Posts in Austria
Back on snow in Seefeld! Ski opener 2020 video

Back on snow in Seefeld! A 2km snowmaking loop opened up in Seefeld, Tirol, Austria last weekend beneath beautiful bluebird skies. Cold temps mean snowmaking is going in Seefeld and Leutasch. We snuck out with a couple of Lumi Experiences trip leaders and met up with the US Nordic Combined team as they prepared for the upcoming World Cup in Ruka, Finland this weekend. Here we go!

Read More
Producing Skis: A visit to the Salomon & Atomic ski factory

Altenmarkt, Austria sits in the valley below the face of the Dachstein mountain. The lush green valley is home to 4,000 inhabitants and about as many grazing brown cows. On the edge of town, past the cobbled pedestrian streets lies the Atomic - Salomon ski factory. It is not hard to understand why this valley might attract skiers, surrounded by alpine ski hills on almost all sides.

I stopped in to check out the facility and get a better understanding of how skis are produced. Jean-Marc Draeyer, Salomon’s head of race ski production, took time away from selecting skis for the world’s top racers and specialty Nordic shops to take me on a tour of the facility. Photos are not allowed, but the process was enlightening, especially how the flex is literally baked into the ski to perform for specific conditions.

Read More
Innsbruck 2020 - Winter World Masters Games

“The practice of sport is a human right.”
- Olympic Charter

The World Masters Games were founded in 1985 to bring athletes over age 30, of any ability, together to compete internationally. The 2020 Winter World Masters Games (WWMG) are heading to Innsbruck & Seefeld, Austria from January 11 - 19, 2020. Seefeld is the site of the 2019 Nordic World Championships. The WWMG are only held every 5 years -- in contrast to to the Masters Cross Country World Cup, which happens annually. The WWMG brings athletes together from many winter sports, including cross country, biathlon, ski jumping, ice hockey, figure skating and more. In 2020, WWMG expects over 3,000 participants to compete in Innsbruck.

Read More