Debbie Gabriel, Author at InTheSnow

Want to get to the slopes in under half-an-hour from an airport? The Muttereralm just above Innsbruck is an ideal choice. Rob Stewart took his daughter on a mid-week ski break last season during the February half term holiday, avoiding the high priced weekend airfares and maximised his time on the slopes. Flying into Innsbruck Airport during the winter is one of the most exhilarating flight experiences I’ve had and it’s made even better when you fly past the very ski slopes I’ll be on later the same day. I’m with my 15 year old daughter Amelie and we have snuck away for a short mid-week break during the February half term week when flights are considerably cheaper than the weekend. Fortunately, because our final destination is only 15 minutes away from the airport, it means two and half days skiing across three nights and about a thirds of the flight price compared to the weekends. It has made a quick February half term ski break way more affordable and I thought it’s better to get a few days skiing in than none at all. Muttereralm ticks all the boxes for a short break with the family and those looking to avoid the crowds of larger Austrian ski areas - it offers a calm, relaxed atmosphere and whilst it’s not a large resort, the runs are long and the two modern gondolas really help to maximise ski time. Known for its family offering, the small village has a great selection of traditional and modern hotels, mostly offered on a half-board bases – but with Innsbruck just down the road, it’s easy to travel there during the evening by taxi or even with public transport. The skiing itself is varied enough to keep both of us entertained and there’s two main runs, blue and red, that have a vertical drop of around 1,000 metres. Views of Innsbruck and its wide valley are spectacular. Amelie is a competent skier on blue’s and red’s but there’s an easy enough black piste that she found challenging, but doable. One of the highlights of Muttereralm is its accessibility. From the lift base to the slopes, everything is straightforward, and it’s easy to spend a few hours skiing, grab lunch at one of the on-mountain restaurants, and be back on the slopes in no time. We wanted to mix things up a bit beyond skiing, so we tried tobogganing and Snook. Tobogganing is a classic Austrian winter pastime, and the runs at Muttereralm are perfect for children and adults alike - fast enough to be thrilling, but safe and well-maintained trails keep things under control, just about. Snook, a cross between tobogganing and cycling on snow, was a fun novelty. It’s not something you find at every resort, and despite my reservations, it was a lot of fun. The variety of activities beyond skiing really makes Muttereralm a strong choice for families who might not want to spend every moment on skis. Food in the resort and on the mountain is mostly traditional, with plenty of hearty options such as goulash and Kässpatzle (a sort of noodle with cheese) as well as soups, dumplings, and schnitzels. Muttereralm is a family-oriented destination and has a great beginner’s area on the upper part of the mountain, meaning good snow conditions and fantastic views of the Innsbruck Valley. The ski school is friendly with English speaking instructors and it’s well set up for learning to ski. Evenings are quiet in Mutters, but it’s easy to get down into Innsbruck by vehicle, public transport or taxi. The 15 minute drive (or train journey) makes it possible to experience some shopping before a bit of après and then dinner – the buses and trains run well into the evening. Innsbruck is the capital of Tirol and the choice of bars and restaurants is huge but if you like craft beer then Tribaun hits the spot. For anyone considering a half-term ski trip, especially with children, Muttereralm is a strong contender. Its proximity to Innsbruck, family-friendly slopes, extra activities like tobogganing and Snook, and simple logistics make it ideal for a short break. We managed to squeeze a lot into our few days, from skiing and tobogganing to trying new winter games, and still had time to relax. By the time we flew back midweek to Gatwick, we both felt like we’d had a proper holiday, without the cost of the weekend flights. For families looking to introduce their children to skiing or enjoy a relaxed winter break with a mix of activities, Muttereralm is hard to beat. It offers the perfect combination of convenience, variety, and a welcoming atmosphere. Rob travelled from London Gatwick to Innsbruck with Easyjet and stayed at the Hotel Dasmei in Mutters. Muttereralm is part of the GoPass system, which makes buying lift passes and accessing on-mountain services straightforward for visitors. Skiers can purchase passes online or via the GoPass app, store them digitally, and even link multiple family members to the same account. The system also works with participating restaurants and shops on the mountain, allowing for cashless payments and a small cashback benefit on purchases. For more information, visit gopass.travel or instagram.com/gopass.travel. More Information about Mutters and the ski resort can be found at muttereralm.at/en Image Credits Rob Stewart

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