July/August 2024
SNOW-SURE SLOPES IN AUSTRIA | 31
8. Top-Notch Ski Schools
No matter if complete beginner or advanced skier, there’s always something new to learn on the slopes. Thanks to the country’s long skiing tradition, Austria has an extensive network of excellent ski
schools, employing around 18,000
professional instructors. Usually, there’s at least one English-speaking pro on-site, so you don’t need to speak German to attend a course. Austria’s instructor training is considered to be the best worldwide, with newbies undergoing
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have grown organically over the centuries and still boast their original Old-World charm – the perfect setting for a winter fairy-tale like back in the day.
Experience the authentic Austrian lifestyle, mingle with the locals in the traditional huts and restaurants after your day on the slopes and embrace everything winter in Austria has to offer. 5. Legendary Slopes
The Austrian notion of Gemütlichkeit is hard to explain. Unique to the country, it
embodies cosiness, comfort, and
homeliness. Cosy rustic huts invite you to while away the hours, nursing mulled wine or schnapps in front of a crackling log fire, surrounded by friendly locals.
The service and hospitality is guaranteed to leave you with a warm glow even in cold winter weather. Most of Austria's hotels and guest houses are family-run, further adding to the homely atmosphere. 6. Modern and Sustainable Resorts Sometimes size does matter. Ski Arlberg (305 km of slopes), SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser- Brixental (270 km) and Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn (270 km) are the largest ski resorts in Austria - and they are widely considered to be some of the most modern in Europe, too. Austria invests millions every year to improve and upgrade its lift and gondola network – make the most of it! What’s more, you can whisk down the slopes with a clear conscious. SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental has received multiple awards for being one of the most ecological resorts worldwide and many others are closely following, using green energy to run their lifts and hotels, hence keeping the carbon footprint to a minimum. 7. Perfect for a family holiday Skiing with little ones in tow for the first time is certainly a memorable experience but also poses some challenges. However, things get a lot smoother if you book yourself into a winter resort especially catering for young guests. While Austria’s huge resorts are stunning, there’s also plenty of beautiful smaller ones perfect for families who are looking for a more intimate winter experience. St. Johann in Tirol and St. Johann in Salzburg are especially popular thanks to their extensive family-friendly offers, think kids clubs, ski schools, childcare, and tons of activities away from the slopes. Add the attractive family deals and you might have just found the perfect holiday destination that doesn’t break the bank.
training days than
anywhere else. Unsurprisingly, people from all over come to Austria to master their skills – or train as instructors. 9. Quirky Cuisine
Skiing is a proper workout, so you certainly deserve sampling all the hearty Austrian food everyone talks about! Kaiserschmarren, a fluffy chopped-pancake dish, is a classic for sharing. Other popular dishes worth trying include Kaspressknödel (cheese dumplings), Tiroler Gröstl (bacon, onion, and potato fry-up) and Käsespätzle (cheese spaetzle).
The traditional food is typically enjoyed together with Skiwasser (water with raspberry and lemon sirup) and – if you are done with skiing for the day – followed by a proper home-made schnapps. 10. Experience Skiing and Sightseeinng in One Day
Even the most dedicated skier needs a
break. So why not use it for some sightseeing? In Austria, you can combine skiing and city trip, enjoying the best of both worlds. Head to Innsbruck (surrounded by 13 ski areas!) and stroll its imperial streets, then have a coffee in a classic coffeehouse before taking a cable car from the centre and be at 2,000 m in just 20 minutes!
Think of it as a skiing holiday with city amenities from shopping streets to museums, and day spas as a bonus! 11. The Next Spa is never far away Most of Austria’s ski hotels have their
own spas – or partner up with nearby ones to offer their guests attractive deals. What better way to recharge your batteries after a day of skiing than in a heated outdoor tub or a sauna? Or, if your significant other isn’t in the mood for skiing, he or she certainly won’t mind spending a few hours relaxing at the pool while you are free to continue whisking down your favourite slopes.
www.austria.info
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