Where to Ski And Snowboard - More speedy links for Austria’s best

More speedy links for Austria’s best

17th June 2010, by Chris Gill

Two of Austria’s, and indeed the world’s, best resorts for fast lifts are planning some more … In fact, it’s three resorts (one in Switzerland) if you count Ischgl and Samnaun separately. As the other resort is Saalbach-Hinterglemm, there’s a bit of a battle going on for top-slot in our fast lifts calculations.

We’ve received news of two smart new additions in the Silvretta region for next winter. Samnaun is actually replacing an existing fast lift with another one – the Muller chair, serving delightfully pleasant red runs above Alp Trida, will become an orange-hooded six-pack. Yes, the orange hoods are an increasing attraction in resorts where the high visibility colour helps you to spot the lift in poor weather.

Its vibrant neighbour Ischgl is planning a new installation too, but not a replacement. The six-pack, complete with heated seats, will serve the Greitspitz mountain – as access for the steeper Hollkar slopes there, including a newish black run.

Last season, Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang upgraded three lifts. This year they are giving freestyle facilities a big boost by replacing the old Unterschwarzach draglift serving the terrain park. Instead a short, eight-seat gondola (also with heated seats) will serve the park – unusual for a European resort to choose a gondola. The terrain park is expected to receive an overhaul too, bigger and better for next season.