The 1976 Winter Olympics cemented Austria's reputation as a skiing nation. Back then, 60,000 spectators travelled to the Patscherkofel to see Franz Klammer win the Olympic downhill. At the intermediate time, however, he was only in third place. Klammer gave it his all, came close to crashing several times and even skied off the actual course in the "Bäreneck". His audacity earned him Olympic gold. And Innsbruck's "home piste" went down in history.
The Valluga north run on the Arlberg is considered one of the most spectacular freeride routes in Tyrol. The deep snow descent in the Ski Arlberg ski area is steep and exposed - which is precisely why it is famous and infamous. What makes the route so special is the way to the top. If you want to use the cabins of the Valluga II cable car on skis or snowboard, you can only do so with a mountain guide. For everyone else, it ends at the viewing platform at 2,809 metres.
Burning calves are guaranteed on the Schwarze Schneid in Sölden. At 15 kilometres, it is the longest piste in Austria. The mountain station of the Schwarze Schneid is the highest point in the Ötztal that can be reached by cable car. From the Rettenbachferner you climb almost 2,000 metres in altitude to the valley station of the Gaislachkogelbahn. Unique in Austria: the Sölden ski area comprises three three-thousand metre peaks that are accessible by lift.
Around 90,000 spectators come to the Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbühel every year and 260 million watch it on screen. The Streif is considered the most difficult race course in the world. In the supreme discipline, the athletes cover 860 metres in altitude in under two minutes and jump up to 80 metres. The average speed is 103 kilometres per hour. Apart from the race weekend, the piste is open to recreational athletes all winter long.
Storytime
On the road with the masterminds, piste whisperers and party people before the legendary Hahnenkamm Race.
When a piste is so steep that even the skis flutter on the descent, it doesn't just take nerves of steel, a lot of skill and freshly sharpened edges to conquer it - without a good dose of courage, it's almost impossible to get onto the Black Ibex on the Kaunertal Glacier. With a gradient of 87.85%, the 500 metre long run on Austria's steepest piste feels like a free fall. For comparison: any slope with a gradient of 40% or more is classed as a "black piste"! The Black Ibex is therefore, without exaggeration, blacker than black and should only be tackled by experienced skiers.
Storytime
Can an average skier learn to elegantly master the steepest piste in the Zillertal in three days? Our author took on the legendary "Harakiri". And experienced an emotional journey of discovery in the process.
