While the valley down in Sölden wears its most colorful autumn dress, scenic Rettenbach and Tiefenbach Glaciers get ready for the first ultimate skiing adventures. The official kick-off event for the coming winter season - Maxxx Mountain First Snow on October 07-09, 2011 - boasts a variety of highlights and attractions for winter sports fans.

Bode Miller (USA) in Sölden, photo: Sölden

- Free ski and snowboard euqipment test of all top brands
- Live concert with Mr. Nice
- Air2Bag contest
- Party in Sölden's pubs and bars

It's snowing in Sölden, perfect for the glacier opening this weekend...

Meanwhile the following lifts and pists are already open: "Schwarze Schneidbahn I +  II. Sektion", "Piste 32" and first professionals and ski teams are skiing on the Rettenbach glacier in Sölden.

Find more at www.soelden.com

Snow in sight in Sölden

ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. It is not even 3 weeks left before the heart of the Ski World Cup fans beat a bit faster. Traditionally, the ladies will open on the AUDI FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2011/12 season on Saturday 22 October. At 10.00 clock in the morning, the Women's giant slalom kicks off. The season opens for the fourteenth time at the Rettenbachgletscher, located at 2500 meters.

While the fans and athletes are excited for the season opener, chief of race and ÖSV coach Gstrein, hope for a cooling change in weather two weeks before the race: "We can expect a significant snowfall and temperatures between minus ten and twelve degrees. I'm not worried, I see no problem and I am very positive. The conditions seem to be very good"

In addition to the assistance of Petrus, Gstrein can also rely on 17 snow cannons along the World Cup track. To have the perfect preparations for the start the ramp and the finish area, they were already covered. This also refers to the area of the steepest slope parts, where the preparations on the race track should not be a problem.

From next week 15 to 20 people will be working on the mountain, before the detailed work will be carried out ten days before the race. "About 40 workers will be in action at the last time period. And from then it will be from day to day, " an excited Gstrein explains, looking forward to welcome the entire ski world again for the classy World Cup opening.

FISalpine.com
Thursday 6 October 2011