Alps for a Summer holiday?

[Detta]

Thinking of going to Austria/France/Germany to stay in a ski resort for our 2 week SUMMER holiday this year. Does anyone have any experience of this? It all looks quite reasonable in price, but have 2 children (10 & 3.5) so will need quite a range of things to do. Any advice appreciated!

We used to do shorter trips to the Alps in sumemr (we lived in Switzerland). Our kids (7 and 4) love it. 2 weeks may be a bit long but you could visit more than one place, moving by train, bus or hiring a car. Some resorts have open air pools (or lake swimming), organised kids activities (although your younger one would be too small to participate in much), bikes to rent, summer toboggan runs, lifts to ride up the mountains(beware that some resorts may not full open until beginning of July), walking etc. Your younger child would probably travel free on the lifts etc but you may have to buy tickets for yourselves and your elder child which can be pricey, although this varies form place to place. Last year ds went rock climbing and there was an outdoor adventure course in the forest with ropes, zip lines and climbing nets.

The weather can be unpredictable but it can be hot and sunny. We've normally booked direct with a hotel or resort but have done a few packages too.

Austria (biased as I live here). Agree with LIZS over weather warning, be prepared for everything! That being said have a look at www.farmholidays.com , www.kinderhotels.com & www.tiscover.at.

My particular recommendation is Ramsau am Dachstein (only 1 hour S of Salzburg) and www.hotel-lindenhof.at (stayed there in Feb & Jul 05 with ds (2.5) & dog. .

I went to Switzerland in May - it was lovely. Great hill walking and flowers everywhere.

have you had a look at the likes of euro camp or euro sites? i know campsites dont appeal to everyone but we have used them a few times and the kids are kept entertained. we went last year to easter france and went into switzerland and germany

Hi

We did this last summer with our 2 year old and it was one of the best holidays we've ever had. Can thoroughly recommend St Johann in the Tirol. Lots to do around, you can get the train if you don't want to drive. Charming little town and very child friendly. Summer toboganning, GORGEOUS pool complex with several open and indoor pools and sauna complex, beautiful walks, playgrounds everywhere, chairlifts up to great views. You can take a buggy up the chairlift on the Kitzbuhler mountain as the path back down is suitable for buggys, we saw people taking quad bikes up there. And typically at the top was a café and really nice playground! We'd love to go again although we would go self-catering next time so we can spend more time in the accommodation to settle our son. Everything of a very high standard.

K