Where to Ski And Snowboard - James Bond heads to the Austrian Alps

James Bond heads to the Austrian Alps

23rd December 2014, by Abi Butcher

Obertilliach in the Austrian Tirol, will hit the big screen next year

A small Austrian ski resort little known to the British market will splash its way onto the big screen next autumn, in the new James Bond film Spectre.

Daniel Craig aka 007 will embark on his Alpine adventures in the Tirol region at Obertilliach, as well as the better-known ski resort of Sölden, in the largest film production ever to be made.

As well as lead actor Daniel Craig, other stars of Spectre include Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux, with Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.

The British production company B24 will begin filming over the next few weeks — and the Tirolean villages are excited about the huge economic benefits being part of the 24th James Bond film will bring. Around €6million is estimated to be spent in the region on accommodation and meals as well as transportation and salaries. About 26,000 overnight stays will be generated by the film crew in Tirol — not to mention the long-term impact on tourism.

Since January, the Bond film’s director and production team have been hunting for suitable filming locations around the world, including Norway and Italy.

In August a production office was set up in Sölden, ready to co-ordinate the planned filming, which is scheduled to take place from mid-January to February 2015. A total of 22 filming days is planned in the Tirol, and at its peak the film crew will consist of 500 people, including 150 local filmmakers covering various positions.

Josef Margreiter, managing director of Tirol Werbung and founder of Cine Tirol said: “I am very excited that the joint efforts, help and support will result in the most famous secret agent in the world on loaction in Ötztal and East Tirol.

“The last Bond film, Skyfall, was watched by over 130 million in cinemas around the world. This fills us with great confidence that the action-packed scenes for the new Bond film will be seen by an audience of millions when the film is released in Autumn 2015 and that will make people want to visit the locations for themselves in the Heart of the Alps.“

Geographically not part of northern Tirol, the village of Obertilliach is located in the Lesachtal of East Tirol and remains largely undiscovered to the UK ski market. Located at 1450m, the village has a population of just over 700 inhabitants and the small skiing area is popular for beginner skiers and families as well as a centre for Nordic sports.

Estimated filming dates in Sölden:
7-10 Jan: 3S Cable Car and ICE Q Restaurant
12-13 Jan: Road up at the Glacier, road tunnel at the Glacier
9 –17 Feb: Road up at the Glacier, road tunnel at the Glacier