Download From a roman camp to a world-class ski resort

HK-HEINZL.KOHLER
Winter 2016-2017
From a Roman camp to a world-class ski resort:
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has been on the tourist map of Austria for centuries –
and is more popular than ever.
Even the ancient Romans were enchanted by the magnificent view. They were probably the
first "tourists" to travel across the Tyrolean plateau and built resting facilities on what was
once the Via Claudia Augusta in Ladis. Centuries later, the village trio Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis
has evolved to one of the world's most popular skiing resort: Tyrol's Ski Dimension. On peak
days, up to 22,500 winter sports fans indulge in all of the amenities a modern holiday region
can offer – as well as the Rhaeto-Romanic spell of times long past.
Some things never change: 1,200 to 1,400 metres above sea-level, the three mountain villages
Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis nestle against the gentle slopes of the Tyrolean plateau, offering an
unobstructed view of the majestic summits of the Samnaun mountain range and the Ötztaler
Alps. To provide for a skiing experience that matches the excellence of this view, the region
has invested more than 200 million Euro in just these past ten years. The result: 162 kilometres
of ski slopes translating into 214 kilometres of carved skiing pleasure for all levels of skill, more
than 80 percent of which are kept in top-notch condition with artificial snow. With slopes that
range from positively gentle to seriously steep, the 460-hectare skiing area is suitable for all
kinds of winter sports: Beginners, leisure skiers, freestylers and pros can swoop down mogul
pistes, carving and racing tracks, fun areas and freeride tracks. 68 lift systems take them up
to the summits in no time.
Big fun for the little ones
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis' special focus on families has been honoured with numerous awards: The
Ski Dimension has long established itself as the most family-friendly holiday region in the Alps.
Youngsters are introduced to the world of winter sports on playgrounds, themed media-rich
pistes and experience tracks. A whole 125,000 square metres are reserved exclusively for
children and teenagers interested in learning how to ski or snowboard. The ski schools and
kindergartens deploy internationally acclaimed training methods and innovations such as the
"Snow-V". Plus there are children's restaurants dedicated entirely to the wants and needs of
younger visitors to the resort.
Off-piste entertainment includes various "flying" attractions, special events and a wide range
of alternative winter sports activities. Kids can explore the pristine nature of the region on
toboggan runs and winter hiking tracks, on the Pistenbully ski groomer or horse-driven sleigh,
during a snowshoe hike or while ice-skating. Despite the seemingly infinite amount of
programmes and opportunities that Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis offers as a first-class holiday region,
neither of the three villages has lost any of its unique and authentic charm.
Serfaus: Excellent infrastructure and a new indoor playground and climbing gym
For decades, Serfaus has ranged among the top skiing regions in Europe. With accommodation
for 6,900 guests, Serfaus has the highest tourism revenue in Tyrol's Ski Dimension. The
Rhaeto-Romanic mountain village is particularly popular for its unique infrastructure: Traffic is
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reduced to an absolute minimum in the well-preserved, historic little town, i.e. guests can
quickly nip to the ski lifts or enjoy some peaceful window shopping without having to dodge
loud motorised obstacles. The village underground service takes skiers to the cable car
terminal – and back – in no time. Families with kids can explore the Murmlipark right in Serfaus,
the Kinderschneealm, and the two children's restaurants Murmlirest and Starrest at the
Komperdell midway station. The Family Coaster Schneisenfeger that soars through
roundabouts, banked turns and over jumps and slopes at up to 40 km/h and 8 metres above
the ground all the way down to the Hög Adventure Park delivers breathtaking sensations of
height, swerve and speed. This winter season, Serfaus is opening a new huge indoor
playground and climbing gym: PLAYIN. PLAYIN features a laser game room, a soft-play area
covering a whole of six floors, a big climbing hall with eleven different climbing walls, a
bouldering zone reminiscent of a chemistry lab and an interactive play wall.
Fiss: Genuine charm and zero-gravity experiences
With roughly 1,000 inhabitants, Fiss is a little smaller than Serfaus. The 600-year-old village
centre with its distinctive house entrances retains the genuine charm of a Rhaeto-Romanic
"Haufendorf" (a village made up of irregular plots of land). The access road to Fiss wasn't built
until 1928. Until then, there was only a man-made cart path. These days, life is much more
pleasurable in Fiss. Families appreciate the proximity to the lifts and the extensive
entertainment and learning programme for children, e.g. Berta's Kindervilla at the Fiss-Ladis
ski school in Bertas Kinderland at the Sonnenbahn midway station. Daring souls can test their
nerves on one of Fiss' "flying" attractions: The Fisser Flieger, a kite-like aircraft that can carry
four passengers at a time, accelerates quickly and then swoops across the Möseralm 47 metres
above the ground at speeds of up to 80 km/h. The giant Skyswing accommodates up to eight
persons at a time and offers three different levels of fun ranging from mild swinging to a full
loop. Experience the sensation of weightlessness!
Ladis: Picturesque farmhouses steeped in history
Ladis brings the past to life. The smallest of the three villages teems with history, with lovingly
renovated, century-old farmhouses adorned with fresco paintings. Outside staircases, carved
bargeboards and historic ovens at the foot of Laudeck Castle characterise the Rhaeto-Romanic
townscape to this day. Some parts of Ladis date back to the 8th century. In 1212 AD, a
shephard from Ladis discovered the Sauerbrunn spring. Right up until the mid-20th century,
noblemen and townsmen flocked to Ladis-Obladis to drink and bathe in the waters of the
curative and sulphur spring. The little village has thus been a top tourist destination in the Alps
for many centuries. And to date, Ladis is known for its distinctive charm and vitalising
Sauerbrunn mineral water.
First the Romans, then aristocrats and emperors, and now families and winter sports fans –
over the centuries, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis has developed and adopted the highest of hospitality
standards. And these standards apply to B&Bs just as much as to the five-star hotels, the
modern infrastructure that reaches all the way up to the summits 3,000 metres above sealevel and to unforgettable moments in unsullied nature.
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For further information please contact:
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Information, Gänsackerweg 2, A-6534 Serfaus/Tyrol, Phone
+43/5476/6239, Fax +43/5476/6813, [email protected], www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at.
Press contacts:
Alexandra Hangl, Phone +43/5476/6239-72, [email protected]
Text and image download: www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at/en/service/press
HK-HEINZL.KOHLER PUBLICRELATIONS, Lorenzstraße 19a, D-81737 Munich
Phone +49/89/37951256, [email protected], www.hk-publicrelations.de
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