5 tips for a perfect day of family-skiing

You're probably familiar with the scene: The little one is learning to turn corners on her new skis. Dad and big brother are only interested in finding a steep slope - the steeper the better! Meanwhile, Mum fancies a nice relaxing afternoon in the sun. It's not always easy to keep everyone happy. That's why we've put together our five top tips to help you make your skiing holiday in Hoch-Imst a guaranteed success.

The most important thing is knowing where everyone is! Luckily you'll have a good view over the whole terrain. With a gradient of 60%, the steepest slope in the whole ski resort, known as Pratz Bäume takes you right down to the Untermarkter Alm, which serves as a chilled-out base for the freestylers from the fun park just next door. The extensive practice area can also be reached in one trip down the mountain. The slopes are mostly made up of gentle curves, which is a definite bonus for families. There are plenty of free parking spaces just next to the bottom station and the practice lift, too.

Plenty of space and a gentle slope are the ideal conditions for beginners learning to ski or snowboard. That and a generous helping of fun and games, of course. That's exactly what we have on offer at the winter park in Hoch-Imst. To help beginners navigate their way up and down the slopes, magic carpets and a practice lift run alongside the piste. You can already hear the excitement from afar as little (and not-so-little) beginners on their skis and prepare themselves at the bottom station for their first skiing experience. Learning through play is the motto of the pedagogically trained ski instructors at Hoch-Imst. That's why you'll find a whole range of colourful and exciting figures and obstacles for your little ones to explore, from tepees and Western saloons to trains. To top it all off, the two beloved mascots of Hoch-Imst, Albin and Bobo are there to ensure there's never a dull moment. You can be certain that your little ones are in good hands learning to ski. And in the meantime, parents get to make the most of a nice day of skiing all to themselves. If at any moment they want a break from skiing, the gentle slopes are perfect for a fun-filled day out with a toboggan, snow disk, sled or anything else you can find at the rental shop.

Around midday, legs start to get a little heavy, fingers and toes get a little chilly, tummies start to rumble... That can only mean one thing: It's time for lunch. Stopping off for a bite to eat in Hoch-Imst is an absolute must. Hoch-Imst offers the choice of two typical Tyrolean huts with Latschenhütte and Untermarkter Alm. Both are complete with stunning views of the mountain from their sun-flooded terraces. The delicious range of Tyrolean dumplings and Mrs Waltraud's legendary pancake dish known as Hüttenschmarren guarantee to get you back on your feet, ready for a full afternoon of activities. But watch out - you might get so comfy that you end up staying there for the whole afternoon! In which case, sit back, put your feet up and watch the rest of the family head back onto the slope. The Untermarkter Alm also offers a space in its basement for any self-catering guests. This is a particularly popular spot for groups taking a skiing course or families who want to come in and get warm while they eat their lunches.

Pumped with energy and rearing to go, winter sports fans come to test out the fun park and see what all the fuss is about. So far the verdict is unanimous: It's awesome. Beginners get acquainted with the rails, kickers and boxes, while seasoned freestylers hit the obstacles for pros. Back at the starting point, you can take the Malchbach ski tow to the end of the line. The park was planned, built and is now managed by Goffi Gram, freestyle skiing expert from Tyrolean Oberland.

But what if some family members can't take part in the activities on the slopes, or simply don't fancy it? No problem at all. There are plenty of alternatives to the classic snow sports activities at Hoch-Imst. Right next to the Untermarkter Alm, you can take the 4-km-long toboggan run, which is lit up on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, back down to the bottom station. Looking for even more variety?  What about cross country skiers and ice skaters? Hoch-Imst has a range of options on offer for snowshoe hiking and ski touring, too. At Hoch-Imst, it really is possible to fit everything into one holiday!