Skiing with little ones is easy at Das Edelweiss Salzburg Mountain Resort, in the scenic heart of Austria.
With state-of-the-art kids’ clubs, excellent childcare and outstanding family suites, this snow and fun-packed resort ticks all the boxes for a family getaway, and is a dream destination for a holiday on the slopes with children. Here’s why.
The Vibe
As you take a seat at the hotel’s check-in, a glass of welcome Champagne arrives for you; apple juice and colouring books for the kids. It’s these friendly touches that make Das Edelweiss stand out for those travelling – and skiing – with kids. In the heart of Salzburgerland, just an hour from Salzburg airport, it’s the perfect base for an active mountain adventure with over 70 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes on its doorstep. Add to that six Austrian saunas, a wellness retreat and a truly outstanding kids’ club, and you have the perfect Alpine escape that the whole family can really make the most of.
Located between the two main gondola lifts of Grossarl, the hotel is fairly unassuming from ground level, but inside it opens up to a cavernous modern lobby and onwards to the steak and sushi restaurants, a sweeping leather bound bar and sculptural fireplaces. It’s vast and incredibly chic, but manages to remain authentically Austrian; testament to this is that the owners, the Hettegger family, are still heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the hotel, from the front desk to the kitchen.
The Rooms
This hotel is huge; with 145 rooms it takes a minute to fully navigate the lift system, but you’ll soon be whizzing up to your room with a view – and what a view it is! There are 19 different room categories, all styled in a cosy but contemporary way, and each gazes out over a breathtaking scene of picture-perfect peaks. The overall look and feel of the rooms is pared back, with warm oak wood nodding to the traditional Austrian setting, and mood lighting adding a glow to every corner. There are several suites that are ideal for those visiting with children: the Junior Suite Superior has a pull out bed for little ones, and the Family Suites – with two roomy sleeping areas and two bathrooms – are spacious. Or, go all out, and book the Penthouse Suite which sleeps up to 15 people. If you do, you’ll have the entire 8th floor to yourself, complete with six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a terrace, a private pool, your own sauna and panoramic snowy views; the ideal set up for a large family group.
The Food + Drink
With a Hettegger family member as head chef, food and drink is taken very seriously at Das Edelweiss. Mealtimes have a family feel, with each guest assigned their own table in the bustling restaurant for the duration of their stay (often the favoured set up at Alpine resorts). Families will love the great spread in the mornings, with a super-cool juicing room and a heaving bakery section with four different types of rye breads, homemade sweet pastries and heart-shaped waffles for the kiddies. In the evenings, mix and match from three delicious set menus: Regional, with classics like schnitzel and strudel; Boundless, for something more refined that’s akin to fine dining. Perhaps beef tartare followed by a tomato risotto, white halibut fillet with kohlrabi, apple and caviar then traditional poppy seed noodles with vanilla cream. Or finally, Vegan, ensuring all tastes are truly well catered for. All are packed with delicacies devised from local produce.
A big plus for families is the daily children’s buffet at meal times, or they can choose from their own kids’ menu that features traditional Austrian schnitzel and fresh fish from the local farm, followed by a sprint to the ice-cream station. There is a separate steak restaurant that has every cut you can think of, from sirloins to fillets – the hotel even has its own in-house butchery. Then there is sushi spot, Sakura, with a great selection of Japanese dishes that can be ordered and eaten throughout the hotel restaurant and lobby, as well as at the wine bar.
With a baby monitor system in all the bedrooms, and babysitters available to book, indulge in a date night at Kork & Gloria, the hotel’s wine bar and cellar set up like an Austrian delicatessen. It houses 30,000 bottles of wine – so even the fussiest wine buffs are sure to find something that suits their palette.
The Child’s Play
Directly on the slopes, Das Edelweiss is first and foremost a ski hotel, and the perfect base from which your children can learn to ski. But, as all parents who ski will know, being on the piste is only part of any skiing holiday, and you’ll doubtlessly need some non-slope activities to keep the kids entertained too. So much thought and effort has been put into the design of the dedicated, 1,000-square-metre space for children here that it’s hard to simply call it a kids’ club.
The newly designed and incredibly stylish Edelweiss Children’s World opened in 2023, combining a chic Alpine aesthetic meets state-of-the art play area. Open from 9am to 9pm, childcare for those aged three or more is included in the price of your stay, while under-threes are looked after in the Baby Mountain Area, packed with age-appropriate toys, space to crawl around, sleeping area, cute swings and a Hipp Organic Bar food station in a Montessori-style space. Those ages age three to six can visit the gorgeous Prince & Princess Land – a play room of dreams with soft play, a ball pit and interactive games supervised by caring, competent staff. Individual nannies can be arranged for younger children too, subject to availability – book early.
For bigger kids aged from seven up to teens there are two further hang-out areas: Young Mountain Area has an interactive trampoline, mini football pitch and ninja parcours, while Cool Mountain Way has air hockey, an iWall and interactive games tables. There’s also an evening cinema room with freshly popped corn and showing family-favourite English movies and recent releases every night.
With so many activities both on and off the slopes, it’s next to impossible to be bored. But, should you find yourself at a brief loose end, the hotel also sells their own Das Edelweiss Monopoly game in the hotel boutique. All this means that should parents need their own break or want to head off skiing sans enfants, they can do so safe in the knowledge that their kids are having the best time in a safe and stimulating environment.
The Spa and Pool
After a day on the slopes, the spa is well worth a visit. As well as the family pool, there’s also a wonderful adult-only Mountain Spa. You’ll find spacious saunas with panoramic views over Grossarl mountains, infrared cabins and a steam bath, and six spacious relaxation rooms with in the spa, as well as a great selection of treatments using the hotel’s own Endless Nature products.
Kids will make a beeline for the epic indoor Aqua Park, which opens over lunchtime and for two hours late afternoon. With five slides ranging in thrills and spills, a baby splash park for tiny ones and a family sauna area, the whole family are covered. At the indoor pool you’ll find swing chairs and nest pods for baby nap times. Kids treatments are also available, just chat to the spa to book.
The To Do List
Amongst 70 kilometers of perfectly groomed slopes within the Grossarltal – Dorfgastein ski area, and with ski in-ski out access and an in-house ski kit rental shop, Das Edelweiss is primed for a top winter sports holiday. Experienced skiers will love the selection of runs, but it’s also great for beginners, who can take the gondola to the top of the ski area next to the hotel where the green slopes are found and lessons are held. While here, stop by the hotel’s vibey sister restaurant, Sky Lounge Wolke7, for après-ski drinks. The hotel can arrange everything from ski lessons to mountain guides – there’s even the option to take a horse-drawn carriage for a special winter-wonderland moment.
When the snow melts in the spring, the mountain is open for biking and hiking; there are trailers to tow the little ones to magical waterfalls, or amble along the sensory nature trail with outdoor puzzles and farm animals. If you want to explore the nature and culture of Salzburgerland, free-of-charge Mercedes Benz are available to take for a road-trip.
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