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Transcription: [00:38:40]
This is the Hofburg of Innsbruck, the Tyrolean palace of the once ruling Habsburg family.
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At noon, the rush to the slopes begins. As Innsbruck is one of the few cities in the world where the people can actually ski on their lunch hour.
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Even the streetcar seems to be in a hurry.
[00:39:02]
In order to get to the mountains above the city, the first step is this red funicular.
[00:39:07]
Most of the beginners go over to the mountains on the other side that we saw before.
[00:39:12]
But the advanced skiers all go up here, where the slopes are a real challenge.
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A quick transfer is made from the funicular to this cable car, that swings you up to the snowy top.
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Skimming over the trees, you can look down and see the skiers returning back to town for their afternoon's work.
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It's interesting to note that on these surrounding slopes above Innsbruck, the Winter Olympics of 1964 will be held.
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[00:39:58]
Well, there's about as much activity up here as down below, or inactivity.
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And it always amazes me how no one's ever perturbed by their proximity to the edge, including the traditional St. Bernard.
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Now for the really skilled and daring skier there's still a final height to be descended from, the very top.
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And here's the parting reminder for them.
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Now looking down from the final peak, you can see the little cable car bringing up the intrepid skiers.
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Shouldering their skis, they walk the rest of the way to the summit that's marked by the cross.
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It's 7,500 feet back down to Innsbruck.
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I hope they get back to work on time.