A Western Riding Ranch In The Alps
4* Family Riding Hotel perched on a high pass in spectacular landscape, on the river bank of the Gerlos Bach. Daily trail rides into the mountain wilderness on Criollos, Quarter Horses and Paint Horses. Enjoy fresh mountain air, crystal clear water and nature at its purest. A different half-day picnic ride each day into unspoilt landscape. Overnights in mountain huts. Kids' paradise at The PonyHoo - all day kids' activity club (indoor and outdoor). Excellent riding school with Christian and Renate, who both speak excellent English.Western saloon bar with live music. Indoor and outdoor pools and 'Indian Spirits' spa. Group and private riding lessons (adults and kids of all ages) and 'learn to ride'.
Activities
Young cowboys and cowgirls (from age 11, with own hard hats) can ride western style into spectacular mountain wilderness on Criollos, Quarter horses and Paint horses especially imported from South America. Later they can hang out in the Kroller Indian Village or the Western Fort, pan for gold in the adjacent river, or sing songs around the camp fire until it gets dark. Parents can enjoy the 'Indian Spirits' spa or the Western Saloon bar with live music. Gather on Sunday evening in the Saloon for 'Wrangler's Tales' when your trail boss will entertain you with stories...(your chance to get to know him better!). Wednesday nights is Country and Western night with 'two-step Western line dancing'. Pony rides for young children including a special 'Kinder Trek' (return by bus is no problem if the little cowboy finds it too much). Group or individual riding lessons. Beginners' riding programmes for kids and adults. New for 2011 The Kids Academy for young riders aged 8-14, Learn to handle, lunge and ride Western style, complete with a test and certificate at the end of your course.
Trail Rides
In summer there are 12 different wild and romantic trails to choose between, many involve riding to over 2000m. Half-day and full-day rides, with refreshment stops in Alpine huts. One of these, the Schwarzachtal, is famous for its music. All of the rides have unbelievable views. The secret of successful trail riding is matching the rider to the right horse. The trail boss is a master at getting this combination right since he knows all the horses like the back of his hand. You will given time to get to know your horse and equipment whilst riding around the Corall, before you head off into the mountains. Every day, your horse will take you to another valley or to another mountain peak. You will be riding at all three paces. Choose between 'short range' (which includes 1 Corall 'discovery' lesson and 3 half-day rides) or 'long range' which includes 1 discovery session in the Corall, 5 half-day rides and 1 full-day ride. It is also possible in the 'long range' package to have an overnight in the mountain camp. See map and trail descriptions.
Ultimate Experience
In June, September and October (July and August by request). 2 day trail over the Isskogel, romantic campfire barbecue, overnight stay at the Kroller Mountain Camp.
The Kroller Riding Academy course for adults for improving your riding and beginners' riding week with theoretical and practical lessons leading to a half-day trail ride.
Hotel accommodation & facilites
The Kroller Kids Team (qualified personnel) offer indoor and outdoor childcare from 9am to 9pm for kids from 2 years of age. 60000m2 of play space: 100m2 of indoor space ('the Pony Hoo') where activities include playstations, slides, climbing walls, Western Fort, doll and puppet areas, table football, craft tables, music corner, magic shows, cinema, Smiley dance shows, story telling, baking, face painting etc... Outdoor activities include riding, games, minigolf, campfires, gold panning in own river, pony riding for the young ones, go-kart track, bouncy castles, huge swings, slides and sandpits, and visits to the farm and petting zoo. Childcare for under 2's and evening babysitting on request.
Teenagers and older children: adrenalin and adventure programme: The Teen Action Club including rafting, sailing, canyoning, paragliding, climbing etc. Once a week, Wahini party just for teens. Look at this great programme which runs from end of June until September:
MOUNTAINBIKE TOUR – all around Gerlos. Short tour for kids and teens at least 9 years old. Important: helmets mandatory, bicycles need to be brought to the meeting spot
TEENY ACTION- Box climbing requires good balance and skill. Sharp eyes and steady hands are needed for bow and arrows. Don't forget food and drinks for the lunch break!
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE - Rafting and rock climbing. We begin with a wild ride down Gerlos creek. Afterward we prepare a barbecue. In the afternoon you will need a load of courage for the rock climbing.
HIGH-ROPE GARDEN – 100% nerve-tingling experience 15 stations in the high-rope garden with the high-rope instructor. Important: good quality shoes required.
CANYONING for teens 11 years or older.
Cool jumps into the mountain stream. Rope down over a waterfall under the guidance of a licensed mountain guide – a real experience!
TO GRILL AND CHILL – for kids and teens at the lake from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm
Today Durlassboden lake reservoir turns into our adventure playground. To wrap up the week we put on a small barbecue party to chill out once more at the end of your vacation.
Fees for rafting, canyoning and high-rope garden: Euro 35.00 each (each item can be booked separately). The three-item teeny action package can be booked by Kroeller teenies at a special rate: rafting, canyoning and high-rope garden at a total of Euro 85.00. All other activities are free of charge.
The 'Indian Spirits' Spa offers relaxation in the Finnish sauna, Indian steambath, whirlpool etc... Massage and beauty treatments available at the Almhof Gerlos (the 4* partner hotel opposite). Indoor tennis. Outdoor fitness programme includes guided hikes, 2 guided mountain bike trips per week, morning jogging and Nordic walking tours with the in-house trainer (July to September).
20 modern family suites (50m2) for 2-5 people with 2 separate bedrooms both with sitting areas, TVs and balconies, separate WC. Large bathroom with 2 washbasins. Double bedrooms with balconies. Apartments for 4 people. Delicious food with an emphasis on fresh, healthy and local produce (much of it produced at their own farm such as the milk and eggs for breakfast). Bread is baked daily. Virtually non-stop buffet (breakfast, lunch, tea with savoury and sweet snacks) with free fruit basket and soft drinks from the drinks fountain, available all day. Excellent wine list and 4 course dinner. After-dinner drinks in the Saloon bar! Live rock and blues music.
The hotel is open throughout the year for riding holidays, except in May and November. The Kroller lies on a high Alpine pass (1300m) with access into the largest ski area in the famous Zillertal Arena. For details of winter holidays here see Winter Riding and Skiing at the Kroller Family hotel and Western Ranch.
Price per person for 7 nights on full-board based on a minimum of two people and including return airport transfer from Innsbruck. Reductions if hiring or driving your own car and not using the transfer: £115 from each adult price. 'Singles with child' offers: ask us for a quote.
7 nights per adult on full board with private airport transfer (Innsbruck) per adult: from £570 (double room in low season). Double rooms are 18-25m2 with bath or shower, wc, telephone, sat TV.
From £630 per adult in an apartment (low season). Appartments are 35m2 for 4 people, with 2 bedrooms (one with bunk beds for kids) with shower/wc, mostly with balconies.
From £721 per adult in a suite (low season). Suites are 55m2 for 2-5 people with two bed-sitting rooms, separate closet, sitting room, shower, sep wc, sat TV and balcony.
Childrens' prices in the suites and apartments: 0-2 years £95, 3-6 years £152, 7-12 years £200, 13-15 years £270. Prices include full board, free kids club and return airport transfer from Innsbruck.
Please ask us for an exact quote as prices are dependent on season.
Riding: Long range riding programme: add £304 per person (1 lesson and 5 half-day rides c.4 hours each). Full day extension: £60. Short Range (1 lesson and 3 half-day rides) £182. Beginners riding week (10 lessons (theory and practical) and 1 half-day ride): add £247 . Individual half-day rides: £65. Individual lessons: group (adult) £25, 30 mins group (child) £11, lunge lessons from £20 for 25 minutes, private lessons £40. Qualified Western riding instructors.
Kids Academy: £250 for 5 days Monday - Friday, June - September. Lessons on riding and horse care leading to some gentle trails tailored for young riders 8-14.
Kids under 8: Lunge lessons on the Criollos, £25, 30 mins High Season (£20 Low season) Pony Rides, horsey parents, you may wish to lead your child on a pony yourself £8 for 25 minutes/£10 for 50 mins. Staff led pony ride £14 for 30 minutes.
Ultimate Experience: In June, September and October (July and August by request). 2 day trail over the Isskogel, romantic campfire barbecue, overnight stay at the Kroller Mountain Camp. Add £265.
Indian Summer Autumn Special
September and October are the most beautiful months in the Tyrolean mountains. The forests start to change their colours, the days become shorter and the nights get cooler, the air crisper and the peaks get covered by the first snow and you can enjoy incredibly clear views. Available from mid September to mid October. Please contact us for a quote.
Long Range: 7 days pamper board (breakfast buffet, lunch buffet, 4 course menu in the evening, snack in the afternoon and non-alcoholic drinks are included) 5 half-day trail rides (4-5 hours) and free use of the spa facilities and pools.
Pony riding for young children: £10 per 50 minutes on lead rein.
Please note that in July and August the horses have a rest day on Saturdays.
Price includes:
All inclusive price (with all food and soft drinks) makes it easier to plan the final cost.
Price includes return airport pickup from Innsbruck, sports programme as specified, large breakfast buffet, lunch buffet with fresh salad and choice of hot dishes, afternoon snack with a choice of cold savoury dishes or tea and cakes, 3 choices of evening meal, ice-cream buffet (12.00 - 21.00), all day fruit and soft drinks / milk. Free access to mini-club and kiddy-club (72 hours per week of supervised professional childcare) in indoor and outdoor play areas. Free use of fitness/spa area 'Indian Spirits' (massage and treatments at extra cost). Use of indoor tennis hall. Prices are per person based on two sharing a double room and exclude flights and insurance. High season supplements and child discounts apply. Please contact us for a quote.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Please note that the Kroller is open all year except for November. From 12th July until 13 September, the horses have a rest day on Saturdays.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Innsbruck. A return minibus or car transfer (minimum 2 people) is included in the cost of the holiday. A supplement is required for Salzburg (150km) and Munich airports (210km, Germany). The nearest train station is: Zell am Ziller. Austrian train timetable. Free pick up.
Car hire: A week's car hire from Innsbruck costs from £133 www.holidayautos.co.uk Deduct £100 per adult from above prices if you do not require our private transfer services.
First Choice (London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester to Innsbruck).
Flythomascook (London Gatwick and Manchester to Innsbruck).
British Airways (London Gatwick to Innsbruck, London Heathrow to Munich).
Austrian Airlines (London Heathrow to Innsbruck).
Ryanair (London Stansted, Liverpool, Dublin and East Midlands to Salzburg).
Skyeurope (Manchester to Salzburg).
Thomsonfly (Coventry, Doncaster, Sheffield, London Gatwick and Bournemouth to Salzburg).
Flybe (Birmingham, Exeter and Southampton to Salzburg).
Aer Lingus (Dublin to Salzburg).
Easyjet (London Stansted to Munich).
Lufthansa (London Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester to Munich).
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Austrian train timetable.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
If you would like to view the location of this holiday, please refer to the overview map and detailed map.
Riding ability
Beginners to advanced riders welcome. Children from age 11 (with own hard hat) can join the trail rides. Younger children can ride in the school.
What to bring
Riding trousers or jeans, chaps or mini chaps, sun cream, rain wear, riding hat and sturdy boots. For overnights in the mountain huts you will need a sleeping bag, a small rucksack and a torch. Although rarely insisted upon outside the UK, you should always wear your hat whilst mounted. Although hard hats are available in all our riding establishments, you are advised to bring your own.
Weather
Current weather forecasts for the next five days for Innsbruck can be found here.
General weather patterns for Austria can be found here.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Austria at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
Austria has one of the highest levels of household recycling and organic farming in Europe. It also has some of the cleanest lakes, is 47% forested and produces nearly 70% of its energy from renewable sources such as water.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
Subscribe to our newsletter or read our blog.
Browse our Guest book or look at what the press have had to say.
Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
Please read our Terms and Conditions.
