Villgraten, Austria: A Ski Purist's Ski Resort Mecca

Have you forgotten what real snow feels like under your skis? Has the feel of hard packed trails and snow groomer groomed slops and man made slush under your skis become your expected ski snow experience? Has your relationship with real snow and its lively updates, its consistency and viscosity modifications based up on the sun, the temperature and the wind direction, and the sensation and feel of snow powder kissing your face completely escaped your mind until you are convinced the high destination, over crowed ski resort experience is what a skiing vacation should be like? Then you should visit Villgraten, located in the Austrian East Tyrol Alps and renew your mind.

Villgraten is an Austrian valley ski resort that has resisted the ski resort modernization mentality, which has captured and infected the vast majority of the resorts in the region. An absolutely glamorous ski scene, at the Villgraten, Austria valley ski resorts you will not find aerial cable cars, ski lifts, boutiques, fun parks, chic nightlife agendas, and tons of parking space. Villgraten distinguishes themselves by being different, old style ski resort vacation type different. You have to make your own way up the mountain to the slopes with the help of traditional climbing gear like ski crampons (harscheisen). Do not come to Villgraten if you are out of shape or lazy and impatient with situations that do not offer instant gratification for your senses. This is not the place for you.

My 425-meter trek through the East Tyrol Alps to get to our Villgraten valley ski destination took three hours, under the watchful guidance of our local mountain guide Hannes. For my laborious efforts I was rewarded with wonderful views of picture postcard Alpine Valley villages, panoramas of the Oberstaller and Kamelisen Alps, a spectacular descent, and the feel of real snow under my skis and snow powder spray on my face that brought about a sense of satisfaction that I had completely forgotten was associated with skiing. The group I am with work uphill in a line, depending on the ski crampons for assistance and guidance. The route gets steeper as we ascend, and the breathtaking natural Alpine landscape, the V-shaped cluster of towns, farmhouses, barns, and chalets below miniaturize as we climb, a scene few skiers get to glimpse anymore.

A few small hotels and inns are available for overnight accommodations but I found private lodging in the residence of a Villgraten inhabitant to be the best old style ski resort vacation guest experience. In addition to the exceptional skiing adventures I enjoyed the charming and agreeable rural hospitality and gained an improved appreciation of the daily routine of Villgraten mountain valley life. Villgraten Austria is truly a ski purists Mecca where those longing for the feel of real snow under their skis pilgrimage to. Your travel agent will not possess brochure, detail information, or specialized itineraries on the wonders of Villgraten. For more information visit Villgraten's tourist office online at www.innervillgraten.info.

Resource: Personal Experience

Tags: travel, ski resort, skiing vacation, Villgraten, Austrian Alps