This last December, I was lucky enough to have a holiday in the Austrian Alps. Specifically, I was in Solden, Austria.
Quite frankly, it was best skiing of my life, hands down!
I’ve done a bit of skiing in my day (by no means am I a pro) and I knew places like Solden existed. I just didn’t realize how incredible it is to actually SKI in the Alps.
There are mountains as far as the eye can see, wide slopes, and towns that literally revolve around the ski/snowboard holiday.
Here are 5 reasons I think everyone should enjoy at least 1 ski holiday in the Alps in their lifetime.
1. The Views Are To Die For
I’ve been on top of mountains and seen some great views, but nothing like the Alps. Literally, in every direction you look there are mountains as far as the eye can see. And the great thing is, is that you maintain this view the entire time you’re skiing down the slopes.
The view is obviously pleasant to the eyes and nourishing for the soul. Maybe that’s because I love being on mountains, but if that can’t put you in a good mood, I don’t know what will.
2. The Alps (For Now) Still Have Glaciers
At least in Solden, Austria (And I’m sure many other ski resort areas in the Alps), glaciers ensure skiing early to very late in the season, if not all year round.
These glaciers are rapidly shrinking, but for now skiers can get there ski on as early as October.
With early seasons means less crowds. December is still early in the ski season and it meant short lines and wide open slopes on my holiday. Perfect for getting your ski legs under you if its been a while since you’ve rocketed down a mountain.
3. The Slopes Are Huge
In Solden, it took us 1 full hour on the ski-lift to get to the last reachable slope. Even with large crowds, I don’t see how you could feel crowded. There’s just too much space!
Again, this is perfect if you’re just learning or getting back into the swing of things.
In 3 full days of skiing, we only repeated the same slopes a few times. And if we really wanted, we could’ve been on a different slope all day every day if our skill level was up to par.
And even if you’re a beginner, there are plenty of slopes to keep you entertained for a minimum of 3 days.
4. They Speak English
It definitely helps if you have a German girlfriend who can communicate with the locals (German is the most widely spoken language in the Alps region). I just let her do the talking and followed like a lost puppy dog.
However it’s not a necessity. I would’ve been just fine only speaking English. Although German is the first language spoken, almost everyone speaks English fluently or at least knows somebody who does.
Most restaurants have English menus and most hotels accommodate to English speakers. So don’t let language hold you back.
5. It’s Not As Expensive As You Think
The view from our hotel
I thought 4 days in the Alps would destroy my travel budget.
Although it’s not the cheapest thing to do in the world, it’s not insanely expensive.
For a 3 day ski pass and ski rental for 3 days, I paid a total of $300 U.S.
And a hotel that was literally 150 yards from the ski lifts and in the middle of town was only $250 for 4 nights. Not bad at all if you ask me.
And to think for 4 days including food and transportation, I spent less than $900, I’d say that’s pretty affordable.
Hell, ski passes alone in the United States can run over $100 a day at the most premiere locations. And that’s not including food, transportation, accommodation, drinking, and entertainment.
The relatively affordable costs combined with some of the best skiing in the world and memories that last a lifetime make this $900 expenditure a no-brainer for me.
So the next time you’ve got some money burning a hole in your pocket during the winter season, think the Alps. It’s worth every penny!
