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Excursion To Austrian Alps Means An Avalanche Of Fun

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By MARCIA BIGGS The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2007

INNSBRUCK, Austria - The description in the ski club newsletter was so tantalizing, it was hard to pass up.

A week in Innsbruck, Austria, home of world-class skiing, fairytale castles, imperial history and Tirolean culture. The price was certainly right, and the February date was promising for good snow. Best of all, it was a Florida Ski Council trip, which meant that ski clubs from across the state would converge here for a week of non-stop skiing, sightseeing and partying.

Did I say it was also the week of Fasching, which is the Austrian version of Mardi Gras?

Needless to say, I survived my Austrian ski adventure. Would I join another trip with a ski club? You bet.

Usually I ski in the States, where it's no problem to round up a few friends to join me. This time, however, I had a hankering to go to Europe. For various reasons - no passport, no money, no time - I had no one to travel with, so I checked the trip roster for the Tampa Bay Snow Skiers and Boarders. Voila!

At a pre-trip party with co-leaders Bill Handley and Al Desilet, I met my roommate, Sara, and most of the group. A few weeks later, 82 fun-loving club members and friends crossed the pond toward Austria.

Vacationing in Europe opens up the eyes and senses to the world's history and culture - art, language, food, music. In Innsbruck, it was wonderful to be immersed in a city filled with such rich history - the walled Old Town and Hofburg Imperial Palace were just up the street from our quaint but modern hotel, the Grauer Baer.

The peaks of the Nordkette range, home of the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games, surround the city. The picturesque countryside, dotted with castles and small villages, is ripe for exploration.

We skied, we ate, we drank, we danced, we shopped. We took excursions to Salzburg in search of Mozart, to Venice in search of Carnivale (yes, it really was that week) and to the Swarovski Crystal Factory in search of figurines. We marveled at the churches, meandered through the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Town and sipped espresso in the outdoor cafes.

Nearly 500 people from the Florida Ski Council clubs were treated like, well, royalty during our stay. Upon our arrival, we paraded through the streets led by an authentic Tirolean brass marching band to the courtyard of the palace. Here, we were greeted by the mayor and treated to more music, hot chocolate and jelly doughnuts (which, we came to find out, are eaten everywhere by everyone in Innsbruck).

The following evening, we were entertained with excellent ethnic music and a dance program at the convention center. Oompah!

Each day, we were allowed to pick from several options on a board in the hotel lobby - a guided city walking tour, a bus trip to Castle Neuschwanstein, skiing in St. Anton. This allowed nonskiers plenty of things to do, too.

As far as the skiing, the majestic Alps are truly amazing. But beware of the mild winters that have plagued Europe in the past decade. Temperatures were mild in February, and conditions went from good to downright dirt and mush by late afternoon. And the Europeans still have a thing or two to learn about courtesy in the lift lines, signage and grooming.

Don't expect Vail, and you won't be disappointed.

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