Mack Prioleau Dreams of a Winter Adventure in Austria
Winter is the favorite season of Mack Prioleau. As he is an outdoor kind of guy, he enjoys all types of outdoor sports from hiking and climbing to surfing, kayaking; and in winter, skiing and snowboarding. In the US, Mack Prioleau goes to Aspen or Vail in Colorado for his winter skiing fix. His ultimate dream, however, is to ski down the famous alpine slopes in Europe. For this, his goal is to travel to Austria for some serious powder shredding.
The Alps covers about three-quarters of the country, which is why it has become one of the most popular destinations in the world come the winter season. But Austria is a beautiful country year-round and tourists flock to the country in the summer just as much in the winter. For Mack Prioleau however, a first-time visit means going there during the winter months.
First stop, Tirol
If you’re looking for the true alpine stereotype; you know, snow-covered mountains, picturesque lakes, and fairytale castles, Tirol or Tyrol is the place for you. The region has charming resorts that are perfect for your skiing adventure. One of the best, and consequently the most popular, ski resorts in Tirol is the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau.
It boasts of more than one hundred kilometers of prime skiing slopes, 25 ski huts, and two winter wonderland snow parks. Whether you’re looking for an easy slope to try or you’re the more adventurous type who wishes to go on a cross-country skiing adventure, you’ll have plenty of options for both right here.
The resort can get crowded during peak season so it’s best to plan your trip in advance. This means booking your ski hut months ahead of your schedule arrival. Don’t worry about reaching the slopes though because from what Mack Prioleau has gathered, there are about 45 lifts—plenty to service large crowds.
If you need more reasons to choose this destination over other ski resorts, Mack Prioleau shares that Alpbachtal Wildschönau was actually voted as the top ski resort in the region for families and kids. The snow parks are also within close distance to the ski huts, which means your kids can frolic in the snow or make a snowman as you keep an eye on them from inside your rented hut.
Exploring the surrounding villages is the best way to experience Austrian hospitality. Meet locals, hit the pub for an authentic brew, try Tirolean dishes in one of the mountaintop restaurants, and of course, take a refreshing sip of their famous Krautinger Beet Schnapps.
For a different kind of “sloping” experience in the Alps, you can also ride a toboggan with your kids. The kids will enjoy this one! You can join toboggan runs. If you’re tobogganing with kids, choose the more family-friendly runs; but if you’re up for a little more challenge, try the run that goes through the woods and down to one of the villages below.
There’s plenty more to see and do in Austria during winter, and Mack Prioleau will be sure to tell you more about it when he gets the chance to visit, perhaps winter this year.