Parties open Austrian ski season

By KAREN BRADBURY | $content.organization.value.toUpperCase() Published: November 13, 2017

Austria’s Alpine resorts have long been gearing up to welcome skiers and snowboarders to their slopes for the 2017 ski season. Opening weekends at many places are occasions for concerts, parties and testing of the latest equipment. At some resorts, activities and concerts are offered gratis for all ski pass holders, while other places charge separate entry fees for the entertainment.

Here’s a look at some places to kick off the season:

• Ischgl: German superstar Andrea Berg takes the stage for the legendary Top of the Mountain opening concert set for Nov. 25; http://tinyurl.com/yc9hxbg6.

• Obergurgl: The resort celebrates its opening through Nov. 25 with parties, live music, DJ sets and more; www.obergurgl.com/ski-opening.

• Obertauern: Obertauern Beats, an electronic music festival featuring international DJs, heats things up Nov. 25, while German singer and songwriter Andreas Bourani performs Dec. 2; www.obertauern.com/en/events/obertauern-beats.html.

• Saalbach-Hinterglemm: A BERGFESTival Dec. 8-10 offers a dozen or so artists, including Christina Stuermer and Bosse; berg-festival.com. The electronic music festival Rave on Snow takes place Dec. 14-17; www.raveonsnow.com.

• St. Anton: Dec. 1-3, the resort offers free ski and snowboard testing at the Galzigbahn Valley station and an Audi driving experience. Artists Revolverheld and Gregor Meyle perform in an open-air concert on Dec. 2; http://tinyurl.com/ya9kvmrg.

• Wildschoenau: The Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschoenau offers live music in the Gipfoehit and Koglmoos ski huts and wine tasting at the Schatzberg Alm on Dec. 15-16. Free ski testing is offered at the ski Auffach rental point; http://tinyurl.com/y7a93ke8.

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