SKIING, FOOD & HISTORY IN THE TIROL
14th January 2020 | Clare Meaney, Galtür, Austria
Last modified on May 16th, 2021
PlanetSKI reporter Clare Meaney has been finding out what the neighbouring resorts of Ischgl and Galtür have to offer. After the skiing, it’s eating and a bit of culture.
I arrived in Ischgl determined to enjoy the relaxing side of this popular ski resort.
Its motto is #relaxifyoucan and that’s what I planned to do
Somehow, I was persuaded to go skiing, 5 years after being seriously injured on the slopes and 4 years after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
And what an experience it was.
On skis again. Image © PlanetSKI.
After all that adrenalin, it seemed only fitting to sit down and unwind.
Our group was treated to a delicious lunch in the Almhof Hotel, just on the side of the slopes in Galtür.
The dishes were freshly prepared and tasted so good.
It did exactly what it said on the tin.
A sumptuous lunch. Image © PlanetSKI.
Later that day we visited what was known as the farmers museum in Restaurant Walserstube in Mathon, which is half way between Ischgl and Galtür.
We didn’t really know what to expect, but we were captivated by the lives the people led only a few decades ago.
How they worked. Image © PlanetSKI.
How they worked. Image © PlanetSKI.
It showed exactly how the family lived.
Although it was difficult for us to comprehend, six people slept in this one bedroom.
How they lived. Image © PlanetSKI.
In spite of it all, it looked like it would have been cosy and warm.
It was 1963 before these people made their first ski lift of any kind.
All the locals put their money towards it but shortly after it was built, it broke down.
They didn’t have any other way of getting up the mountain, so they saved enough money until they could build another one.
The Silvrettaseilbahn lift company was formed shortly afterwards.
The company never took any money from its earnings. It reinvested everything back into the business, which continues even today.
After our tour we had dinner downstairs in the restaurant.
Although there didn’t seem much to choose from it really didn’t matter.
Every single dish was delightful.
Dinner. Image © PlanetSKI.
Dessert. Image © PlanetSKI.
Making our way back to Ishcgl, my mind was buzzing about all the wonderful things I had done.
There was the healthy breakfast, the spa, the shopping, the museum and of course the skiing.
Now it really was time to #relaxbecauseIcan
INFO
More on Ischgl at ischgl.com and Galtür on galtuer.com.
Inghams is the main UK tour operator to feature Ischgl and Galtür and, for example, is offering a seven-night ski holiday on half-board basis at the 4-star Hotel Madlein in Ischgl from £1,339 per person based on two sharing, including return flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck and airport transfers. The package is valid for travel departing in March 2020.
To book, visit www.inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays or call 01483 938 047.
