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Having worked as an alpine ski guide in my younger days, I have experienced some of Europe and North America’s great ski domains. But when it comes to the ideal alpine holiday destination, I prefer mine to be of the chocolate box variety. I want my senses stirred by wood smoke and cowbells, taste buds tantalized by strudel and schnapps - and for that, it can only be Austria.

So when I was asked to arrange a ski holiday for 10 families with ages ranging from 4 to 54 and varying ability levels, I opted for an old favourite of mine - the quaint Tirolean village of Niederau, which nestles in the wild and beautiful Wildschönau Valley.

And whilst the resort itself is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers, the ski pass covers the resorts of Niederau, Oberau and Auffach, providing ample opportunities for a week away in the Alps. For those seeking higher octane runs, an extension offering access to the world-beating Kitzbüheler Alps can be acquired locally.
With a focus very much on family fayre, the resort offers award-winning ski schools that allow everyone to practice and progress in a fun and friendly mountain environment. The emphasis is very much on ensuring every pupil has a great time and the end-of-week downhill race and medal ceremonies are definitely a holiday highlight for all.

Ski schools and the Markbachjoch gondola or the Lanerköpfl are within easy walking distance of the majority of accommodation in resort. And with ski rental shops at the bottom of the slopes offering overnight storage, there is no need to lug your equipment round at the end of the day.

We flew into the newly upgraded Innsbruck Airport, which provides airline passengers with one of the most thrilling flight approaches anywhere in the world. Flying into Innsbruck cuts more than an hour off the transfer time from Salzburg and this means with early morning flights from Bristol many of the party were suited, booted and on the piste by early afternoon!

With the group keen to pack in as much as possible from the week away I turned to resort stalwart and old mate, Nick Brooker, Proprietor of the Staffler Hotel, Cave Bar nightclub and O’Malleys Irish pub, to come up with a full-on programme of action and après ski that offered fun and frivolity on and off the snow. This included welcome party, Tirolean evening, floodlit tobogganing, mountain sleigh ride and cabaret evening. For the kids, Nick arranged an exclusive early evening disco, which they loved and gave parents a chance to recharge their batteries.

At 820 metres the village is not high by alpine standards but the top station is a snow-sure 1600 metres. With wall-to-wall sunshine and little snowfall during our stay, all runs remained open and heavy early March falls on our departure ensured the resort had a great end of season. Indeed, during a visit to Niederau in March 2006 it snowed for the entire week so this does seem to be a good bet for those who like to take their ski breaks later in the season.

Although a smaller resort, Niederau is operated by many of the UK’s leading ski operators who offer superb accommodation options in the Austria, Sonnschein, Harfenwirt and Schneeberger hotels.
So a brilliant week for the entire group that served to place Niederau way up there as an ideal and traditional family ski destination. I for one will be back!