Things to do on an Austrian winter vacation

Come too early in the season. Winter activity vacations in Austria rely on real snow, rather than fake snow which is environmentally damaging to produce, making them a responsible way to enjoy the winter landscape. It does mean you can’t turn up in November and expect to snowshoe and cross country ski. These trips run at times when natural snowfall is most likely and while snow often falls in the Austrian Alps from December, it’s more reliably present from January until mid-March. Be on a diet. You’ll need plenty of calories to fuel active days out in the chilly winter landscape, so now is not the time to cut out carbs. Classic Tyrolean food isn’t exactly low cal either. A favourite dish is Tiroler Gröstl, made of roasted potatoes, speck and onions topped off with a fried egg. When you return from exploring outdoors, cake and hot chocolate are usually on offer, too. Ignore the wildlife. As well as getting active, keep your eyes peeled for birds and beasties that make the Austrian Alps home. The region is home to populations of majestic golden eagles, plus bearded and griffon vultures, while ibex and chamois live on the slopes.

Tom Wilkinson, showshoeing expert at our adventure specialists, Exodus:
“If you can walk, you can snowshoe. There are of course techniques and tips for going up and down, and through deeper snow, but really this is the winter sport that anyone can do. With snowshoes a beginner can access places usually reserved for red hot off piste skiers – and you’re far less likely to crash into a tree! Aside from thinking you’ll be using tennis racquets (modern snowshoes are sleek and light), people can forget that if you’re walking in deep snow, walking in single file means the person at the front does all the work breaking the trail, though good etiquette is to take turns doing that!”