When you think of Austria, the mountains and good food are probably among the first things that come to mind. For us at VERIVAL, the mountains play a very special role. Our production facility and headquarters are located in the heart of Tyrol and the Tyrolean Alps. The mountains are, therefore, very important to our company, just as they are to many Austrians.
Austria is also a popular travel and holiday destination for tourists from all over the world, thanks to its mountain landscape, hiking opportunities in summer and beautiful ski resorts in winter. That's why countless different alpine sports – some practiced for hundreds of years, others for just over a decade – have developed. In this blog post, we will introduce you to our six favorite mountain sports in more detail.
1. Alpine skiing / skiing
A classic among alpine sports and most likely the sport that every Austrian has tried at least once besides football. Some even strive to win the Alpine Ski World Cup 8 times in a row (see Marcel Hirscher) – others just want to safely navigate up and down the mountain.
The beauty of skiing is that it is not difficult to master the ski slopes. However, getting really good at it is a comprehensive task that can take years. But what is the most beautiful aspect of skiing, regardless of skill level and enthusiasm, is the absolutely unbeatable view from the summit. This sense of freedom when you're at the top is something that's hard to replicate. The wind and mountains surrounding you highlight how small you actually are and allow you to feel that this world is something special. If you can make it to the valley safely, it's an exhilarating experience.
2. Ski touring
There are not that many differences between skiing and ski touring. On ski tours, it is essential to make your way to the summit without being carried by a lift. Many ski mountaineers would probably say that this is what makes it a real experience. It is undoubtful that if you have to ascend a mountain on skis, it is significantly more strenuous than simply taking a lift.
In this sense, you definitely feel more rewarded when you achieve something like this. The feeling of dragging yourself up a mountain is associated with extreme freedom – ideally away from the normal ski slopes, where you can relax and enjoy your summit snack.
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3. Hiking
The trend sport among all mountain sports, currently on everyone's lips and loved by all. The reason for this is very simple: in theory, anyone can hike. You don't need any special equipment or prior experience to hike a mountain. Nevertheless, sturdy footwear and an average level of endurance are advantageous.
In most cases, taking your time is essential, because if you want to go to the mountains, you have to be patient. These are not 10-minute workouts. Hiking should also be popular across all generations because it allows you to clear your head. It strikes the perfect balance between strenuous and relaxing – and where better to reflect on life than in forests and atop mountains?
4. Climbing (any form!)
Climbing is somewhat different from hiking. Some prior experience is probably required here, as not taking the correct safety precautions can increase the risk of accidents. However, if you are well-trained and careful, you can minimize the risks. Climbing may very well be the sport where you learn the most about yourself. What are my limits? How high can I go? But these questions are not the only ones that emerge. Climbing is always a test of trust between you and your partner.
In terms of health, climbing activates the most muscles. When climbing, you engage nearly all the muscles at your disposal. Anyone who has been climbing knows the soreness the whole body feels the next day. The “little” brother of climbing is bouldering. You can now boulder not only in gyms – specially designed bouldering routes are available outdoors that allow you to climb directly on the mountain. You don't need ropes and harnesses here, as bouldering isn’t necessarily about height. Yet, muscle soreness is still inevitable!
5. Mountain running / trail running
This form of mountaineering is probably one of the most strenuous and demanding. Running itself remains a challenge for many people – now imagine running up a mountain. For many, trail running serves as the ultimate endurance test. Competitions in mountain running can span distances of 50 kilometers or more, with total running times of up to 24 hours. Hard to imagine, but that's the reality!
6. Honorable mentions: downhill mountain biking and canyoning
We mention these two mountain sports, although in theory, you don't necessarily have to ascend a mountain for either. However, in Austria, both activities can be practiced in mountainous areas. Admittedly, this is also a somewhat more "extreme" form of alpine sport. Canyoning combines various sporting activities. You climb, swim, ascend and descend, and jump off cliffs.
Ideally, this should be done as part of a guided tour, as it can be tricky to find the right paths. There are different approaches to downhill mountain biking. In Austria, you can now find several parks that welcome you for a fee. There are various routes tailored to your abilities. The other option is the so-called "Free" variant. These routes are usually not perfectly maintained, but they provide an adventure.
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Energizing sports breakfast from Verival
Regardless of the sports you choose, one aspect remains consistent: you need a good dose of energy. At Verival, we have extensively researched what the perfect sports breakfast looks like. We then developed our own sports range, which serves as the ideal base for your energizing power breakfast. Just click through!
Do you already know your BMI value?
At Verival, you can easily and quickly calculate your BMI. Use our BMI calculator. It does not matter whether you want to lose weight, wish to improve your health, or are currently engaged in muscle-building training. The Body Mass Index is often the first measurement that indicates whether you have your body weight under control.
Here, you can calculate your BMI (Body Mass Index) in mere seconds and learn about the significance of this value.
