Active learning holidays in Austria: Whether it's making bread or putting a paintbrush on paper, many of us are busy right now trying new things and rediscovering the excitement of learning new hobbies. Once the lockout is complete, travelers looking to continue the fun of learning a new skill should keep the Austrian Saalfelden Leogang, Ötztal and Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau at the top of their vacation wish list.
Put on this helmet, put on these boots: today we are walking in the Austrian mountains in search of new skills.
Mountain biking in Saalfelden Leogang
Saalfelden Leogang in SalzburgerLand is the destination for mountain biking. This is where professionals come to play, train and compete in events such as the UCI World Championships. It's no surprise, then, that this legendary cycling region is home to some of the best schools, workshops, and beginner's bike camps in the world.
Elements Outdoor sports Bike School offers programs designed for everyone, from kids to those looking to improve their freeride and style skills. The Riders Playground - one of the largest bike parks in Europe for beginners - is perfect for learning new and safe mountain biking skills, enhanced by a range of recently introduced features.
Once ready, holidaymakers can venture into the region's extensive network of easy tours, drink in the incredible Alpine landscape - and have a refreshing drink or two in one of the friendly mountain huts in Saalfelden Leogang - before come back for an evening of fun and relaxation in a designed bike hotel.
Climbing in the Ötztal valley
The sky is the limit at Ötztal. This Tyrolean valley is surrounded by 250 mountains on which visitors will find 19 climbing gardens, with a staggering total of 750 trails, eight via ferrata and a multitude of multi-location circuits. The list of options for families and beginners is almost endless, and welcoming English-speaking instructors are always on hand to help vacationers learn the ropes and develop their new skills.
Note: just because these routes are for beginners doesn't mean they are less exciting. The short 450m Via Ferrata from Stuibenfall is one of the easiest in the region - and one of the most spectacular. Located at the 159 meters high of Stuiben Falls, climbers feel the spritz of fresh water when they climb over the treetops, helped by stepladders along the way. This route is ideal for children over 10, as young thrill seekers will love the extra (and optional!) Tightrope on the roaring waterfall.
Ski à Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau
Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau is known as a winter destination that keeps people coming back. This group of picturesque villages in Austrian Tyrol is delighted to welcome visitors, both in the region and in winter sports. Hitting the slopes for the first time here is often the start of a lifelong love affair with skiing.
Located less than an hour from Innsbruck Airport, Ski Juwel is home to ten high-quality ski schools with friendly, supportive and English-speaking instructors, providing group and private lessons for all ages. Of its 109 km of trails, 26 km are easy, 54 km average. This report means that learners have a lot of long, wide and soft tracks to try their first turns with even more ground to go when they are confident and ready. 85% of the slopes in the region are served by 410 snow cannons, which guarantees that, on the rare occasions when conditions do not completely play ball, the slopes are still pristine and a pleasure to ski.
Beginner skiers can make their vacation even more magical with night skiing on weekends, when multiple runs are illuminated by spotlights.