Download pdf - Far West Ski Association

Innsbruck......The Epicenter of Austrian Sports...The Epicenter of Austrian Sports...The Epicenter of Austrian SportsInnsbruck is one of only three locations thathave hosted the Winter Olympics more thanonce. This is no mere coincidence. Innsbruck isnot just a tiny ski village, but rather a full-bodiedcity that happens to be situated close to some ofthe best skiing in the Alps. Full of charm, atmosphereand the kind of infrastructure necessary forhosting a world event, Innsbruck was the site ofthe illustrious Winter Games in both 1964 and1976. It was here at the ’76 Games that FranzKlammer made his legendary run for theOlympic gold medal, careening down the icycourse at breakneck speed to barely eke out BernhardRussi to earn top honors.by Jimmy PettersonThe city is crammed tightly into the narrowInn Valley, and the river bearing the same namesnakes its way picturesquely through town.South of town, the mountains rise gradually skyward.The famous Axamer Lizum Ski Resort isvisible to the southwest. In the opposite direction,the dramatic peaks of the Nordkette seem tojut virtually straight up above the rooftops andchurch steeples, looking almost artificial, like acanvas backdrop at some old theater. The viewof the old town with the snow decked Nordkettelooming behind, was so oft photographed duringthe two Olympic years, that Innsbruck became acliché of the archetypical ski town.Innsbruck, however, is much more than a mereski resort. As the capital of Tyrol, it is a regionalgovernment center, and it is a major universitytown, as well. The 26,000 students at the historicinstitution of learning that dates back to 1669make up more than 20% of the total population,insuring that there is a bundle of nightlife herebeyond just the winter season.Sports dominate the city’s lifestyle bothwinter and summer. While nearby Salzburg is acultural hub, attracting locals and tourists aliketo its many museums, theater events, and the famousFestspiele, Innsbruck is truly the epicenterof Austrian sports. Situated on the main east-58 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O12 - 2O13 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.