Luxury Ski Treats Without Breaking the Bank
23rd February 2022
Last modified on March 11th, 2022
After two pandemic-affected years many of us are prepared to stretch the budget to treat ourselves or someone else to something special on our ski trip. But luxury doesn’t always have to mean 5-star prices. Here’s our choice of treats in the Austrian Tirol.
SPA EXPERIENCES
Wiesenhof am Achensee
Located at the entrance to the Karwendeltäler valleys, a region renowned for winter hiking and cross-country skiing, this former farmhouse in the village of Pertisau is a four-star superior hotel with added extras.
Highlights include a large art deco bathhouse and a selection of beauty treatments with Tirolean stone oil, a natural product which has been made and used in the local region for centuries to treat a range of ailments.
Lifestyle Hotel Jungbrunn
This hotel with its award-winning spa is in the western part of Tirol in the Tannheimer Tal Valley.
Naturhotel Waldklause
The Naturhotel Waldklause is in Längenfeld in the Ötztal Valley, a great location for a combination of winter sports action and relaxation.
Waldklause – photo © Andre Schönherr
Aqua Dome Längenfeld, Ötztal
Every day, 80,000 litres of thermally heated spring water flow into the Aqua Dome’s eight pools covering a total of 2,200m2.
The Ursprung Spa Dome area has two large pools filled with sulphurous thermal water heated to between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius.
The Aqua Dome has large glass facades giving 360° views of the mountains of the Ötztal Valley.
The Talfrische outdoor thermal area has three futuristic pools that appear to float in mid-air and are connected to each other by a luminescent glass cone.
The first pool provides underwater light effects, the second gives visitors the chance to experience the revitalising effect of sulphurous water, while the third contains a high concentration of saltwater that enables visitors to float on the surface without effort while looking at the sky.
Aquadome, Ötztal, Tirol – photo © AQUA DOME
The children’s area has a play ship, two big pools and a 90m slide.
There are also playrooms and trained staff on hand to look after them from 1400 to 1800 hrs.
There are sauna, beauty and spa areas including solariums and warm oases, and a fitness area.
There is also moonlight swimming.
ROOFTOP SPAS
Manni Rooftop Spa, Mayrhofen
The Spa sanctuary has views of the Zillertal mountains.
Hotel Kaltenbach
The hotel has a big spa area with a swimming pool, sauna, fitness area and a panoramic view.
The Wald-SPA is the rooftop spa.
Spread across two levels, it has views across the countryside.
The outdoor Infinity Pool may be surrounded by fresh snow but the water is always warm.
Rooftop pool at Hotel Kaltenbach – photo © Kaltenbach
There’s a meditation suite for post-swim relaxation.
Hotel Tirol, Fiss
The heart of the hotel’s wellness area is the rooftop infinity pool on the Fiss sun plateau.
Hotel Kristall in Leutasch (renovated 2021)
The fully renovated spa and wellness area is a highlight on the sunny plateau.
The heated rooftop pool offers a view over the mountain peaks of the Karwendel.
Hotel Kristall, Tirol – image © Barbist Architecture.
In the Spa Cocoon there are three saunas and a sandstone grotto, as well as a relaxation pool and relaxation areas.
In the rooftop spa there is an infinity pool, a sauna and relaxation area.
Nature Sky Spa in Zillergund (renovated 2021)
The pool is on two levels.
You can rock in the suspended loungers with a view of the mountains or relax on the alpine rock terrace.
Hotel Neue Post in Zillertal (renovated 2021)
The rooftop pool high above Mayrhofen is open all year round from 8am to 9pm.
The hotel’s pool suites and deluxe pool suites have direct access to the new rooftop pool where you can enjoy a poolside aperitif with a fantastic view.
TIROL FOR FOODIES
Tirol is a foodie’s paradise, with plenty of fresh locally sourced food and a variety of dining experiences.
The renowned Austrian restaurant guide Gault Millau rates on a scale of 1 to 20, with 20 being the highest.
Restaurants given below 10 points are rarely listed.
The points are awarded based on the quality of the food, with comments about service, price or the atmosphere of the restaurant given separately.
Based on this rating, high-ranking restaurants may display one to four toques.
Each autumn, Gault & Millau crowns the best fine dining restaurants in Tirol.
In 2021 there are two Tirolean chefs among Austria’s top 20: Benjamin Parth and Martin Sieberer.
Ischgl has many many toque-awarded and gourmet restaurants.
It has been chosen as the Tirolean gourmet mecca by the Gault-Millau restaurant guide and the gourmet magazine “A la carte”.
Ten toque-awarded restaurants in Ischgl serve traditional Tirolean and international specialties along with first-class wine selections.
YSCLA, Ischgl (4 Toques, 18.5 Points)
Head chef Benjamin Parth was chef of the Year in 2019 and is aiming to become one of the best chefs in Austria at the Stüva restaurant at the Hotel Yscla in Ischgl.
Many of his dishes feature seafood.
Stüva gourmet restaurant, Ischgl – photo © YSCLA Stüva / Gerhard Berger
Paznaunerstube in Ischgl (4 Toques, 18 Points)
The Paznauerstube is celebrating its 20th birthday this year.
Over the last two decades this luxurious gourmet restaurant run by head chef Martin Sieberer has won numerous awards.
Today it is considered one of the finest dining locations in Tirol.
“Bewusst Tirol” Logo
If you see the “Bewusst Tirol” (Tirol Conscious) logo at a restaurant, it means it is serving the freshest, highest-quality products available from the region.
Tirol is well-known for its beef, lamb and goat and its healthy, grass-fed raw milk from animals reared on the distinctive flavours of mountain heather and herbs.
The Bewusst Tirol restaurants are committed to supporting Tirol agriculture and using the best products the region offers.
Angerer Alm, St. Johann in Tirol
When it comes to ski in/ski out accommodation, there are few placed more central than the Angerer Alm, the oldest farm in the ski resort of St. Johann in Tirol.
This luxury hut next to the Harschbichlbahn cable car is run by mother-and-daughter duo Annemarie and Katharina Foidl.
Both are not only great cooks but also wine experts.
The rustic dining room has a fireplace and meals can also be enjoyed on the terrace.
Angerer Alm, St Johann, Tirol – photo © Werbung Bauer Frank, Sankt Johann in Tirol
Guests can access the Angerer Alm either by cable car or on skis.
The hosts serve what they have. That means seasonal and regional products from local suppliers and farmers and herbs from their alpine garden.
In winter the Angerer Alm is accessible only via the gondola lift. The last lift leaves before 1600hrs.
Genusswerkstatt in Uderns (Zillertal)
Refined dishes are accompanied by wine from Austrian and international wineries.
Stanglwirt in Kitzbühel or Staudachstub´n in Kirchberg
The inn, the farm and the chalets are all about tradition and nature.
In the restaurant, mainly beef and wild herbs from their own farm are used.
As far as possible, everything else offered at the inn comes from the region.
The associated farm focuses on organic and species-appropriate husbandry of cattle (no dairy cows).
GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
Gramai Alm, Pertisau
The Gramai Alm in the heart of the Karwendel Nature Park at 1,267m above sea level is a traditional place, inspired by nature.
The hotel at Lake Achensee combines relaxation, healthy food and exercise.
Natural treatments are offered in the Almwellness spa.
Gramai Alm, Tirol, Austria – photo © Gramai Alm
Stanglwirt Hüttlingmoos, Going
Mid-mountain in the Wilder Kaiser Range, Hüttlingmoos has luxurious chalet-style accommodation.
Once used as a simple summer base for mountain farmers, Stanglwirt converted it into a romantic hideaway.
It’s a deluxe on-mountain experience, complete with five-star comforts and personalised services such as a private chef and a private butler.
Kristallhütte in Zillertal Valley
With a fine dining restaurant and a luxury hotel, Kristallhütte is hardly a hut.
It’s more mountain chateau than quaint cabin.
Kristallhütte – photo © Kopie
It’s at the heart of Hochzillertal Ski Resort in Kaltenbach, Zillertal Valley.
There’s a range of options available – from award-winning dining in a mountaintop setting at the end of the ski day to a bed for the night—with the added bonus of being already at the top when you step out of the door in the morning.
Wedel Hut is Tirol’s highest inn for foodies, Schneekar Hut atop Penken Mountain offers a one-off lodging experience in a futuristic pyramid while Platzlalm Alpine Pasture Hut combines a cozy cabin feel with family fun.
Kristallhütte – photo © Kopie
And then there is the luxury of Kristall Hut.
The bathtub is beneath a huge picture window, overlooking the jagged ridges and peaks of the Zillertal Alps.
There’s a spa and award-winning dining.
GONDOLA BREAKFAST, HINTERTUX
In the 10-seater gondola Gefrorene Wand in Hintertux, there is everything you need to start the day.
Coffee, tea, sparkling wine, fresh rolls and pastries, a large selection of sausages and cheeses, various spreads, eggs, fresh fruit, cereals and yoghurt.
Or you can choose a hearty Bavarian breakfast with Munich white sausages, pretzels and Erdinger wheat beer.
www.hintertuxergletscher.at/en/
SUNRISE & FIRST SKI TRACKS
Skiing first tracks – photo © Alpbach Tourism/shootandstyle.com
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental
Every Thursday, SkiWelt Brixen and SkiWelt Westendorf offer an early-bird deal on selected lifts in Brixen im Thale and Westendorf.
There are 22 kilometres of freshly groomed runs to enjoy at sunrise.
The following lifts open their doors from 7.30 am: SkiWeltbahn, Sonnenlift, Choralmbahn, Alpenrosenbahn 1 & 2 and Talkaserlift.
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
Every Saturday from 5th March to 16th April 2022, you can be among the first to ski the virgin slopes.
The Wiedersbergerhorn cable car in Alpbach opens at 7am for the ascent,with no extra charge.
You can book breakfast on the mountain (not included).
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
You are far away from the bustle and noise as you fly over Tirol’s largest lake, Achensee from Achenkirch.
Ballooning only takes place in good weather so you will have 360-degrees panoramic views.
There is no wind in the basket, and the heat emitted by the burner makes even a winter ride comfortable.
HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES
Experience the winter landscape of the St. Johann in Tirol region during a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh or on a horse.
From various locations.
Horse & Carriage – image TZA
TORCHLIT HIKE
Exactly what it says.
Torchlit hiking – photo TZA
MAIN PHOTO: © Alpbach Tourism/shootandstyle.com
