A feeling of pure happiness fires through my synapses as I race down the slopes. I let myself be enchanted by the magic of the snow-white mountain panorama.
Skiing is a way of life and the freedom on two boards – boards that mean the world to me in that moment.
The winter season at TUI BLUE has begun – plunge into skiing fun on perfectly groomed slopes for fast or relaxed descents.
From exuberant skiing and snowboarding to freeriding and cross-country skiing, to leisurely snowshoeing and fun dog sledding – the selection of winter sports activities is huge.
Whether in Schladming, Schruns-Tschagguns or Saalbach Hinterglemm – experience a dream winter holiday in Austria.
I’ll introduce you to the three TUI BLUE hotels in Austria and do the ultimate winter holiday comparison: Which hotel wins when it comes to the best ski resort in Austria, the widest selection of winter sports activities, or the most diverse programme off-piste?
Off to skiing fun in Austria
Table of contents
The three TUI BLUE hotels in Austria in review
Where previously you only had the option of spending your winter holiday in Austria at the beautiful TUI BLUE Schladming, you now have the choice between three TUI BLUE hotels.
In May 2020, the TUI BLUE Montafon opened in the Silvretta Montafon region, a popular winter sports and hiking paradise for the whole family.
I took a closer look at the two hotels.
Fun in the snow – that’s what a winter holiday in Austria looks like.
Let’s go skiing – the ski resorts in Austria
When I’m in the flow on the slopes, I experience unique moments of happiness that I only get from skiing. Especially when the snow conditions are ideal and the slopes are freshly groomed for the descent – just like in the ski resorts where the TUI BLUE hotels in Austria are located.
TUI BLUE Schladming
The TUI BLUE Schladming is located in the popular ski resort of Schladming-Dachstein. Located directly on the ski slopes of the local mountain, the Planai (1,906 m), the hotel is the ideal starting point for your winter holiday in Austria. Freshly fortified by breakfast, you can plunge directly into the skiing fun, because the TUI BLUE Schladming has private tunnel access or you can cross the street to the valley station lift.
My personal tip for advanced skiers: the legendary and very steep valley descent on the Planai. The Ski World Championships have been held here twice. The last turn of the descent ends practically on the doorstep of the TUI BLUE Schladming. At the beginning of the year, the annual ‘Nightrace’ floodlit race takes place here. Spectacular.
Would you also like to get to know the Austrian ski resorts around Schladming? In addition to the Schladming 4-Mountain Ski Area, the Schladming-Dachstein region is also part of Ski amadé, the largest ski area in Austria. This gives you access to more ski slopes in the Salzburg Sportwelt, Gastein, Hochkönig and the Grossarl Valley with the Ski amadé ski pass.
Mit der Gondel direkt auf den Planai.
TUI BLUE Montafon
The TUI BLUE Montafon is located in Schruns-Tschagguns in the Silvretta Montafon ski resort. With 140 kilometres of slopes and 36 lifts, the region is a bit more manageable than the major ski resorts in Austria. It is therefore ideal for beginners and families. The majority of the slopes are blue runs, ideal for improving the skiing skills of young and old and for spending time together as a family.
The valley stations of the mountain railways can be reached in a few minutes by ski bus or by car. There are plenty of free parking spaces available. I still recommend taking the ski bus from the TUI BLUE hotel, so you can meet a few other ski-loving holidaymakers. 😉
As in the other ski resorts, the Montafon Brandnertal Card gives you access to a further 79 lifts in 9 ski resorts. You can find out more about this at the hotel.
Skiing in Montafon – © Stefan Kothner – Montafon Tourismus GmbH, Schruns
And as for the après-ski fun that follows – the ski resorts in Austria are known for their unique hut party experiences in the Alps. Many cool umbrella bars and cosy huts invite you to stop by for a drink and extensive après-ski. Here you can dance, laugh and really party. The wheat beer tastes twice as good after a day like this. Now it’s time to sway and sing along: ‘I’ll sing you a song…’
Well-deserved break: cheers!
Winter sports activities during your winter holiday in Austria
I love winter in the mountains: bright blue skies and the sun, which, despite the cold in the snow, gives my face a pleasant warmth – fantastic!
In addition to extensive skiing fun, you can also experience a variety of other winter sports activities at the TUI BLUE hotels in Austria.
Snowboard fans are in good hands at the TUI BLUE Schladming, because the Schladming ski resort is also home to one of Europe’s best snowboard parks, the Horsefeathers Superpark. Let off steam on steep channels, spectacular cliffs, and powder fields.
Ambitious cross-country skiers will find a 220-kilometre network of trails in the municipality of Ramsau am Dachstein. The Dachstein crossing, a ski crossing in the Alps past the UNESCO World Heritage Site, is recommended for experienced skiers.
As a Biathlon World Cup region, the Pillerseetal also scores points for cross-country skiing, with over 100 kilometres of groomed trails.
The leisurely ones among you can hike through the snow in Montafon on over 150 km of hiking trails and enjoy the fantastic Alpine scenery. It is a real joy to hike through the still untouched and pristine snow. The BLUE Guides also offer guided snow tours at the TUI BLUE hotels.
Simply adorable – in Schladming, you can go dog sledding. I think Heike Schadenbauer’s blog post perfectly describes the experience with the cuddly yet energetic huskies.
Off-piste programme and offers
When it comes to the offers and programmes at the hotel, the two new TUI BLUE hotels Fieberbrunn and Montafon score particularly well. In addition to having fun on the slopes, you also have the opportunity to take part in the sports and activities programme with BLUEf!t. After an exciting day on the slopes, treat yourself to special feel-good moments in the BLUE Spa with steam bath and saunas, as well as massage rooms. The TUI BLUE Schladming doesn’t have its own BLUE Spa, but it does have a SkySauna with three saunas.
Breakfast is known to be the most important meal of the day – a rich breakfast buffet is included in all TUI BLUE hotels to help you get ready for the day on the slopes. At the TUI BLUE Schladming and Montafon, half board can be booked as an optional extra.
Winter wellness with a view: the TUI BLUE Montafon hotel
Another highlight that you can experience during your winter holiday in Austria away from the slopes awaits you at the TUI BLUE Montafon. Directly opposite the hotel is the Aktivpark Montafon, which has a swimming pool, ice rink, and courts for volleyball, football, and tennis.
And the Oscar goes to… – my conclusion
I’ve taken a closer look at the three TUI BLUE hotels for your winter holiday in Austria. But which hotel wins my personal Winter Oscar in the categories:
- Best Ski Resort
- Greatest Selection of Winter Sports Activities
- Most Diverse Programme Off-Piste
Best Ski Resort
In the category of best ski resort, I give the award to the TUI BLUE Schladming. The hotel is located right on the slopes and offers a wide range of runs for every level. The Schladming-Dachstein region, which is part of Ski amadé, offers a large network of ski resorts.
Largest selection of winter sports activities
When it comes to winter sports activities besides skiing, all three TUI BLUE hotels score points. I recommend that you inform yourself in advance about the offers and where you can best practice your favourite winter sport.
Most diverse off-piste programme
BLUE Spa, culinary delights, BLUE F!t, hiking trails, and an activity park – the prize for the off-piste programme goes to the TUI BLUE Montafon.
A wonderful day on the slopes draws to a close and the sun disappears behind the mountains.
As you can see, it’s hard to pick a clear winner. Each TUI BLUE hotel is perfect for a winter holiday in Austria in its own way. While some are drawn to the best ski resort in Austria, others will find a unique winter holiday when the complete package off the slopes is right. One thing is for sure: once you’ve been enchanted by this ski and winter sports experience in the snow-covered mountain landscapes, you’ll know what it means to ski.
Which TUI BLUE hotel would you like to check in to next?
Leave a comment below. I hope you have a great and eventful winter season on the slopes in a white winter wonderland.