 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm trying to plan a family ski holiday for a very mixed group. My Dad may not be skiing due to a knee replacement last year, so wants plenty to do off the mountain.
My sister-in-law wants somewhere with good kindergarten facilities for the two children. English speaking is not a problem as she is German and the kids understand both English and a fair amount of German.
Finally, we want somewhere snow-sure, so looking at anywhere above 1600m, that offers a good range of skiing for all levels.
Dont want much do I 
St Anton looks favourite to me, but does anyone have any other ideas. I've only been to Austria once in recent years and don't know a great deal about it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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St Anton doesn't have too much to offer if you're not skiing/boarding IMO. I wouldn't say there is that much decent walking there either. If you want non'skiing activities you're probably better off looking at the lower Austrian resorts where they've had to provide facilities in the event of poor snow. That's never been a problem with St Anton so cosnsequently not many off-slope activities.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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BAD GASTEIN is probably best for non-skiers in Austria. (1000m to 2246m)
"BAD GASTEIN
AUSTRIA
THE RESORT
Bad Gastein has a famous casino and a collection of once-grand hotels, mostly painted in the imperial yellow of Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace and stacked dramatically up a steep hillside. Johan Strauss and Franz Schubert both composed here
THE SKIING
The main Stubnerkogel ski area is on the western side of the valley and is reached by a modern gondola from the top of the town. The entire valley - with 52 lifts - is best suited to strong intermediates looking for a combination of mileage and challenge
THE NON-SKIING
Some 23 million litres of hot water bubble up each day from several natural springs and are piped into all the main hotels. The public indoor and outdoor pools at the Felsenbad by the railway station are a popular rendevous where you can wallow in the waters and, through a haze of steam, watch skiers in action just a few metres away
THE KNOWLEDGE
Take a train ride to the Healing Galleries, 2km inside the mountain near Böckstein. The combination of a 90ºC temperature, humidity and low doses of radon gas can allegedly cure respiratory and muscular ailments. For more information go to www.badgastein.at"
http://www.bergfex.com/badgastein/
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Dave J, altitiude isn't a major issue in Austria if you are going between end January and mid March. I have been for the last 5 years at the end of Feb/early March and have never had a problem with snow cover. Try not to compare with France as the weather is quite different (much drier) and the terrain is generally pasture land so the minimum depth of the snow required is much lower than France for example for good skiing.
Bad Gastein would be good for non-skiers and there are some very nice hotels. They tend to be larger hotels and I believe (not from personal experience) that they offer good facilities regarding childcare. It is well advertised in some hotels at least.
Kitzbuhel is a large-ish town, about 1&1/2 hours from Salzburg for day trips etc. Kitz also has a huge swimming complex and walking routes.
Both resorts offer good skiing and around 150km plus of piste.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I've taken a mixed ability group, including one non-skier and a complete beginner, to Ischgl for the past two years, and everyone seems sufficiently satisfied to contemplate going there for a third year in succession. It is high (most of the skiing is above 1600m), snow sure (season finished on May 1st this year), and has reasonably extensive walking for those not skiing, in locations where you can still all meet up for lunch. The village itself is quite attractive, and is much livelier than anything I've been to in Switzerland or France.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Galtur is easy to reach from Ischgl by bus for a change of scenery for non skiers, there's a very child friendly pool at Ischgl. The village is very attractive, and interesting to walk around. It's easy to get to the top of the gondolas for lunch, also there's a walk up the valley along the bottom of the ski areas. There are kindergartens, one is on Idalp, half way up the mountain, and takes children as soon as they are out of nappies. If you go at Easter there's sure to be a concert up the mountain, last year it was Sons of Mannheim in Ischgl and Sweet in Samnaun, just over the mountain.
Skiing wise, almost all of the skiing is over 1600m, it's just the runs to resort below that. there are mid stations to all 3 gondolas at about 1600m. Samnaun is a little lower, but it always seems to remain open till the end of season.
Obergurgl is also high, with a very good reputation for little kids. For non-skiers Lech and Zurs offer plenty to do, the skiing is high, but the resorts have a reputation for being very expensive. We've just had a very good week in Mayrhofen, arriving 2nd April. This is an excellent non-skiing resort, also there was plenty of snow, and the Hintertux glacier is just up the valley, included on the lift pass.
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Thanks everyone. Looks like a toss up between Ischgl and Bad Gastein. I'll put it to the family vote!
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DB, any recommendations for adaptive skiing programs?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Tnx, DB, I might yet take you up on that. He's in hospital now with time on his hands so I'll let him do the legwork.
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