Recommendations for New Year 2014

Spook_ie

Ok folks, so we booked our flights to Innsbruck 3 weeks ago, flying out on the 27th December - I know its a mad time of year, but one of our kids turns 18 that day, and she's always wanted to go skiing for her birthday and the icing on the cake for her would be to get some horseriding in too (indoor obviously). Have started looking at Obergurgl which seems to tick all the boxes especially as they have a stables in the village attached to the Edelweiss & Gurgl hotel. We much prefer an Apartment as one of the other kids is a Coeliac, and while we know that Coeliac's are well catered for, its still easier to have the option of self catering. Any recommendations are welcome

fannymagee

I think that's a great time of year! Sounds like a lovely trip- New Year in Austria is great, and you get to escape all the post-Christmas stuff at home. Sounds like Obergurgl has all you need too- you're well organised! Where are you flying to Innsbruck from? I'm still hoping to hear of someone doing a direct flight from Dublin

Spook_ie

We're flying from Dublin to Innsbruck with Lufthansa. Its obviously not direct, we fly at 6am & arrive into Innsbruck at 13.45 (local) and on the way back we're flying from Innsbruck at 18.35 and get into Dublin at 23.00, we paid 845 in total for the four of us and that includes 23kg each. Our friends tried to book on Sunday on the same flights but I am shocked that the same flights are now 2410.52, so they are hanging off for the mo. We have flown to Salzburg with Lufthansa before and it worked really well, rather than arriving into Zurich or Munich and then lugging cases etc to the train station or whatever.

While Obergurgl looks good, I'm not convinced that its the resort for us and it seems to lack slopes for intermediates, hence looking for advice on resorts around Innsbruck.

fannymagee

Ah ok! I fly over & back to Soll al lot (as you may have gathered on here, lol!) so I'd love if someone started up a direct Dublin/Innsbruck route. And as unlikely as it is to happen, I still like to keep an ear to the ground..!

I'm in Soll for every New Years, I love it, but I'm not sure it's what you're looking for, esp re: horseriding/indoor activities. BUT it's close to Innsbruck, and the Skiwelt is great, even if you choose a different resort? Westendorf or Ellmau might work? And your friends could fly into Munich or Salzburg pretty reasonably if they book early, regardless of which resort you choose... The airports are all in a triangle so any resort in the vicinity of that triangle should be an easy enough transfer- it's about 1.5 hours to Soll/SkiWelt from Innsbruck, Munich or Salzburg. http://www.skiwelt.at/en/

Spook_ie

ah thats a good link ! thanks. We've only been on 5 skiing hols, 2 in Finland, 1 France, and 2 in Austria (Obertauern) oppps and 1 great trip to Aviemore, so I think what we were trying to focus on was a high altitude resorts to give us the best chance of snow at a time that can still be relatively early in the season. What we adored about Obertauern, was that our apartment was literally right beside the slopes and lifts (www.appartmenthaus-steinadler.com) and it meant that the teenagers & adults were able to come & go skiing during the day and no ski buses. So, really the apartments location is definately no.1 on the list. Unfortunately the OH has had to have her knees replaced so skiing is a big no no but if she had access to a pool somewhere in the village she would be happy or else some nice scenic snowy walks !. The thing about the horse riding would only be the icing on the cake for our daughter who rides alot here, it only came up during some research when she saw the Haflinger ponies and she would adore to get the chance to ride one ! eventhough she's only back riding 5 months having had to have an ankle op after a jumping accident !...but I suppose she's only going to be 18 once ! thanks again

fannymagee

There is also this: http://www.onthesnow.co.uk/news/a/14774/book-a-winter-horse-riding-holiday-for-two-in-ellmau , might be worth looking into? That link is old so here is the hotel http://www.tomsojer.com/index.php/ellmau_ski_resort.html. I can also recommend the Sport Hotel Ellmau, http://www.sporthotel-ellmau.com/en.html, it's right on the slopes & ski school meeting place is just outside, it has a lovely spa etc so might be nice for your wife?!

Spook_ie

ah you're a star ! its very easy to get bogged down doing research - I dont think I would have ever come across those links that you have sent me. The wife likes your suggestions too as does the horse mad teenager ! out of curiosity, have you ever done the bobsleigh run in Innsbruck ? our mad 14 year old fancies a go !

fannymagee

Haha no I'm afraid I haven't, but if you're going to make it the trip of a lifetime, why not??! Lol. It might be a bit of a pain logistically though, unless you don't mind factoring in the cost of a taxi there & back for the day ;-)

I'm delighted those links helped, I know it can all feel very unfamiliar when you're researching somewhere new. The tourist offices are great though, if you like the look of any resort, just email the local tourist office (you'll get them on google) with your requirements & they'll get back to you with suggestions & options.

If I think of anything else I'll get back to you, but in the meantime- get Googling!! You never know what you'll find ;-)

Spook_ie

Thanks again. I think the problem this time is that its normally just the OH & I who research & book, and the kids just follow ! but because its an "18th" this christmas, the kids suddenly have said 'oooo I like this or that' ! so, its back to basics....no.1 is the location of the apartment & 2 access to a pool for mum, if we can throw the Haflingers in, great, if not, she can always go inter railing when she's in uni !!!!!

Feel free to throw any other suggestions my way........ I have a coffee in hand and I'm off to google now !!!

fannymagee

Spook, here's another option here in Soll- Haflinger ponies included ;-)

I can't see a translate option on the site, but you can use Google Translate if your Deutsch is less than perfect ;-)

http://www.hochfilzer.info/sportgenuss/aktivitaeten.html?PHPSESSID=j67c4nglrnkjla1k2olsuvl9u4

Spook_ie

Yep, I cant see a translation either, so google here I come, Thanks a million. I think I'm going to spend some time looking at Soll. I emailed a lot of places in Obergurgl, alot were already booked out, but I've also come across a problem, we did get three offers, hotel rooms & apartments (our first choice) but all three say we have to stay for 10 days ie from the 27th Dec to the 6th Jan 2015 ??? very odd, as we have been to Obertauern during the same dates and there was never a problem getting a 7 day stay, have you come across this ?

fannymagee

No, that sounds a bit odd to me alright- it's usually Saturday to Saturday, so leaving on a Tuesday is strange??!

I'm not sure if I gave you this link already, but this is the SkiWelt tourist board http://www.wilderkaiser.info/en/. If you email them and tell them what you're looking for they'll send you offers from all the villages (Soll, Scheffau, Ellamau, Going), so there should be something to suit. They're really helpful, and will reply in English ;-)

Spook_ie

That's reassuring that you think its odd too !!! anyway, I think Obergurgl is going out the window, I've sent a query to the Das Genusslandhotel, and next stop is your link to the tourist board, thanks again and fingers crossed !!!

Spook_ie

Got a reply from Das Genusslandhotel unfortunately they are booked out for the New Years Week, thanks anyway !

fannymagee

Ah that's a pity- it's amazing how far in advance the accommodation books up for New Years! Have the tourist board come back to you yet?

Spook_ie

Yep, so many are already booked up, I'm beginning to get worried :eek: re the tourist board, I have been putting our dates in on the online search accommodation box and it comes up with a few places, is it worth sending them (tourist board) an email or will they just refer me back to the online search engine ?

fannymagee

No they really good, honestly it's definitely worth mailing them. They'll respond with a list of offers from suitable accommodation, and might be able to make additional suggestions. Given its such a busy time I'd definitely start talking to them as soon as possible :-)

Spook_ie

Email sent !!! now we wait....thanks !

Pending

Ah it's a shame you have booked your flights! Otherwise I'd have the perfect solution for you, cheap, coeliac friendly, good New Year bash, but it's in France

Spook_ie

Thanks anyway Pending ! only been once to France (Flaine), but everyone in this house loves Austria and I'm sure you've read the other posts, this is a special trip for our daughters 18th Birthday and IF I can organise it, I know she'd love to ride a Haflinger on this trip.