Safe haven in country that caters for kids
While some experts turn their nose up at Austria and criticise it for its general lack of challenging ski slopes, no-one can deny that it is perhaps the best destination for families.
Neilson marketing manager specialist products Adrian Howell said: “Austrian resorts have more of a family appeal as they are generally pretty villages and more beginner/intermediate orientated. They are also predominantly hotel and chalet-based attracting families looking for a full hotel service rather than going self catering.”
The Good Ski Guide also rates the country as a superb choice for families, citing its variety of undemanding pistes and family-run hotels as its major attractions.
It recommends resorts such as Kitzbuhel, Mayrhofen, Obergurgl, Obertauern, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Schladming.
While skiable terrain and type of accommodation are important considerations, price is another major factor and agents should make sure parents add up the cost of ski lessons, lift passes, equipment and child minders.
To encourage a booking, agents can point out that many operators now offer these services free at certain Austrian resorts and hotels at particular times of the year.
Inghams sales manager Laurence Hicks said: “Kids ski free in more Austrian resorts than any other country we feature.”
For families, Hicks recommends the resort of Filznoos.
“It is a typical Austrian village, not spread out, so you actually don’t need a car or bus to get around,” he said.
“Austrian resorts tend to be smaller and more compact with a village centre so it is easy to keep control over the children.”
For clients who prefer a larger resort, Hicks suggests the Grand Hotel in Zell am See which offers a free kindergarten with unlimited soft drinks all day Monday-Friday 9am-5pm for children aged three-12 years old.
Neilson has also introduced the resort of Filzmoos for ’99/2000 with the aim of attracting the family market.
The operator also offers its own Snowman Clubs for kids aged six months to eight years old in the three resorts of Niederau, Westendorf and Itter, with the service free of charge in Itter.
Neilson also has a variety of free ski and boot hire, ski schools and lift passes at various times of the season.
For families learning to ski, Crystal recommends the resort of Brand which offers free six or 13-day lift pass all season; Kaprun with its ski school for children aged four-13 years’ old and free lift passes for children aged six and under; or alternatively Mayrhofen for its highly-rated English-speaking ski school and nanny service.
Other operators, such as Airtours, offer added extras including kindergarten with a free day’s trial skiing at resorts such as Ellmau.
“This is an ideal resort for families due to its village atmosphere, gentle nursery slopes, activities such as sleigh rides and experienced ski school,” said a spokeswoman.
First Choice introduced three new Austrian resorts this year -Fieberbrunn, Igls/Innsbruck and Finkenberg. It claims Fieberbrunn is targeting families with an innovative ski-theme creche which takes youngsters out on to the slopes and encourages them to take an interest in the sport.