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Original poster

Andorra or Austria - which is better for families?

27 replies

Growingboys · 02/10/2018 17:34

DH works in travel and has got us a discount on a ski holiday (hurray!) - we can either go to Andorra or Austria.

We usually ski in France or Italy, so I'd love to hear from anyone with views on the resorts.

The options are Austria: Saalbach, Serfaus, Zell am See, Schladming, St Johann in Tirol, St Anton, Obergurgl, Mayrhofen, Kitzbühel, Ischgl

And in Andorra: Arinsal, Pas de la Casa or Soldeu.

We like easy family skiing, good food, and kind people in the resort.

Thank you

OP posts:
PestoSurfissimos · 02/10/2018 17:55

Out of those I would choose Soldeu because;

  1. It’s high & therefore relatively snow sure
  2. It is in the middle of a massive ski area, all of which is family friendly
  3. It’s cheaper than the rest & good value for money
  4. Great English speaking ski school
StarkDismay · 03/10/2018 13:19

I'd go to any of those places! We lived in Andorra and still own a house there, but it has a tenant in these days and we've been to Austria a lot in the past couple of years. I don't know how old your kids are but one thing to consider is ski school timings.

Andorra do ski school 9-12 or 1-4. You send the kids for half a day and then spend the other half of the day skiing with them. You send them for 5 or 6 days, starting on a Sunday or Monday.

Austrian ski school is 10-12 then a lunch break and then 1-3. They go for the full day and if your kids are younger you have to meet up with them for lunchtime (which is always a bit exciting if the ski instructor makes a plan then changes it mid-morning!) You can sign them up for 4-6 days as long as they start by the Tuesday of the week you are there.

The Andorran timings give you more opportunity to ski with your kids, the Austrian timings get them out from under your feet for longer but there is almost no time left at the end of the day to ski with your kids if you want to do that. Last time we went to Austria we booked private lessons for 2hrs in the mornings because we like to ski with ours, but I realise that not everyone does. Up to you. The ski schools are good in both places and I would rate either country's ski schools better than ESF with kids.

Next thing I would look at is whether the resort is a big party town. Eg I wouldn't touch Pas de la Casa with a barge pole once past the age of about 25 and certainly not with kids with me. Soldeu is much more family friendly. Of the Austrian resorts you've mentioned some are more family friendly than others - I would probably steer clear of St Anton and Mayrhofen with younger kids. Obergurgl and Zell am Zee are more aimed at families, the other resorts I have not been to.

Finally, the food. The food up the mountain in Andorra is nothing to write home about. I've not been for a couple of years but it was never a highlight of the trip. There are various restaurants at village level though that specialise in Pyrenean mountain cuisine which are very nice. You'd probably need a car to get to them though. Austrian food I like. The mountain restaurants seem to serve a reliable mix of schnitzel and goulash with germnodels and strudels for pudding. You'll come back weighing more than you were when you arrived! My kids like the austrian mountain food and we usually self cater on an evening. I don't think drinks in austria are that expensive compared to france, but Andorra would definitely be cheaper if you are planning on drinking a lot!

I want to go skiing now Grin

Original poster
Growingboys · 03/10/2018 21:12

Wow thank you both so much! So much to think about, I really appreciate all the advice.

And I want to go skiing now too!

This is so helpful, thank you xxx

OP posts:
museumum · 03/10/2018 21:19

The runs are mellower in Andorra and it’s probably going to be warmer.

Avoid Pas de la Casa and Mayrhofen (unless staying out of town) as both are LOUD.

I like Andorra but it’s warm. Avoid in early and late season as it turns to slush but mid season it’s great.

But I do like Austria too. Ski schools in both have excellent English, far better than your average French instructor, which is good for some kids.

Buttercupsandaisies · 07/10/2018 16:10

We go soldeu every year and highly recommend. It's hosting the World Cup this March. Just to clarify though - ski school is actually 10-1 or 1-4 though morning school fills up quick. It's cheap too and lift passes have the option if inc lunch in any one of the mountain restaurants. The instructors all speak English - in fact many of them are English. You can pick up a private two hour lesson for £100

Buttercupsandaisies · 07/10/2018 16:11

Andorra is warmer but it had one of the best snow seasons last year with snow well into April. It's already snowing there noe

bluebird3 · 07/10/2018 16:16

Another vote for Soldeu. We went there last year and it was amazing!

FrederickCreeding · 07/10/2018 16:23

Never been to Andorra, but Austria is great. We find it really family-friendly.

It's true about the ski lesson times, but we just send the dc to ski school in the mornings and ski as a family in the afternoon. No-one seems to mind. I've been to several of the places you listed and liked them all. Serfaus is top of the list of places I want to go to, because it has a great reputation as a family ski resort. It's more expensive than some of the others, which is why we haven't yet been, but if you can get a discount, it sounds amazing!

Ivegotthree · 17/12/2018 20:19

We might be going to Soldeu in Feb half-term and reading the above, I'm excited!

Anyone know Piolets Park? I'd love to know your views as we're prob going there. And any other tips for skiing in Andorra (or must do activities/restaurants) I'd love to know.

So excited!

CanYouHearThePeopleSing · 27/12/2018 22:28

We did Kitzbuhel as a group last year - 5 skiing adults, 1 non skier, 2 y year olds. It was perfect for all of us. Ski school until 3, which the girls LOVED, all day skiing for the adults (great ski area with fab mountain restaurants), and loads of activities for the non skier. We had a quick drink in town each day and then ski bussed to our SC accommodation for the evening. Would go back in a flash.

Have done Zell am See too, but only as a couple, so don’t know what the ski school is like.

Austria and Italy are my 2 fave places to ski - I have no desire to go back to France now!

Ivegotthree · 28/12/2018 19:04

How funny canyouhear - after many years in Italy, I'd never go back to France, either!

We are off to Soldeu for half-term. I am so excited!

CanYouHearThePeopleSing · 29/12/2018 16:38

We've arrived in Italy this afternoon - can't wait to get on the slopes tomorrow (and enjoy proper wood fired pizza for lunch...)

Buttercupsandaisies · 29/12/2018 21:42

Ivegotthree

Piolets park is gorgeous! One of the nicest hotels in soldeu - about 10 mins walk to the lift. It's all fairy lights etc. You'll love it!

Buttercupsandaisies · 29/12/2018 21:43

I'm off there in Feb half term too - I recommend the verve clique bar on the top of the mountain 😉

Ivegotthree · 29/12/2018 22:41

Thank you buttercups!

Will keep an eye out for you in the champagne bar!

slartybardfast · 09/01/2019 09:58

We've been to both, but Andorra won't get visited again.
For a first trip it's fine, but because it is at the lower price range, Andorra has a lot of learners. The slopes were therefore a little dangerous with brand new riders everywhere.
Austria seems to attract more able crowd, and the infastructure is way more advanced. Mayrhofen can be noisy, but that's late at night, and unless you've spent a lot, you won't have a hotel near there anyway.
The huge terrain will take years to cover, and you can go many times without being bored of it. The other Austrian resorts are also good, but avoid Arlberg (st Anton, etc) - damned expensive.
We're going in 2 weeks. My tip? Stay in Innsbruck, get a car, and then visit the local resorts of which there are dozens. Staying in the city is cheaper, and easier to get around.

MargoLovebutter · 09/01/2019 10:15

slartybardfast is it easy to drive to the local Innsbruck resorts? Do you have to faff about with ski hire and ski passes at each one? Could you say a bit more about how it worked?

slartybardfast · 09/01/2019 10:38

We have a rule to never drive more than 1hr from the city, but there are lots of resorts that are only half that. The beauty of the smaller resorts is that the huge queues you always find at big name places don't exsist. The slopes are often quiter, and the lift passes cheaper. That's the only set back, you'll have to buy a day pass for each place you visit, unless you like it enough to go back again. As for equipment, hire it in the city, otherwise your first and last day has to be at the same resort.
Around Innsbruck are places like Seefeld, Azamer Lizum, Igls (where the Olympics were), Nordpark. Those are really close. Then get more adventurous, and you can get to Kitzbuhel, Mayrhofen, Soll, Solden easily in a day, and be back for a night out in the city.
Honestly, it's a great alternative to the usual resort chaos. We were tipped off by a Swede one year who was doing the whole Tirol before goinf home. We've been doing it ever since. Innsbruck is the perfect centre because of it's locality to the resorts.
I hope that helps?

MargoLovebutter · 09/01/2019 10:42

Wow, that sounds great! I'd be well up for that. I'm off to look at options for staying in Innsbruck now. If you'd be happy to recommend ski hire places that would be really appreciated.

slartybardfast · 09/01/2019 11:35

Our favourite hotel is the Grauer Bar. Really central, with a carpark underneath. Great rooms and bar, plus lovely breakfast.
The only hire place we've used is called Die Borse, which is in the centre.

I sound like the tourist information.... Not on their payroll, honest
We've been to dozens of places EU, USA, CAN, everywhere. Innsbruck is hard to beat

MargoLovebutter · 09/01/2019 12:05

slartybardfast you have inspired me. Just booked us 6 days in Innsbruck!!!!! The hotel you suggested was booked out, but found another city centre hotel.

So excited. If you have any other tips - don't hesitate to share.

slartybardfast · 09/01/2019 13:42

Crikey Margo, I like that kind of get up n go!

I'm there in two weeks time for a long w/e with mates, and then again at school half term with OH & kids. Is it half term you're going?

You'll love it. Get Winter tyres on the car - the roads are usually very quickly cleared after snow, but it can't hurt. The Austrians take Sunday seriously, so almost nothing is open - except skiing. Innsbruck is a beautiful medieval city, with plenty of shopping to do if you need a day off the snow, but don't schedule a wander on Sun. That goes for food too, very little is open that day.
Other than that, no problems.
Have a great time!

MargoLovebutter · 09/01/2019 14:08

partially in half-term & partially not! Literally couldn't be more excited. I see there is a free "ski bus" that leaves virtually outside our hotel. Did you try them?

slartybardfast · 09/01/2019 15:56

Apologies to the OP for totally hijacking your thread. It is fairly relevant I suppose?

We have been on the skibus, years ago. If I recall the one called J line is a usual looking city bus, but goes between Nordpark & Igls (north to south of the city), and is free to ride as long as you're dressed for skiing! There are other buses that reach the next closest resorts, and I think they're the same deal, but haven't tried those.
Nothing wrong with buses, we just prefer to drive ourselves around these days. Trouble with cars is limited parking in Innsbruck. Some hotels have parking spaces - prebooking one is a good move.

MargoLovebutter · 09/01/2019 17:02

Thank you slarty - really helpful tips. I'll leave the thread in peace now!