Sun. Nov 3rd, 2024

Nestled in a picturesque valley in the farming town of Trins, the Saker family’s ancestral home, Schloss Schneeberg, offers a window on to unspoilt Austrian wilderness. Despite being in the family since the 1700s, only in recent years have they opened their doors and welcomed guests seeking an active mountain retreat with a difference.

A traditional Austrian house, Schloss Schneeberg is steeped in rich history dating back as far as the 13th Century. The original castle tower, with striking stone turret, still remains today, giving the house its distinctive character and charm. The family have meticulously maintained the estate’s original features over the years, with quirky rooms adorned with paintings of their ancestors, wooden floors, traditionally-carved furniture and a treasure trove of antiques to uncover.

In 2015 British father and daughter duo, Robin and Skye, began to welcome guests to experience Schloss Schneeberg first hand, creating bespoke ski holidays. With local knowledge in abundance, a passion for the local area and its residents, and links with local businesses, the pair now offer tailored holidays that extend far beyond the average ski trip.

Tranquil and serene, the undiscovered area is free from crowds and queues on the pistes, making it the perfect destination for multi-generational groups of family and friends, and mixed ability groups. Avoiding the crowds also means avoiding the inflated prices associated with larger resorts: superior service comes at an affordable price at Schloss Schneeberg. Equipment rental and ski passes are cheaper than the popular large resorts, and activities such as snowshoeing, cross country skiing and hiking are free of charge.

Within the village, 200m from the house, is an ideal beginners slope for children, and the more advanced ski resort of Bergeralm is only 3km away. Bergeralm has 29km of pistes over 1000 vertical metres, with a variety of runs ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, bag jump, fun park and great off-piste. Both pistes offer night skiing, and Bergeralm has the longest night skiing run in Europe. There are numerous other resorts in the surrounding area that are an easy drive away such as Schlick 2000, Axamer Lizum, Stubai Glacier, Kuhtai, Ratschings (Italy) and Seefeld, to name a few. This means that for those serious skiers and snowboarders, there is an opportunity to discover a multitude of pistes.

The Schloss Schneeberg team are personally on hand around the clock to manage every last detail of the stay from airport pick-up and transport logistics, to catering, sightseeing, and organisation of alternative alpine experiences such as snowshoeing, ski touring, tobogganing, winter walking, cross country skiing and paragliding.

Skye, a passionate foodie, curates a bespoke menu to the group’s taste, focussing on flavours which extend beyond traditional Austrian cuisine whilst using local organic produce. Expect winter warmers such as cinnamon porridge & fresh eggs from the village, with candle lit two course dinners which blend European, Asian and Middle Eastern influences for a special dining experience.

Prices: Ski holidays start from £5,000 for up to 10 people, including transfers from Innsbruck, breakfasts, six dinners with wine, transfers to ski slopes, on hand help and advice; Christmas week package: £8,000 for up to 10 people, including transfers from Innsbruck, breakfasts, six dinners with wine, transfers to ski slopes, on hand help and advice, Champagne on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day Brunch, tree and decorations; Prices for other weeks are all on the website here: https://www.schlossschneeberg.com/wintercalendar

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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