Austria. Media News.

Dear friends of Austria and fellow travelers,

A few days ago the mountain peaks around Innsbruck were dusted with snow for the first time this season and you all know what that means - Winter Is Coming! 

Both of us being born and raised in Austria, we share a love for exciting days on the slopes and cozy winter evenings. Another thing we both like is to share our enthusiasm, untold stories, and inside tips with you. So we would like to extend a hearty welcome to our Austria Winter Series, where over the span of the next two months we will introduce you to four of our favorite skiing areas in Austria - Innsbruck, Ischgl, Ötztal, and Arlberg. 

The first part of the series takes you to the capital of the Austrian Alps - Innsbruck. Where you can get from the city center to the top of the slopes in 20 minutes. Hope to see you there soon!

Best wishes,
Sigrid Pichler & Helen Bitschnau

Managers of Public Relations
Austrian Tourist Office New York City
sigrid.pichler@austria.info 
helen.bitschnau@austria.info  
tel 212 575 7723 x 119 or x 112
www.austria.info 

  

When you first arrive in Innsbruck, you might wonder why you didn’t visit sooner. After all, this city offers a unique combination: You can stroll its streets full of imperial elegance and beautiful Baroque and Gothic architecture in the Old Town, and then take a cable car from the center and be at 6,000 feet in just 20 minutes.

The adventure begins once you fly into Innsbruck airport. It is considered one of Europe's most exciting (read "trickiest") airports to fly into because of its location right between two Alpine mountain ranges, but at the same time, it offers one of the most astounding views during descent and landing. No need to worry - every pilot flying into Innsbruck has done special training so they are perfectly capable. Just lean against the window and enjoy the view!

  

The Olympic Winter Games were hosted in Innsbruck in 1964 and 1976 - since then Innsbruck has been the mecca for winter sports events including ski jumping, bobsleigh, skeleton, and freeride skiing. Make sure to mark your calendar with these sports highlights in Innsbruck this winter. 

The season starts off with The SnowFest from 24 to 26 November, where the world's best snowboarders and freeskiers show off their skills at the Rock a Rail Snowboard Contest and the Downtown StreetSki Session in the heart of Innsbruck.  Bobsleigh and Skeleton enthusiasts will have their big moment to shine from 15 to 17 December at the World Cup. 

While people in Vienna are ringing in the new year with the famous New Year's Concert at Musikverein, Innsbruck has a more sporty approach. You can either join the New Year's Eve Run through the city on December 31, accompanied by live music and a top-class fireworks display on the Seegrube mountain, or cheer on the daredevil ski jumpers from January 2 to 3, 2024 when Innsbruck will once again host the third event of the Four Hills Tournament, the highlight of the professional ski jumping season. 

If you prefer to watch the winter sports pros from the comfort and warmth of a movie theater - we have just the thing for you. From 19 to 22 October, you will once again get the opportunity to enjoy winter sports from a different perspective in Innsbruck at the Innsbruck Nature Film Festival with this year's focus on nature and the environment. A few weeks later the Freeride Film Festival (November 9-11) will feature breathtaking ski, freeride, and snowboard films from all around the world and a special feature on avalanche awareness.

  

What would an Austria Winter Series be without the latest news on magical Christmas and New Year's events? Starting in mid-November you will find no less than seven Christmas markets in Innsbruck, including the one in the Old Town. Encircled by the splendid facades of medieval houses, with the famous Golden Roof and market stalls with a range of arts, handicrafts, and culinary classics such as "Kiachl" (fried dough pastries) and a hot mug of Glühwein (mulled wine) along other delicacies. 

After a stroll through the Old Town Christmas market head to the Hungerburg cable car, designed by Zaha Hadid in 2007, which leads up to the Hungerburg Christmas Market and great views of the festively illuminated city.

The Imperial Gardens invite you to another highlight of the Christmas Season - LUMAGICA Innsbruck. Follow this two-mile-long path to a "Journey Through Time" showcasing extraordinary light sculptures, ranging from abstract elements and interactive installations to animals and mythical creatures.

Another enlightening spectacle is the "New Year's Eve in the Mountains" from 29 December to 6 January where 3D facade mapping will transform three well-known buildings into a canvas for fascinating worlds of images and sound. 

Attention ski lovers: Kick off your winter season at our multi-faceted pop-up exhibition in New York City and explore untold stories of Austria's top mountain resorts and how they strive for a sustainable future. 
Mark your calendars for this exceptional event with many highlights such as the chance of winning an unforgettable 5-day ski trip to Austria and a pair of brand-new HEAD skis!

When: November 9 -12, 2023 / open daily from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Project Farmhouse, 76 East 13th Street (near Union Square), New York, NY 10003

Join the Opening Event on November 9th at 6 pm and explore Austria’s 130-year-old history of skiing. RSVP here