Photo Courtesy Ursula Egger-Novak
A Brave Ski Mom Interview with Ursula Egger-Novak and Martin Novak, the brave ski parents of two boys from Vienna, Austria.
If you could only choose one resort at which to ski this winter with your family, which would you choose?
Why Hauser Kaibling?
Because we know it well. As a child, I spent nearly every holiday at this resort. We learned to ski there and it is not too crowded. The lifts are very modern. In fact, Hauser Kaibling is one of the most modern resorts in Austria. It also isn’t as expensive or touristy as some other Austrian resorts. It has a more local, Austrian feel.
Hauser Kaibling is quite huge. It is actually four mountains which are connected by almost 40 lifts. You can ski across the mountains all day and never use the same lift twice. A bus then will bring you back to where you are staying in the evening.
What makes Hauser Kaibling good for families?
Hauser Kaibling is very child friendly. The terrain is quite varied and it has everything you might want. There are smaller parks where children can learn. There are difficult slopes to ski as they advance. They have chairlifts for the children on the learning slopes, which isn’t as common in Austria.
What might you improve to make Hauser Kaibling even better?
We have seen changes in skiing in Austria in recent years with more people on carving (shaped) skis. These skis allow skiers to go really fast and sometimes they can’t handle them. I would like the resort to have a more visible ski patrol presence just to ensure skiers don’t get out of control.
Do you have any secrets about Hauser Kaibling to share?
Photo courtesy Ursula Egger-Novak
Our boys love the fast chairlifts. They also like to visit the small chapel. You can ski through the chapel and ring the bell as you go!
If you enjoy backcountry skiing, there are many backcountry options. Nearby Ramsau is a big area for cross-country skiing.
And in 2013, the FIS World Ski Championships will be held in Schladming, which is a neighboring village, only a few minutes away.
Where do you like to eat ?
There are some good restaurants on the top of the mountains or slopeside. Typically Austrians like to ski down at the end of the day and have après ski. Later in the evening we will go to a restaurant. You can really find any sort of food you like in the village, from traditional to modern. And for teens, there is a big disco in the village.
What about lodging?
You can choose any kind of lodging and find it on the mountain. All accommodations in sporting hotels offer breakfast or ½ pension (breakfast and dinner). One of our favorite places to stay is Im Dorfl, a “settlement” of wooden cabins that are meant to look as if they are from the 19th Century. They are quite modern, although you have to cut your own firewood! Im Dorfl is about a 20 minute drive from the skiing.
What makes Hauser Kaibling unique?
Austrian hospitality makes Hauser Kaibling special. It is only two hours, by train or car, to Vienna and much more local than the resorts in the Tirol. It is also only about 2 hours from Munich. Hauser Kaibling offers an authentic Austrian skiing experience.
The Brave Ski Mom Adds…
Photo Courtesy of Ursula Egger-Novak
Thank you Ursula and Martin! Through the wonder of Skype we had a lovely face-to-face chat about skiing. Amazing!
Alas! I have no first-hand experience with skiing in Austria. Someday….
Until then, I can only suggest that for more information you check the Hauser Kaibling website. It is in English and quite comprehensive.
Ursula and Martin mentioned the outstanding lifts at Hauser Kaibling. This season, the resort invested 10 million euro to install a heated, covered 6 pack which will rise about 350 (or 1148 feet) minutes in 5.5 minutes! The resort also has a new 3 million euro quad chair that will take skiers to the highest point of the four mountain ski region, at 2,015 meters above sea level (6,610 feet).
Enjoy!
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