Austrian Glaciers Announce Autumn Opening Festivities
Austrian Glaciers Announce Autumn Opening Festivities
Published : 12-Aug-2024 10:03
Austrian glacier ski centres have begun announced their planned season opening dates in early autumn.
Historically eight Austrian glaciers open their seasons in September and October although one of these, the Dachstein, has now given up offering alpine skiing and others have slipped to later opening date with most now targeting October rather than September, although a few still hope to open at the end of the month if conditions allow.
However, Austria still often has more areas open by late October than the rest of Europe (and sometimes the whole northern hemisphere) combined.
Currently Solden is targeting 27th September to start their season, the Pitztal Glacier the next day.
The Kaunertal are aiming for 4th October and the Kitzsteinhorn the 12th with the Mölltal waiting to the 26th, but all are stressing the dates are snow dependent. The Stubai have so far just said "mid-October".
Most of the glaciers have special opening festivals a few weeks after they open which often see autumn terrain parks unveiled, new season gear testing and Oktoberfest style beer tents. Some also offer specialist lectures, avalanche awareness courses and other workshops and entertainments too.
The Stubai has a series of celebrations planned with an Oktoberfest on 26-27 October, then snowpark opening from 8-10 November before the Freeride World Cup Opening is planned for 20-23 November.
The Pitztaler Glacier says there's will be from 9-11 November and the Kaunertal has gone for 9th November for the start of their annual 'Schneebeben' days.
Currently only one glacier, Hintertux, is open in Austria and struggling with rapid snow loss from its glacial ice due to high temperatures at high altitudes in the Alps over the past few weeks.
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