The small mountain villages where tradition and friends come together 

Ah, the joys of a wintertime family getaway. Many happy hours of snowman building, first turns down a wide gentle slope, a glass of crisp white wine on a sunny mountain-top terrace. Holiday is your time and traditional Alpbach and environs are an ideal choice for family fun.

Sunglasses at the ready — the wide beautiful valleys of Alpbachtal and Wildschönau are just 45 minutes from Innsbruck and 90 minutes from Munich. Known as Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau for good reason, these pretty Tirolean villages offer a glittering wealth of family activities in the snow – more than 100km of pistes served by 45 ski lifts — and best of all, there’s tremendous value in its accommodation, lift passes and ski school.

Choose from many accommodation options from cosy family-operated inns to friendly hotels with excellent pools and spa facilities. Start and end your ski days close to the slopes in Niederau’s Hotel Wastlhof – a family-run lodge whose outdoor pool overlooks the Kitzbuehler Mountains. Alpbach boasts Die Alpbacherin, a new four-star boutique hotel with modern rooms and suites, regional cuisine, plus private spa and infinity pool. The Alpin Lodge features 14 new generous suites right next to the slopes in Niederau.

Time your visit to coincide with events throughout the season. “Dragon Winter Night” takes place on Wednesdays throughout the year, the Lions Snow Festival at Schatzberg celebrates all flakes and sizes in the Spring, and Open Faces attracts adrenaline junkies to the Freeride Event in Alpbach.

Looking for something to stretch the imagination? Become a snow groomer co-pilot for a day in Reith im Alpbachtal and smooth the way for your next descent on skis. Free your mind with first tracks, yours on the Wiedersberger Horn every Saturday morning beginning in March. Take a wild descent on the Alpine Coaster Alpbachtaler Lauser-Sauser from the Wiedersbergerhornbahn top station, or toboggan down on Lanerköpfl, Schatzberg or Reither Kogel, then build your own igloo in the snow in Niederau. There’s night skiing and fun parks too. Foodies flock for the delicious tastings of zingy all-natural Alpbachtal cheese and heady and heathful Wildschönau Krautinger Schnapps. Another local favourite is a hearty bowl of Wildschönau Brezen soup, and of course the cold frothy Alpbach beer from the region’s famous one-man Kristallbräu Brewery. There are plenty of places to taste, sip and slurp your way through day: no fewer than 25 huts and restaurants in the Ski Juwel cater for the thirsty and hungry mountain lovers.

Piste basher co-pilot

You have always wanted to ride in one of the mighty snow groomers? No problem!

As from the end of December until mid-March every Monday, Wednesday or Thursday you can book a ride for 60 minutes as co-pilot on the Reither Kogel. Two piste bashers weighing 10 tonnes with over 400 hp can take co-pilots, making a dream come true for some!

Winter mountain hikes

Hiking enthusiasts will find several beautiful hiking routes starting from the Reither Kogel in Reith i.A., the Markbachjochbahn top station and the Schatzbergbahn middle station. Starting from the Reitherkogelbahn top station a 2,5 km long circular route offering splendid views awaits hikers. Especially families appreciate the varied play areas along the “Juppi Zauberwald” (Juppi’s Enchanted Forest) route.

Flat tracks start from the Niederau top station leading along the mountain ridge in both directions.

A wide winter path starts at the Schatzbergbahn middle station taking hikers through charming nature to Auffach.

Night skiing

For all night owls the Ski Juwel also shines at night in Reith i. A. and in Oberau.

Skiing area toboggan runs

Take one of the lifts up the mountain and off you go on fun rides back down to the valley. Tobogganing is a fun experience off the pistes. The toboggan run from the Lanerköpflbahn leads through alpine pastures to Niederau. The Schatzberg toboggan run starts at the middle station of the Schatzbergbahn. Here you can choose between the family run and the more difficult Holzhacker run. Both toboggan runs lead through the forest to Auffach. You will find a toboggan rental shop directly at the Schatzbergbahn bottom station. Night tobogganing is held Wednesdays and Thursdays from the Roggenboden Oberau. Special toboggans are hooked on to the lift and the run downhill is along a wide piste. A scenic run – the panorama path in Reith im Alpbachtal – starts from the Reitherkogelbahn top station and leads back down to the valley.

By plane:

The closest airports are Innsbruck (65 km to Alpbach), Salzburg (144 km), and Munich, Germany (160 km).

By train:

• For Wildschönau, take a train to Wörgl railway station, then continue on by bus to Niederau (10 km).
• For Alpbachtal, take a train to Jenbach railway station, then take a direct bus to Alpbach (15 km).
• Direct trains from Innsbruck (30 min), Salzburg (1 h 20 min), and Munich (1 h 10 min).

By car: 45 min from Innsbruck via motorway A12

By taxi/airport transfer: · Four Seasons Travel