Arranging family ski holidays will always be stressful, but especially when you have a large and boisterous brood to consider. I think that selecting the right resort is crucial in this circumstance, as there are some family-orientated resorts that can take the stress out of these trips whilst ensuring that it is fun and valuable for everyone.
What’s the best resort for this, you ask? I think it’s Mayrhofen in the pretty Austrian province of Tyrol. Here, you will find excellent family accommodation, skiing for all abilities, a welcoming atmosphere and a host of alternative activities and facilities designed to help out parents who want time to relax and enjoy their holiday.
Looking for a good meal in Mayrhofen? Find out about the best eateries here!
Slope Activities
Mayrhofen is connected to Hippach, Finkenberg and Lanersbach, which provides you easy access to a whopping 136 kilometres of pistes and to 56 lifts. The majority of these are red or blue runs, but there is plenty to keep beginners happy. If it is your children’s first time skiing, the gentle nursery slopes in the valley are an ideal training ground.
For times when your youngsters do not feel like skiing, there are a host of other fantastic activities to keep them entertained. These include tobogganing, snow-tubing, ice skating or even a brisk winter walk in an idyllic setting.
Mayrhofen is essentially a winter playground for children, as it’s nearly impossible to get bored. Since it’s such a family orientated resort, there are always lots of other fun-loving families here. Your kids are sure to make some new friends during the trip!
Water Theme Park & Spa
Don’t feel like hitting the slopes but still want fun and excitement? A visit to the Erlebnisbad Mayrhofen Leisure Pool is your best bet: you’ll find a warm indoor pool, which is a great place to escape the cold. In the complex, there’s also a Jacuzzi, neck massage jets, whirlpool loungers, a waterfall and slides. The ‘crazy river slide’ is always hugely popular with children – after all, what could be more fun than whizzing down a huge 101-metre slide on an inflatable ring?
If you want to treat yourself to some pampering (and why wouldn’t you want to?), I highly recommend checking out the spa and wellness centre. Here you can fully unwind and treat yourself to a Finnish sauna, a steam bath, infrared cabins, a massage shower and a solarium. In addition to providing an extraordinary way to relax and warm up after a day on the slopes, there are many health benefits to these spa treatments, too.
Insider Tip: The sauna area is for those aged 16+ and swimwear is not allowed.
Practical Help
Taking the kids on holiday can be a huge undertaking, and can be even more stressful when you opt for a sporty break. Fortunately, the staff at Mayrhofen know this and will do all that they can to help.
Instead of attempting to bring a buggy with you (which can be a nightmare!), there’s a buggy and baby carrier available for hire at the Tourist Board. Both are designed for universal use and are equipped with a rain hood, a two-part sun canopy and a shopping basket. In addition to cutting down on your luggage, this also makes it easy to get out and enjoy your surroundings as a family each day.
Another important service that is available is babysitting. If you’d like some adults only time, make use of this service and enjoy a massage or a night out. While trained babysitters are available, you can also drop the kids off at the kindergarten and day nursery (suitable for three-month to four-year-olds). However, be sure to book in advance – many parents love taking advantage of this service!
How to Get There
The best way to reach the resort is to fly from one of the London airports into Innsbruck (INN). You might face a short layover in Vienna, but the journey should only take around two hours and it is made regularly throughout the week.
Upon arrival, you will not want the stress of attempting to get your whole family on public transportation. Instead, pre-book a Shuttle Direct transfer and one of this leading service’s drivers will be waiting to pick you up. The resort is about an hour away by road, so you can begin planning how to kick off your holiday.
Where to Stay
Hotel Garni Forelle – Situated in the heart of Vorderlanersbach and just 350 yards from the Rastkogelbahn Cable Car, this is a brilliant location for a family ski holiday. The spacious rooms have amazing views of the area and come with wooden furniture, a satellite TV and private bathrooms. The hotel also has a well-equipped spa, a sun terrace, a billiards room, a restaurant and a bar.
Ferienhotel Jörglerhof – This traditional hotel is well-situated just 100 yards from the ski lifts in the Gerlosstein ski area. It has cosy rooms with a balcony, and – thanks to the on-site restaurant – you do not have to venture far for a good meal. Kids can enjoy the playground, garden and games room, whilst you’ll love the spa facilities and cosy lounge bar, which offers lovely views out over the mountains.
Ferienhotel Sonnenhof – Found at the foot of the Zillertal Arena ski slopes, this family-run hotel is always popular among guests, as there are so many great facilities for families here. The little ones will adore the on-site petting zoo, where they can feed rabbits, goats, horses and more. There is also a huge playground for them to enjoy, whilst parents can take advantage of the spa area. The hotel also has an indoor pool, buffet breakfast and spacious rooms that come with satellite TV.
About Shuttle Direct
Arranging a family holiday can cause a real headache, especially when it comes to transportation. Eliminate this stress with Shuttle Direct, whose transfer services between ski resorts, hotels, airports, train stations and other places throughout Europe and North Africa will make your journey entirely hassle-free.
