Austria: The new home for adrenalin junkies

Sep 30 2009 By Justine Halifax

The hotel's location could hardly be better either, just two minutes from the village centre and three minutes from the gondola and slopes. The nearby ski area is not only vast but impressive too. While Westendorf's nursery slopes can be found almost on the hotel's doorstep in the village centre, the main ski area, with open blue and red runs, is reached by a six-seater gondola.

Another, new, gondola links Westendorf to Brixen, opening up 250km of slopes on the Ski Welt circuit the worlds third-largest ski area with a huge variety of runs to appeal to both intermediates and advanced skiers. There is also night skiing and boarding on offer, as well as challenging off-piste skiing if you fancy more of an adventure.

For those not yet confident to go it alone on the ski slopes, or who want to learn snowboarding, or who have little ones old enough to start learning to ski, The Reds Ski-school here is excellent. My son joined the ski kindergarten, which takes children from three years old, and with the help of patient and attentive teachers he was guided down the nursery slope on his skis. By the end of the week he had even taken part in a race, helped by one of the teachers. He took great pride in collecting a medal at a special ceremony for all young school pupils as a climax to his week.

With a fabulous teacher, my husband and I also mastered the art of snowboarding. From having had a snowboard taster only the previous year, we were merrily gliding down a red run after just three days excellent tuition. Once you have mastered the board, there is a boarders fun park complete with halfpipe that is sure to thrill.

Try something new... go snow biking!
And boarding wasn't the only new string to our bow by the end of our holiday, we also added the art of snow biking to our list. While this might sound like a bizarre concept, it's so much fun. Not one to venture past a red on my skis, I'm not the bravest of skiers but snow biking was completely different. I was far more confident and felt more in control.

With small skis on your feet you control the bike by leaning up or downhill. It was so easy I was off on my own after just an hours lesson with a tutor from Dieter Sports, where children's sledges are also available for hire.

Families with young children who can't spend the entire holiday on the piste can enjoy a range of activities, which include ice skating and family torch-lit hikes. A sleigh ride to a traditional, Tyrolean pub at night was just one of them. It was magical for adults and a treat my children loved too.

There is also an exceptional and breathtaking 7.5km toboggan run that proved to be great fun for the whole family my three-year-old son adored it. And it's easy to reach with young children as it starts at the top of the Alpenrosenbahn ski lift with beautiful views and ends at a pub where a free bus takes you back to the village.

My family and I had a wonderful time in Westendorf - it's a beautiful, friendly resort that I'd whole-heartedly recommend for anyone with children, and for those without.

Travel facts
Inghams features 29 ski resorts in Austria, including the resort of Westendorf, where Inghams offers a selection of 2-star to 4-star hotels. Justine Halifax stayed at the 4-star Hotel Schermer in Westendorf  for seven nights half-board. Prices start from £818 per person, including flights from Birmingham to Salzburg and resort transfers. Alternatively you can stay in a superior family room, with prices starting from £3,058.50 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children under 18, including a 25 per cent child discount, flights from Birmingham and resort transfers. Ski pack items can be pre-booked. Inghams Ski Reservations: 020 8780 4447 or www.inghams.co.uk