Austria
Austria possesses some of the best mountains for trail riding in the Alps. Many resorts have realised that they just need a well set out Bike Park with the full range of gravity fed trails to attract the summer trade. It now has many resorts offering differing types of riding from the groomed Bike Parks at Semmering, Leogang and Wagrain, to the miles of classic singletrack at Ischgl and Zillertal.
Austria is cheap with a great nightlife that is gaining a great apres-bike reputation. Resorts like Ischgl have rebranded themselves with massive outdoor concerts, loads of nightclubs and an emphasis on raging nocturnal activities. In addition, the transport systems are brilliant, road access to other European cities is easy and most of the population speak English.
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AUSTRIA MOUNTAIN BIKE CONDITIONS
As most of the resorts in Austria have their trails below the tree line, the ground can be soft and loamy. During longer hot spells, this becomes dusty and hard packed or wet
and muddy after periods of wet weather. The weather in Austrian resorts is again like most mountainous regions - generally hot and sunny but this can change pretty quickly.
1) Ischgl
Ischgl, a quaint mountain village in the Paznaun Valley in the Tyrol, has remained a well kept secret to most yet is an area with a wide range of mountain bike trails, definitely leaning towards XC and trail riding. The town has largely gone unnoticed by mountain bike riders, but it has some extensive riding on offer with 6 lifts serving riders.
2) Kitzbühel
Kitzbühel prides itself on the title "The best of the Alps" it is a big claim, and a little ambitious - especially in mountain bike circles. The mountain biking is still being developed but they are working to improve the facilities to riders with each summer season.
3) Leogang
Surrounded by impressive mountains the small, pretty town of Leogang is set in arnscenic location between Sell am See and St Johann, about an hours drive from the nearest airport in Salzburg. Leogang provides a good set up for all types of riders and its laid back atmosphere offers a more relaxing experience that the queues and crowds of some of the better known resorts. In addition, it is a real treat to find a town with a home from home feeling.
4) Saalbach Hinterglemm
The mountain bike area of Saalbach Hinterglemm consists of two small towns (Saalbach and Hingerglemm) neestling in the Pinzgau Mountains. The area is one of Austria's premier ski resorts and is fast establishing itself as a leading destination for mountain biking in Austria.
5) Schladming
As of spring 2009 the region Schladming-Dachstein offers 20 NEW Mountain Bike tracks, which have been designed by local mountain bikers. Together with the 3 downhill runs on Planai and the Dirt Park in Schladming, there are 930 cycling kilometres and 25,000 metres in height to be conquered and topped off with unusual tourism perks, for example hotels specifically designed for bikers.
6) Semmering
Semmering bike park or Bikepark Zau[:ber:]g (as it is known) consists of numerous trails offering action and entertainment for all ages, beginners through to professionals. Semmering also bears the same name as both the ski resort and the pass it is located on - this pass connect lower Austria and Styria (the second largest of the 9 Austrian states).
7) Wagrain
Designed by the man who oversaw construction of the park on Whistler Mountain, Dave Kelly, the newly built BikePark in Wagrain is all about one thing: ultimate variety on trails dropping as much as 300 vertical metres! Wagrain is in the heart of Salzburg's mountainous region that has managed to preserve the beauty of it's landscapes and alpine village charm.