Hintertux Glacier
The glacier @ Hintertux will be today’s topic.
The little remote town Hintertux in Tyrol lies at the foot of the Hintertux Glacier. This region is particularly well-known for its astonishing mountains and glaciers. In general, many regions in Austria that provide access to skiing throughout the summer are very popular in the country. Even the windy roads up to Hintertux make your trip a non-forgettable adventure. At the end of the 20th century, many new establishments such as hotels, restaurants, pensions were built and some old farmhouses renovated and refurnished in order to drive tourism. The so called “Tuxer Ferner Glacier” is an all season ski resort with many lifts and slopes. As part of the “Zillertal 3000″ ski region, the destination attracts many visitors from all around the world that enjoy the freedom and tranquility in high altitude.
Although, Hintertux has not even 200 inhabitants living in the little town, its tourism capacity and occupancy rate throughout the entire year speaks for itself. The resort peaks at 3,350m above sea level and offers astonishing views down to the valley. Depending on the weather conditions access to many slopes and lifts provide excellent skiing opportunities for mainly intermediate to advanced skiers. Many professional ski teams choose to go to Hintertux for pre-season training purposes. The “Gefrorene Wand” slope is particularly interesting for Giant Slalom and Slalom training as it comes with a lot of steepness.
I personally enjoyed the training possibilities at the resort. Our team was mainly going to Hintertux other than similar destinations in Austria majorly due to its fluctuating terrain. Slopes come with different shapes and patterns. It’s versatile terrain makes it one of the best pre-season training hills in Europe. In comparison to other glaciers in AUstria, its easy accessibility and well-established accommodations will make your visit pleasant and enjoyable.
Any further recommendation or information of the ski destination can be derived from http://www.hintertuxergletscher.at/de/home.html or simply commenting on my blog post in order to discuss the the ski resort more detailed.
Best,
Michael
the ultimate travelog of a 26 year old…
Hey Community, friends, like-minded people, bloggers…
before I even start blooging today, I have to announce that I turned 26 on the 26th of February 2013, which is undoubtedly TODAY 
I think it’s time to give you guys some insight into my life and how everything has developed, why I am writing this blog and what my intentions are… I am additionally uploading some pictures to make this article enjoyable to look at, because I know from experience that it is a proven fact that people continue reading much more likely when they see pictures they can associate with……
…so eventually everything started with sport, sport and sport. You won’t believe it, but everything I did was going to school and doing some sport activities in the afternoon. I don’t want to brag but I have always been a very gifted sportsman…My Dad, was the one person in my life that was majorly responsible for my physical development from early years onwards. He taught me pretty much everything from picking up a ball, throwing, running, jumping etc…. I wouldn’t be able to write a BLOG about ski destinations, adventures and skiing if he wouldn’t have educated me about sports. Tennis, soccer and skiing has been key in my development. Frequently, I went to tournaments in all 3 disciplines, got awarded a few times and enjoyed the fun and freedom the sport has provided over those years.
…when I went to Ski-Academy almost 12 years back, I didn’t know and/or think about how important sport will become in the future. It all arouse, as the Iphone or any other things in life do. Nothing happens overnight but it eventually changes a person or the way people think when you are really intrigued by something. Later as a coach in Europe and Australia, I got to know the other side of the medal. The side that tells you that their is always something more important than your personal success and/or achievements. Life is much more about giving than taking or might I be wrong? I don’t think so…. Giving back to people, helping people, improving people and working together to reach goals and overlook barriers is life-changing in every aspect. 
…surfing has just turned out to be another activity I could practice up and down without getting bored. It was actually just a few months back in October 2012 when I started surfing in Australia. Surely, I have not been “Kelly Slater” the first day I went out into the water, but at least, I look similar to him as some friends announced ##self sarcasm##
Anyway surfing provides people with FReeDOm, InDEPENdance, REMotEneSS and POweR
…the waves come-along with so much momentum, accuracy and intensity that you have to be ready for it, but the felling once you hit wave and it takes you on board is a felling that everyone has to explore.
…back in Austria there is so much stuff you can do. As you guys might know already from my previous articles, I grew up in a little town in Austria. There was never much going on whilst my childhood except the enjoyment of nature, mountains and tranquility. Mountain-biking opportunities are fairly endless. The water quality in the Austrian mountains speaks for itself as it basically allows you to drink freely without risking any diseases. It’s really a holly place that cannot be appreciated more enough by the Austrian citizens…
You have gained a little insight into my life and what sports means to me…certainly a lot and that’s something I would like to get across to my followers, readers and other bloggers!
Thanks guys for reading “THE ULTIMATE TRAVELOVG of a 26 year old…..
Best, Mike
AOMORI/OWANI ski resort in JAPAN is today’s topic
- The Destination:
Aomori is a large city in the northern Tohoku region of Japan. The destination has an approximate population of 300,000 people. A total area of 824,5m km² with around 295.ooo inhabitants (Data from 1 November 2012). If you are unfamiliar with the map of Japan, the destination is located between the south side of Hakkoda Mountains and the southern end of Mutsu Bay.
- The Ski Resort:
Aomori as a ski destination is highly regarded by international travelers as it offers excellent skiing. Skiing in Aomori dates back many, many years and is therefore one of the oldest ski destinations in Japan. It is famous for its amazing powder and off-pist terrain. At some days the snow can dump down so intensively that the Mountain Operation Team has problems keeping the lifts running and the slope safe, but if you are after some adrenalin and adventure don’t hesitate to go out skiing if its open.
Aomori as a region encompasses many different ski destinations such as:
- Moya Hills Ski Resort,
- Hakkoda Ski Resort,
- Ajigasawa Ski Resort,
- Owani Ski Resort,
- Makado Ski Resort,
and Towadako Ski Resort. I personally skied in Owani, but that dates back a few years when I was still doing competitive ski racing. Owani is the largest ski resort in the prefecture. In 2003, the ski destination was hosting the Winter Asian Games for child athletes, where I participated for the Austrian ski federation. A team of 4 junior athletes – in 2003 – were nominated by the Federation to attend the Asian Winter Games in order to represent the color of our country. Undoubtedly, it has been a fairly long travel to Japan, but the experience and impressions helped me in my professional development as a ski athlete, and later as a student at University. It’s all about experience, culture and people isn’t it? From the domestic airport of Aomori, it took around 90 minutes by bus to get to the Owani ski destination, which is located in the middle of the vast wilderness of Japan.
- What’s the skiing like:
Insanely great with abundant amount of snow, snow and snow. I remember that it has been snowing for three days in a row without any signs of stopping or releasing. We could have easily jumped out of the window of the 4 floor without taking any particular risk. Sorry, I digress again! The ski resort offers a variety of slopes for beginners, intermediates and very advanced skiers. Families, groups of students, athletes or just the recreational type of skier, Owani has got something to offer for everyone. As I mentioned before, you will be surrounded by the vast wilderness away from big civilization such as Tokyo, for example. There is so much different terrain available to you, that it won’t make sense to point out any particular slope or terrain. Alpine free-skiing in Japan is considered to be the ultimate adventure for powder fanatics and adventure seekers. It is so remote in comparison to any ski resort in Europe! As European, I guarantee that you will find it amazing and very different to what you are used to back home. Old lift systems without any safety bars and “fluctuating” guidelines and regulations are just one feature to point out.
Don’t take this the wrong way, I have been to Aomori/Owany in 2003, so the safety regulations may have changed since my visit, but I just loved how it was back then, and Owani keeps going that road.
- Keep in mind:
………..Modern ski destinations run clockwise, but Aomori runs anti-clockwise and that’s why its distinction derives……………
Reiteralm
Reiteralm is the most famous pre-season training hill for the Austrian National Ski Team. The mountain open its doors at the end of October and is therefore well-known within different international World Cup Teams as best pre-season training spot. As part of the Schladming 4-Mountains Ski Resorts, a network of four mountains that were connected in order to lure more customers to this area, Reiteralm positions itself as the “early bird” under the group of ski destinations. Heading off the highway coming from Salzburg, Reiteralm is the perfect entrance to the 4-Mountains Ski Resorts. Its easy accessibility and close proximity to the highway attracts many visitors. The entrepreneurs Steiner, Keinprecht and Walcher were the pioneers and visionaries that have taken on responsibility to build the Reiteralm ski resort. It was 1971 when the first shareholder meeting has taken place and the foundation stone was laid. The actual permission to develop a ski lift system has been granted nine months later.
At present, the Reiteralm Ski Resort is a thriving, entrepreneurial and innovative business that developed outstanding customer feedback and remuneration. Due to its ongoing investments in new slopes, lift-systems and housings the destination is growing even faster in market driven environment. Lately, the ski resort received many Sommer and Winter awards. One of the most important awards within the Winter industry segment is the “Internationales Pistengütesiegel in Gold” which is the highest possible distinction in this field.
With 170km of skiable terrain, 81 operation systems and 4 previously independent ski destinations, the Schladming 4-Mountains Ski Resorts nowadays count as one of the five best ski destinations in Austria. The fluctuation and versatility of the slopes speaks for itself. If you enter Reiteralm in the morning you will be able to ski the whole day on different slopes and terrains. From Reiteralm to Hauser Kaibling (exit point of the 4-Mountains Ski Resorts) you can carve on the corduroy and explore the uniqueness of the “Dachstein region”.
Due to its enormous terrain variety, it makes no sense to particularly draw attention to one or the other slope. It is the inexplicable amount of different options that makes your winter holiday so uniquely fascinating that you wont have second thoughts. Undoubtedly, the prices for lift tickets, housing and transport may be in the high-end segment for Austrian ski destinations, but the 170km of slopes make the price comprehensible.
I wish you all the best during your stay at Reiteralm!
Kjetil Andre Aamodt
Just a few days the Alpin World Championships in Schladming started with the best international athletes to compete against each other. Competitors from all around the world travel to Schladming in order to fully embrace the distinctive atmosphere. As some of you might know, just a handful of them will actually take medals back home. What is it that excites us so much about World Championships and/or Olymic Games? Is is really such an important event? Indeed, I think it is and it will also be uniquely important in comparison to casual world cup events hosted throughout the season. Just looking back a few years ago when Kjetil Andre Aamodt (Norwegian Alpine Athlete) was still competing on the World Cup circus. He won 8 Olymic Medals as well as 5 individual World Championship Gold medals.
No other World Cup athlete has ever won that many medals at Olymic Games and WC than he did. Its somehow odd to believe that he has always shown his best performance right on time when other athletes – counted as favorites before the race – threw away their nerves and weren’t able to retrieve their best performance on DAY X. Anyway, he did and I congratulate him for that.
He was simply able to deliver a performance that was precisely timed. I was always following World Cup races as a child and even by then he was not doing that well at casual World Cup races, but something must have happened to him at Olymic Games and World Championships. How can someone consistently perform better at Olymics and WC over such a long period of time…….
His mental perseverance and strength was outstanding. The ultimate preparation for the most important events must have been his focus over many years. Since his career end, I have not seen any other alpine athlete with similar patterns.
Good Job Kjetil, thumbs up,
Wengen
Hi blogger community……It’s getting historical today. Today, I will be blogging about a little freaky ski town in the Bernese Oberland (Switzerland), called Wengen. The town belongs to the canton of Bern that is also the next biggest city. With an approx. elevation of 4,180 ft above sea level and the most traditional, ancient and unique transport system I ever came by, the town will make a significant contribution to the cultural well-being of the customer. Parking is available at the bottom of the mountain from where the train is taking you up to the town. Usually, heavy engine driven vehicles are denied access to the mountain, expectations may apply in case of an emergency or general supply of goods and/or groceries for residential businesses. Annually, F.I.S Ski World Cup events take place and lure abundant spectators to encourage the Swiss National Ski Team and many other nationalities. The so called “Lauberhornabfahrt” is the longest decent in the Mens Ski World Cup program with a vertical drop of 1,025meters. 
The mountain is exposed to early sunshine and very flat light as it sits up at an excellent vantage. In 2013 the race was just hosted a week ago starting on the 18th of January and ending with a Slalom Race on the 20th of January.
Beside from the World Cup Events where it could get a bit overwhelming for the casual visitor or someone who actually wants explore the distinctiveness of the ski resort, Wengen offers some great slopes that may suit your skills. Regardless of whether you are starting to learn how to ski, or you have already developed a certain skill that may enable you to actively carve the slopes – you will encounter astonishing terrain versatility.
Wengen mixes tradition with modernity, distinctiveness with simplicity and past with present - all wrapped up in a concept that is so outstandingly unique in all its forms that it may never be obtained from any other ski resort in the world.
I highly recommend visiting Wengen that is situated in the Jungfrau region as it may alert you to seriously take one step back and simply enjoy the freedom in high altitude.
