Austria. Media News.

Dear friends of Austria and fellow travelers,

She may be Cool for the Summer, but global singing sensation Demi Levato will kick off the winter season in Ischgl at the legendary 'Top of the Mountain Opening Concert' on November 25, 2023. And with that headliner, we are kicking off the second part of our winter newsletter series and take you to Austria's Paznaun Valley!

You also get a chance to win a 5-day ski trip to Austria and a new pair of HEAD skis with Tyrolia bindings right here.

While temperatures in New York City were still hitting the eighties last week and now the leaves are just starting to turn, we are ignoring this just for a moment, so we can send you gemütliche und cozy wintery greetings!

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 

   

Ischgl, in the Paznaun Valley of the Tirolean Alps, is the perfect place for active travelers. One of the largest ski resorts in Austria, it delivers winter fairy tale magic: snow covered roofs and summits, a fresh mountain breeze, snow coverage from the end of November to early May. It's also a perfect destination for those looking for a more leisurely winter break with a tad of luxury: Ischgl has more 4- and 5-star hotels and award-winning restaurants than any other winter resort in Austria. International superstars headline the legendary Top of the Mountains concert series. Need a break from all of it? Go for a peaceful winter hike or recharge your batteries at the new Silvretta Spa.

Ischgl is one of the largest linked, cross-border ski areas in the Alps (connected to Samnaun, Switzerland), boasts 45 state-of-the-art lifts (gondolas and chairlifts), as well as tons of activities away from the piste, from winter hiking to tobogganing and winter fat biking. For a change of scenery, visit the family ski resorts Galtür, Kappl, and See which are all right around the corner.

Whether you wish to explore the new Kappl & See ski area in a single day with a combined ski pass, conquer frozen waterfalls with crampons and an ice axe, or try out the exciting sport of "Snoocen" in Galtür, Paznaun has a range of new activities in store for its winter season guests. If you're looking to experience something fresh during your winter holiday in Paznaun, consider ski area hopping with the new See & Kappl ski area pass, allowing you to explore the best of both ski areas in a single day: the new Skischaukel Kappl & See ticket network seamlessly combines the family-oriented ski areas of Kappl and See into one extensive winter adventure. Imagine starting your day with free-riding in Kappl's backcountry and then leisurely cruising on the expansive sun-drenched slopes of the energy-autonomous See ski area in the afternoon. Thanks to a short bus connection, guests can effortlessly savor the highlights from both ski areas in a single day. Children under 8 years of age ride for free when accompanied by a parent. The ski season in Kappl and See commences on December 15, 2023, and concludes on April 7, 2024.

Armed with crampons and an ice axe, you can conquer newly designated icefalls in Kappl and See. A total of seven ice climbing falls and one ice climbing pillar are waiting to be discovered. Climbing the cascades of a frozen waterfall and navigating icy routes require proper training and experience in climbing, as well as suitable equipment. Beginners are advised to take their initial steps with a helmet, crampons, and ice axe on vertical black ice under the guidance of an experienced instructor or through participation in an ice climbing course at the ice pillar. Ice climbing is free, sport shops in Paznaun offer ice climbing equipment for rent. 

You can also test your balance on a rapid descent using a Snooc, a type of sit-on ski, in Galtür. No prior experience is required. The SNOOC, a kind of "sit ski," is steered by simply turning your shoulder and can be rented for one hour at the Galtür Ski School. With a valid ski pass, Snooc enthusiasts can then test their balance or practice on the blue family slopes.

  

Demi Lovato is a GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning musician, actor, advocate and New York Times best-selling author. She was first known for her onscreen talents, and soon after became a musical phenomenon for her remarkable vocal ability. With an audience of over 260 million on social media, Demi has established herself as a global sensation. On 25 November, she will kick off the winter season in Ischgl. Admission to the legendary Top of the Mountain Opening Concert is included in the daily ski pass (Euro 85/around US$90). The Silvretta Arena will open its 150 miles of cross-border pistes from Ischgl to Samnaun on November 23. The multitalented 31-year-old will bring an unforgettable stage show and hits such as "Heart Attack", "Sorry Not Sorry", "Really dont care", the catchy tune "Solo" as well as other classic hits. The spectacular live concert against the backdrop of the nightly mountain scenery starts at 6:00 pm at the parking area of the Silvrettabahn in Ischgl.  

  

Attention ski lovers: Kick off your winter season at our multi-faceted pop-up exhibition in New York City! Austria is hosting a special four-day event called Winter Stories Untold. An Austrian Pop-Up Experience in New York City from November 9-12. We will bring a slice of Austria’s rich winter and ski culture to New York City. Our multimedia displays will highlight Austria’s top winter resorts with a focus on their sustainability efforts, showcase art, design, and winter fashion, and place a spotlight on our 130-year ski legacy and its impact in the United States. 

Mark your calendars for this exceptional event with many highlights such as the chance to win 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