Photo: © TVB Bad Kleinkirchheim

Franz Klammer, arguably the greatest downhiller of all time, has become a patron of Ski 4 Cancer – the UK charity that provides alpine breaks for families affected by the disease. Ski 4 Cancer funds research into the positive effects of exercise and how it can assist in both cancer prevention and recovery.

Klammer’s involvement is all the more appropriate because Ski 4 Cancer plans to send families on recuperative trips to Bad Kleinkirchheim in Carinthia. BKK is Franz’s home resort with a major piste named after him.

The resort has a lot going for it: beautiful scenery, excellent accommodation, superb food and offering a range of relaxing activities for non-skiers. It has over 100km of groomed pistes, and is one of Austria’s leading spa resorts with natural thermal water that attracts visitors from all over the world for its relaxing and curative properties. BKK is located under an hour from Klagenfurt airport, which is served by Ryanair from Stansted.

Franz came from an impossibly high start number to snatch Olympic Gold at Innsbruck in 1976 and won five world championships. He said: “Over the years I have known many people who have been affected by this disease. I really like Ski 4 Cancer’s approach to helping people because the mountains provide the perfect environment to relax. Ski 4 Cancer helps families in difficult circumstances and I encourage skiers and snowboarders to get involved in this great cause.”

About Ski 4 Cancer

Apart from organising alpine breaks for sufferers and their families, Ski 4 Cancer also funds research into the positive effects of sports such as skiing and how it can help both prevent cancer and assist in recovery. Further details visit Ski 4 Cancer website.

Romerbad thermal spa. Photo: © TVB Bad Kleinkirchheim