Tour Operators Ski Schools Niederau

Went to Niederau Last Feb 2007 with Airtours who booked us (The family) into the Aktiv Ski School (Blue Team) which I must say was excellent. Our 2 boys then age 4 and 7 on the Beginners package were going up button lifts and down Blue runs by Midweek. Our 7 year old was going down Red runs by Thursday. This far exceeded are expectations as we thought they would spend the whole week in the Kindergarten area. It also ment that we could ski as a family by the 5th Day. Unbelieveable.

That said, we have booked the same resort again for March 15th 2008 with First Choice this time. Our sons want to go back to the same ski school (There are 2 the other of which is the Red Team called 'Happy Ski School'). Does anyone know which school First Choice use before we book any extras regarding lessons with them?

First Choice couldn't tells us or should I say the sales reps didn't know.

Hi Glyn,Just got back from Niederau last week and had a fab time.
In answer to your question i`m not sure, But with First Choice being a sister company of Thomson i would have thought it would be Wildschonau Ski School (reds).Both my kids have learnt with them,My five year old was coming down red 19 by the wednesday afternoon.Activ Ski School didnt seem to be busy last week for some reason.Any how have a fab time and enjoy.

AJ

hi glyn again,
have just watched your vidoes of what is Kropfrader, looking down onto Mittermoos. i know the runs only by their names - when i started going to niederau 20 years ago, they were all called by their names and still are by the instructors. i know red 19 only as the run down the markbachjoch!! hope you found my post to you on the ski schools helpful. L.

Glyn,
Was with First Choice in Oberau last week. They were using Happy Skischule so I guess it's the same in Niederau. Have fun, Col.

hi glyn,
you should book your kids' ski school lessons with the RED ski school in niederau, which is the WILDSCHOENAU ski school. (the HAPPY ski school is one which operates out of oberau, the next village along). i don't understand how you came to mention them in your email. you can book with the aktiv ski school, of course, but the wildschonau ski school, who are in red, is much the larger of the two in niederau and therefore, your kids' experiences will be much wider for that. when first learning to ski, the ski kindergarten of the reds is much bigger, it has more and better facilities. i don't know which school first choice uses, but you can easily find this out by emailing erika at the wildschoenau ski school office. go to www.wildschoenau.com and follow the links to the ski school, but be careful you choose the wildschoenau ski school link. erika speaks perfect english and mans the office throuout the season. you could even telephone her. she works every day except saturday morning, when the boss, Sepp Schellhorn, mans the office. tel; 00 43 5339 2200.email: ski.schule@tirol.com
unless you've booked everything oas part of a package, you can book your ski lessons when you arrive in resort - just go to the wildschoenau office next to the church, opposite the hotel austria, at the foot of the big car park. you can't miss it. you will pay no more doing things this way. however, if you've booked a package including kids' lessons and those lessons are with the aktiv school, you will have to keep that arrangement, as your resort rep will give you tickets for your kids which they must give to their instructor, and the instructors will know and recognise that guests at different hotels are booked with one of the two ski schools. they will see the name of the hotel/guest house on the ticket. there were a few times when it was a few days into lessons that we found out we'd been giving lessons to kids who had paid to be in the other ski school and vice-versa. it happens with adults too, so take care.
really, the reps should be able to tell you which school is which. your brochure, and other brochures, might also give it away, but if first choice is a sister company to thomson, then you will be with the wildschoenau ski school as a matter of course. the children's races at the end of the week is also a grand affair with the wildschoenau school. the instructors are all trained to the same high standard, but if you trawl thro the reviews pages of various ski websites for reports about the wildshoenau ski school, you'll be inundated with parents singing its praises. Sepp and his right hand man, Tony, take the children's safety and enjoyment very seriously; the two are constantly watching the ski kindergarten and the slopes for the children's groups, and are very much present on a monday/tuesday when the kids are trying to get the hang of the lifts and invariably taking a few tumbles!!
hope all this helps. L.

My apologies, Glyn. Seems I'm leading you up the garden path. Have a good one.

Glyn, Got back from Niederau on Sat. (2nd feb) after a week of instruction with the WILDSCHOENAU ski school, (pre-booked through Thomson), having started as a beginer. We were on Red 19 by Wed pm ! Although I have no experience of ski instruction I though the standard of tuition was excellent and we had a fantastic time. One thing we did notice was how much fun the kids were having and how quickly they seemed to pick things up. Talking to parents who had kids in the red ski school, you can buy a lunch voucher through the school and the instructer will look after your kids at lunchtime, if you happen to be away on the slopes. As an adult I would have no reservations in recommending this school to anyone and we are definetly going back with then next year.
Have fun (I'm envious!!) Roger

I have booked for myself and family to go to neiderau on 1 March and can't wait. Does anyone know if the parents (who are in ski school) actually meet up with their children (who are also in ski school) or whether you stay with your own schools. Bit concerned as this is the first time they have been to ski school, last year they went to ski kindergarten. Thanks

Thanks for all the replies.

It looks like its the WILDSCHOENAU ski school (Red) after all...

Hi Blackbrook, if your all beginners then you will usually meet up at the nursery slopes or if you have got a few seasons under your belts the it will probably be at the top of the markbachjoch gondola.
If in any doubt just as the instructor they are very helpful.Have a fab time its a great place.


AJ ( Adele

In reply to Blackbrooks message regarding breaks etc when everyone is in ski school.

For us last year we had the same concerns. This is how it worked out:

The ski instructors all had mobile phones, so if you informed your instructors that your children were in Ski School, they could get in contact either way. Also as a beginner myself you were always insight of the Kindergarten lessons even on the lower blue nursery slopes, so I was always able to keep an eye. My partner was on intermediate lessons, so was out of sight most of the time. But still managed to return for lunch. We did take walkies talkies so that myself and my partner could keep in touch - In hindsight not really necessary and mobile phones are a lot clearer.

As regards to lunch - Everyone stopped at the same time. No matter where you were on the slopes they always made sure you got back to the meeting place/kindergarten. This happens until Wednesday when you may be experienced enough to go up the Gondola and ski at the top. If your children are as advanced you can still meet at the top or you can provide lunch money approx 5 Euros and the instructors look after the children.

We couldn't believe how quickly our children progressed, especially our 4 year old who by Wednesday was going up button lifts and drag lifts by himself.

Basically, don't panic its all family orientated resort.

Have fun.

Glyn

PS. Race day is held on Thursday mornings. We entered the children and it was fantastic.

Ditto Glyn, and yes the best piece of advice is probably get a pair of walkie talkies.You can get a good pair for around £35 money well spent if you ask me.There must have been about 1 dozon people ask me about mine in Niederau the other week.


AJ adele