European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 9, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Small prayer shrine a a familiar sight in the Tirol a sits by the Roadside near St. Johann in Tirol. At right snowboards leave their Marks on a Snow covered Field near  those who won Tonji t off tin packed track by Ron Mckinney staff writer away from the Glitz and distractions of nearby Kitz Biichel and St. Johann in Tirol a Small Village in the Eastern Section of Austria s Tirol Region offers a More sedate setting for a Winter getaway. Fiebe Brunn in t As crowded with ski lifts or As packed with nightlife As its better known neighbors Are but it does have a reputation for having the most Snow in Tirol. Few tourists a especially americans a tread this far off the beaten Snow path. And that will make it a perfect vacation spot for some people. While Kitz Biichel thrives on its tourist Economy Fiebe Brunn seems to have turned to tourism As an afterthought. It takes Only a Short time to walk through Fiebe Brunn s downtown area which consists of a few outdoor sporting stores Banks and a shopping Center. At times walking through this peaceful area one has to be reminded that it is a ski resort. Looking around there Are no people walking to the slopes with skis hoisted Over their shoulders no Mcdonald s to buy an inexpensive cup of hot chocolate and no parking problems for that matter. Fiebe Brunn does have some comfortable taverns to unwind in after skiing but it does not possess Row after Row of restaurants and hotels. Instead this Small Village of 4,000 is More in tune with the wants of the More conventional skiers who prefer to ski Down familiar runs and then spend the evenings at one of Only a handful of choices of restaurants and nightclubs. Despite its relative anonymity Fiebe Brunn has Good skiing facilities. There Are 25 ski lifts and nearly 25 Miles of groomed Cross country trails in the area. Plus the Village hosts the snowboard world cup professional tour on Jan. 14-1 5 in what should be one of its biggest weeks for tourism. While Fiebe Brunn in t As Lively As its neighbors it is intimate and cozy. The younger crowd still has its hangouts a the local londoner tavern and Fontana Sigu a and there Are plenty of guest houses where tourists can mix amicably with the locals a Gasthoff Kapell n in nearby Pfaffe Schwendt is a Good Choice As is the rive House for concerts. Fiebe Brunn s history goes Back to the Middle Ages when it was an Iron mining town. It was originally called Pramaus. In 1354, the grand Duchess of Tirol Margarethe Maultasch became ill during a visit there. She drank from a local Stream and recovered and in gratitude ordered the name changed to Fiebe Brunn a Quot fever  although fewer people speak English in Fiebe Brunn than in neighbouring villages brochures in English can be obtained from the tourist information Bureau in town. About seven Miles West of Fiebe Brunn is St. Johann in Tirol a Village of 5,000 that rests in a Valley Between the White Limestone Cliffs of the Kais erzgebirge and the jagged peaks of the Majestic Kitz Bicheler Horn. St. Johann is a regular Stop among tourists in both the summer and Winter. And unlike Fiebe Brunn it draws its share of americans. This Region was first inhabited about 3,000 years ago and As it developed became Active in the Salt and Iron Trade. It was eventually conquered by the romans and in the sixth Century by a germanic tribe called the Baj Uvario. It was under the Baj Uvario that the town that was to become St. Johann began around a Small Church dedicated to John the Baptist. The town served As the administrative seat of the Region until being surpassed by Kitz Biichel in the 13th Century. St. Johann was nearly destroyed in 1809 during the 6 stripes Magazine january 9, 1992