Ski Holidays in Neustift, Austria

Snow report issued:	2nd Feb 12
Last snowed:	2nd Feb 12
Fresh snow depth:	3cm
Depth at resort:	65cm
Mountain depth:	320cm
Piste state:
Excellent (A dusting of snow has improved the pistes)
Weather report:
Traces of fresh snow have fallen
Temperature:	-12°C
Open lifts:	41 of 41

View Neustift snow history

Slope Direction	N NE NW S
Very Easy Runs	0
Easy Runs	18
Medium Runs	9
Difficult Runs	9
Toughest Run Name	Wilde Grube
Skiable Vertical	2250m
Number Of Lifts	44
Top Lift Height	3250m
Night Skiing	Y
Snowboarding Parks	2
Half Pipes	1
Swimming Pools	2
Night Clubs	3
Mountain Restaurants	10

Innsbruck:	45 minutes
Munich / München:	1 hour and 45 minutes

There are several beginner slopes down in the valley but the ski school is more likely to take you up to the gentle beginner runs on the Stubai glacier. These are snow sure, but there is a bit of a trek by ski bus and gondolas to get up to the slopes.

Lessons are normally for four hours per day, two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. We can also offer discounts for beginners including lift ticket, equipment rental and ski school.

All four local areas have attractions for intermediate ability skiers, but whilst three of them are perhaps likely to get a little repetitive after a day or two, the largest and highest, the Stubai Glacier, is good for a week or more.

The glacier has nearly 120 kilometres (75 miles) of ski pistes and a 100% snow guarantee from October to June, and the official Tyrolean seal of approval for the quality of its piste maintainance.

There are wide sunny snow fields at the top of the mountain and some of the world's longest descents, up to ten kilometres (seven miles) and 2,200 vertical metres back down to the valley.

The only problem you may have at Stubai is that, if there are snow shortages elsewhere, everyone for miles around arrives and overcrowds the slopes.

With nearly a third of the local terrain graded black and over 30km (20 miles) of expert runs to enjoy, Neustift is a serious destination for serious skiers.

The various ski schools offer off-piste powder courses and excursions. Ski touring is also popular in the area, the Serles lifts above neighbouring Mieders offers the ideal starting point for numerous ski tours to the Jöchl, Blaser and the Kalbnjoch with beautiful deep snow ski runs.

However, the ten kilometre (seven mile) long Wilde Grube run is the most infamous in the area, descending 1,500 vertical metres at an average pitch of 40 percent.

Well equipped for snowboarders, there are two terrain parks and a 100m long pipe, designed by local park fans, on the glacier.

These are open all season long, thanks to the altitude maintaining snow integrity. The glacier's wide open snowfields and ten kilometre (seven mile) freeride descents are other major attractions.

The second ski area at Schlock 2000 also has a terrain park and a second half pipe to try out.

Neustift has an indoor swimming pool with sauna to which you receive free entry with your lift pass. There's also a library, bowling and billiards.

Outdoors you can enjoy winter hiking, snowshoeing, ice climbing, sleigh rides, cross country skiing, horse-riding, ice skating and curling.

There is an eight kilometre (five mile) long toboggan run, floodlit at night, down from Elfer, which is also a base for hand-gliding and paragliding.

There's a wide choice of about 100 bars and restaurants in the Stubai Valley, but you may need transport to get between many of them. Fortunately a free night-time ski bus does link the various villages and venues.

In Neustift itself, popular watering holes include Zwickl, Harry's pub and Hully Gully's - one of the four choices for late night dancing.

The restaurant choice is predominantly Tyrolean mountain food of course, but there are also Italian and Mexican options.

Each of the ski areas has special facilities for children, and the region also offers some of the best ticket prices in the Alps for families, with children not paying for lift passes at all until age 10 and then half price until age 15.

On Stubai, the largest and closest area, Kinderland Stubaier Gletscher by the Restaurant Gamsgarten accepts children aged three to 13 for first ski lessons and indoor fun at the Kinderland Ski Club Micky Maus. Lunch cover is provided on request.

Every child gets a welcome package, and for indoor fun there are children's play rooms as well as video players with great Disney videos.

On Schlick 2000 and at Mieders a bear takes over from the mouse. In fact it's Ronny, the big bear of the children's land in Fulpmes and Mieders, who is the star. Again this provides ski kindergarten facilities for children aged three and older.