What’s New in the Austrian Tirol for 2015-16

Sept. 4, 2015 - PRLog -- NEW LIFTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE:

New Tirol-S gondola

For decades there has been talk of a lift linking the resorts Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang in Salzburgerland with Fieberbrunn in Tirol. Finally this talk has transformed into a reality and from December 2015 the Austrian provinces of Tirol and Salzburgerland will be joined together by the new high-speed ‘Tirol S’ gondola, with the new name of Skicirkus Saalbach Hinterglemm/Leogang Fieberbrunn. The connection between the four resorts is being made by a 10-seat gondola from the valley station at Reckmoos South in Fieberbrunn up to the mountain station at Reiterkogel at 1819m. The creation of the new 3.5km long ‘Vierstadlalm’ red piste will take skiers and boarders from the top of Reiterkogel. With 270km of piste, served by 70 lifts, the ‘TirolS’ has helped create, not only one of the largest ski areas in Austria, but also one of the most varied. www.kitzbueheler-alpen.com/en/fieberbrunn

Brand new 10 seater Hartkaiserbahn cable car in Ellmau

Framed by the Wilder Kaiser mountains and after 44 years of service, the iconic Hartkaiser funicular railway in Ellmau retired at the end of last season.  The replacement will be a 10-seater cable car, transporting skiers and snowboarders 2.1km up the mountain to an altitude of 1530m. Capacity will double, carrying up to 3200 people an hour, and the cabins will include WIFI, heated seats and there will be a longer access platform for easier boarding. The valley station has been redeveloped, to include a sports shop, a heated ski storage area, restaurant, après-ski bar plus a new underground car park with more than 150 places. At the top station, the “Erlebniseldorado Hartkaiser” is being created with its own children’s restaurant, childcare for toddlers, ski school with children’s ski school and ski storage.  www.skiwelt.at

Mayrhofen’s new 3S Penkenbahn

Mayrhofen continues to be one of the most popular resorts for British skiers. Winter 2015-16 will see the long-awaited replacement of the new and improved Penkenbahn, a state-of-the-art 3S gondola. Starting at the bottom station at 654m, the renovated Penkenbahn can carry up to 2880 people to a top station altitude of 1790m. With 24 seats per gondola, the ride to the top will take just 8.2minutes and the increased capacity will dramatically reduce lift queues and waiting times down in the valley. www.mayrhofner-bergbahnen.com

NEW HOTELS:

Kitzbühel Alps - St. Johann: former ski racer Hermann Maier opens new hotel

The Austrian ex- ski racer Hermann Maier, along with former teammate Rainer Schoenfelder, will be the proud owners of a new adeo hotel, which will open in St Johann in Tirol on 15th January 2016. Their aim is to open up several hotels throughout Austria, with the ultimate goal of making skiing more affordable to everyone, especially families. Hermann Maier, explains, „We want Austria to stay a skiing country. Everybody that wants to ski, should be able to afford this in the future with fair hotel prices“. The first is the the new 3* adeo ALPIN Hotel in St Johann in Tirol, which will offer 85 rooms, as well as a small spa on the top floor, a restaurant on the ground floor, free WIFI in the whole hotel and a ski room with lockers for ski clothing too.  The focus is on functionality and the little things that are important on skiing holidays. Having stayed at hundreds of hotels in ski resorts across the world, the pair know what is needed – and what isn’t. Prices start from €87 per person for 3 nights in a double room. The family units comprise of two double rooms with a connecting door and start from €119 (max. 4 Personen) per night. Prices are on a room only basis, daily supplement of €6 for breakfast or €16 for half board. http://www.adeo-alpin.com/english/index.php

East Tirol: New family hotel in Obertilliach

In December 2015, the new 4* Almfamilyhotel Scherer (http://www.almfamilyhotel.com/) will open in Obertilliach, one of the locations featured in the new James Bond movie SPECTRE. At 1450m, the hotel enjoys a quiet location and is conveniently close to the lift accessing the Golzentipp Obertilliach ski area. Family suites or interconnecting rooms can sleep from 4 to 6 people. Prices, inclusive of half board, start from €74 per adult per night and between €22-€30 per child, dependent on age. http://www.almfamilyhotel.com/

Kitzbühel Alps - Brixental: New Apartment Resort

The 4* Resort Tirol, a new apartment resort, will open in Brixen im Thale for winter 2015-16. Combining contemporary design with rustic charm, the complex will include a total of 22 new apartments, each with its own private entrance and with a maximum occupancy of 6 people. Located just a few minutes walk from the village of Brixen im Thale, the apartments are in a prime position to explore the Ski Welt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, as well as Kitzbühel – Kirchberg. Prices start from €110 / day. Visit www.resortirol.at.

OTHER NEWS:

St. Anton am Arlberg: A new art gallery from the owners of the Arlberg Hospiz Hotel

A brand new Contemporary Art and Concert Hall, arlberg1800 (http://www.arlberg1800.at/?lang=en), will open for winter 2015-16 in the resort of St Anton am Arlberg. This ambitious new cultural attraction will offer visitors the opportunity to get an overview of the region through the language of art and music and specially curated exhibitions. The new arlberg1800 will open on 4th October 2015 and will be the latest addition to the Arlberg Hospiz portfolio, which includes the 5* Hotel Arlberg Hospiz, the Chalet Skyfall and the Hospiz Alm restaurant.