| Austria has only 8 million inhabitants. It is one of the | | | | from all over the world are coming to Austria to train |
| smallest countries of the European Union and it is not | | | | on the glaciers. In winter time Austria is the place |
| surprising that Austria's political influence in Europe is | | | | where most FIS worldcup races take place. Of |
| rather small. There is one field however where | | | | course Austria is not only a place for athletes. During |
| Austria has a world famous reputation. Without a | | | | the last thirty years the country has turned from an |
| doubt Austria is a global power in alpine skiing. | | | | agricultural country into one of the richest countries in |
| Austrian skiers have won 30 gold medals at olympic | | | | Europe. Especially winter tourism plays a very |
| games. Nearly twice as much as Switzerland which | | | | important role in that development. The guests can |
| ranks second. | | | | definitely profit from that. High-end chair lifts and |
| If you have a look at the map of the small country in | | | | gondolas with heated seats guarantee a comfortable |
| the middle of Europe, this record doesn´t | | | | stay on the mountains even in the case of bad |
| seem to be very surprising. 60% of the area of | | | | weather. |
| Austria is alpine. The highest mountain (the | | | | The largest Austrian ski resorts are St. Anton |
| Großglockner) reaches a height of nearly 4000 | | | | (456km of slopes), Skiwelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental |
| metres. But there is another record Austria can | | | | (279km of slopes) and Ischgl (210km of slopes). |
| boast. Alpine skiers can choose from more than 300 | | | | Especially Ischgl and and St Anton are world famous |
| ski resorts in Austria. Among those resorts there are | | | | not only for their slopes. Loud parties and |
| seven glacier ski resorts. At Dachstein resort, | | | | Après-Ski until the morning hours especially |
| Stubaital (Stubai valley), Pitztal glacier, Kaunertal | | | | attract young skiers and snowboarders. Facing global |
| glacier, Sölden and Mölltal glacier, skiing is | | | | warming Austrian governments are investing in the |
| possible from September until the end of June. | | | | exploration of 20 new ski resorts above 3000 |
| In Hintertux the lifts are running even 365 days a | | | | metres. This should guarantee the status of Austria |
| year! Hence there are no better conditions for | | | | being a global power in the future, at least in |
| training anywhere on earth. During summer, athletes | | | | conjunction with alpine skiing. |