With just 2 months to the first Alpine World Cup races in Solden, Austria and less than 6 months to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver /Whistler. National Alpine Teams from around the world are stepping up their training sessions in preparation for the upcoming season.

Toni Sailer, the athlete who helped shape Austria’s image as a skiing nation, died at the age of 73, his skiing club in Kitzbuehel announced Tuesday. The Tyrolean skiing icon passed away Monday after a long illness, Austrian press agency APA quoted the club as saying.

Families planning ahead for winter 2009–10 and taking industry advice too book early due to limited availability during the season may be interested in an, ‘Easter Bonus – Kids For Free’ offer from Saalbach Hinterglemm in Austria.

European’s small airlines said on Friday that passenger numbers dropped 10.7 per cent in the first three months of the year as the economy downturn hit business and tourist travel. The European Regions Airline Association said half of its member carriers — which do not operate long flights across Europe or outside the continent — saw fewer people fly, even airlines flying to Alpine ski slopes during high season.

Crossing the Alps is easy. Just pick one of the major passes that traverses the majestic mountain range, set the cruise control and go. If you don’t look out the window too much you might not even be distracted by the gorgeous scenery — jagged snow-capped peaks, thick belts of green forests and mountain meadows dotted by wooden homes with peaked roofs and Swiss-style trim.

One in two Austrian Times readers thinks Austria can be most proud of its beautiful nature, the website’s latest poll reveals. A smashing 49.3 per cent of people giving their opinion praised the country’s forests, lakes and mountains.