The winter ski destination Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg is home to an exciting offer for families: Several times during each ski season, they invite three to six year old children to ski lessons for four days. Our son Liam, three years old, perfectly fits this offer. He not only recently learned how to ski in the Gasteinertal valley, but is also very happy about being able to practise again this season.
Ever since my husband and I had children, we have grown very fond of the Bregenzerwald as a family travel destination. We last came here when Liam was just two years old. Meanwhile, he’s had a sibling and we have decided to do this trip as a “mother-and-son” kind of thing: Dad stays in Vienna with little brother Levin, while Liam and I go skiing once more. An exciting adventure for both of us, I must say!
Rolling around in the snow: Fun times for my son Liam and me!
Toddler Train Travel Tales: Our journey from Vienna to Bregenzerwald.
As was the case in previous years, we decided to travel to and from Vorarlberg by train. It is so much easier to entertain young children on a train over say the car, especially when it’s just him and me. Much more relaxed for me, too.
There is always help with the luggage, and you don’t have to change trains thanks to the direct Railjet connection between Vienna and Bregenz. From Dornbirn station, we had the option of taking a public bus to Bregenzerwald; we however opted for a comfortable taxi pick-up to the hotel and back. All in all, an exciting travel day for my three-year-old son and me!
Off we go: The Austrian railway hands out cute little kids tickets for free (children under the age of six do not have to have an official ticket yet) …
… painting, watching a movie, looking out the window, reading, eating, drinking … time flies when you’re having fun!
Love those huge panorama windows on board the train!
We also enjoy using public transport in the Bregenzerwald destination, where ski buses leave us well connected with our hotel and the local ski resort.
Liam taking ski lessons at the Schneesportschule Au-Schoppernau.
Free ski lessons for toddlers during certain weeks in the ski season have been offered in the Bregenzerwald since the 2010/2011 season. Many families take advantage of this offer, as it’s a perfect fit for families with young children.
Since Liam still naps in the afternoon, I only sign him up for two hours of ski lessons in the morning. Two more hours of lessons are offered in the afternoon. Midday child care, including lunch, can also be booked.
Welcome to ski lessons at the Schneesportschule Au-Schoppernau …
… our voucher informs us about all we need to know …
… while Liam starts his little “morning moves” …
… watches what happens around him on the slopes …
… and doesn’t really want to stop, ever: “I can do this. I know how to ski”, he keeps singing proudly.
As a little reward, I take him up the mountain with me on the last day of lessons …
… where we enjoy the wonderful views from the Diedamskopf mountain top together with my friend Barbara from Switzerland!
Diedamskopf ski resort: Small but beautiful.
While Liam learns how to ski, I explore Diedamskopf ski resort at almost 2,000 metres above sea level. The locals are right when they talk about an insider tip: With three lifts and a surprisingly large number of runs, in all levels of difficulty, the ski area is a small, fine mountain dream for skiers of all ages and levels.
With my self-made skis (read more about my ski-building workshop at SpurArt in Innsbruck here), I often use the entire length and width of the slope for my joyful carving turns. Working up a sweat, I realise I have to build up my fitness again after having had the kids! But I’m getting there, and I’m enjoying skiing more than I have in a long time. The air, the sun, the mountains here in the Bregenzerwald are wonderful.
Fascinated, I stop again and again to take the following photos of this mighty mountain scenery for you: From the very top near the mountain peak Diedamskopf, you can see no less than 300 peaks of the Allgäu and Lechtal Alps!
Down by the valley floor, where the kids practice their little turns …
… the mountain cable car takes us up into this snow-covered paradise in just 10 minutes.
Don’t you just love the views?!
Hardly anyone else around. Means I get to carve across the entire slopes in style!
Again and again, arresting views like these make me stop. Wow.
If you like, you can also hike up to the Diedamskopf mountain top …
… or simply take in the views from all over the ski resort.
Bregenzerwald … I’ll be back!!
In my next post, I’ll tell you more about our family-friendly home base in the Bregenzerwald, the Alpen Hotel Post in Au. It is only four bus stops (or three kilometres) from the Diedamskopf ski resort, has its own practice lift and a toboggan run behind the hotel, plus delicious four-star cuisine, its own swimming pool and a huge, supervised playroom. Absolutely worth it!
Note: We have been invited on this ski trip to Vorarlberg by the Bregenzerwald Tourism Board. All opinions are my own.