A revolutionary new solar powered ski lift has been unveiled for the coming ski seasaon in the Austrian Tirol.

A globally inovative solar powered conveyor belt and T-bar takes skiers and boarders from near Brixen swimming lake, up to a new 8-seater cableway, "SkiWelt – Kitzbüheler Alpen", to join up with the 4.5kmrun back down.

The ski tow is powered by a photovolatic system, a worldwide innovation, lending the name "Sonnenlift"`to the new lift, and even in poor weather the system has enough power to keep the lift running smoothly. www.skiwelt.at.

From December 2008 the east Tirolean ski areas of Kals and Matrei, 2400m above sea level, will be joined to form East Tirol's largest skiing area, known as "Großglockner Resort Kals-Matrei". The area comprises of 100 kms of piste, Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, and no fewer than sixty 3,000m peaks in sight. Snow is guaranteed, with 90% of the network covered by snow making equipment. For snowboarders there's an exclusive carving piste and a snow park and kids rates include all those up to age 18. www.gg-resort.at. 

11 September 2008