From a Farming Community to a Tourist destination

Do you know what awaits you when someone announces a „Hatschar“? Or whether you should feel flattered or insulted when they call you a „Sumsar“? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you are more than likely an authentic local Ötztaler. 

While holidaymakers are tucking into their dinners, partying away in après-ski bars, or soothing their achy muscles at a spa, a team of groomers starts their work of turning the messy runs into buttery-smooth slopes, ready for the following day.

Patric Grüner is a professional cyclist who loves extremes. The Ötztaler born in 1985 specializes in long distance racing and often spends many hours or even days in a row on the saddle.

Ötztaler Florian Scheiber’s racing career was almost predetermined. Growing up close to Sölden at 12 years he was already one of the best skiers in Austria for his age group. The path led further into the Austrian squad, to Europe and then the World Cup.  In 2012 with a peak performance of his ...