbühel
Each year in late January, the world’s greatest polo players and hundreds of polo fans from across the world gather for the biggest polo on snow tournament in the world. The 16th edition of the competition will kick off on Thursday 11 January at ‘Zur Tenne’ Hotel in the village centre. Watch the top players do battle at Münichau Meadow, surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Wilder Kaiser Mountain Range. VIP tickets are available to purchase and cost from €200 pp. For more information, visit http://kitzbuehelpolo.com
12-28 January 2018: International Tannheimer Tal Valley Balloon Festival in Tanheim
Now in its 23rd year, watch colourful hot air balloons float over the beautiful mountains and valleys for three weeks. Arrive early and witness ‘lift off’, or why not jump in a thatched basked with an instructor, and make the most of the spectacular Alpine views? Among the highlights, don’t miss out on the weekly ‘Balloon Glows’: the balloons stay fully inflated but tethered to the ground, so spectators can admire the contraptions up close (Tuesday nights at 8 pm). For more information, www.tannheimertal.com/en/service/top-events/a-waltz-in-the-sky.html
14-21 January 2018: 78th Hahnenkamm Men’s Downhill in Kitzbühel
Regarded as the most demanding race course in the World Cup circuit, the famous Hahnenkamm will attract the world’s best skiers and thousands of spectators. It’s a sight to behold. For more information, visit: www.kitzbuehel.com or www.fis-ski.com
1 February 2018: Outdoor multimedia dance show performed by Enrique Gasa Valga in Stubai
A multimedia dance performance ‘Gaia Stubai - Mother Earth’ will show at the Neuland open-air arena in Neustift/Milders on 1 February 2018 for the second time. Presented by world-famous dancer and choreographer, Enrique Gasa Valga, this stunning outdoor spectacle will combine dance, music, freestyle skiing, light, multimedia installations and 3D mapping. The music will cover a wide range of genres; from touching orchestral pieces to rhythmically intense dance numbers and rock history classics, making the show attractive to a wide audience. Tickets cost €45 for adults and €9 for children under 15. Children under 10 go free. For more information, visit: www.gaia-stubai.com
24 February 2018: Streif Vertical Up in Kitzbühel
Considered the ‘Super Bowl of Skiing’, but in reverse, the Streif Vertical Up sees hundreds of competitors pulling on their head torches and powering up the famous World Cup run, with 860 metres of vertical gain to conquer. Now in its eighth year, the night race features multinational competitors from across Europe and many different types of equipment, from cross-country skis to spikes. Join in with the fun Backpack Event or the challenging Speed Event, plus, there’s also a fancy dress competition… Registration costs from €39 pp. For more information, visit: www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/events/all-events/e-streif-vertical-up
9-15 March 2018: Freeride World Tour in Fieberbrunn
The World’s premier freeride skiers return to Fieberbrunn when the Swatch Freeride World tour returns to PillerseeTal Valley in March 2018. Watch as skiers ride down the summit of Wildseeloder Mountain, dropping 620 metres with a gradient of up to 70 degrees. Watch the show from the grand stand (built from snow) on Lärchfilzkogel Mountain for the best views. This is the fourth stop of the tour, and it’s these mountains that will determine who can continue to Verbier, Switzerland, for the grand finale. For more information, visit: www.bergbahnen-fieberbrunn.at/en/freeride/freeride-world-tour
5-6 April 2018: Electric Mountain Festival, Sölden
The Electric Mountain Festival brings the hippest artists of the Electric Dance Music Scene to Ötztal. For two entire days, Sölden will become the Alps’ ultimate DJ resort, as it hosts a fantastic mix of music alongside the mountains, snow and skiing, to mark the end of the season. Admission to the concerts is already included in a day’s ski pass. For more information, visit: www.electric-mountain-festival.com
9-14 April 2018: Snowbombing, Mayrhofen
Famous for its adrenaline-fuelled snowboarding and crazy partying, the annual Snowbombing festival will take over the resort of Mayrhofen in the Zillertal Alps, with leading DJs, club nights and live acts performing. Think igloo raves, enchanted forest parties and underground tennis-club-turned-supper clubs, all at 8,497 ft. The 2018 line-up is yet to be announced, but past acts comprise Rudimental, Chase & Status and Carl Cox. A five-night stay, from 8 April 2018, is priced from £389 pp and includes a festival wristband and five nights’ B&B accommodation. Return flights and transfers extra. For more information, visit: www.snowbombing.com
21 April 2018: The White Thrill, St. Anton Am Arlberg
When the lifts close in the afternoon, the White Thrill heats up. More than 550 participants will take part in this cult-ski race, which comprises a nine-kilometre run on natural pistes across 1,300 metres’ altitude. Look out for ‘Pain Mountain’, a 150-metre ascent which demands high levels of dexterity. The current record for this part of the race is eight minutes and 14 seconds, so start training now! For more information, visit: www.stantonamarlberg.com/en/events/the-white-thrill-2017
30 April 2018: Ischgl Top of the Mountain Concert
Following tradition, Ischgl will host its famous Top of the Mountain Concert at Easter to celebrate the end of the season. In 2017, Zucchero took to the main stage, and other big names such as Kylie Minogue, Pink and Elton John have performed here in previous years. The 2018 headliner has been named as Helene Fischer, a German superstar who has sold millions of albums and has featured in the German charts for more than 10 years. For more information, visit: www.ischgl.com/en/events/top-events/top-of-the-mountain-concert-with-helene-fischer_topevent592319
