Austrian Alpine adventure
Phenomenal views, tasty food and thrilling days spent on the sl op es–this sölden ski holiday ticks all our boxes
S now as far as the eye can see. Bright, blue skies. Stunning mountain tops. When I arrived in Sölden to go skiing I was hoping for an authentic Austrian Alpine experience, and boy did it deliver. With Christmas just around the corner, the atmosphere at Das Central, my hotel for the trip, was even more enchanting than I had expected. The Das Central hotel completely captures the essence of the Austrian alpine lifestyle. It’s luxurious, warming and welcoming.
Sölden is one of the places to go if you’re into winter sports, but it’s particularly special if you’re a bit of a film fanatic (as I am!). On the first day we retraced the footsteps of Daniel Craig himself and ate lunch at the ice Q restaurant where James Bond blockbuster Spectre was filmed. The views were breathtaking. Well fed and rested, I was ready to hit the slopes the next day.
My favourite form of exercise is the kind that’s so enjoyable you don’t realise how hard you’re working – which is skiing to a tee. It was tough at times, especially when learning how to pull off parallel turns smoothly, but there’s nothing quite like being out on the snow and feeling exhilarated when you finish a run. I have to admit I did fall on my bum a few times, but what’s a skiing holiday without a few token bruises, hey?
After a full day on the piste I can recommend heading to Das Central’s Spa, where I had the Vinoble Vigorous Massage. The scented salt and grape seed exfoliation treatment followed by a soothing back massage will set your body up for your next day’s adventures.
Then there was the food. When you’re out on the slopes all day, it’s important to make sure that you’re fuelling up and hydrating well. My highlight came on day two. After completing a red run we had Kaiserschmarrn, an amazing Austrian dish, waiting for us at the ‘Gampe Thaya’ Hut, a famous Austrian lodge that has been a popular spot in the Ötztal Alps for locals and visitors for hundreds of years. The scrumptious sugared pancake served hot with an apple or plum sauce in the middle was the perfect way to soak up the views.
This ski holiday had it all – great skiing, spectacular views, tasty food, divine wine and brilliant memories. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Das Central Hotel, Sölden, Austria (centralsoelden.at/+43 5254 22600) has double rooms from €200 per person, based on two people sharing on a half board basis. For more information on Sölden in the Austrian Ötztal Valley, visit oetztal.com/en or call +43 (0) 57200 200.