A week in Niederau in winter: a sample programme for families

Day 1: Arrival and a first morning on the Markbachjoch

Keep it easy after the journey. Collect lift passes and rental gear, and in the afternoon take the Markbachjochbahn, the eight-person gondola in the village, up to about 1,500 m. The easy blue runs near the top station quickly show how the children are doing. Finish with a hot chocolate in a mountain hut. This is your first day in Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau; there is no driving time, because the valley station is in Niederau itself. Do not plan too much: a short day avoids starting the rest of the week with tired children.

Day 2: Children's ski school in Niederau

Today is about the Children's ski school in Niederau. The 1. Skischule Wildschönau teaches children from about 4 years old, with its own practice area, a carpet lift and supervision around lunchtime; childcare is available from about 2 years. The school is in the village, so there is no driving time. Book lessons well in advance, especially in school holidays. While the children are in class, parents can enjoy a relaxed run on the Markbachjoch themselves. Pick the children up at the end of the lesson and ask what they learned; it builds confidence for the next ski day.

Day 3: Tobogganing on the Schatzberg near Auffach

A day without skis: head to Auffach, about 15 minutes by car, for the Schatzberg toboggan run. Take the Schatzbergbahn to the middle station (about 1,300 m) and toboggan roughly 5 km back to the valley station, with about 430 m of descent. The run partly goes through forest and suits children who are a little adventurous; younger children are safest riding with an adult. Toboggan rental is available at the valley station, but ask in advance. Whether the run is open depends on snow and weather. Allow about 2 to 3 hours and finish with a warm meal in Auffach.

Day 4: The glass town of Rattenberg

Time for a day trip to Rattenberg in the Alpbachtal, about 30 minutes by car. With some 440 inhabitants it is the smallest town in Austria, with a medieval core set against a rock face above the Inn. At Kisslinger Kristall-Glas you can watch glassblowers at work; according to the provider, blowing your own glass bauble is only possible from May to October. In winter you mainly look around and browse the shop. Stroll through the car-free old town and stop for coffee and something warm. Check beforehand whether demonstrations are on. It is also a good alternative in poor weather.

Day 5: Cross-country skiing or winter walking, night tobogganing in the evening

By day you keep things calm in the valley. Try cross-country skiing in the Wildschönau (trails near Niederau, often straight from the village; about 8 years and older) or walk the Winter walk Niederau and Oberau, 3 or 6 km, also suitable with a pushchair. For something more adventurous, try snowshoeing with the family. In the evening, on a Wednesday or Thursday, you can go night tobogganing on the Roggenboden near Oberau, about 5 minutes by car, from about 19:30 to 21:00. According to the region it is on request, so register in advance and check the current day and time.

Day 6: Kitzbühel or Innsbruck

Choose a second day trip. Kitzbühel is about 40 to 45 minutes by car; its car-free old town with Vorderstadt and Hinterstadt can be walked in two to three hours, with coffee houses and the Museum Kitzbühel. Innsbruck is about 50 to 60 minutes by car and has the old town with the Goldenes Dachl and the Hofburg; children often enjoy the old town most. Parking in Innsbruck is limited: the train from Wörgl or a park-and-ride is often more practical. Do not leave too late, so the children are not in the car for too long.

Day 7: Rest day with wellness and a last ski afternoon

Wind the week down gently. Hotel Wastlhof, a partner of this site, has a wellness area with an indoor pool, saunas, a steam bath and a whirlpool. Rules for children and opening times vary, so ask reception what is possible for families; guests not staying at the hotel should ask whether access is possible. If everyone feels like it, first plan a short ski afternoon on the Markbachjoch, where the nearest slopes are easy to find again. There is no driving time. Start the journey home the next day rested, not tired from a full final day.

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