Grossarltal

For parents looking to share their love of skiing with their little ones, Grossarltal in Austria’s giant Ski Amadé region offers comfort and challenge in equal measure. Words: Colin Nicholson

2022-11-03 -

If skiing conjures up images of purpose-built resorts, intimidating craggy mountains and slightly scary ski instructors, then Austria offers a very different proposition. Here, ski areas link ancient farming villages in the Eastern Alps and learners can enjoy gentle skiing and traditional Austrian hospitality as they ski between wide, tree-lined slopes.

Grossarltal is one such spot — a quaint Alpine village that’s part of the vast Ski Amadé region. The wider area offers 470 miles of piste, ranging from the Dachstein glacier to the Hochkönig mountains, and can be easily accessed from Grossarltal’s numerous ski in, ski out hotels. With wide, open pistes, top-quality ski schools, varied off-slope activities and friendly Alpine charm, this is family skiing at its finest.

A SUPERB SKI AREA

Learning to ski can be daunting, but the Grossarltal-Dorfgastein area immediately eases any fears. Five gondolas take you up the mountain in comfort and from the summit, you can take your pick from 16 miles of blue runs for an easy route down. It’s an ideal place for progression, with 22 miles of red runs and eight chairlifts awaiting those who grow in confidence during their stay.

As skills improve, nursery slopes will soon become a distant memory thanks to Grossarltal’s several highly entertaining fun zones. Glide through the tunnels of the funslope, race down the undulating snowboard cross track and embrace some healthy competition at the timed slalom track before filling any hungry stomachs at one of the area’s 13 mountain huts.

For those ready to fly a little further, it’s less than 20 minutes from Grossarltal to Alpendorf, where you can enjoy 125 miles of linked pistes, with challenges and snow parks aplenty. Older children can try the jumps at the Absolut Park — arguably the biggest in Austria — while parents will enjoy exploring the naturalistic Burton Stash Park, where plenty of powder can usually be found between the trees.

However, family travel here is as much about economics as it is entertainment. As such, the area has introduced several lift pass promotions, including the Family Bonus (where larger families only pay for the oldest two under-18s) and the Easter Family Special (free ski passes to all children up to the age of 15, from 18 March until the end of the season). As 90% of Ski Amadé’s pistes are covered by snowmaking facilities, you can be sure of reliable snow coverage even into the later weeks of the season.

OFF-SLOPE ACTIVITIES

Tiny tots with tired legs may not relish skiing all day long, but a family-focused resort such as Grossarltal has many other activities on offer. There’s sledging through the forest on a mile-long floodlit track or enjoying cosy

horse-drawn sleigh rides through the valley, and even tandem paragliding over the snowcovered peaks. A firm family favourite, though, is the traditional sport of ‘ice stock’ on the four rinks. It’s similar to curling, but easier to learn, as you knock your opponents’ stones across the ice.

For non-skiing relatives, guided snowshoe treks, 22 miles of winter walking paths and 15 miles of crosscountry ski trails are sure to appeal, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to experience the beautiful landscapes of Grossarltal from a new perspective.

SKI IN, SKI OUT SUPERIORITY

Those who have had the pleasure of a lengthy walk to the nearest lift with children in ski boots in tow will fully appreciate the numerous benefits a ski in, ski out hotel offers on a family holiday. The village of Grossarl enjoys its fair share of such properties, with several cosy, familyfriendly hotels offering ski in, ski out access near the ski school meeting point, as well as in-house equipment rental.

Das Edelweiss is a great base from which to enjoy these activities — a friendly, family-run mountain resort that blends sophisticated luxury with a traditional Alpine atmosphere. Here, typical Austrian ‘Gemütlichkeit’ — a sort of cosy ambience — spreads through the lounges, bedrooms and restaurants. Families will appreciate the modern facilities, which include an in-house aquapark with five waterslides and an indoor and outdoor pool for children to enjoy. The resort’s 75,000sq ft wellness area stretches over five floors, offering whirlpool baths, saunas, steam rooms and loungers from which guests can admire panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Crucially, the spa is split into two areas: one for families and one for adults, so it’s ideal for tired parents looking to unwind.