Fiss

Unlike a few centuries ago, local residents in Fiss these days are in slightly less of a hurry to drive away the winter. After all, this village perched on a sunny plateau high above the valley floor enjoys 2,000 hours of sunshine a year and draws many visitors during the winter months for skiing, snowshoe hiking and cross-country skiing. Once feared, winter has become a very attractive time of year for the local economy.

Nevertheless, the “Blochziehen” ritual held every four years in Fiss is still an absolute highlight of the carnival season. Many similar events take place in villages to the west of Innsbruck in February as a symbol of the struggle between the cold, harsh winter and the approaching spring bringing new life. The “Bloch” is in fact a 35-metre-long pine tree trunk which is dragged through the village by local residents. It symbolises a plough churning up the earth and making it fertile. On its way through the village the “Bloch” is accompanied by figures such as the “Schallner”, who ring bells weighing up to 15 kilograms to drive out the dark, demonic winter. Another figure, the “Schwoaftuifl” has a different job – with a series of tricks he tries to prevent the local men from dragging the “Bloch” through Fiss. Alas, he is never successful in his efforts and the spring always wins!