A snow filled fun packed February at Semmering Zauberberg
With plenty of snow it’s now business as usual at Vienna’s local ski resort at Semmering Zauberberg – just an hour’s drive from the Austrian capital.
This month there are a number of attractions starting on eighth February with the Ö3 PistenBully! The DJs from the ORF’s flagship radio program will be helping to turn the slopes into a dancefloor and afterwards the party is expected to continue at the ZauberBAR.
On Thursday, 13 February, there is the fourth annual eybl Ladies “Skitag am Zau[:ber:]g” aimed at having fun as much as enjoying skiing. As well as the ski pass the 23.99 Euro ticket available at eybl branches in St.Pölten, Vösendorf, Mariahilf, Wien-Nord and Wiener Neustadt or online at www.eybl.at offer an Eybl welcome gift, Eybl Ski Guides, a cheaper midday meal and a breakfast from the Felber bakery, as well as ski tests from market leaders. A return bus transfer is also available for 12 Euro.
On 22 February “Race the night” a favourite with hobby ski racers takes place. Skiers aged over 16 can compete to become ‘Champion of the Year’.
Patron of the competition Michaela Dorfmeister will be personally giving the racers tips for the race.
Christoph Stadler Chairman of the FSV Superglüh Andau said: “‘Race the night’ is the perfect ending to the racing days which take place at Zau[ber:]g!.
“There is also a team competition – team spirit is vital to be in front at the end.”
The team competition not only guarantees great excitement but also enables not so quick skiers a chance at victory. As well as the group competition there will be also an award for the quickest single skier.
Christoph Stadler added: “For the first time ever hobby skiers in Eastern Austria have the opportunity to experience ski racing under professional racing conditions. We think there will be around 200 people who take part and we expect a lot of fans along the course.”
“Race the night” on 22.02.2014
• 12h00-13h00: Start numbers given out
• 12h00-13h30: Piste control
• 14h00-16h30: 1st run – Qualification round “Race the night”
• 17h00-17h30: Piste control for second run
• 18h00-19h30: 2nd run “Race the night”
• 20h00: Award ceremony
The price for the standard package and entry for three people costs 99 Euro including the ski pass and the VIP package costs 299 Euro including the ski passes as well as entrance to the VIP area and the Apres Ski party. To register: www.sportlicher.at
On 23 February 2014 there will once again be a celebrity charity ski race which starts at 15.00. Stars will meet at Zau[:ber:]g Semmering to take part in the charity ski race on the FIS World Cup Piste. Live music will also be on offer to keep the supporters and racers in good spirits.
The celebrity race organised by Kurt Faist has already got Heather Mills, Franz Klammer, Vera Russwurm, Nik P., Michael Konsel, Albert Fortell, Frenkie Schinkels, Hans Enn, Christoph Fälbl, Gerold Rudle, Gregor Glanz, Norbert Blecha signed up.
There will be live music, an after party as well as a party at the ZauberBAR to round off the day’s activities.
As well as the special events there is plenty on offer for skiers and snowboard fans.
And for those non skiers and boarders they can get in on the fun with a sledge – with a themed sledge run open daily from 08.30 until 16.00.
The three-kilometre sledging “nature-experience” track sees many thrill-seekers race down the mountain at high-speed, passing through tunnels – and even stopping by a traditional Austrian wooden hut for a drink or some food.
This year a new gastronomy area has opened at Zauberberg, right by the Valley Station ‘The Ring’ offers a three star hotel, a pizzeria, a cafe, a BBQ buffet re t as well as an Irish pub.
The compact ski resort, Zau[:ber:]g in Semmering, can be reached by rail, bus or road from the Austrian capital, making it both the ultimate holiday and after work ski destination.
Whilst the resort may be smaller than other Austrian ski destinations, Zau[:ber:]g has a number of special features that make it well worth a visit. Not only will visitors have access to 14 kilometres of ski slopes during the day but a further 13 kilometres of night ski slopes are open to keen skiers and snowboarders from 6pm.
Once the skis come off, Aprés Ski at the ZauberBAR ensures that the fun continues. The venue plays music to every punter’s taste and live performances keep everyone on their feet even after the most exhausting day on the slopes.
During the winter season, which runs from early December until Easter, there is also a selection of other attractions besides ski and snowboard.
Three other restaurants offer a whole range of food from Austrian haute-cuisine to light bites and self-service lunches. The ZauberBar is open for après-ski from 16:00 to 3:00 every day, where locals and day-guests get together after a long day out on the slopes.
If Semmering’s ideal location makes it primarily a popular day-trip destination, the resort has a selection of guest-houses and hotels which can sleep up to 900 holidaymakers. The Artis Hotel even has a slope to ski back on after the last lift.