Strategizing a Wintery Austrian Getaway for the Whole Family (Focusing on the Tyrol Region)
Spontaneously booking a last-minute trip to Austria's Tyrol region during peak season wasn't exactly a walk in the park, but we made it work and ended up having an epic snowy adventure. Here's how we managed to pull off a budget-friendly family holiday that'll make your bucket list.
So buckle up, and let me spill the beans on our incredible journey. Oh, and don't forget to check out our Instagram where we've saved all our crazy stories with some amazeballs drone footage of the hotels.
And before you dive into our guides on the best family hotels in Austria and fun family attractions in Innsbruck and Tyrol, here's the lowdown on what kind of snowy holiday we wanted:
Our snow-tastic goals:We yearned for epic mountain scenery, snow for the kiddos to play in, plus cozy accommodations with an indoor-outdoor pool. We debated about turning it into a full-on ski trip, but ultimately decided to opt for a snow holiday paired with a city break. So now, let's get into the nitty-gritty...
What's the skinny on Innsbruck and Tyrol?I've always had a hankering to visit Innsbruck, with its pastel-hued fairytale main street backed by towering mountains. It's a stunner of a city location, boasting a lively cultural scene, historic landmarks, and rock-solid dining. It's small enough to explore comfortably on foot or bike but big enough to keep you entertained[1].
Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and the unofficial "Capital of the Alps." It's a gateway to the surrounding Tyrolean mountains and traditional alpine villages, making it the perfect playground for winter escapes[2].
Deciding where to stay in Austria's Tyrol regionChoosing the right spot in the Tyrol region for our family trip was a head-scratcher, so I've jotted down important points to consider:
- If you want a central location, Innsbruck City is a top choice, especially at night. But for a more immersive nature experience, head outside the city.
- Determine whether skiing is the main focus of your trip. If so, strive to stay in one of the ski areas, ideally close to the ski lift or wherever people ski. Many hotels offer shuttles to the local ski lift. Also, consider the ski area's difficulty level and whether it has a ski school/lessons for kids, kids' areas/snowy playgrounds, conveyor belts (magic carpets), and even snowmaking facilities[2].
- Think about your priorities for the trip and try to stay in an area that is easily accessible for them. For example, we really wanted to toboggan, so our first hotel was within walking distance of a great toboggan run. On the other hand, our other hotel was 30 minutes away from one, but it was super close to an ice skating lake[3].
The perfect destinations for families in Tyrol, AustriaWhen it comes down to brass tacks on where to base yourself in Tyrol, there are two main options: Innsbruck or one of the ski areas. Here's a quick rundown of some popular ski areas in Tyrol that are excellent for families[3]:
Seefeld in Tirol- Picture-perfect alpine village with a massive network of cross-country skiing trails and family-friendly ski areas.- Contains two main ski areas (Gschwandtkopf and Rosshütte) offering beginsner-friendly options.
Achensee- Known as the "Fjord of the Alps," it's Tyrol's largest lake, surrounded by majestic mountains.- Offers several ski areas ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers.
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau- This ski area offers over 100km of ski runs catering to skiers of all abilities. It boasts excellent ski schools and facilities for beginners and children.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis- A trio of villages offering gentle to intermediate slopes for beginners and advanced skiers. Each village has themed trails for child skiers.
The Ötztal- A large region with six ski areas, including the renowned Hochoetz-Kühtai area, especially attractive for beginners.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental- Known for being family-friendly, featuring gentle and intermediate slopes.
Remember, Austria has some of the most gorgeous family-friendly accommodations in Europe. They are experts in family hotels, and even regular hotels in Austria often have top-notch family-friendly facilities. Check out our guides on the best family hotels in Austrian Tyrol.
Oh, and we've also got a guide on why I don't always choose family hotels. Sometimes, family-friendly options suit us better.
Our adventures in Innsbruck and Tyrol were simply unforgettable, and we're already plotting our next escape to Austria. Stay tuned for more family travel tales!
[1] https://www.innsbruck.info/en/about-innsbruck[2] https://www.innsbruck.info/en/winter-holidays[3] https://www.innsbruck.info/en/things-to-do/sport-adventure/winter-sports/ski-tour/car-by-car-off-piste-ski-tour-in-tyrol/seefeld-in-tirol-ach-zug-kampfernau[4] https://www.destinationtirol.com/en/achensee.html[5] https://www.joindestinationtyrol.com/en/ski-resorts/ski-resort-alpbachtal-wildshoene-ski-juwel.html[6] https://www.joindestinationtyrol.com/en/ski-resorts/ski-resort-hochoetz-kuethai.html[7] https://www.joindestinationtyrol.com/en/ski-resorts/ski-resort-skiwelt-wilder-kaiser-brixental.html[8] https://www.joindestinationtyrol.com/en/ski-resorts/ski-resort-serfaus-fiss-ladis.html[9] https://www.joindestinationtyrol.com/en/ski-resorts/ski-resort-oetz.html
Embarking on a journey that combines a lively city break with a family-friendly snow holiday, we chose Tyrol's Seefeld in Tirol, a picturesque village known for its family-friendly ski areas and extensive cross-country trails. Our lifestyle goal was to experience the epic mountain scenery, enjoy snowy playtime for the kids, and unwind in cozy accommodations, possibly with an indoor-outdoor pool. As we planned our travel, we considered stay options that were easily accessible for our preferred activities, such as tobogganing and ice skating. This balanced lifestyle and travel experience allowed us to create cherished family memories in Austria.
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