Where to Ski And Snowboard - Powder for Stubai Testival

Powder for Stubai Testival

3rd November 2009, by Chris Gill

Get high on Stubai

That fresh powder will do nicely …

The SportScheck Glacier Testival’ kicks off on the Stubai glacier this week, and slope conditions look just the ticket for some neat turns on new skis or boards.

The Testival is regarded as the biggest ski and gear test in the Alps, and takes place annually on the Stubai Glacier – just an hour or so from Innsbruck, and with some of the most extensive glacier slopes on offer for early season riding. More than 35 leading ski and board brands will be available for testing, showcasing over 3,000 products. There will also be free trial courses – including avalanche awareness and taster sessions with the SportScheck ski school. An equipment test card costs 30 euros for the whole four-day festival.

The event starts this Thursday 5 November until Sunday 8 November. Saturday is official party day though, and there’s a guest competition in the afternoon. And off the slopes, the après-ski gets going from 4pm at the Dorf pub in nearby Neustift.

Anyone heading that way this weekend is likely to get fresh powder too: the latest snowfall has already dumped 30cm at altitude and there is more forecast later in the week.

But don’t forget … if you can’t make the Testival you could still make the most of the fresh powder with the Tirol’s ‘White 5’ lift pass. The pass covers more than 300km of slopes at the five top glacier ski areas: Stubai, Hintertux, Pitztal, Sölden and Kaunertal. The pass is non-consecutive and valid for any 10-days during the season. It costs 308 euros, though!

www.tirolergletscher.com

Or you could take advantage of the newly available half-day add-ons to daily glacier lift passes, so you can buy a 1.5 or 2.5 day ticket from 58 euros for adults.