Winter Riding at the Schlosswirt
Enjoy winter in this stunning national park from the back of a Haflinger pony. Highlights include galloping through the deep snow, winter moonlight rides through the forest and horse sleigh rides along the river. In the evening spoil yourself in this romantic cosy hotel with a hot Gluhwein or Schnapps by the fireplace in the bar. Rejuvenate those tired muscles with a sauna or steam bath then enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner. Ski-touring and off-piste ski guiding. Long ski season.
Winter Riding at the Schlosswirt
Ride as much or as little as you like from the door of the hotel into the snow-filled valley or up into the mountains. The 14 indigenous Haflingers are sure-footed and are fitted with special winter shoes for riding in the snow. They live out in winter, all together as a herd and develop a gorgeous shaggy coat. There are lots ot different routes to take, even in winter, so you will be able to sample the spectacular scenery from horseback. Riding level: from novice riders (who can trot and control a horse) to experts who will enjoy the longer rides with canters in the snow. Very friendly and sociable small hotel. After riding, take afternoon tea with a slice of cake at the open fireplace in the cosy bar. Steam room and sauna. Massages available. Stylish, individual bedrooms, singles, twins and family studio rooms.
Ride and Ski trips
Split your time between skiing / snowboarding and riding. Some of you go skiing whilst the others ride or ski in the mornings, ride in the afternoons; it's up to you. The ski resort of Heiligenblut nestles in the shadow of Austria's highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3798m). Ski and snowboard school, kids' Ski Paradise and Snowland. Fantastic panoramic views across 40 mountains higher than 3000m. Good snow record with ski runs to 2900m; runs for all ability levels. Mountain / ski guides available. Free ski bus from the door of hotel.
Services of the resident mountain guide for ski tours, snow shoe treks and ice climbing experiences (at extra cost, paid locally). 'Learn to ski powder' courses also available. Numerous toboggan runs and cross-country trails in the area. 'Learn to ski powder' courses also available. .
See piste map and photos (including ski pass prices and ski hire) here: www.heiligenblut.at. For more information about the local ski school, see www.schischule-heiligenblut.at.
Outdoor play weekends for Boys: Get your friends together and have four days of ice- climbing, powder ski-ing, ski-touring, toboggan races. 5 nights Thursday to Tuesday.
Winter Wonderland Weddings: We can also arrange romantic winter weddings with sleigh ride to mountain chapel lit by lanterns. Dramatic mountain/ forest backdrop, local priest, room for up to 70 guests.
Ride & Ski chalet parties: 16-23rd January and 20 - 27th March 2010. Contact us for details.
Press Articles
Guest comments:
'I had a great few days and enjoyed the riding very much the haflingers were wonderful and responsive to my cues but knew when I needed them to take over. The rides were spectacular and the views were wonderful. I loved the hotel and the food was lovely, everyone was so friendly. Alice, Sussex (Schlosswirt).
We had a superb holiday we loved the hotel and surrounding area and will definitely visit againl. The holiday went like clockwork with all flights and taxis on time. The riding was just how I hoped. We rode on a variety of paths and tracks mostly through snow some as deep as the horses legs which was exciting and very different. The horses were fit and very sure footed and were responsive to their rider which was necessary as some of the tracks particularly high up were narrow and icy. The horses were well cared for and it was clear their welfare was paramount. I would not hesitate to recommend this holiday. Debbie, Reading.
I had a wonderful time in Austria, I wish I had booked longer. The hotel was very nice and staff very helpful. The best bit of course were the ponies, I would have bought Stocki (the pony I rode) if I could and brought him back to the UK! I have never rode western style before but the saddle certainly helped me to hang on over the steep territory and deep snow! Something we never get to experience in London. The trekking was excellent, the snow and ice prohibited us a little bit but I still got the chance to ride into the mountains and view the amazing scenery and gallop through the snow. I was well matched to Stocki and he has tempted me to buy a Haflinger! Anastasia, London
Winter Riding
7 nights accommodation in a double or twin room with 5 rides into the winter landscape (c.2hrs each) including one moonlight ride (1-2 hrs) if possible. Non riding price: £545 for half-board with transfer.
Availability: 18 December to April.
Cost: £685
Christmas Chalet Party
Cost: £488 per person for 7 nights on half-board with return airport transfer. Saturday 19 - 26th December or Tuesday 22 to 29th December. Single room: add £90. Special celebration meals on festive nights, lantern walks, sleigh rides (extra cost). Daily rides into the snow (£15 per hour).
New Year Ride & Ski
Cost: £651 per person for 7 nights on half-board with return airport transfer. Single room: add £90. Saturday 26th December to Saturday 2nd January or Tuesday 29th December to Tuesday 5th January.
Winter Trekking Short Break
5 nights with three days riding (3 x 2 hour rides) and a sleigh ride.
Cost: £515 (5 nights). Non riding price: 5 nights on half board with transfer £425
Ski & Ride Week
7 nights half board accommodation with 3 winter rides of 2 hours each and a 6 day ski pass for the Grossglockner Heiligenblut ski area.
Availability: December to April. Ski/board guiding and ski touring available at extra cost.
Cost: £789
Ski & Ride Short Break
5 nights half board accommodation with 3 day ski pass and two winter rides of 2 hours each
Availability: December to April.
Cost: £654
Just Ski Week
7 nights half board accommodation with a 6 day ski pass.
Availability: December to April. Ski/board guiding available at extra cost.
Cost: £751
Just Ski Short Break
5 nights half board accommodation with 4 day ski pass.
Availability: December to April. Ski/board guiding available at extra cost.
Cost: 5 nights £556 (non ski-ing £425)
Ski Touring and 'learn to ski powder' week
7 nights half board accommodation, 6 day ski pass. One day 'deep snow training' in the ski resort and two ski tours with the resident professional mountain guide. Includes all equipment.
Availability: mid January to mid April.
Cost: £937
Single Supplement: £15 per night. Upgrade to suite: £25 per day. Family suites with 2 separate bedrooms available.
Children (half board, in extra bed in parents' bedroom) Up to 2 years old no charge. 2-6 years old 80% discount. 6-14 years old 50%.
Price includes:
Breakfast buffet with local produce, a special regional meal once a week, 5pm tea with cake around the fire, choice of evening meal and salad buffet. Free use of sauna, steambath. Massage available at extra cost, paid locally. Ski bus stop in front of the hotel. The facilities of a riding guide and the services of a Riding Company representative.
Prices are per person per week (except where stated) based on two sharing a double room with meals (where stated) including taxes and airport transfers.
Price excludes:
Flight/travel to Austria, insurance, rest day excursions, lunches.
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.
For more details of riding at the Schlosswirt please see Mountain Adventure Riding.
Season dates: Winter season starts 19th December and runs until mid April.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Klagenfurt which is 1.45 minutes from the hotel. A minibus or car transfer to this airport is included in the cost of the holiday. Salzburg is 3-4 hours away (no supplement required).
Ryanair (London Stansted to Klagenfurt on Tuesdays, Thursday, Saturdays and Sundays)
Thomsonfly (Manchester to Klagenfurt, once a week).
Austrian Airlines (London Heathrow and Dublin to Vienna - good flight connections to Klagenfurt).
Air Berlin (Manchester, London Stansted, Belfast and Glasgow to Vienna, then connect to Klagenfurt).
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. Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
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.
If you would like to view the location of this holiday, please refer to the overview map and detailed map.
Riding ability
No riding lessons are given at the Schlosswirt, so all riders should know the basics and be comfortable riding at trot and canter. The haflinger ponies are well behaved, surefooted and are familiar with the terrain. 100 kg max rider weight.
Winter riding is offered subject to weather and snow/ground conditions. There are trails suitable for novice to experienced riders. Moonlight rides are offered only on clear moonlit nights and for three days either side of full moon. The riding guides speak good English. Children welcome.
What to bring
Your normal jodhpurs or trousers which can be worn with thick tights/thermals underneath, a warm anorak/coat, gloves, scarf and boots with a good tread (essential), and jumper/fleece/long-sleeved t-shirt layers which can be added and removed as required. 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. A balaclava which can be worn beneath the hat is advisable in December and January, when it is also advisable to ride in ski kit.
Rooms:
Please note that there are just three twin bedrooms with two separate beds. Most 'twins' in Austria are two separate mattresses (made up with separate sheets) but on a single base. There are a few single rooms with a single bed but you may also book a double room for singe use (supplements required). All rooms are ensuite with shower (and a few have baths), all with hairdryers and European-style two pin plugs.
Weather
Current weather forecasts and general weather information for the region can be found here and 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.
Consumer protection
As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), an Association approved by the Department of Trade and Industry, this company has provided a Bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. These regulations apply to packages sold in the UK and this Bond provides security for the money paid over by its UK customers and for their repatriation to the UK in the event of this company's insolvency.
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.
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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.
