Where to go to learn to ski, snowboard or cross-country ski
Tired of listening to family and friends bleat on about how fantastic skiing and snowboarding is? Why not make 2009-10 the season to give it a go and see for yourself what you are missing out on. Still finding excuses? The Tirol Tourist Board has looked at some of the most common excuses and come up with some top reasons to disagree and help change your mind.
Excuse no.1 – ‘It’s really expensive’
Ok it is not dirt cheap but it is a lot less expensive than you think. This season you can learn to ski for free in one of 8 great resorts in the Austrian Tirol as part of Freshers Ski Week freshersskiweek.com, from 16th - 23rd January or from 20th – 27th March 2010. Just book your holiday with any of the five participating tour operators, Crystal Ski, First Choice Ski, Inghams, Neilson and Thomson Ski and your tuition, lift passes and equipment hire will be thrown in for free. This amazing offer has no strings attached and is run in conjunction with the Association of Snowsports Countries.
Excuse no. 2 – ‘It will be really cold’
It is a totally different type of cold in the Alps....the air is crisp, dry and invigorating, not damp and bone-chilling like in the UK. When the heavens open the snow is light, fluffy and fresh, not slushy and wet like in the UK. When it snows hard, the roads get cleared, flights still operate and trains still run, not like in the UK. And when the sun shines on the snow you can even sunbathe in January - not like the UK!
Excuse no. 3 – ‘I’m not fit enough’
So now is your chance for a lifestyle change and where better than amidst breath-taking winter vistas? Skiing can give you an amazing adrenaline rush, releasing all those happy hormones to give body and soul a healthy boost. And forget the diet – enjoy apfel strudel, hot chocolate and mulled wine then burn off all the calories skiing.
Excuse no. 4 – ‘I’m no good at sport’
Skiing is a unique sport in allowing you to discover your sporting abilities while still having fun in the process! Provided you are taught in ski school by qualified instructors, you will learn quickly and many beginners progress to easier red runs in just one week. As you look up the slope on day one with a sense of intimidation, by day six you will be at the top looking down with a great sense of achievement.
Excuse no. 5 – ‘I’m too old to learn’
You are never too old to learn....the oldest skier was Japanese skiing legend who marked his 100th birthday in 2004 with a ski descent with 170 of his family and friends. Skiing is also a great social sport and a great way to meet new people.
For more information on the Tirol region, see – visittirol.co.uk
Learn to Ski
Where? Obergurgl
This resort is a well-kept secret for those who love the real Austria and is steeped in rural tradition. Blessed with a high-alpine location, nestled in the Ötz Valley, Obergurgl ensures a season-long blanket of white gold. What makes the resort so special for beginners and intermediates is that everyone will find slopes well suited to their ability and the modern lift systems means that queues are virtually unheard of plus many of the hotels boast the added benefit of door-to-door skiing.
How much?
Book Crystal’s ‘First Time’ ski package, with prices starting from £295 per person, including 6 days equipment hire and 6 days beginner ski tuition. Stay 7 nights at the 4* Hotel Madeleine on half board, with prices starting from £699 per person, including flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. Regional airports are available at a supplement. Visit crystalski.co.uk
Where? Alpbach
Gentle skiing, friendly ski instructors, excellent value for money doubled with exciting off-piste activities such as horse sleigh rides, ice-skating and night sledging makes Alpbach a leading resort to learn to ski. Rather than stay in a hotel why not experience a farm stay and enjoy genuine and authentic Tirolean hospitality.
How much?
The Landhaus Greil in Reith is located in the Alpbach valley, is ideal for families and beginners with the slopes directly outside the farmhouse. Prices start from €41 a day for an apartment. Innsbruck is served by Easyjet (easyjet.com) from Gatwick, Liverpool and Bristol and by British Airways (wba.com) from Gatwick. See tiscover.at/landhaus.greil.
Learn to Snowboard
Where? Ellmau
If you have never boarded before the best advice is to look for a resort offering gentle local slopes, excellent tuition to guide you through the early stages and good value for money. You can find all this and more in the attractive village of Ellmau, located in the heart of the Tirol between the rugged Wilder Kaiser mountains and the Kitzbühler Alps. Inghams offer a learn to board package for £131 per person, including 6 days board and boot hire and 3 days tuition (2hrs/day).
How much? Stay 7 nights at the 3* Claudia Pension in Ellmau on half board, with prices starting from £560 per person, including flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. Regional airports are available at a supplement. Visit inghams.co.uk
Where? Niederau
The small picturesque village of Niederau, located in the stunning Wildschönau valley, is an excellent choice for beginner boarders. The nursery slopes are easily accessible from the compact village centre, the instruction is first class and the runs are gentle and wide giving you plenty of room to learn! The Wildschönau Valley is a true winter wonderland offering so many different activities to try from tobogganing to Nordic snow walking to horse-drawn sleigh rides.
How much?
Book Thomson’s ‘First Time’ board package for £222 per person, including 6 days board & boot hire, 6 days beginner lift pass and 3 days board tuition (2hrs). Stay 7 nights on half board at the 4* Hotel Austria in Niederau, located directly opposite the nursery slopes and ski school meeting place. Prices start from £535 per person, including flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. Regional airports are available at a supplement. Visit thomsonski.co.uk
Learn to Cross-Country
Where? Leutasch
If you don’t fancy alpine skiing then why not give cross-country a go? There can be few better places to learn than on the immaculately groomed trails along the Leutasch Valley. The area has hosted the Nordic events of the Winter Olympics twice and with over 250kms of trails offers some of the finest and most extensive trails in Europe. Stay in the tiny hamlet of Kirchplatzl in the heart of the Leutasch Valley, just over half an hour from Innsbruck. After an active day, the four-star Hotel Xander offers a relaxing haven to unwind in, with an indoor swimming pool, saunas, steam bath, whirlpool and spa.
How much?
Prices start from £1187 per person for 7 nights on half board at the 4* Hotel Xander, including flights and resort transfers. Price also includes a fully supported cross country ski programme over 5 days with resident Headwater rep as well as a cross country ski pass, boots, poles and ski hire. Visit headwater.com