Slopes.Powder.Party

Clear the stage for the start of the new season: the best ski openings in the Alps

Soon the wait will be over. Then the slopes will be rocked again during the day, and in the evening on the stage! Top live acts and DJs from all over the world at the mixing desk celebrate with the ski guests. Whether DJ Antoine and DJ Ötzi or Wanda and Christina Stürmer: The best parties for the start of the ski season 2017/2018 in one go.

Whereas in Switzerland the lifts are simply put into operation at the start of the season, in Austria they organize big events and parties to celebrate the start of the winter season together. There is a lot of entertainment on offer for the guests, whereas here things tend to be a bit monotonous. It takes a lot of effort to organize such events, which doesn't always pay off, but which our neighbors take upon themselves in order to make their guests' stay more enjoyable. Some ski openings have real cult status, so here we present an overview of the most important ones:

by Henning Heilmann

Ischgl 25.11.17 - 30.04.18

Top of The Mountain Concerts

The Tyrolean mountain resort of Ischgl has established itself as a real event stronghold in the Alps with its "Top of the Mountain" concerts. Elton John, Bon Jovi, Kylie Minogue - they've all been here. In the current ski season, Ischgl has two special guests: Andrea Berg and Helene Fischer will leave all Schlager fans breathless. In addition, the sophisticated ski resort of Ischgl/Samnaun attracts skiers with 238 kilometers of slopes up to 2,872 meters, a new 6-seater chairlift, a wide variety of ski routes and excellent award-winning cuisine.

Line-UP
Saturday 25.11.2017
Andrea Berg

Sunday 1.04.2018
Max Giesinger

Monday 30.04.2018
Helene Fischer

Info
TVB Paznaun Ischgl, A-6561 Ischgl
Phone +43 (0)50 990 100
www.ischgl.com

Schladming 1 - 3.12.2017

Snow Break Europe

Florida has the Spring Break, the Stei-rer the Snow Break. For many years, party people from all over Europe have flocked to Schladming to party wildly. With Brit Award winner Martin Garrix, Alle Farben, the Swiss star DJ Antoine & other highlights, pure party is also guaranteed on the Planai in 2017.

The open air concert on Friday on the Planai is the start of an unforgettable party weekend (Be-ginn 18:00). On Saturday, the "Hütteneskalation" on the Kessleralm and finally the traditional Snow Break Europe Party in the Tenne, which is considered the largest apres ski hut in Europe, will follow. On Sunday, skiing on the Planai including the opportunity to test skis, ski school action and après ski is on the agenda before the return journey. This year, too, an extended, brilliant skiing and party weekend is guaranteed on the Planai.

Line-UP
Friday 1.12.2017
Martin Garrix, Alan Walker, Alle Farben, DJ Antoine, Darius & Finlay, Rudy MC
www.snowbreakeurope.com

To the ski resort
The Schladminger 4-mountain ski area offers 123 kilometers of slopes up to 1,894 m

Info
Schladming-Dachstein Tourism Marketing
A.8970 Schladming
Phone +43 3687 23 310
www.saalbach.com

Saalbach-Hinterglemm
8. - 10.12.2017 &
14. – 17.12.2017

Mountain Festival & Rave on Snow

Those who know the legendary "Goaßstall" and après ski in Pinzgau know that the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski circus is known not only for its 270 kilometers of slopes but also for its casual atmosphere and raucous parties. With the BERGFESTival and the Rave on Snow, Saalbach appeals to a young audience. At the start of the season, real top acts storm the stage and the best DJs the turntables on two weekends at once. First, the ski resort of Saalbach-Hinterglemm invites you to the Bergfestival from 8-10.12.17. Top acts such as Wan- da, Christina Stürmer and Großstadt-geflüster will play on Friday 8.12., the already almost legendary Broilers, Käptn Peng & das Tentakel von Delphi and others will party on Saturday 9.12. At the Rave on Snow from 14.-17.12.17 three days and nights with top DJs from all over the world, including Sven Väth and many others.

Line-UP
Friday 8.12.2017
Wanda, Christina Stürmer, Emil Bulls, Grossstadtgeflüster, Massendefekt, Jennifer Rostock Beauty Division DJ Set, Drunken Masters, Liedfett, Evil Jared Hasselhoff, Mittone

Saturday 9.12.2017
Broilers, Bosse, Käptn Peng & Die Ten-takel von Delphi, dicht & ergreifend, Itchy, Faber, Monsters of Liederma-ching, Liedfett, Van Holzen, Mittone Dancefloor Cleaning System
www.berg-festival.com.

To the ski resort
The Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang has 270 kilometers of slopes.

Info
Tourism Association Saalbach Hinterglem, A-5753 Saalbach
Phone+43 6541 6800-68
www.saalbach.com

St. Anton am Arlberg
1.-3.12.2017 & 9.12.2017

Stanton Ski Open

With piste fun and pop rock at its best, St. Anton am Arlberg starts the new winter season from 1 to 3.12.17. Headlining the big Stanton Ski Open on Saturday evening will be Revolverheld ("Lass uns gehen") from Hamburg. The concert will be opened by Regensburg newcomer Jakob Bruckner, and special guest Gregor Meyle will make up for his appearance last year. Afterwards, numerous pubs in the Tyrolean mountain village will be inviting guests to the after-show party. To ensure that the Ski Open is also enjoyed on the slopes, vacationers can test the latest ski and snowboard models from renowned manufacturers free of charge during the opening weekend.

Friends of the après-ski charts will get their money's worth on Saturday, 9.12.2017. Because for the recording of the "Après-Ski Hits 2018" at the legendary Mooserwirt, the après-ski stars will be putting their hands on the blade: DJ Ötzi, Jürgen Drews, Hot Banditoz and many others. Admission is free - first come, first served.

Line-up Stanton Ski Open
Saturday 2.12.2017
Jakob Bruckner, Gregor Meyle,
Gunslinger

Line-UP Aprés Ski Hits 2018
Saturday 9.12.2017
DJ Ötzi, Anni Perka, Jürgen Drews, Feuerherz, Maria Voskania, Zipfelbuben, Willi Herren, Hot Banditoz, Power- kryner, Die Dorfrocker, Melanie Müller, Markus Becker, Buddy, Ole ohne Kohle, Matty Valentino, Ben Zucker, Anna Hofbauer, Ina Colada, Norman Langen

To the ski resort
Since last winter, all ski resorts on the Arlberg have been connected to form Austria's largest interconnected ski area with a total of 305 kilometers of slopes.

Info
Tourist board
St. Anton am Arlberg
A-6580 St. Anton am Arlberg, Tyrol
Phone +43 5446 22690
www.stantonamarlberg.com

Pitztal, 9.12.2017

Ski & Concert

On Saturday, 9.12.2017, it's "Ski & Concert" at Hochzeiger in Pitztal. Christina Stürmer, Austria's most successful pop artist will rock the open-air stage at 2,000 m and musically welcome the new ski winter. Fans can look forward to a very special act in front of a fantastic mountain backdrop and a unique atmosphere. Christina Stürmer has returned from her baby break this year and has already been on tour with her "Side by Side Tour" in many cities in Germany and Austria. Before Christina performs, the young German up-and-coming band "Fünfter März" will heat up the audience from 13:15.

Admission to the open-air concert with Christina Stürmer at the Hochzeiger middle station is free with a valid ski pass. The start of the new Hochzeiger ski season is already planned one week before, on Friday, 1.12.2017.

Line-up Ski & Concert
Saturday 9.12.2017
Christina Stürmer, Fifth March

To the ski resort
In the Hochzeiger ski area, 40 kilometers of slopes up to 2,450 meters attract skiers.

Info
Hochzeiger - Pitztal, A-6474 Jerzens
Phone +43 5414 87000
www.hochzeiger.com

Lech-Zürs, 2.12.2017

Snow, Stars and Barbecue

The Ski Opening in Lech-Zürs on the Arlberg is a rather dignified event. But a top act is also waiting here: Glasperlenspiel ("Geiles Leben") will play at the Snow, Stars and Barbecue on 02.12.2017 on the Rud Alpe. Tickets for the exclusive event with a maximum of 150 participants are available for 79 euros including a day ski pass at radio7.de.

To the ski resort
Since last winter, all ski resorts on the Arlberg have been connected to form Austria's largest interconnected ski area with 305 kilometers of slopes up to 2,811 meters.

Info
Lech Zürs Tourism GmbH
6764 Lech am Arlberg
Phone: +43 5583 2161-0
www.lech-zuers.at

Sölden 1.12.17-16.03.18

Electronic Mountain Parties

Friends of deep house, fat beats and powder snow get their money's worth in Sölden in Pitztal. Thanks to the Area 47 Snowpark and many other attractions, young snowboarders in particular feel addressed here. Wild parties are held four times a season at the Electric Mountain Parties on the Giggijoch. The glacier ski area up to 3,340 meters offers pure snow safety.

Saturday 1.12.2017
DJ Chris Armada / Burak Yeter

Friday 19.01.2018
DJ Instyle / Wild Culture & Friends

Friday 16.02.2018
DJ Instyle / Quintino

Friday 16.03.2018
DJ Chris Armada / Ofenbach

To the ski resort
In Sölden, 146 kilometers of slopes up to 3,340 meters attract visitors.

Info
Ötztal Tourism
A-6450 Sölden
Phone +43 (0) 57200 200
www.soelden.com

Obertauern 25.11. & 2.12.2017

Obertauern Beats & Andreas Bourani

Early sports enthusiasts can rejoice: As early as November 22, 2017, the ski lifts in Obertauern, one of the snowiest winter sports resorts in Austria, will start operating again. As every year, the start of the season will be celebrated in a big way: The Electronic Festival "Obertauern Beats" will kick things off on Saturday, 25.11.2017. International star DJs such as Felix Jaehn, Gabry Ponte and many more will rock the Austrian winter hotspot with their hot beats.

Then on Saturday, 02.12.2017, a firework of endorphins will be ignited. "Cheers to what lies ahead, that there is the best for us!" The live performance of Andreas Bourani is the highlight at the start of the season in Obertauern.

To the ski resort
In Obertauern, 100 kilometers of slopes up to 2,315 meters entice you

Info
Lift Community Obertauern GmbH
A-5562 Obertauern
Phone +43 (0)6456 7554
www.obertauern.com