Key events in the Austrian Tirol during the 2018/19 ski season
Last updated on 23.10.2018
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 renowned opening and closing concerts in Ischgl.
This year, it’s also the 200th anniversary of ‘Silent Night’. This famous Christmas carol started its far-reaching journey in in the Zillertal Valley, in the Austrian Tirol. Although it was written and set to music in 1818 by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber in Salzburg, it was singers from Tirol who made the work and international sensation.
Please find a selection of up-coming events below. If you would like any more information, or images, please just let me know.
Best wishes,
Rosie
24 November 2018: Mountain Opening Concert in Ischgl
Global multi-platinum recording artist Jason Derulo will be making his Ischgl debut and kicking off the winter season at the legendary Top of the Mountain Opening Concert. Known for his catchy songs such as ‘Tip Toe’, ‘Whatcha Say’ and ‘Colors’ (the official Coca Cola anthem of the 2018 Football World Cup), the live performance will begin at 6 pm with the Silvretta mountains acting as a magnificent backdrop. Opening on 22 November 2018, Ischgl has 239 km of pistes ideal for all levels of skier and snowboarder. Admission to the concert is included in a day ski pass, costing €50.50 pp.
For more information, visit: www.ischgl.com
10-16 December 2018: Biathlon World Cup in Hochfilzen
The world’s best athletes in the sport of biathlon will compete for their chance of glory at the Biathlon World Cup, at the Biathlon Centre in Hochfilzen. Situated at an elevation of 1,100 metres in the heart of the PillerseeTal Valley, the complex, which was built last season, cost more than 20 million euros to construct and is the place to see some outstanding shooting and high-speed cross-country action. Tickets cost from €15 per adult, children up to age 16 can often go free.
For more information, visit: www.biathlon-hochfilzen.at
3-4 January 2019: Four Hills Tournament in Innsbruck
Watch the world’s top ski jumpers as they gather at the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck for the fourth 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
5-20 January 2019: 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 event. Activities include dog-sleigh rides, musher parties and chats round the campfire. Visitors can enjoy free admission to all the events.
For more information, visit: www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com
12-27 January 2019: International Tannheimer Tal Valley Balloon Festival in Tannheim
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, visit: www.tannheimertal.com
17-20 January 2019: 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 15th edition of the competition will kick off on Thursday 17 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: www.kitzbuehelpolo.com
21-27 January 2019: 79th Hahnenkamm World Cup
Translated as Rooster’s Comb, the Hahnenkamm is regarded as the most demanding race course in the World Cup circuit. The blood-curdling descent attracts the world’s best skiers and thousands of spectators each year, keen to battle it out on the icy, steep and twisty track where speeds can often reach 140 kph. It’s certainly a sight to behold.
For more information, visit: www.kitzbuehel.com or www.fis-ski.com or www.hahnenkamm.com
9-10 February 2019: International Tirolean Koasa Race, Wilder Kaiser
More than 2,000 cross country skiers from all around the globe will compete for their chance at glory at the International Tirolean Koasa Race in February 2019. The 47th competition will take competitors through the environs of St. Johann in Tirol, Niederhofen, Kirchdorf und Rettenbach on wonderful and immaculately groomed trails.
For further information, visit: www.tyrol.com
19 February-3 March 2019: FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Seefeld
2019 sees the momentous return of the Nordic World Ski Championships to Seefeld from 19 February to 3 March 2019. It is the second time Seefeld has hosted the event (the first being back in 1985) and preparations are underway already with the construction of two new stadiums, as well as the renovation of existing infrastructure. Athletes will compete across a variety of events, including Nordic Combined, Cross-Country and Ski Jumping, with world champions crowned in each.
Day ticket prices start from €30 per adult and €15 per child (up to the age of 18).
For more information, visit: www.seefeld.com
22-28 February 2019: 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 February 2019. 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
23 February 2019: 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 €35 pp.
For more information, visit: www.tyrol.com
4-5 April 2019: 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. A day’s lift pass costs from €54.50 per adult and €30 per child.
For more information, visit: www.electric-mountain-festival.com
8-13 April 2019: Snowbombing, Mayrhofen
Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, Snowbombing is famous for its adrenaline-fuelled snowboarding and crazy partying in 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 2019 line-up is yet to be announced, but past acts comprise Rudimental, Chase & Status and Craig David. A five-night stay, from 8 April 2019, is priced from £269 pp (two sharing) and includes a festival wristband and five nights’ B&B accommodation. Return flights and transfers extra.
For more information, visit: www.snowbombing.com
12 April 2019: HANNIBAL – The Open-Air Theatre
Hannibal is a real-time theatre play with more than 500 participating actors at Rettenbach Glacier located above 3,000 meters altitude. Last year, about 8000 visitors came to the glacier stage to see the historical crossing of the Alps by the famous Carthaginian strategist. The show is absolutely unique, incomparable to all other open-air plays.
For more information, visit: www.hannibal.soelden.com
21 April 2019: 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! The entry fee costs €45 pp including the finishing presentation and a pasta party.
For more information, visit: www.stantonamarlberg.com
30 April 2019: 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 2018, German superstar, Helene Fischer, took to the main stage, and other big names such as Kylie Minogue, Pink and Elton John have performed here in previous years. The 2019 act has not been named yet, so watch this space.
For more information, visit: www.ischgl.com
For more information about the Tirol region, visit www.visittirol.co.uk. Alternatively, keep up to date on Facebook www.facebook.com/visittirol or Twitter @VisitTirol.