A Ski Trip to Austria with Katie Burrell - ARLBERG

Featured Image: Courtesy of Tourism Austria

Austria has long held a special place in the wide world of skiing. It’s where some of the sport’s most recognizable brands have cut their teeth. It’s where racing and freeskiing shake hands, with groomers, freeride, and park all meeting at the highest level. It’s been home to hundreds of legendary segments in some of the best ski films ever made. But the cameras and competitions are just the beginning. The ski scene here is an other-worldly experience in the best possible way, and like anywhere, it’s best when skied like a local. 

That’s what Katie Burrell found out during her trip across the pond last winter. In this seven-part series, Canada’s favorite leisure athlete dives into the culture and explores seven distinct areas: Ischgl, Arlberg, Sölden, Kitzbühel, SkiWelt, Zell am See-Kaprun, and Schladming-Dachstein.

The world-famous Arlberg is put under the magnifying glass in Episode Two. This freeride paradise is composed of five villages: St. Anton, Lech, Zürs, St. Christoph, and Stuben. Burrell links up with her longtime friend, professional skier and Arlberg local Lorraine Huber. Between the steep chutes, bountiful food and wine, the Arlberg seems like the kind of place we could really get used to. As stressed in this episode, it’s best to find a guide if venturing into the many off-piste miles of terrain is on your agenda. 

The community in the Arlberg is second to none, as the crew discovers family after family who’ve called the mountain home for generations. It’s a place rooted in skiing, and that culture permeates every aspect of life. Truly, what could be better?