Side Events

Wild and romantic gorges, paradises for waterfowl, steep waterfalls and deep diving basins – up to and including the serious whitewater, rafting in the loveliest mountain rivers in Europe has everything that nerves of steel and sharp eyes could possibly want. Appreciation for the beauty of Mother Nature and respect for her emerge as a matter of course.

Canyoning involves walking from the top to bottom of Vorarlberg’s most beautiful gorges using a wide variety of different types of movement: from simple walking and easy climbing to abseiling, sliding and jumping, everything is included. Admittedly, it sounds a bit intimidating at first, but the tours are accompanied by guides and the level of difficulty and the choice of gorge is always tailored to the group. 

The practice of hunting using a bow and arrow on skis has been handed down from prehistoric rock paintings in the far north. These days, this form of hunting is known as the biathlon and has become a trendy sport. Shooting with a steady hand after completing the cross-country skiing demands mental strength and precision, and even if there is no cross-country skiing involved, you still need to shoot, with all that is involved.

As the peak gets nearer and stress reduces with each passing second, the Pfänder mountain reveals the impact of having this nature paradise a stone’s throw from the city centre.

A natural, pure and characterful beer, visitors can now get step-by-step insights into the brewing process. Of course, such a tour also includes tasting sessions of everything from pale ale to wheet beer. 

For some, dashing through the woods at a speed of 130km an hour is just a speed kick at an altitude of 160 metres. For others, it is the craving for their own wings that you get for the duration of the flight at least. 

The art of archery is underestimated – this sport is a far cry from our childhood games of cowboy and Indians. It demands a high degree of precision and concentration, discipline and inner tranquillity. All these are things which would be useful in daily life, if only we had gotten round to practising them.

The crunch of the snow, the crisp air, the panoramic views… a snowshoe hike brings you into the heart of wintery nature, to enjoy alpine landscapes with a sense of true calmness.

Making clocks, pepper mills and lamps from wood – all of that and much more is possible at the workshops that the Bizau-based Bär company organises in the Bregenzerwald. The idea is right on trend because the more digital the world becomes, the greater the desire is to make something from scratch with your own hands. 

The Sennerei Hinteregg was established in 1938 and has always been an insider tip where delicious cheese specialities are concerned. Florian Lang is the alpine dairyman who’s today responsible for transforming pasture milk sourced from 11 farms into Vorarlberg alpine cheese. Guided tours of the dairy reveal to visitors how fresh pasture milk is turned into cheese.

The Austria Guides have developed guided and themed tours of the city that present a wide variety of places, people and cultures and prove that it is the mix that makes Dornbirn the exciting city that it is.

Fantastic opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of the city exist in and around Dornbirn. For example, the guided tours through the Rappenloch and Alploch gorges. But it never is actually completely quiet in the cool gorges because the gurgling and rushing of the Dornbirner Ach remain constant companions.

The ice-skating rink in Bludenz is one option that turns up when an alternative to the classic day of skiing is being sought. There is also a spectacular ice run there where visitors can test their skills on a Vutschko (bobsleigh) at speeds of up to 100 kph.

The Inuits’ traditional construction methods are being increasingly cultivated in the mountains around here, especially since team building presents an essential factor for success when it comes to constructing an igloo. As well as a shovel and saw, you need a portion of stamina to build a viable igloo residence.

Those who practice yoga give their bodies a break and a conscious start to the day. And where would this fit better than before an intense day of conferences and meetings?