CYRIL DIXON goes on the trail of The Beatles in Austrian resort Obertauern

LEANING on my ski poles, I am surprised to see four familiar figures silhouetted against the snowy Austrian pistes.

With capes, caps, skinny legs and zany, windmilling arms, they are instantly recognisable as pop icons The Beatles.

Sadly, this John, Paul, George and Ringo – being wrought-metal statues perched above the ski resort of Obertauern – are unable to deliver a greatest hits medley.

But their surreal cameo here celebrates the coolest of après-ski yarns.

The real Lennon, McCartney, and Co. visited Obertauern in 1965 to shoot scenes for their comedy adventure film, Help!

With Ticket to Ride playing as the soundtrack, they fled on skis from a mad professor and a sinister cult leader, both after a sacred ring which was stuck on Ringo’s finger – don’t forget, it was the swinging sixties.

The village was chosen because, at 5,500 ft above sea level, it was one of the few to guarantee snow during the Easter filming slot.

It wasn’t until 50 years later tourist chiefs began to make more of their place in pop history by commissioning the Skiing Beatles statues.

Down below lies a cluster of hotels and apartments, with all essential services.

You arrive via a 90-minute transfer from Salzburg airport,