Tricky question in

Posted: 15 July 2011 07:13 PM

Hi,
I was thinking about getting some early season mountain time, maybe in October possibly Kaunertal Austria.

My question is:
Is the animosity towards non Caucasian visitors to Austria as bad as it seems? Bugs me to even post the question but you know how it is, just want to ride, eat well and chill.

Thanks

Posted: 15 July 2011 07:43 PM

I’m the perfect person to answer this question being an Auslander (foreigner) living in Austria.

Austria isn’t very ethnically diverse. I can go through a week here in Salzburger land and not see one person who isn’t Caucasian. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not welcoming to people of different races. All of the young Austrians I know are super friendly and in the most part interested in talking to people who aren’t Austrian and white. A lot have them have traveled and nearly all of them speak English.

Unfortunately like in all countries there are people with small town attitudes who dislike anyone that isn’t Western European. Muslims seem to be getting a bit of a bad time in Austria at the moment because there are quite a lot of immigrants in Vienna and like in all right-wing media they’ve become a bit of a scapegoat for the non-working. Eastern Europeans attract a bit of flack, although Austrians are happy for them to do all the low paid jobs.

So to answer your question. Is racism a problem in Austria? No it definitely isn’t, but like all countries you might get the odd person who is a dick. Are there many non-caucasions in Austria? Yes but mostly in Vienna.. not so much in the Tirol and Salzburgerland. Are you going to get a hard time? No way, Austrians are nice people and Kaunertal is a little town with three bars that really only attract snowboarders and skiiers who are again are usually traveled and educated people. I’m sure you’ll have a great time, the only thing to worry about is the weather… October can be pretty cloudy and Kaunertal is crap when you can’t see anything. Oh and the drive upto the Glacier which takes a good 50 minutes from the nearest village Fiechten, that’s not great. If conditions are good you’ll have an ace time, but it might be worth looking at Hintertux which is a little easier to get to, although equally exposed to crap weather.

Rich

Posted: 15 July 2011 07:48 PM

Oh and look on the tourist board sites for accomodation. It’s so damn cheap at that time of year they are practically paying you to stay. I’ve stayed in 3 self catering appartments in Feichten and all of them were mint. THe best place to have a drink and a pizza is the Kiwi bar which is a great little place. Up on the mountain where the main car park is there is a big restruant / facilities complex which offers fantastic food and good prices. The Schnitzel burger is insane!