For the past four years, the Stubai Glacier in the Austrian Alps has played host to the Stuabier Telemark Festival. Where for a few days in late November hundreds of people in the European telemark community, and several American representatives as well, gather for work shops, demo opportunities, classes, exhibitions.
In the past years, the festival has been one of the major stops that European Telemark World Cup teams make to put their racers in the heated Tele-Cross Race, although rumor has it that the race will not occur this year due to inefficient funds. In its place there is talk of a big air exhibition or a rail jam where various Americans and a few Europeans will show off their skills.
Stubai is located just forty kilometers southwest of Innsbruck, Austria. Neustift is the closest town to the glacier and just fifteen minutes away with a free bus that runs frequent trips between the town and the lifts. A thirty Euro cab fair is all that it will take to get to this quaint town, but it is recommended to make hotel reservations in advance. Yet, even more imperative to have directions on how to get to your hotel in German (for very few of the cabbies speak very good English this far from a major city).
During the festival, people of varying languages wonder the maze of booths that crowd the main station at the glacier. After selecting new gear to try, these same people load the lifts for a great day of skiing. The glacier is located right on the border between the Alps and the Dolomites and offers breathtaking views of some of the world’s most jagged mountains.
Of course après at the base and in town are intense (some people don’t even make it as far to remove their boots). But since some of the parties are sponsored by the festival one cannot help but be intrigued to participate. Although Neustift is small, it seems to accommodate the parties and people amazingly well, and there is never not a fun time to be had.
Of course, if things get boring on the glacier or in town, it is always an option, and a recommended one at that, to take a drive through the mountainous roads into Italy. Cortina is just a couple hours drive away and is known as much for hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics, as it is for its sophisticated shopping and great pasticcerias. Note that some ski equipment can be found at amazing prices in some of the shops. But beware that the hot chocolate can be extremely rich and may cause an over-indulgence in it and other delicious treats.
This year’s festival will be put on my German company, Telemark Works, and will run from November 18-21. More information can be found at www.stubaier-telemark-festival.com.
Contributed by Josh Madsen