Alpbach - introduction

In a country of chocolate box ski villages, how do you choose the most beautiful? Viewers of an Austrian TV show once did just that and came up with Alpbach.

Few would argue with their choice. When you add to Alpbach's rustic and welcoming charms skiing on some of the loveliest slopes you could imagine, rarely intimidating but always interesting, you understand why it commands loyalty among its fans like no other Austrian resort.

Generations of skiers from the same families, particularly Britons, return year after year, usually re-booking the day they leave for the same guesthouse or hotel for the same time next year.

The fierce devotion to one resort is remarkable. Say Guten Tag to a fellow skier or boarder as you tramp down the street to the ski-bus stop and you'll almost certainly get a booming Good Morning in reply. The owner of the booming voice will probably be something to do with the Army or something in the City. The British Connection is very much part of the Alpbach experience. You can’t claim to know Austria until you’ve skied here.

It has a higher percentage of UK holidaymakers than any other Austrian ski village – thanks in no small part to the Alpbach Visitors Ski Club, founded in 1958 by the late Major Billy Patterson and his wife Dinny, now an Alpbach institution.

Many of Britain's best skiers made their first turns on Alpbach's slopes. There are nursery slopes right in the village centre. You have to take a ski-bus to the main lifts, but that's a small price to pay to wallow in charm and gemutlicheit that you can measure in metres.

Highlights

• One of the most beguiling and historic of Alpine villages.
• Easy to reach, with a nearby mainline station and short bus transfer.
• Lovely cosy atmosphere, with a particularly warm welcome for British guests.
• Beginner slopes right in the village centre.
• Has a very highly-regarded ski school that has honed the skills of generations of aspiring British racers, and also specialises in looking after youngsters.
• Excellent unintimidating slopes for families and groups of mixed ability. 
• Great new terrain park opened in late 2010.

Lowlights

• There are a few lively bars but nightlife is nevertheless on the restrained side.
• The main slopes are reached from lifts that are a short ski-bus ride from the village centre.
• Some may be anxious that it’s not a high resort – but the snow record is good despite that.
• This is primarily a family resort, so ace skiers and boarders could soon run out of real challenges.?

 Find out more about the Austrian Tirol