Where to Ski And Snowboard - Hintertux welcomes US 9/11 hero

Hintertux welcomes US 9/11 hero

17th October 2011, by Chris Gill

(c) Tux.at Picciotto (left) and Hintertux representative enjoy fab conditions on the glacier

Austria’s Hintertux glacier has welcomed a special visitor to its autumn snow: an American hero from the 9/11 US bombing tragedy.

Keen skier Richard Picciotto is the highest-ranking survivor of the New York firefighters in operation during the terrorist attack on New York’s World Trade Center on 11 September 2001.

Picciotto rescued many people from the buildings that day, but was buried as he tried to flee the collapsing North Tower. The fireman survived, but spent four hours trapped under the rubble before he was rescued.

A decade on and Richard Picciotto spent a day on the Hintertux glacier as part of his visit to the Zillertal region. He also gave a presentation speech at the Empl Company in Kaltenbach. And, as you can see from the photo, the fireman enjoyed a fabulous day above 3000m.

The glacier remains in good condition following recent snowfall, with a metre or so base cover and 40km runs open. Rain / snow is forecast later this week.