Two of Austria’s most beautiful ski regions, Alpbachtal and Wildschönau, which include villages such as Alpbach, Auffach and Niederau that you’ll find in British tour operator brochures, linked their ski lifts and runs a few years ago to create one of the ten biggest ski regions in the Tirol region – Ski Juwel.
1 – A Choice Of Traditional Villages
You no longer have to choose between staying in a little village with a little ski area or a giant soulless village to be able to ski a big area. Thanks to the creation of Ski Juwel you can enjoy the best of both worlds. The choice is yours. You can opt to base yourself in one of the beautiful Wildschönau resorts, like Niederau, Oberau or Affach, for some of the best entry-level skiing in Tirol, or you can stay in Alpbach, a long-time British favourite which has also been voted the most picturesque in Austria, and opens up some more challenging runs. Wherever you choose to stay, there is no shortage of good-quality accommodation in any of these authentic mountain villages.
2 – Big Ski Area, Wide Choice
Credit – Alpbachtal Seenland Tourismus
The Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau was created three years ago when Inneralpbach in the Alpbachtal valley was linked, via a gondola up the Schatzberg, with Auffach in the Wildschönau.
There is plenty of skiing and snowboarding for all abilities on wide, open slopes, and freestylers will enjoy the action in three snow parks. Night skiing is also available, and ski school guides will be able to show the most advanced skiers and boarders the exciting local freeride terrain.
If Mother Nature decides to be mean with delivering the white stuff, you can relax because 85% of the slopes are covered by snowmaking facilities.
3 – Great Guest Card
Credit – TVB Alpbachtal
Depending on which side of Ski Juwel you stay, you will receive either a free Alpbachtal Seenland Card or a Wildschönau Card from your hotel or pension, each offering numerous benefits and discounts.
These include the use of the local buses and the chance to take part in a local activity and events programme, as well as providing discounts on shopping, restaurants and entry fees to village facilities.
4 – Not Just Skiing
Credit – Alpbachtal Seenland
There’s lots to do in the Ski Juwel region besides all the downhill skiing and boarding. Tobogganing on a number of runs is popular, as is ice-skating and other après-ski activities.
Cross-country skiing also makes for an exhilarating alternative to downhill, amidst delightful winter scenery. The Wildschönau valley has over 50km of cross-country trails whilst the Alpbach Valley boasts a network of close to 100km of well-maintained and prepared routes.
5 – Family Favourite
Credit – Alpbachtal Seenland Tourismus
The human scale and traditional values of Ski Juwel villages, as well as the beautiful, family-friendly slopes and friendly local service providers, make it a great place for families to learn to ski or board together.
There are dedicated children’s areas on the slopes and local valley lifts so you can ski close to home if you wish in Reith, Alpbach and Kramsach as well as in Oberau and Niederau.
Good-humoured English-speaking instructors and Bobo the Penguin and the Dragon Club are ready to teach your little ones, and there are family lift pass discounts offered.
Credit Wildschönau Tourist Board
Ski Juwel has 1,098km of runs, and a lift pass costs €122 for three days or €217 for six days. Transfers from Innsbruck Airport take just 45 minutes. skijuwel.com