American downhiller Julia Mancuso may be the girl next door in the U.S., but she’s alpine skiing royalty in the Austrian Alps. After spending 14 spectacular seasons on the World Cup tour crisscrossing the globe, and amassing a treasure chest of gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Olympics and World Championships.
Nowadays, when the retired ski queen returns to the majestic Austrian Alps, where she once reigned supreme, she’s into a more relaxed life on and off the slopes, finally enjoying the culture and natural beauty of one of the world’s most breathtaking winter wonderlands without the hustle and bustle of travel, training and ski racing weighing her down. https://www.austria.info/en
Here’s a list of the top-10 things Julia loves to do most when she’s back in the fairy tale kingdom of snow that is Austria:
1. TIME TRAVEL AT INNSBRUCK’S CHRISTMAS MARKET
The friendly Austrian ghosts of Christmas ’past and present can be felt at all of Innsbruck’s six stunning festive holiday season markets, but nowhere more so than the most magnificent one which sits directly below Innsbruck’s famed “Goldenes Dachl” (Golden Roof) built by Emperor Maximillian I. A sensual symphony of sights, sounds and scents, this December market held on the ancient cobblestones of Innsbruck’s “Altstadt” (Old Town) is a fantastic spot to do a little holiday shopping during the day. At night, it’s even more magical under the stars when it’s lit up in all of its festive glory with the sweet, spicy, scent of cinnamon and mulled wine (aka glüwein) floating through the fresh mountain air, to a soundtrack of all your holiday faves played by a live brass band. This is a yuletide time-traveling trip you’ll never forget!
2. SKI & APRÈS INNSBRUCK-STYLE
Surrounded by dramatic mountains, and as the host of three Olympic events, Innsbruck is packed with plenty of powder and skiing choices for people who want to use it as a base for alpine skiing day trips to its nine nearby ski resorts. Whether you’re skiing steeps at Nordkette (hop on the cable car and go from city to slopes in 20 minutes!), trying to channel your inner Franz Klammer at Patscherkofel (Klammer won Olympic gold there in 1976), or crushing couloirs at Austria’s highest ski village, Kühtai, there’s something for everyone in the Innsbruck area, with 186 miles of pistes all accessible on one ski pass and a free ski bus service.
And for some Innsbruck-style après try a rooftop cocktail at the panoramic 12th floor bar at the aDLERS Hotel, the iconic gold glass building near the train station. For a more old-school style Tyrolean post-skiing libation, there is nothing better than sitting under the vaulted stone arches of the Stiftskeller beer hall (in the old town) with an ice cold Augustiner in your hand!
2. SKI & APRÈS INNSBRUCK-STYLE
Surrounded by dramatic mountains, and as the host of three Olympic events, Innsbruck is packed with plenty of powder and skiing choices for people who want to use it as a base for alpine skiing day trips to its nine nearby ski resorts. Whether you’re skiing steeps at Nordkette (hop on the cable car and go from city to slopes in 20 minutes!), trying to channel your inner Franz Klammer at Patscherkofel (Klammer won Olympic gold there in 1976), or crushing couloirs at Austria’s highest ski village, Kühtai, there’s something for everyone in the Innsbruck area, with 186 miles of pistes all accessible on one ski pass and a free ski bus service.
And for some Innsbruck-style après try a rooftop cocktail at the panoramic 12th floor bar at the aDLERS Hotel, the iconic gold glass building near the train station. For a more old-school style Tyrolean post-skiing libation, there is nothing better than sitting under the vaulted stone arches of the Stiftskeller beer hall (in the old town) with an ice cold Augustiner in your hand!
3. WATCH THE HAHNENKAMM – THE SUPER BOWL OF DOWNHILLS – IN KITZBÜHEL…THEN GO BACK AND SKI THE STREIF YOURSELF!
You could go to Kitzbühel to sightsee, dine, and shop it’s a plethora of high-end designer ski shops till you drop – OR – you can show up in late January to watch the best male skiers on the planet try to tame Der Streif, the most dangerous, spine-tingling downhill track in the world, at the famed Hahnenkamm! If you really love the sport of downhill skiing, this race is a must-see. Whether you do it in the finish area, perch yourself outside the fence near the start house at the top of the course, or snake your way down the side of the Streif for a close-up of the course’s death-defying Mausefalle & Steilhang sections, it’s a high-velocity ski racing experience you’ll never forget!
Julia’s Insider Tip: Once the racers have cleared out of town, and the track is de-tuned, go back and point your own skis down the Streif’s Mausefalle (mousetrap) section and take in the sick 85% gradient slope first hand…which put mildly, is CRAZY STEEP…so remember, easy does it wins the race!
4. THREE INGREDIENTS FOR THE PERFECT SKI TRIP IN SUPER CHIC LECH ZÜRS AM ARLBERG
Lech Zürs am Arlberg has the reputation of being one of THE MOST chic, laid-back ski towns.
In the world of skiing. A magnet for celebrities and royalty who like to ski under the radar, this gorgeously glitzy, yet purposely low-gloss ski town in the rugged, mountainous Arlberg region of Austria is the perfect place to go for a luxury-chill family ski holiday. Locals will tell you the perfect day here consists of three ingredients:
- A full ski circuit around the uber-scenic Der Weisse Ring (22 kilometers of stunning scenery and 5439 meters of altitude).
- Dinner at the five-star Burg Vital Resort prepared by award-winning Chef Thorsten Probost (to die for).
- Find Martin Prodinger at his beautiful Hotel Sandof, just steps from Lech’s iconic onion-domed church, and convince him to pour you a homemade schnapps nightcap (also to die for)!
5. EXPLORE ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG – THE BIRTHPLACE OF MODERN SKIING
The turns we all make today have their roots in the world-famous “Arlberg” technique ski legend Hannes Schneider introduced to the world at the turn of the 20th century at St. Anton – and nothing is cooler than skiing in his tracks today! One of the world’s oldest and best-known ski resorts, and a mere hour west of Innsbruck, St. Anton lies at the foot of a vast mountain range with some of the best skiing terrain you’ll find anywhere in the Alps. So grab your skis, head straight to the cable car, and get your lift pass. The Arlberg Ski Pass grants you access to a total of 88 mountain railways and lifts, 190 miles (305 km) of groomed slopes and 125 miles (200km) of deep powder and granular snow slopes, stretching throughout the entire Arlberg region.
And for daring experts only: St. Anton is one of the few places in the world to offer a winter Via Ferrata. Grab some touring gear and get roped in for a rock climbing adventure across craggy peaks. Untracked runs are your just reward. Exhilarating? Yup…that would be a massive understatement!
Julia’s Insider Tip: Best way to rip here…get The Arlberg Ski Pass grants you access to a total of 88 mountain railways and lifts, 190 miles (305 km) of groomed slopes, and 125 miles (200km) of deep powder and granular snow slopes, stretching throughout the entire Arlberg region.
PARTY AT THE MOTHER-OF-ALL-APRÈS-BARS IN ST. ANTON…AND THANKFULLY THERE ARE TWO MOTHERS IN THIS FAMILY
Yes, yes, you’ve had some incredible après experiences in your life. You’ve smashed Jaeger-Bombs in Aspen, downed “Flying-Hirschs” in Wengen, slammed shooters in Ischgl, clobbered Kamikazes in Whistler, but all of these post-skiing watering hole experiences pale in comparison to the twin mothers-of-all-après bars, the MooserWirt and the Krazy Kanguruh a pole-plant off the slippery slopes of St. Anton. Be prepared to stand on tables dancing with your ski boots on at the Mick & Keith of après ski bars. Antics, drinks, and music at these two notoriously “fun” (use your imagination friends) establishments will have you telling tales for eons. Julia’s Insider Tip: Little-known fact…St. Anton is the birthplace of modern skiing, AND modern après ski shenanigans.
7. GLACIER SKIING AND DINING IN THE TRACKS OF JAMES BOND IN SOELDEN
007 may not have strapped on his boards on-screen in the film SPECTRE but he sure did tear up joint. The “joint” in question is the futuristic glass restaurant ice Q, which served as the fictional Hoffler Klinik where Bond almost met his fate from his drill-wielding, psychopathic arch enemy Blofeld. This architectural masterpiece is accessible via cable car, and also not very far from where you’ll be clicking out of your boots after ripping toothpasty corduroy and slaying powder on the famed Rettenbach Glacier. The food is amazing, and the views are heavenly, with more than 250 3,000m-plus peaks encircling diners.
After lunch or dinner, hit 007 ELEMENTS, a cutting-edge, high-tech film installation (kind of like an interactive museum) dedicated to the world of James Bond. One of the yellow Bogner ski suits Bond wore in the opening scene parachute ski jump in The Spy Who Loved Me, as well as the golden gun from The Man With The Golden Gun are just some of the 007 memorabilia that are or have been on display here in Soelden.
Julia’s Insider Tip: Make sure to get The Ötztal Super Skipass when you are in Soelden/Hochgurgl/Obergurgl which comprises all Ötztal ski areas in a single ticket. It bundles 221 miles (356 km) of slopes, 90 mountain lifts, and six ski areas in a single pass.
8. GOURMET DINING, VIEWS, AND SNOW IN OBERGURGL-HOCHGURGL
If you’ve ever fantasized about what a ski holiday inside one of those adorably-kitschy, mid-century souvenir snow globes might be like…plan a trip to the high-alpine, twin villages of Obergurgl-Hochgurgl, deep in the heart of the snowy Ötztal Gurgletal valley, just a stone’s throw from both Soelden and the Italian border. Obergurgl has the cutest, and highest altitude parish church in Austria (1,930m) and some of the most reliable snow in Europe.
Dining above the clouds is a dream in both villages, with ridiculously scenic views! Also not to be missed when skiing here: Hohe Mut Alm, the perfect spot to sit with one of their enormous beers on a sunny day. Also not to be missed: the spectacular Top Mountain Star circular restaurant and bar which offers patrons 360 degree panoramic views. At over 10,000 feet, you are literally on the top of world. Stop in for a coffee or a schnapps to warm up. Check out the thousands of Swarovski crystals glittering on the Star Bar.
9. A VERY MOZART CHRISTMAS IN SALZBURG
Another must-see on any Austrian grand ski tour is Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and one of the most enchanting, fairy-tale cities on earth! Salzburg is a feast for the senses all year long, but it lights up even brighter during the holiday season. Wandering around the winding, cobblestone streets and strolling through the Christmas markets while hearing Mozart’s greatest hits (music is pumped out across the city) is an unforgettable experience. For chocoholics, make sure to sample Salzburg’s famed Mozartkugel chocolates made from marzipan, nougat, they are absolutely fabulous!
10. GO DIRNDL SHOPPING
The traditional Austrian/German dirndl has come a long way and is no longer just a kitschy folk costume worn by servers during Oktoberfest and beer halls across the alpine regions of the German-speaking countries of Europe. The traditional dirndl outfit consists of a close-fitting bodice featuring a sloping neckline, a blouse worn under the bodice, and wide high-waisted skirt, and an apron, and each alpine region has its own version. Sounds frumpy…uhhhh, I think not. If you’re up for a new alpine look, check out Sportalm in Innsbruck, and Gössl in Kitzbühel for what can only be described as high fashion/haute couture luxury dirndls with cutting edge new twists on a classic look. If you’re really looking to make a scene, hit the slopes in Lech Zürs am Arlberg or a host of other top Austrian ski resorts next time they celebrate Oktoberfest or end of season “Dirndl Days” where you can rip in true “alpine fashion” in your best dirndl!
Julia’s Insider Tip: I got my dirndl at Sportalm in the old city of Innsbruck. They have an amazing selection and help you get fit for the perfect dirndl.