Bringing the Alps to London - Events taking place at Austria House Tirol during London 2012

The official Austria House Tirol will be located at Trinity House  in Tower Hill during the London 2012 Olympics. Opening its doors to the public on Thursday 26th July there will be a host of Tirolean events and customs taking place daily through to Sunday 12th August, hosted by the Tirol Tourist Board  and partners Innsbruck, Innsbruck Airport, Zillertal, Kitzbühel Alps and Ischgl tourist boards.

Overlooking Trinity Square and the Tower of London, the central location of the historic Trinity House is a fitting venue to entertain athletes, media, VIPs and attract the general public to enjoy what is on offer at the Austria House Tirol, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics.

Josef Margreiter, CEO Tirol Tourist Board, says, “On behalf of the Tirol Tourist Board and our partners, we are really looking forward to welcoming everybody at the Austria House Tirol during the Games. After a successful inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck in January and becoming the first city in 2012, alongside London, to host the Olympics for the third time, Austria’s position in the Olympic Movement has strengthened considerably and we are looking forward to building on this in the future.”

The highlights of events are as follows:

Tirol Charity Cycle Ride

When: Thursday 26th July at 5.30-6.30pm
Event type: Free open to public
Come down to the Austria House Tirol and welcome the cyclists as they complete their epic journey from Innsbruck 2012 to London 2012. Over 8 days, the Tirol Cycle Team will have covered a gruelling 1300 kms, raising money for Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK). They are expected to reach the finishing line at Tower Bridge between 5.30pm-6.30pm on Thursday 26th July and will be joined on the UK leg from Ramsgate by BBC Ski Sunday presenter, Graham Bell and ex GB ski racer Konrad Bartelski among others. Get behind the team and help raise money for DSUK by donating at www.justgiving.com/tirol2london2012.

Opening Evening with the Tirolean Home Guards

When: Thursday 26th July at 7pm
Event type: Free open to public
The official opening of the Austria House Tirol will take place at 7pm on Thursday 26th July by Dr. Karl Stoss, President of the Austrian Olympic Committee (ӦOC). After welcoming the cyclists, make your way to the Tirolean Alpine Garden and enjoy the spectacular, historic display by the Tiroler Schützen (Tirolean Home Guards). This traditional custom dates back to former times when they defended the so-called ‘Land on the Mountains’, now known as Tirol. Having stood the test of time, 55 Tirolean guards in full costume uniform will parade with their rifles to the sounds of traditional music from a local Tirolean band.

Culinary Delights at the Tirolean Alpine Garden

When: Thursday 26th July to Sunday 12th August, 10am – 10pm
Event type: Free open to public
Bringing a taste of the Alps to London, Trinity House will be transformed into an atmospheric Alpine Hut, Where better to watch the Games than on the big screen whilst sipping your favourite Tirolean tipple, such as an Austrian Beer, Weisswein Spritzer, Schnapps or Almdudler in the Tirolean Alpine Garden, overlooking Trinity Square. Brit’s favourite Austrian desserts, such as Apfelstrudel or Kaiserschmarrn will also be served. With light background entertainment, Tirolean ‘Gemütlichkeit’ (hospitality) will be in full flow and you will soon feel as if you are still on your last skiing or walking holiday in the Austrian Alps.

Tirol Snow Day and Après-Ski Party

When: Sunday 29th July, 12pm – 10pm
Event type: Free open to public
The Tirol Snow Day will be a fun-filled day event for all the family, with a host of activities going on as the London summer is transformed into a winter wonderland. Of course a Tirol Snow Day wouldn’t be complete without an après-ski party. Well known for its legendary après-ski scene, in resorts such as Ischgl and Mayrhofen, the party will follow on from the Tirol Snow Day until 10pm in the Tirolean Alpine Garden. With snow still falling into the evening, it is time to head to the Ice Bar for a Glühwein or Schnapps and get on down to some classic Après Ski hits. Partygoers dressed in ski gear will be in with a chance of winning a skiing holiday for two in the Austrian Tirol this winter, awarded to the person dressed in the quirkiest ski outfit!

Yodel your way to the Tirol

When: Thursday 26th July to Sunday 12th August, 10am – 10pm
Event type: Free open to public
Get ready to embrace one of Tirol’s stereotypes as we invite everyone to start yodelling their socks off! Outside in the Tirolean Alpine Garden there will be a traditional British red telephone box, pick up the phone, record your yodel and you will be in with a chance to win a week’s summer holiday to Mayrhofen including half board, flights and transfers in 2013. Not sure how to yodel? Don’t worry we even have a professional Yodel instructor on hand to offer some handy tips and you will be Yodel-Ay-Eee-Ooo-ing before you know it!

Keep updated at facebook.com/visittirol

For further information and images contact:

Becky Horton
Horton PR
becky.horton@hortonpr.co.uk; 020 8330 2143; 07766 738020

Holger Gassler, Head of Marketing & PR
Tirol Werbung GmbH – Tirol Tourist Board, Austria
holger.gassler@tirolwerbung.at; Tel: +43 664 805 32 641