Outdoor Trips

swimming in the “Water Area”, walking on the Skywalk, swings in the “Mega Swing” – even the names of the attractions to show at the new outdoor park area 47 in the Ötztal that is not about traditional alpine recreation. Particularly convenient are the adrenaline kicks, however.

Oetz – List of Records in the Area 47 is long: Austria’s highest diving platform brings it to 27.5 feet, the climbing walls are the highest in the country. Europe-front is the outdoor park, with the single “Deep Water Soloing Climbing Wall,” is hanging at the climbing above the lake, and with the steepest water slide, the slope at least 60 degrees. And globally, the park is the only of its kind – offering a total of 35 sports on an area of 66,000 square meters.

 Its not exactly traditional Tyrolean-sounding name was given the approximately 14 million euro project at the confluence of the Inn and Ötztal Ache of a marketing agency, so that at the 47th position Latitude alludes. Also, the prices of individual attractions are a record – for the entrance to the lake, “Water Area” have to lie down visitors stately, 18 €, a dip in the ropes course costs € 43.

balancing over deforested trees – actually it’s a breeze. If these tribes but as part of the ropes course “Skywalk” free floating suspended in 27 meters height under a road bridge, the fun for the tough test of courage. As also directs the view from the valley and the three thousand meter summit is not for occasional moments of panic.

The ultimate kick

CEO Hans Neuner also promised for the “Flying Fox” (22 €), who rushes to a cable on the system, the giant swing “Mega Swing” (also 22 €), which oscillates between 30 meters high bridge piers , or the “Cannon Ball”, which catapulted people nine yards into the lake.

Adjustable Difficulty

lift professionals with BMX bikes, skis or snowboards discount from the water jump on the low flying off into the basin. Some devices are fortunately gradually adjusted. They can of extreme sports for training, but also of “normal” visitors are used.

The site is protected since 2009. Despite the operator of the high-tech parks to stress again how much they pay attention to environmental protection: drinking water for a deep well is used on the roof of the event hall “Area Dome,” the 8000 people has space, are solar panels. The Area 47 should be no artificial oasis, but embed the whole environment – for instance on trips over 2,000 kilometers of bike paths, glacier tours, canyoning and a cave tour through a tunnel system, with which Hitler was at war accumulate the Ötztal.

 With this mix of attractions, adrenaline and Anglicisms now is something to be done against the stale image of the Alpine tourism. Even suspect the three neighboring towns Haiming, Sautens and Roppen morning air for the ailing summer business. The mayor of the town of Imst in Roppen, Ingo Mayr understands the Area 47 as “appreciation for the whole region.” Also the whole “Front Ötztal sees” an opportunity here, “says Anton Haid, owner of the Post Hotel Kassl” in Oetz: “Took earlier the parents with their children, are now teenagers and bring their parents. So far we have had in the summer night life . Now the boys have fun by day and by night. “

Evening parties in the “River House” or the “Dome Area”, where on 16 July, for example, Simple Minds are to occur, which attract young scene, the “Action” in the park and the elderly. “We already have buses registered with seniors who simply want to watch from the terrace of ‘Lakeside Restaurants’ in the activities of the Water World”, says Hans Neuner. And Jakob Falkner, Director of Bergbahnen Sölden, which is three million euros, the main investor, is pleased: “So far, the Alps were in the summer not particularly appealing. With this new product, they are now absolutely sexy.”

Dagmar Gehm, dpa

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