Today is Faschingsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday) – the climax of several days of Carnival celebrations in the Alps. 

Carnival – called Fasnacht in Switzerland, and Fasching in Austria and Bavaria – is the festive period immediately before Lent, and is an annual fling of frivolity and frolic, featuring flamboyant parades, um-pah bands, wild street parties and fireworks before Ash Wednesday heralds the start of Lent.   

FamilySkiNews.com has been in the Alps soaking up the atmosphere.  Click here to find out more.