About Niederau
Nursery runs next to the village centre and beginner-friendly blues up the mountain – Niederau’s spot on for your first week on the snow. The local slopes are pretty compact, so it’s easy to get your bearings. And with restaurants at the top and bottom of the main gondola, meeting up for slopeside lunches is straightforward. Fancy venturing further afield? Hop on the free ski bus to nearby Auffach to explore the rest of the 109km Ski Juwel area.

Set in a wooded valley, Niederau’s your picture-perfect Austrian village, with wood-clad chalets and a Gothic church. It’s a small place, so lots of the accommodation’s only metres from the piste. Speaking of places to stay, they’re mainly cosy hotels and family-run guesthouses, where the service is down-to-earth and friendly. There’s a relaxed atmosphere here when the lifts stop, but the karaoke nights at the Cave Bar are a good bet when you want something livelier.

For some family fun off the slopes, have a go at building a snowy shelter on an igloo building course. And to see more of your surroundings, lace up your boots and step onto winter walking trail, or give the legs a rest with a sleigh ride instead.

Accommodation

• 1 minute's walk to lifts, and opposite the nursery slope.
• Make a splash in the indoor pool.
• Relax in the spa with a sauna, steam room and infrared cabin.

The Hotel Austria is in a great central location in Niederau, especially if you're a keen skier. The Markbachjoch gondola is just a minute's walk away and the ski bus, connecting to Auffach and the rest of the Ski Juwel, stops right outside. You've also got all the best bars for a spot of après virtually on your doorstep.

If you want a bit of relaxation time off the slopes, head to the sauna or swimming pool.

The dining room and bar both overlook the slopes, so you can take in the views whether you're tucking in at breakfast or toasting the ski day. You won't get an evening meal included with your stay, but you can check out the hotel's á la carte restaurant if you don't fancy heading far at the end of the day