Niederau

Nestled in the Wildschonau Valley Niederau is part of the larger Ski Juwel area that features an impressive 145 km of pistes serviced by 45 lifts.  Arriving in Niederau you are greeted by a picture perfect Austrian village which has a beautiful church at its heart. Traditional guest houses, bars, apartments and hotels make up the resort which is easy to get around as everything of note is located on one main road.

The main slopes are accessed by a variety of lifts including a Gondola, Chair Lift and a number of Poma and T-bar lifts. As well as a variety of Blue, Red and Black runs Niederau also features a Boarder Cross arena. The resort istelf has a few slope side bars, restaurants and guest houses that provide plenty of nightlife for those after a little bit of après ski. Prices here are fair and a beer will set you back around 3.5 Euros and a decent meal can be found for around 10 Euros.

The resort is very popular with families and beginners and has a laid back feel where you will find short lift queues and friendly hospitality. Although it is not the biggest of areas Niederau is a great place to head for a week and is probably the liveliest place to be based if you are intending to explore the full ski area. The resorts of Auffach, Alpbach and Oberau are all within easy reach form Niederau enabling you to make the most of the larger Ski Juwel area. Once in the town you should make it a priority to get your free Wildshonau guest pass, if you have gone with a major tour operator such as Crystal they will have these for you in your hotel but most places will be able to provide you with one if you ask. The card has lots of discounts in the winter and most importantly makes all of the ski buses free. Getting to Niederau is also a breeze and coach transfer take just 1 hour to get into the resort, trains arrive at Wurgl which is 10km form Niederau and is rguarlly serviced by ski buses to the resort. 

Niederau has a variety of places to stay including self catering apartments, guest houses and top class hotels with full spa facilities. If you are wanting the luxury of a Swimming pool and Spa Crystal Ski (crystalski.co.uk; 0871 231 2256) offers a week’s half board at the four-star Hotel Harfenwirt in Niederau, Austrian Tirol, from £529 per person including flights from Gatwick (direct flights also available from all major UK airports at a supplement starting at £20) and transfers departing on 10 January 2015.