When it comes to the perfect holiday destination in the Tirolean Alps, few can match the charming family resort of Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau.
The Alpbachtal and Wildschönau ski valleys in Tirol are picture postcard-perfect holiday destinations, both areas of stunning natural beauty that have welcomed guests for many years. But in 2012 the two were connected by lifts and pistes to create one of the biggest ski regions in Tirol.
The resulting area: Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, gives the best of both worlds. The chance to stay in a traditional Alpine village in the western Kitzbühel Alps, but with 113km (70 miles) of ski slopes served by 45 lifts (nine of them gondolas) waiting, whichever village you chose to stay in.
Lifts climb up to the Wiedersberger Horn mountain, at 2,128 metres above sea level, the region’s highest point and more than 90% of the slopes have snowmaking facilities to top up Mother Nature’s efforts as required. And it is all located less than an hour’s drive from Innsbruck.
Extremely popular with families and no less than 10 ski schools expert at teaching beginners through to a wide selection of pistes suitable for first timers. Most of the slopes are rated blue (easy) or red (intermediate), although there are also some challenging black runs and freeride routes for those needing more to test their skills. Freestyle skiers and snowboarders will find lots for them too, including three snowparks.
Whatever your ability, you’ll want to enjoy a break during your day on the slopes to take in the views and enjoy some wholesome Tirolean food and drink. The Ski Juwel does not disappoint there either with 25 traditional mountain huts to choose from, each serving the traditional hearty delights we all love. There are also a number of view points across the region where you can take in one stunning panoramic vista after another without needing to add any pounds.
There are a number of different villages where you can choose to be based, then ski over to visit the others.
They include Alpbach, which has been voted “Austria’s most beautiful village” on several occasions due to its traditional wooden chalet-style buildings. It’s actually one of nine villages to choose from on the Alpbachtal which also include Austria’s smallest town, Rattenberg, with a population of just 400 inhabitants! On the Wildschönau side there are a further four villages to extend your choice to a full baker’s dozen. Thierbach is a very special, unique destination with its church, two pubs and just a handful of houses. Rustic Auffach is a larger village but equally enchanting.
