Alpbach Hotel Angelika

*Firstly, all prices have been converted from euros to pounds.*

It was my first time on a 'cold' holiday and I was really looking forward to going. I flew from Bristol International and landed at Innsbruck and the flight lasted 2 hours with great entertainment. The transfer was well organized with Inghams waiting outside the arrival doors and the trip there was spectacular, nether mind the holiday ahead, with the journey taking less than an hour to Alpbach. As soon as I arrived, I was expected to find the hotel by myself with 'Jana' giving the 'left then right' talk - poor. However the hotel was beautifully decorated and the heating full blast - a great retreat from the freezing temperatures.

My room was clean and comfy, with fresh blankets and a great TV, but only British Eurosport and CNN channels were in English! I had a lovely balcony, overlooking the 'Bogellift'. The first few days were spent exploring the small village, which had 2 Spar shops selling cheap foods and drinks! My first real day out was taking the 'Post Bus' to Inneralpbach, only 5mins away. The view was amazing as the cable car climbed to an incredible 2000m! The trip up for me and my family was around £4.00 each - well worth it. However, I could not walk anywhere as skiers rushed past me all the time. I wouldn't advise sightseeing there. We spent the next using a sledge rented from 'Conny's' down the slope opposite our hotel, with the sledge costing around £10 per day.

The next day my family decided to splash the cash (you get use that phrase whilst there!) and have a private skiing lesson for 2hours. The price for all 4 of us from Alpine Skiing (in the village) cost £67.36. The lesson went very well - ask for 'Hans', a very good teacher of skiing. I learned an incredible amount and knew how to turn and break in just 2hours! The cost of skis and boots from 'Xanders' came to around £13.47 each. The next days were just spent in Inneralpbach practicing on the 'baby slope'. The price of the lift chain was £4.04 each for a 1pm-3.30pm slot.

After all the practicing, we expected a decent meal. I will never make this mistake again, the food was basic. On Christmas Day, whilst others were dining into Roast Goose at the Hotel Alpbachalhof, we tucked into chicken and chips with a dessert of tinned peaches. Don't think of booking half board in Alpbach, as other restaurants are always serving local and International foods like steaks and pizzas. Please note that the Berghof serves a la carte menus downstairs and this is fine whist we chose half board and we were upstairs, don't get mixed up. The breakfast at Angelika was fine and a selection of bread with cheeses and hams of all varieties as well as cereals and yogurts suited all our needs. The buses left directly opposite my balcony, outside Xanders ski hire. Make sure you remember your bus times and which bus you need. The 'Post Bus' takes you to Brixlegg or Inneralpbach - whichever the bus is going to. The Skibus took us to the largest hill/horn in the valley and back to Alpbach again.

Finally, this holiday is not suited to those who do not ski and those with little spending money. We arrived at Alpbach not wanting to try skiing but left wanting to come back. The prices are all the same expense in Alpbach, as the village does not want competition between shops and ski hire. The lift in Alpbach cost £12.00 a day, so missing this and heading to Inneralpbach is a good tip. Overall, the holiday was fantastic except for dinner - I will be returning.