A two-seater chairlift from 1981 is making way for a 10-person gondola in St. Johann in Tirol - and if you never rode the old Jodlalm double chair, you missed something. Construction is underway now, capacity jumps from a crawl to 2,400 people per hour, and the new gondola runs direct to the Harschbichl summit at 1,603m without a transfer. Opening planned for winter 2026-27. The chairs from the old lift were sold off - someone's getting a unique garden feature.
Mayrhofen has a reputation that starts with one famously steep groomed run and ends with 548 kilometres of valley-wide terrain. Here's an honest breakdown of all six sectors, the lift system, pricing, and who this resort actually suits.
Epic Pass is expanding its Austrian coverage for 2026-27, adding Zillertal Arena, Hochzillertal-Hochfügen, and Spieljoch to its existing Mayrhofen and Hintertux Glacier partnerships. The Zillertal Valley additions bring 339 miles of runs and 118 lifts to the pass. Here's what Australian skiers need to know about the region and what the expansion means for trip planning.
Kaunertal Glacier is calling its 2025/26 season on May 17 - earlier than planned - despite picking up around 7 cm of fresh snow this week with more forecast before the weekend. Snow depths remain solid at altitude, but warm spells, operating costs, and low capacity utilisation have tipped the decision. The planned KTE snowpark event is also off.
Two burglars who broke into a restaurant and attempted to escape down Ischgl's ski slopes at 2am were caught after an alert snowcat driver spotted them hiding in trees. Austrian police used snow groomers to reach the remote location and apprehend the suspects.
Two experienced backcountry skiers died in an avalanche on Tamlspitze in Austria's Tux Valley on 28 February, pushing the country's seasonal death toll to 28—more than double the 10-year average. The fatalities underscore ongoing instability from a persistent weak layer affecting the Alps.
Ischgl has opened two new eight-seat chairlifts, including what it claims is the world's shortest heated eight-seater. The Höllbodenbahn and Sassgalunbahn installations mark the latest phase in the Austrian resort's ongoing lift replacement programme, with another project already scheduled for 2026.
St. Anton am Arlberg has been admitted to the prestigious 'Club 5', an association of top World Cup ski racing venues. This recognition bolsters the resort's bid to host the 2033 World Championships.
Sölden ski resort is set to enhance its lift system with a new 8-seater chairlift 'Silberbrünnl' and improved slope connections, offering skiers and riders better access and more diverse terrain options.
Tyrol's 2024/25 winter tourism season faces ups and downs, with slight decreases in arrivals and overnight stays. Despite challenges, the industry remains stable, adapting to changing conditions and maintaining its role as a key economic driver for the region.
The Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun has achieved a significant milestone, recording over 2 million first-time visitors for the 2024/25 winter season, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels of success.
Vail Resorts adds Sölden, Austria to the Epic Pass lineup for the 2025/26 ski season, offering pass holders access to this high-altitude resort known for its reliable snow and modern amenities.
Vail Resorts expands its Epic Pass offering to include Saalbach and Zell am See-Kaprun in Austria for the 2025/26 ski season. This addition provides pass holders access to two of Austria's premier ski areas, enhancing the global appeal of the Epic Pass.
Ischgl, a popular Austrian ski resort, is investing €50 million to replace three existing lifts with state-of-the-art 8-person bubble chairlifts, enhancing guest comfort and transport capacity.
Discussions are underway to merge KitzSki and SkiWelt, potentially forming Austria's largest interconnected ski area with over 500 kilometres of slopes.
Kitzbühel's Sound | Escape electronic music festival has successfully revitalised the resort's late March weekend, attracting visitors and boosting local businesses. The event featured top DJs and free admission across various venues.
WMM AG, a German company, has purchased the bankrupt Jungholz ski area in Austria for $1.65 million. Plans include reopening for the 2025-26 winter season with new features and affordable pricing.
