Isn't it just natural that everyone is searching for joy and happiness? When freshly fallen snow turns into lush on city roads and drivers complain about traffic jams it's high noon for winter sport fans and mountain lift companies. The most beautiful thing can be found above the timberline: glittering snow fields, winter wonderlands and snow-topped mountain peaks await you there. It's heaven!

Traumhafte Pistenverhältnisse bis in den Mai – auf den 5 Tiroler Gletschern macht der Sonnenskilauf besonders viel Spaß. Höher ist nicht nämlich nur besser, sondern auch länger. © Stubaier Gletscher

"80 cm of powder snow on Hintertux Glacier", "50 cm of freshly fallen snow in Stubai", "50 cm new snow and 4 degree Celsius at Kaunergrat" – sensational news already in September. Sports pors and experts already head for their favorite training slopes beyond 300 meters sea level in Tirol's highest ski areas.

Snow Galore - Skiing in September and October

After heavy snowfalls during the night of 18/19 September 2011 plenty of sunshine is expected but also low temperatures, which is perfect for the snow layer.

Ski lifts on all 5 Tirolean Glaciers are already in operation!

Hintertux Glacier Year-round ski area, up to 105 cm new snow at Gefrorene Wand, 18 km of well-groomed ski slopes already in September, 7 ski lifts are in operation, more lifts will be open soon. Better Snow Park: chief shaper Wille Kaufmann and his team have already made the Medium Line and Jib Line in the upper part. Hotzone.TV Park Opening, 30 Sep – 02 Oct 2011.

Kaunertal Glacier Winter is back! A part of the ski lifts open on 24 Sep 2011, daily 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. The 26th Kaunertal Glacier Opening will be on October 14th-16th, 2011. The opening of all ski lifts depends on the snow conditions.

Sölden Glacier/Ötztal 5 ski lifts are in operation from mid-September, all ski lifts open on the occasion (snow permitting) of the FIRST SNOW Glacier Opening 07-09 Oct 11, FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Opening 21-23 Oct 11. Winter ski area opens on 19 Nov 2011.

Stubai Glacier 50 cm of fresh snow in September, ski lifts open on 21 Sep 2011, Snow Park Opening at Stubai Zoo 21-23 Oct 2011.

Pitztal Glacier Already three mountain lifts are in operation: Gletscher-Express, Panoramabahn, Rifflseebahn; excellent snow conditions! Open daily from now on!

Ski Area Opennings in November

17.11.2011 Obergurgl
19.11.2011 Axamer Lizum (snow permitting)
25.11.2011 Tiroler Zugspitzbahn
25.11.2011 Kühtai
25.11.2011 Ischgl ii Paznaun
25.11.2011 Nordkettenbahnen Innsbruck
26.11.2011 Mayrhofen (Penkenbahn and Horbergbahn)

Snow permitting some mountain lifts are in operation from mid-November – on weekends! More detailed information available at the local tourist offices.

Winter Season Opening Events
Tirol's winter sport resorts offer a myriad of entertaining events for skiers and boarders on the occasion of the 2011/2012 winter season opening

Anticipation is half the pleasure! Already in mid-October passionate snow enthusiasts get ready for the coming winter sport season. And after the first snowfalls in high Alpine regions they can't wait for their first day in the snow. The Tirolean winter sport resorts once again offer a truly exciting ski and snowboard opening program for the coming 2011/12 winter season. Take a look at some highlights:

• Splendid Hintertux Glacier is the hot spot of the freestyle community: the Hotzone.tv Park Opening, taking place 30 Sep – 02 Oct 2011, features an excellent sports program, real local pros on the spot, the newest stuff, fun-filled sessions plus a Shred Warm-up Party.

• Among the earliest openings also ranks the Sölden - Maxxx First Snow Glacier Start, 07 – 09 October 2011. Great equipment and material tests on the glacier slopes plus varied show programs, concerts and fun-filled nightlife in Sölden's pubs, bars and discos.

• Snowboarders get together at the 26th edition of the legendary Kaunertal Opening at Snow Park Kaunertal, 14 - 16 October 2011. Many attractions, equipment "testival", films, top bands at the festival marquee in Feichten.

• On Stubai Glacier everything is about "snow, brands and party" at the Snow Park Opening - Stubai Zoo from 21 – 23 October 2011. Sessions, battles, contests, brand saloon und opening party on 3 floors.

• Opening Party at the highest level in Ischgl, presenting another ultimate Top of the Mountain Concert: this year's star is Roxette live in concert on 26 November 2011. The Swedish pop band will perform their outstanding show at Ischgl's sport field. What's best, the Ischgl ski ticket is a concert ticket at the same time.

• St. Anton am Arlberg celebrates its Ski Opening from 02 - 04 December 2011: 3-day ski and snowboard equipment test of all renowned brands, live music by the SWR 3 cover band.

• The giant SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental attracts winter sport fans from near and far. From 09 – 11 December 2011 there is "High Voltage" in Söll (concert on Friday, 09 Dec), accompanied by ski equipment tests and the big Après-Ski Party in Söll: ice bar, ice sculptures, live acts (Sat, 10 Dec) and "headache adieu brunch" in Hochsöll (Sun, 11 Dec).

• Picturesque Zillertal Arena invites all passionate ski and snowboard fans to a huge Open Air Party taking place in Gerlos and Zell from 16 – 18 December 2011.

• Unlimited skiing pleasures are also guaranteed thanks to the ultimate Tirol Snow Card including some incredible 3,584 km of slopes and 1045 mountain lifts in 81 different ski areas spread all over Tirol!

Tirol Werbung - Tirol Tourist Board
www.tirol.at
www.tirolergletscher.com