How many times have we driven under it, under the big blue sign just before the Brenner Pass. “Stubaital” is written there, with an arrow pointing to the right.
The valley is well known to us – not least from the song classic from Lewanden “Schifoan”. But on our trips to Lake Garda we have never exited the Brenner motorway and driven into the valley.
It should be different this time. We were looking for a retreat for three or four days. There should be something for the nine-year-old Junior, and of course for his parents too. You should be able to ski, but if the weather is bad, you shouldn’t get bored. It should be a nice hotel, and there should be childcare and a program. And anyway: a feeling of well-being should spread.
Guaranteed suitable for juniors
We found what we were looking for in the Stubaital. Klaus Kindl runs the Alpenhotel Kindl in Neustift. It met our requirements – initially still in the brochure (later in reality much more so). Ski area nearby, beautiful wellness area, good food – and because the hotel is a member of the Familotel hotel group, we knew: It is guaranteed to be suitable for juniors.
So, Thursday, 3 p.m.: Get out of Linz and into the Stubaital.
It’s already dark when we arrive, but we’re in time for dinner, where we learn: Nobody says “Stubaital” here. The locals call it “das Stubai”.
And: We share with many Austrians that we have never been to the “Stubai”, as hotel manager Kindl explains. A total of 80 percent of the guests in the Stubaital are German – in winter and in summer.
That’s a shame (at least for the Austrians). Because as the next day shows: It’s really nice here. The valley is wide enough to get enough sun even in winter. And above the end of the valley, the peaks of the mighty Stubai Alps sparkle.
It also has to be said that the weather plays along with our feel-good plans – blue skies and sunshine. Therefore: Off to the slopes. We opt for the Stubai Glacier, with 62 kilometers of pistes the main ski area in the Stubai. The valley station is at 1700 meters, the highest point that you can reach on the glacier with a lift is at 3210 meters. Lack of snow is not a problem here, at most the cold can get to you at this altitude. But that is not the case on our three days of skiing.
We take the gondola and aim for the Gamsgarten station. This is where the ski school Neustift/Stubaier Gletscher has its quarters – and this time we treated ourselves to something: not only the juniors will take part in a ski course, but also us adults, who (or so we think) are passable skiers.
Jörg gave us the idea, whom we met at dinner. Jörg comes from Lower Saxony and is on a week-long tour of the Alps with his five-year-old daughter. And at his previous stations, not only his daughter, but also he was out and about with ski instructors. This, although he is an experienced skier – at least for a North German (sorry for the little malice, Jörg …)
The three of us could try it out on the Stubai Glacier, he says. Why not, we say.
Because we can get down the slopes reasonably well, our ski instructor is not called “ski instructor” but “ski guide”. His real name is Martin – whether “teacher” or “guide”: As far as skiing is concerned, we learn a lot from him. He asks what we’re up to – and the majority opinion is that we want to leave our comfort zone (it shouldn’t just be feeling good). So: Away from the slopes, off into the terrain.
And there we still have a lot to learn. Martin’s technique tips are worth their weight in gold. However, we are not spared tired thighs. Which is why the joy of the hotel is all the greater. Especially since the wellness area is brand new. Klaus Kindl used the lockdowns to expand.
Up and down the slide
What we didn’t expect is a competition. At least it hits dad in the wellness area. There are three slides – really long for an indoor pool. One is equipped with timekeeping. The junior wants to know: Who is the fastest? He secretly harbors the hope that his father will get stuck in the tube.
The opposite is the case. The excess kilos help me to win. The greater mass gives more speed when sliding. Until the junior has accepted this, the competition must be repeated nine times. The muscles get even more tired.
Luckily there is enough time to relax. It’s Friday evening – the weekend is just beginning. At the moment we can’t think of a better place to spend the days off.
family hotel
- The hotel association Familotel comprises 61 member companies – primarily in Germany, Austria and Italy. A family-friendly atmosphere, a comprehensive range of childcare options and the fulfillment of an extensive catalog of criteria are decisive for admission to the association. Details on familotel.com
- One of the member companies is the Alpenhotel Kindl in Neustift in the Stubaital. The family-run four-star establishment not only has a wide range of activities for children, but also a spacious wellness area. Information at hotel-kindl.at
- Info to the ski area and ski school at stubaier-gletscher.com and schischule-neustift.com
Source: Nachrichten
