Safe places to holiday in? - Austria

Interesting link listing the 10 safest places in the world for travelers. The list is a bit objective but comes up with the following countries:-  New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Sweden, Japan, Canada, Finland and Slovenia.

The list seems to pick up on the best places with some common themes:- i) Nordic countries ii), Alpine countries, or iii) Tundra countries. The top ten  list comes from a survey of 144 countries and they look at 23 specific areas as indicators to come up with their favourites.

Political Map of Austria, showing adjacent countries

When it comes to Austria, it has the following in favour, a  politically stable country, population community orientated (as opposed to "my" rights orientated), Austria is a religious county counting on the number of beautiful Catholic churches, secondary indicators include the absence of litter and  the "graffiti" index, the  Austrians come over as friendly, honest, kind law abiding, and are very proud of their nationality. 

If you  are going to visit Austria? and are looking for somewhere to stay? for 3 - 9 guests, then please please consider staying at Austrian Holiday Apartment - Kaprun.

Wearing helmets whist Skiing in Austria?

There is a rapid debate and in some cases a heated debate evolving around whether helmets should be worn whist skiing, following a number of accidents. The Austrian Times have led with an article recently, around the suggestion that the ski lift operators should police the wearing of helmets?

The ski-injury.com website comes up with the unsurprising statistic that wearing a helmet will reduce your chance of being injured during a collision, lots of interesting additional information.
Along with the comparison of injuries between skiers and and snow-boarders.

There are counter arguments that you are more likely to sustain a neck injury if wearing a helmet?

In some ways it is similar to the debate of a few years ago concerning the wearing of seat belts in cars. It eventually becomes second nature, that when you drive you "clunk click" every trip.

Similarly with the wearing of helmets for horse riding, or for cycle riding is becoming much more common than twenty years ago.

In Italy it is now compulsory for children under 14 to wear helmets when out skiing.

There is the argument from the health & safety lobby, pushing the benefits of safety that the wearing of helmets brings. And the libertarian lobby demanding the right to choose whether to wear a helmet or not.

My personal view is that skiers and snowboarders should go at the speed and on the slopes that they are comfortable with. There is an argument that those new to skiing, are at greater risk of falling and therefore should wear a helmet. I think in time the wearing of helmets will become much the norm than it is now.


Update wearing of Ski helmets in Austria for children under 14 made compulsory

Following a number of high profile incidents the wearing of helmets by children under the age of 14, has now been made compulsory in Austria. This brings Austria into line with the safety provisions of Iataly on the wearing of helmets by skiers / snowboarders.


If you are going to buy a ski helmet, consider the advice listed here.



For further information on somewhere to stay please see www.austria-holiday-apartment.com