Tyrol (Austria)

Not being a sporty type- in fact being a very feeble sportswoman- it was with much apprehension that I saved for a group skiing/snowboarding holiday in Soll, Austria. And I had the most fantastic time....read on you not so intrepid learner skiers...

Resort: Soll (spelt with an umlaut over the O)

Small town in a valley surrounded by mountains in Tyrol region of Austria. Ski garage (where boots and skis can be stored for approx 6 euros for week) and ski lifts are short walk from town (10 mins when wearing ski boots) and adjacent to nursery slopes. Several pubs with live bands and mulled wine for 'apres-ski' that open around 4pm. Later on in the evening tends to have a young and lively (but not too raucous) ambience with games, music, karaoke and more live music (several English bands were playing when we were there). The Whisky Muhle is a pub on one side and a nightclub on the other (large building)and I would recommend to anyone who is intersted in watching sport and listening to live bands in early evening and then later on to people who want cheap beer in a friendly nightclub setting.

Two good supermarkets: Spa and MPreis. The latter is cheaper for wine, beer and buying larger quatities of food if you choose self catering.

Accomodation: First Choice appeared to have rooms in most hotels and chalets in town. All were at least 3 star and, after meeting couples, families and groups staying in both chalets and hotels, I heard no complaints from anyone.

Chalet Scherntanner was our choice of accomodation- 3 star chalet with 20 en-suite bedrooms, a large dining area, a communal living room/afternoon tea/TV room, games room and bar open from 10pm, heated boot/ski room and - the piece de resistance for me- a sauna in the basement. Oh! What a wonderful way to ease the aches and pains of apres ski legs!All rooms were wood panelled, had adeqaute sized bathroom and wardrobe and a balcony. Absolutely beautiful. Traditionally decorated throughout. The staff here were a young, friendly amazing little bunch who even came out snow boarding with us.

Ski runs/slopes at Soll:
Plenty of snow cannons (11 in total in Soll) to make up for what nature may not be able to provide. Two nursery slopes with button lifts to learn on. The best cafe we found for lunch was just at the top of the larger nursery slope. Further up on the mountain at Soll at the first cable car (locally known as the gondola) station are 3 cafes and a challenging blue slope. I say challenging as the latter section is quite steep and unnerved several learners in our group. Also two red slopes here- one very long steep slope and the other not so steep with more plateaus. Two black runs for the more adventurous accessed by a further cable car ride to the top of the mountain.

Ski runs/slopes at Scheffau:
A short taxi ride away, the neighbouring village of Sheffau has more to offer in terms of blue and red runs and cafes next to the pistes. Several blue pistes were not suitable for snow boarders as they weren't sufficiently steep but ideal for beginner skiers. A special short blue run with button lift for children can be found 2 cable car stops up the mountain. A word of caution for skiers at Scheffau is to observe the piste maps carefully as some of the blues turn into red slopes without much warning- a fact that I did not observe and found myself in another village, Ellmau, feeling a bit lost and foolish. One ski pass served all lifts/cable cars in Soll, Scheffa and Ellmau.

Instruction
The standard of instruction was high here, especially for children, with reputedly some of Austrias best instructors working in Soll. The majority of the instructors speak very good English. There were a few instructors (especially Benny- long blonde dreadlocks) we encountered who were less helpful and seemed to expect pupils to learn quickly and did not offer help to adults who were struggling. Private tuition can be arranged for about 30 euros an hour and is well worth it.

Advice for skiers/snowboarders new to this area:

• Visit the Whisky Muhle
• Eat cheaply in the bar opoosite the Whisky Muhle for traditional Austrian Fayre
• Go tobagonning on the purpose built track a few miles away from Scheffau(organized trips every Friday)
• Try the slopes in Scheffau as well as Soll
• Go back to the ski shop in Soll in the afternoon if you had your boots fitted in the morning to see the English speaking ski specialists- they have more time in the afternoon to find you the right kit.

Recommend Soll for families, groups of friends and couples as there is something to suit everyone