A daily peep inside ...

A hot tip: spending a night in a real igloo

Christine Aberger — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:50:28 +0000

A unique world made of ice and snow at an altitude of 2,500 metres - that’s the Volvo Ice Camp! I have already been so lucky as to spend one day and one night in the Inuit homes on top of Kitzsteinhorn: an absolutely incomparable experience! 60 tons of ice and 3.000 cubic metres of snow had to be moved to create this surreal landscape. For me, every single one of the igloos is a little marvel. They cast a spell on me every time I am there - and all the other visitors will probably agree that they feel the same.

Next year, the Volvo Ice Camp opens its gates on 17th January. I am convinced that the four main igloos and the seven smaller sleeping igloos will not fail to impress you either. But the little architectonic pieces of art are not the only attraction that makes Kitzsteinhorn worth a visit. During a night walk you can breathe the clear mountain air and watch the stars twinkling in the firmament. Afterwards you can get all warm and toasty again by enjoying some cheese fondue and hot punch in the lounge and at the ice bar. And I am pretty sure that I don’t have to tell you that an overnight stay on reindeer skins is an absolutely unique experience…

Make sure to get one of the sought-after packages! Just visit the event homepage. And maybe we’ll meet soon - at the Volvo Ice Camp at an altitude of 2,500 metres above sea level.

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Schnapshansalm - or a little miracle on 2,000 metres of altitude

Oliver Stärz — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:37:48 +0000

When the mountain inn was in flames on 28th October this year, hardly anyone wanted to pitch their hopes too high that the hotel and its bar and inn ‘Schnapshans’ would be a destination to stop for refreshment in this winter season. But not only did ‘Schnapshans’ Herwig Schiefer (www.schnapshans.at) believe in this, he and his team even performed a little miracle at an altitude of 2,000 metres within as little as seven weeks. Yesterday the mountain inn opened its doors in a ceremonious event. More than 200 visitors took the opportunity to get a first impression. And as far as I am concerned, I am absolutely enthralled: The Schnapshans Inn offers a wide selection of food and drink, a stunning panoramic view, and a classy ambience all in one. My tip: drop in at the Schnapshans Inn some time soon yourself!

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Roxy Chicken Jam - Xmas Party

Evelyn Thurner — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:56:34 +0000

There is news and updated information on the Xmas Party after the Roxy Chicken Jam:

On Saturday, 13th December 2008, the best female snowboarders of the world are going to take to the floor at the medieval building of Kaprun Castle. A limited number of tickets are available on the night - first come first served. Doors open at 9 pm for all those who want to raise the roof with the popular DJ duo Wax Wreckaz and DJ Enne on two floors. For more information on the event please visit www.chickenjam.com

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Probably one of the most beautiful studios in the world

Oliver Stärz — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:11:18 +0000

Just in time before heaven opened its gates, we changed locations and continued with our activities in probably one of the most beautiful film studios in the world. After all, the first contributions for our Zell am See-Kaprun TV programme had to be shot in time and in an authentic setting, of course. As soon as we had come to grips with annoying environmental influences (such as clouds and the sound of construction works - talking of noise would be exaggerated) our camera pro Hans - www.audiovisionfuchs.at- had the opportunity to display his skills. Basti approached the shooting with his innate seriousness and co-hostess Claudia cut quite a figure. We’ll be coming back to her with future projects.

Since Rainer took care of the fishpole, it fell to me to direct the production. Considering how cold it was, that was definitely the better pick.

By the way - we’ll present the results of our day of shooting really soon. You can look forward to a surprise!

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An excellent view…

Sebastian Kaufmann — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:23:51 +0000

…from our mountains right down into the valley which is covered in a thick blanket of snow at the moment. And all the pistes and lift facilities are already open! I set out with a friend to get a feeling for this white beauty. In the morning we roamed Kitzsteinhorn’s fabulous powder snow, and in the afternoon we swished down Schmittenhöhe before marvelling at a stunning sunset over Breiteck. If you stay down in the valley, it’s your own fault really!

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When girls rock!

Evelyn Thurner — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:04:37 +0000

You cannot afford to miss watching girls venture out across ramps which are three times their own height. This unique event - the famous Roxy Chicken Jam - comes up from 12th to 14th December 2008.

Already for the third time in a row Kitzsteinhorn is hosting the biggest snowboard event exclusively for girls. At the Glacier Park, 30 obstacles and seven lines are available on a stretch of 150 metres for the best female snowboarders of the world to compete for prize money of $ 50,000 and valuable points for the Swatch Ticket To Ride (TTR) Women’s World Snowboard Tour.

Being the venue is a real honour for Kaprun’s local mountain of Kitzsteinhorn. The Roxy Chicken Jams are the top events of the annual TTR Women’s World Snowboard Tours. While the season’s kick-off in Kaprun sets the course for a successful winter, the winner of the Roxy Chicken Jam USA will receive her award in Mammoth, CA.

And dear Gents watch out: at the Xmas Party on Saturday night, the world-class female boarders will be partying all night long - after all ROXY girls know how to rock 24/7.

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Mag. Martin Schobert on the phenomenon of Web 2.0

Editors — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:39:34 +0000

Since the Internet was born, many things have changed: it all started with the websites of some companies. Information was put on the web in order for many users to have access to them. However, the exchange of information was merely unilateral, users and providers could not engage in dialogue. As the years went by, the number of websites increased and the wish for orientation in the jungle of information and advertisements arose - search engines were developed.

About three years ago it became possible for many consumers to produce content themselves and share videos ((YouTube), photos (flickr) or text (blogs) with others. On websites like TripAdvisor, guests can evaluate hotels and exchange their experience with other holidaymakers. To cut a long story short: many users can communicate with a large number of other users. By today, communication has been taken to the platform of social networks like Facebook and myspace.

The result: the communication is still wide spread but now only certain groups are addressed. What does this mean for us who work in the tourism sector? Advertising does have an effect - however, it is not enough anymore. Direct dialogue with (potential) guests is becoming more and more important! When you have chatted with one guest in Web 2.0, thousands of others will read this later on. Zell am See-Kaprun already implements this approach with its personal blog in an inspiring way. Emulate your region!

In order for my contribution not be a unilateral exchange of information, I’d like to invite you to join the dialogue at Xing or on the weblogs of Zell am See-Kaprun and the Austrian National Tourist Office ‘Österreich Werbung‘!

Mag. Martin Schobert is an expert working at the Austrian National Tourist Office ‘Österreich Werbung ‘ in Research & Development and has a leading position in the fields of Internet Strategy, Tourism Research & IT.

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A hot tip: heavenly titbits in the heart of Zell am See

Pia Schied — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:01:23 +0000

Until only recently the fairground between the Ferry Porsche Congress Center and our pedestrian zone seemed rather bleak. But (fortunately) this has considerably changed since last week: Zell’s Christmas market has finally opened! In the evenings, when all those tiny lights on the booths come alive, it emanates a special feeling of cosiness. Right in time for the opening, the weather has changed and it has become really cold. Now there are crowds of pedestrians in thick gloves and woollen hats strolling around between the small wooden houses. Is there anything better for warming up than nice mulled wine? Baked-apple punch! There is (virtually) nothing on our Christmas market that tastes better. With one possible exception: the wonderful spiral potatoes. But why should you have to decide between those two? Just treat yourself to both! For my part, I’m really looking forward to many cold evenings spent in the open air with friends. I don’t have far to go: our office is just opposite the fairground. One more reason for the occasional baked-apple punch and spiral potato

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Dublin’s way of life at Kaprun Castle

Admin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:23:32 +0000

Saturday night will see an ‘Irish Night’ at Kaprun Castle presenting the musicians of ‘Bachelor’s Walk’! Of course, the Whisky-Circle Pinzgau and I won’t miss out on this event. Take a look at what I found about the ‘Bachies’ on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23tvUtApwzM

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Raising the roof at the party of the radio station Gong FM in Regensburg

Christian Pfeffer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:16:09 +0000

From 5th to 7th December 2008, the German radio station Gong FM stages a great ski opening party in Zell am See-Kaprun. For listeners of the station from Regensburg this is an unmistakable sign: get your skis and head for the pistes.

In advance of that major event, Gong FM and all the organizers of the ski opening invited their listeners, clients, and other winter sports enthusiasts to an advertising event for the party in Zell am See-Kaprun. At the ‘Sausalitos’, a banging party location in Regensburg including an excellent bar and restaurant, the guests - Steffi Gruber and myself among them, of course - were raising the roof.

Taking the five-hour journey by train was definitely worth the trouble. Information material on the location of the pistes and the après-ski parties etc. went like hot cakes. At the moment the temperatures are really low and the weather forecast has already promised fresh snow. Thus we are looking forward to an unforgettable weekend with our friends of Gong FM, the broadcasting station Regensburg as well as Frank Venus and the team of his travel agency.

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