Hotel Austria, Obergurgl, Tirol

A family-run hotel in the snow-sure Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area, offering half-board accommodation, this is a great choice for families looking to make the most out of a relaxed and friendly resort, where while the skiing challenges might not be the best for advanced skiers, the slopes are perfect for beginners and intermediates and the friendly atmosphere makes up for everything. 

The hotel itself is fairly small with just 40 rooms, which adds to the intimacy, but still has excellent facilities for families with a free hotel-run kids’ club, a fitness room, an indoor and outdoor pool and a spa with treatments. The food is excellent; hot and cold buffet breakfasts and a five-course dinner (with a choice of main course) are served in the dining room. Babysitting is available on request (extra) and there’s also a games room to keep youngsters happy and free WiFi. 

Rooms sleep 2-4 people in a choice of rooms, with some of them being housed in an annexe across the road, connected by an underground passage. 

Ski area: Altitude 1800-3080m. 112km of pistes split between Obergurgl and Hochgurgl (approx. 56km each) including 36 blue runs, 56 red runs and 20 black runs. The longest run is 8km. Lifts include 11 mountain gondolas (including one that directly links Obergurgl and Hochgurgl), 7 chairlifts and 7 draglifts.

Tuition: Ski and snowboard tuition is available in group or private lessons, for adults and children, Sun-Fri. Children's ski school starts from 3 years old (2 hours per day) and from 4 years, ski school is 4 hours a day, with the option of a supervised lunch in between sessions (or you can collect your child/ren for lunch). Children can have snowboard lessons from 10 years old.

Resort activities: Tobogganing (Hochgurgl), ice skating, curling, night skiing, snowshoeing, snowpark, walking trails and indoor golf (Hochgurgl).