€40 million quality offensive at Ifen on the home stretch
Winter has already sent its first welcome: Snow-capped mountain peaks awaken anticipation of the first turns in the two-country ski region. In Oberstdorf, Bavaria, and Kleinwalsertal, Vorarlberg, winter sports enthusiasts can expect the usual 48 lifts and 130 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes for every skill level and age group; however, the journey up the Ifen in 2017 will be significantly faster – up to six meters per second, to be precise. The two 10-passenger gondolas of the exclusive Doppelmayr D-Line guarantee a new level of transport comfort: noticeably quieter, with wider seats and Wi-Fi for the online community and selfie posters. "In 2016, we put the Olympiabahn cable car – the fastest chairlift in the entire region – and a modern snowmaking system into operation. With the expansion of the cable cars, a completely renovated premium family ski area is now being created. It all kicks off on December 23rd," says a delighted Augustin Kröll, CEO of Kleinwalsertaler Bergbahn AG.
The fire is burning at Tafel&Zunder
But it's not just the cable cars on the Ifen that are new; the culinary offerings are also literally ablaze. The region's new culinary flagship awaits at the modernized mountain station. At Tafel&Zunder, the well-rehearsed team led by Gastronomy Manager Thomas Vorholzer and Head Chef Maik Neumann serves local specialties. "Fiery elements add a special touch to our lovingly prepared dishes made from high-quality, local, organic ingredients. The modern wooden architecture with a Walser touch and the unique view of Ifen and the Walsertal valley invite you to linger," explains Andreas Gapp, Augustin Kröll's fellow board member.
Söllereck as a hotspot for beginners and skiers
Winter-loving families will get their money's worth in this cross-border ski region. At Söllereck in Oberstdorf, a new, 33-meter-long conveyor belt complements the existing offerings for little ski stars. "So many have learned to ski here at our family mountain. To ensure that our youngsters find a professional and child-friendly environment for their first attempts, we're always coming up with new ideas," says Henrik Volpert, board member of Oberstdorfer Bergbahn AG. This applies to both the facilities and the fares: For the first time, there's a season ticket this year, which offers families with several children a noticeable price advantage. Only the fee for the first child is charged; each additional child travels free. This allows young and old to use all the lifts in the two-country ski region all winter long.
Clear visibility and the best conditions on the Nebelhorn
The view from the Nebelhorn in winter 2017/18 is as stunning as ever. Last season, the newly opened summit station with panoramic and summit views, as well as the spectacular north face trail, impressed skiers and winter hikers, explains Peter Schöttl, CEO of Nebelhornbahn-AG: "The investment has paid off across the board. We're already looking forward to seeing many amazed faces and shining eyes under the ski goggles again this year." The optimized snowmaking system is creating the best snow conditions right from the start in its second winter: The 7.5-kilometer valley run is available to guests earlier thanks to the improved infrastructure, turning the day of skiing into an experience in every respect.
