A glacier for the whole family

The bald head is tan, the teeth are white as snow. Pointing with his ski stick to one of the highest peaks, Hansjörg stands there and grins in the scorching sun: “Look, I have the most beautiful workplace in the world,” Hansjörg says. From the Schaufelspitze, 3,330 meters above the Tyrolean Hill observation platform, the view – once around half the axis – wanders towards Gamsgarten at 2,620 meters. “All natural snow – top to bottom,” Hansjörg proudly says and tosses the jelly off his shoe.

The 51-year-old innkeeper sold his bar years ago and is now living his dream as a ski instructor in Stubai, Austria’s largest glacier ski area. “Thanks to the glacier, we can ski here almost all year long,” says Hansjörg. The season starts in October and lasts until June. While Titlis in Switzerland, as a three thousand-meter peak with maybe two or three slopes, can hardly be passed in April, insatiable snow sports enthusiasts will find the best conditions in Stubai.

Eldorado for freestylers

The exclusive world of adventure on the eternal ice offers more than two dozen runs, from beginners to full pros. So it’s not just crazy freestyle athletes like world champion Andri Ragetli fleeing from Switzerland to the neighboring country. Many families coming from the plains find affordable prices here with the guarantee of snow during the spring holidays out of season. The ice sculpture longer than 20 meters is symbolic of this. The blue and white tower draws its shadow like a sundial and almost defies the heat of summer.

Just before noon – it’s time for the first magical moment on the magic carpet. There are four enclosed people transport vehicles available at the Big Family Ski Camp here. After staying with Hansjörg for more than an hour, Romina risks going down a short straight slope for the first time. “Come on little princess, we can do it together,” says Hansjörg, lifting the five-year-old girl from her skis. The mother, who is also a complete novice, watches with her eyes wide open. In his case, too, skepticism gave way to curiosity.

Back to school with DJ Ötzi

The scaredy cats have turned into snow bunnies and are now trying to descend the slope on their own. This is a round of applause from father and son, who have just survived the blue Eisjoch racetrack and passed the speedometer at the end of their adventurous journey. Seven-year-old Rafael triumphed and won himself a large schnitzel at the adjacent restaurant.

As we climb onto the sundeck, DJ Ötzi’s first beat rises from the speakers. “Anton from Tyrol” asks his ski instructor to tell a funny anecdote. “Believe it or not, I went to school with DJ Ötzi when I was a kid,” says Hansjörg. “He was a very shy guy. I never thought he’d be a star.”

At one point contact with the rising star was lost. Music and the glacial ice that preserved the Stone Age man Ötzi’s body for thousands of years and inspired the DJ to name it.

This article is is It was created during a press trip.