STUBAI GLACIER CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW SUSTAINABLE SNOWMAKING SYSTEM

Austria’s largest glacier ski area in the Tyrolean Stubai celebrates its 50th anniversary with a sustainable investment that fits into the landscape. The new construction includes the building of the Gamsgarten II reservoir lake and a brand-new snowmaking system run on renewable energy. Holding over 300,000m³ of water at an altitude of 2,600m, the new reservoir was built as an addition to the machine-made snowmaking system. This has been extended and expanded in stages to exclusively supply existing slopes in as environmentally friendly manner as possible. Now a wider selection of snowsure slopes is going to be available for early Glacier Skiing!

Parts of the new reservoir include the associated pumping station, two pressure boosting stations and the required field lines. Surplus material from the construction was levelled on the existing slope area. Not only is the water used for snowmaking of drinking water quality, but it also returns to the natural cycle as the snow melts. For the production of artificial snow only air, water and cold temperatures for several days are required.

Photo credits: Michael Huber, Andre Schönherr

In 1973, 50 years ago, the Stubai Glacier opened and the first gondolas brought winter sports guests to the ski area. Three lifts have grown to 26 lift facilities and 35 downhills, 110km of slopes that cater to all abilities, a snow park, the ‘BIG Family Ski Camp’ and 2km of high-altitude cross-country skiing trails – and all in one of the most snowsure areas. In addition, the ten-kilometre-long Wilde Grub’n valley run is a real highlight for making long turns. The Stubai Glacier is considered one of the best freeride areas in Austria. The Powder Department offers 14 great runs in open, unsecured terrain with its own off-piste map, checkpoints, route videos, GPS tracks and avalanche transceiver check. The full offer with restaurants, sports shops and the programme for families as well as the Stubai Zoo snow park have made the Kingdom of Snow one of the top ski areas in Austria, where service and the comfort of the guests are a top priority. Today, the Stubai Glacier has 350 employees and transports approximately 1 million guests into the ski area each year. Development of the Stubai Glacier has been a significant contribution to the rise in tourism in the Stubai Valley region. Here’s to another 50 years of innovation and winter fun in the snow kingdom!

With BIG Family– the popular family programme on the Stubai Glacier – toddlers to teens find a suitable ski and snowboard programme for exciting holidays. Highlights such as the BIG Family Slalom and Boardercross as well as the Big Family Fun Slope are perfect for experiencing fun and action on varied slopes. A kindergarten and children’s restaurant make sure that the young winter sports enthusiasts are well looked after off the slopes. There’s also the winter snow park– a slopestyle course perfect for families and newbies. Children under ten years ski for free on the Stubai Glacier if accompanied by a paying parent.

The perfect base is the SPA-Hotel Jagdhof in Neustift, the only 5-star hotel in Stubai. The family run Relais & Châteaux hotel with 70 rooms, suites and family apartments offers laidback atmosphere, tradition with Zeitgeist, amazing hospitality services and a multi-award-winning spa. Guests enjoy total relaxation in the iconic 3,000sqm jSPA made up of the Spa Chalet with Private Spa Suite, Vitality World and incredible pool areas. The new life-changing treatment concept is nominated for the World Luxury Spa Award 2023. It’s also the best place for foodies: classic Alpine fare, sharing fondue gondola experiences, award-winning gourmet cuisine or healthy low-carb jBALANCE options. On top: a complimentary shuttle service to and from the glacier several times a day. With new additional direct flights* from the UK to Innsbruck, a fantastic ski holiday is easily accessible for a short break or a full week.

*Flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle