Swoop the slopes of the seven villages of Tiroler Zugspitz Arena
Whether you're a beginner or an expert, ski-lover or skater, these family-friendly destinations will guarantee an active holiday in the corner of the Austrian Tirol
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Your support makes all the difference.You get seven villages on one ticket in Tiroler Zugspitz Arena, a scenic and laid-back corner of Austrian Tirol right by the German border. Its 139km of varied slopes have something for all levels, from beginner to expert. And its family-friendly, picturesque villages offer value for money.
The resorts – all connected by free shuttle buses – have easy access to the slopes, and ultra-modern lifts make quick work of getting around the mountains.
Glacier gliding
Check out Zugspitzplatt’s 2,962m glacier run, where you’ll have guaranteed snow. Beginners can test their ski legs on the gentle, wide slopes of Berwang, whereas more experienced skiers can swoop along the blues and reds of Biberwier and Lermoos. Lovely broad blue runs await in Ehrwalder Alm, as does the excellent snowpark.
If you can’t wait for the lifts to open, then join one of the weekly First Track days at Lermoos. Follow the guide up to Grubigstein for your chance to make fresh tracks before anyone else. Afterwards, you’ll be treated to a well-deserved breakfast on the mountain, with superb views to match.
The fun continues after dark when on Tuesdays and Fridays the toboggan run at Ehrwalder Alm becomes suffused with light and people of all ages zoom down the floodlit slope. Or you can get your skates on for an exhilarating whizz around the outdoor ice-skating rink.
If the kids still need to burn their energy, get them to try out the indoor climbing wall at Ehrwald. The whole family can relax together in its enormous indoor swimming pool, where sublime views of the mountains can be enjoyed through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Lanterns and llamas
There’s night skiing too – head to Lermoos on Wednesday or Berwang on Thursday. For a truly romantic evening, join the ski school instructors on Wednesdays as they guide you down Brettlalm on a torchlight descent. Or, to try something completely different, take a ride on a PistenBully grooming machine, which will give you an unforgettable ride up and down the mountain.
If you want to give your skis a break, explore the region on foot or on snowshoes. Throughout the winter, guided winter walks take place in Lermoos, where you’ll wander along the trails with torches and lanterns. You can do the same in Biberwier, where you can share the walk with friendly llamas.
There’s even the chance to take the train across the border into Germany, where your Top Snow Card ski pass gives you the option to ski in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Grainau and Mittenwald.
With daily scheduled flights to Innsbruck from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, as well as services from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool, it’s easy to discover the Austrian Tirol. For more details, see www.zugspitzarena.com and visittirol.co.uk
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