Austrian Ski Jive Spectacular - This holiday is no longer available -

• EXPERT SKIING TEN MINUTES BY SHUTTLE TO THE LARGEST LINKED SKI AREA IN AUSTRIA
• Free daily guiding for Intermediate skiers and above
• All inclusive pass to the seven-night Ski-Jive event
• Freestyle dancing every night on wood floor
• Nightly entertainment 
• Reduced rates on ski hire
• Free ski carriage if you travel by rail or coach
• Return flights from London (other regional departures available at a supplement)
•  Return shuttle transfer to the resort
• 7 nights' half board accommodation in the 3* Hotel Staffler
• Option to upgrade to the Hotel Harmony Harfenwirt, with indoor pool, sauna and hot tub and rooms with balconies
• Hosted by the gregarious Debbie Attwood of Ceroc UK
• Time to relax and enjoy the local sights
• Welcome drink & orientation pack on arrival

* Note: price is based on twin share accommodation. The single supplement is £210.

NIEDERAU forms part of one of the Austrian Tyrol’s most beautiful valleys known as the Wildschonau. The village is ideal for all level of skier or boarder who can enjoy the slopes locally or further afield. The quality of skiing is superb - don't take our word for it though, go to snowforecast.com  and see what they say.

The resort of Niederau in the Wildschönau Valley is a top choice if you are looking to take it easy. Now joined with the Alpbach valley, the new skiing area ‘Ski Juwel’ covers a total of 145km pistes and has become one of the Top Ten resorts in Tirol. Take your time to comfortably explore Niederau’s local slopes on the Markbachjoch, before heading to the wide, open and sunny slopes of Auffach and then over the side of the Schatzberg to ski Alpbach’s slopes. Off the slopes there is plenty of fun to be had with tobogganing, snowshoeing or horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Within 10 minutes of Niederau you can be in the resort of Hopfgarten, where you can access the mighty SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area. As Austria’s largest interconnecting ski area, there is access to 279km of marked pistes. Providing perfect intermediate territory, the skiing is seemingly endless, where you can ski all day without taking the same lift or the same run twice. The wide and open pistes are immaculately groomed, paying the highest compliment to all skiers and boarders whatever their skill level.
 

In town, At nearly 900 meters above sea level Niederau enjoys an enviable snow record throughout the season, both on the slopes and in the village. The resort is characterised by its picturesque scenery and friendly atmosphere.

Apres Ski is relaxed and informal. Niederau centre has a few bars and restaurants. The Cave Bar is open till late - part sports bar, part nightclub, part pool hall and a great atmosphere.

For a traditional Tyrolean atmosphere divert from the home run to Niederau to Tenladen and discover the Bichlwirt – the Wildschonau’s oldest Gasthof. Alternatively the recently completed Gipfo Hit at the top of Auffach offers a nice alternative to the traditional mountain restaurants on offer.
 

Harmony Hotel Harfenwirt*** (Half Board) (Upgrade) 

Situated next to the ski slopes and the Tennladen Ski Lift, Hotel Harfenwirt enjoys a scenic location surrounded by mountains and forests in the Wildschönau Valley. It offers an indoor pool, a sauna, and a hot tub. The spacious rooms all have a balcony.

Furnished in a traditional Tyrolean style, the rooms include a flat-screen satellite TV, a refrigerator, and a bathroom. All rooms are accessible by lift.

The restaurant at Harmony Hotel Harfenwirt includes a sun terrace and serves classic Austrian cuisine and Tyrolean specialities. Half-board includes a breakfast buffet and a 3-course dinner with a choice of main course.

A ski storage room and free private parking are available on site. Cross-country ski runs pass right behind the hotel, and the free ski bus serving the entire valley stops just outside.

Hotel guests receive the Wildschönau Card free of charge. This card comprises many benefits in winter and summer, such as admission to local museums, guided hikes, use of the cable cars, access to the public swimming pool in summer and much more.

Staffler*** (Half Board) (Included) 

THE STAFFLER occupies a unique and enviable position in the heart of Neiderau. The hotel is less than 150 meters from the main ski lifts and nursery slopes and 50 meters from the resort centre, ski school office and equipment hire shop.

The hotel is one of the resorts oldest. It was built in 1927 by Heinz Staffler. Underneath is a Neiderau institution – the Cave Bar, a lively and popular Apres Ski and late night bar and nightclub. The Staffler offers guests a relaxed and informal, chalet style atmosphere.

Rooms are simply furnished and have private bathrooms with baths or showers and twin or Austria twin beds. A number can accommodate a third bed and some have balconies. There are also a limited number of interconnecting family rooms and others with double beds and bunks-again ideal for families with small children and for groups.

On the ground floor is a reception area, bar and lounge offering picturesque mountain views and a bright dining room. Rooms occupy the first, second and third floors of the hotel.

A tasty continental buffet breakfast is served each morning. In the evening there is a choice of three-course dinner. A typical menu includes homemade soup every night – the hotel is famous for it! -  full roast dinner (on Sunday) with meat loaf/vegetarian gravy and veg. followed by sticky toffee pudding and custard.

The Staffler offers:

• A relaxed home from home atmosphere
• An enviable position less than 150 meters from the slopes
• Continental buffet breakfast every day
• Home cooked three course evening meal
• Friendly and helpful English speaking staff
• Complimentary Internet Access
* Bar and dance space within the hotel

Ski, apres-ski and Jive! Ski-Jive is the perfect winter antidote to the heat of the late summer Ceroc MedFest and probably the best-value ski holiday on the market.

The skiing is high quality with access to one of Europe's largest connected ski areas just 10 minutes away; Hopfgarten is the second largest linked ski area in the world and we include a FREE DAILY SHUTTLE for some serious skiing.

We have a choice of two hotels, about 600 yards apart in the pretty picturesque village of Niederau in Austria. Our dance team is led by the dynamic Debbie Attwood and with dancing every night on a wooden floored clear dance space this is going to be a blast.

In addition to daily ski-ing there will be evening freestyles with competitions, great dance shows, al fresco parties and more.

Accommodation is in the Hotel Staffler, boasting an enviable position 150m from the main ski lifts and with restaurant, bar and lounge. All dancing will take place on a private wood floor in our upgrade hotel, the Harmony Harfenwirt.

The resort of Niederau in the Wildschönau Valley is a top choice if you are looking to take it easy. Now joined with the Alpbach valley, the new skiing area ‘Ski Juwel’ covers a total of 145km pistes and has become one of the Top Ten resorts in Tirol. Take your time to comfortably explore Niederau’s local slopes on the Markbachjoch, before heading to the wide, open and sunny slopes of Auffach and then over the side of the Schatzberg to ski Alpbach’s slopes. Off the slopes there is plenty of fun to be had with tobogganing, snowshoeing or horse-drawn sleigh rides.

Within 10 minutes of Niederau you can be in the resort of Hopfgarten, where you can access the mighty SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area. As Austria’s largest interconnecting ski area, there is access to 279km of marked pistes. Providing perfect intermediate territory, the skiing is seemingly endless, where you can ski all day without taking the same lift or the same run twice. The wide and open pistes are immaculately groomed, paying the highest compliment to all skiers and boarders whatever their skill level.
 

**NEW FOR 2014: Brand new dance floor space plus hotel upgrade option**

www.clubdanceholidays.co.uk 0207 099 4816

Yes! This is the ultimate activity holiday with first class skiing and probably the best-value ski holiday on the market. Suitable for all ski levels, from complete beginner to advanced, nursery slopes are wide, gentle and perfect to learn on whilst the nearby advanced slopes offer the best skiing in Austria. Not only do you get to do some serious skiing in the beautiful Austrian Tyrol, you also get to dance in a stunning setting and enjoy some some great apres-ski, with freestyle dancing every night on a large wood dance floor.

We do recommend that you're not a complete beginner to Jive to really get the most out of this holiday.
 

Sample Itinerary
This is a provisional itinerary aiming to give you an idea of what your holiday will look like. There will be some elements which will change:
          
DAY 1
During the day - Arrive at the airport  and transfer to your accommodation.

Evening - Overview of the week; Dinner included; Welcome freestyle night and fun class in our private venue

DAY 2
Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability. Free shuttle to Hopfgarten for intermediate skiers and above.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; Jive Freestyle Night with fun class

DAY 3
Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; Elvis tribute night and freestyle dancing

 
DAY 4
Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability. Free shuttle to Hopfgarten for intermediate skiers and above.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; Jive Freestyle Night with fun class

DAY 5 
Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability. Free shuttle to Hopfgarten for intermediate skiers and above.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; night out at one of Niederau's local nightspots.

DAY 6

 Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability. Free shuttle to Hopfgarten for intermediate skiers and above.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; Freestyle dancing and quiz night

DAY 7
Morning - Ski-ing on the Wildschonau Valley's choice of slopes, according to ability. Free shuttle to Hopfgarten for intermediate skiers and above.

Free time for lunch

Evening - Dinner included; Jive Freestyle Night. Farewell Dance Party with dance showcase by your teaching team.  Themed fancy dress TBC. 
 

DAY 8
Transfer to the airport or rail station for your return journey. 

Dance workshops:  There will be freestyle most evenings with fun classes and a farewell party night. The dancing is suitable for dancers with some experience through to advanced dancers (we recommend that complete beginners take a few classes before joining the holiday). Dancing takes place in our own private venue with wooden floor at the Hotel Harfenwirt.

Fun classes are likely to include:

Leans & Gentle Drops
Drops
Baby Aerials
Milonga-Jive

Musicality
Rock 'n' Roll moves for jivers
Cha Cha moves for jivers
Social Foxtrot moves for jivers
Charleston moves for jivers

All of our Jive events are gender balanced. We believe that gender balancing is an important feature of our events as it ensures maximum enjoyment for everyone. By nature, Jive requires a male lead and to create a successful event it is important for both men and women to have equal workshop and freestyle opportunities.

We work incredibly hard to ensure a successful gender balance. Sometimes not everyone turns up to the classes or freestyles but we know how important the gender balance is and it is top of our priorities.
 

Teaching the Ski-Jive workshops and dancing with you on the Ski-Jive Freestyle Nights will be Debbie Attwood from Ceroc UK.  Debbie brings her infectious enthusiasm and polished teaching method to Niederau for the second year in a row. Debbie is much more than just a teacher; she will be hosting the trip and is a real party starter. Debbie will tailor the itinerary to you and ensure you have an explosive week.

Cuisne:  Possibly the most well-known of Alpine dishes is the fondue, a sturdy pot full of melted cheese into which you dip chunks of crusty bread. A favourite dish in the mountains of  Austria, France and Switzerland the exact recipe will vary according to where you are. The cheese melt is a concoction of a variety of local cheeses (often reblochon, gruyère, comté, beaufort or emmenthal), a little garlic and seasoning, a glug of alcohol (kirsch, white wine, or some local liqueur) and a bit of flour for thickening. You can then get variations that may contain nuts, mushrooms, tomatoes, chillies, and other flavours. There are also dessert options made of melted chocolate into which you dip fruit.

Food produced by mountain farmers, including various types of cheese, are local delicacies. Bacon and ham of various types are also Tyrolean treats. Don’t forget to taste deer meat as well as locally produced sausages. Local beer and schnapps are some of the best in Europe and we recommned the Zillertal beer.

Of course there is much more to taste in Tyrol, e.g. Tyrolean “Kiachln” and “Krapfen” from the Zillertaler valley. However, many traditional restaurants in Tyrol offer typical and home-made Tyrolean specialities.
 

What are optional extras?  In addition to your holiday we also offer you a variety of optional extras to make your holiday even richer and add some local colour.  You can buy your optional extras at the welcome meeting at the beginning of your holiday.  We will ask you to pay in cash and fill out a form.  These are the optional extras that we anticipate running – actual details and prices will be confirmed on arrival. Some may require minimum numbers.

Ski Pass

Due to the interconnection with the ski areas in the Alpach Valley, the new "Ski Juwel" (jewel) offers approx. 130 km of piste, as well as 17 km of sign-posted ski tours, and therefore now belongs to the top ten ski destinations in Tyrol.

£175 OR €210 for six days or upgrade to the All Star pass for just £35 or €42 (Covers the whole of the Wildschonau area as above plus the SkiWelt/Kitz Alps and lots more – 2nd biggest linked circuit in the world).

Ski Lessons

Activ Ski ski school is just 2 - 3 minutes' walk from the Staffler.

They offer:

Ski school for beginners and advanced students
Grading into same- level groups
Instruction using the latest techniques
Video training
Guiding around the best slopes
Relaxed exercises and practice
All in the beautiful Tyrolean landscape
Guests' race with prize giving and after party
Big-Foot-skiingis Rates for alpine skiing

Daily courses

1 day € 60
2 days € 100
3 days € 133
4 days € 142
5 days € 152

Half day courses
(only for advanced)

3 x 1/2 days € 100
5 x 1/2 days € 125

Extension with a valid three day pass

1 day € 20
2 days € 35
 

We can reserve a place with the ski school for you (payable locally) - just let us know. You can also book lessons independently on their website:

http://www.skischule-aktiv-wildschoenau.at/

Ski Hire

There is an equipment hire shop around 2 minutes' walk from the Hotel Staffler named Sport Blachfelder. We recommend that you go there on arrival rather than pre-book as they will ensure you get the correct style and fit for you. So you can budget, approximate prices for the week (in euros) are as follows:

4 Star                   €59.5
Skis 4 Stern Top  €78
5 Star                   €96
Exclusive             €119
Fun                      €47

Shoes 3 Star      €29
5 Stern               €39.5 

 

On Arrival: You will receive a detailed itinerary and details of any optional extras. We also include information on the local sights, recommended restaurants and other helpful tips.

Tour Host: Over the week you will have a tour host who will be available to help you with any questions that you may have. They are present from the pickup at the airport until you go home, and also actively participate in the social events. Whilst it should be noted that tour hosts cannot be present at every moment (as they sometimes must prepare other activities for your holiday), their role is to facilitate as much as possible that you have an unforgettable holiday. They normally go to bed at around 1’o clock in the morning and you should continue to enjoy your evening.

Overview of the Week and Welcome Drink: At the beginning of the week there is an Overview of the Week where your tour host will tell you about all details of your holiday. At the Overview of the Week you can buy your optional extras (see below). Also at the start of the week, Dance Holidays will invite you to be our guest to a drink.

Getting Around: You are responsible for making your own way to the dance classes and meeting points on the itinerary. We will point out those times when it is sensible to take a taxi.

Free time: We encourage you to explore the local area and make use of the excellent hotel facilities. This can be done when you please around the activities and dance classes that we have organized for you. Your tour host will be on hand for any queries you may have about the local area.

Banks and Money: The easiest way to buy obtain euros is by using a credit card at the cashpoints which are located at five minutes walking distance from the hotel. You can buy small amounts, as often as you like, at any time, without queuing. You will need to know your P.I.N. Bank opening hours are normally 1000 until 1700. Banks will change cash, travellers cheques and will sell you currency on your credit card providing the lines are open. You will always need to show your passport at a bank.

Tipping is generally not that common in Austria. There is no need to tip taxis but it is usual to leave a 12% tip at a restaurant if you are particularly pleased with your dinner/lunch.

We feel our tour hosts work hard to give you an exceptional holiday and sometimes you may find that they add some special touches which are beyond the call of duty. If you agree with us, you might wish to show your appreciation by way of a tip. You can do this by putting money in an envelope on your own or by getting together with other guests. This evidently is entirely at your discretion.

Making friends with the Locals and people not on the holiday: The dance classes and dance evening events in the hotel at night are exclusive to Club Dance Holidays clients. Generally, we discourage people who are not on the holiday from joining our activities and we ask for your discretion is this respect. By all means, outside of the itinerary, do mix with other holidaymakers staying in the hotel.

We include freestyle dancing in our private venue most evenings as well as a quiz night, Elvis tribute night and a chance to enjoy the local bars.

Nightlife in Niederau is pretty relaxed and informal. Niederau centre has a few bars and restaurants. O'Malley's Irish bar offers live music most nights of the week and is probably the most popular venue in the resort. The Cave Bar is open till late - part sports bar, part nightclub, part pool hall and a great atmosphere. 

There's a great tobogan run which starts at the middle station in Auffach - free of charge. Just hire a sledge at the bottom and don't forget you lift pass. There's also a flood lit option closer to home. You can also enjoy a daytime or evening sleigh ride.

For a traditional Tyrolean atmosphere divert from the home run to Niederau to Tenladen and discover the Bichlwirt – the Wildschonau’s oldest Gasthof. Alternatively the recently completed Gipfo Hit at the top of Auffach offers a nice alternative to the traditional mountain restaurants on offer.

Kitzbuhel is within reach for a even more lively night out.

 

Flights : This holiday includes flights from London. Additional regional departures are available at a supplement. We provide shuttle transfers from the airport to Niederau on the standard holiday dates.

You may also buy your own flight. In order to guarantee a place on our airport transfer (which operates on the standard holiday dates) you must provide us with your flight times.

NB Its important that your holiday is confirmed to you by us before you buy your flights.

Which airport?  The nearest airports to Niederau are Innsbruck, Munich and Salzburg.

Approximate airport transfer times are:
Innsbruck 45 minutes
Munich 1.5 hours

Salzburg 1.5 hours

Flight times will vary depending on UK departure point. For late arrivals we will provide cold food.

Ski carriage is approx £60 return on all flights.

You may also buy your own flight. In order to guarantee a place on our airport transfer (which operates on the standard holiday dates) you must provide us with your flight times.
 

Making Your Own Way to Niederau:

We include flights from London.

The main airports for access to Niederau are Innsbruck, Munich and Salzberg.

Approximate transfer times are:
Innsbruck 45 minutes

Munich 1.5 hours
Salzberg 1.5 hours

We include shuttle transfers from all three airports on the start and finish dates of the holiday.

If you are arriving or departing on a different date there are various transfer options including taxi, public bus and car hire and we can assist with all of these.
 

Budgeting for your holiday: Here are some guidelines on prices, to help you do your own calculations. Please refer to the optional extra section of the fact sheet for the prices of the optional extras.
Three course meal including drinks in the centre of town:  25-30 euros
Rum and coke: 10 euros
Beer: 7 euros
Coffee: 3 euros

Health and Fitness: There are no particular health requirements for a dance holiday. However you should be able to dance for at least two hours a day in order to be able to enjoy the workshop/socials. This holiday is exceptional in that it includes ski-ing and therefore a higher level of activity.

Insurance, Visa and Passport Requirements: Refer to the brochure for full details. In brief, Insurance is a condition of booking. Visas may be required for non EU citizens. British nationals need a full passport to travel to France.

Travel Documents: You receive these 10 days prior to daparture. We also confirm the address and phone number of the hotel and the emergency contact numbers.

Weather:
Throughout the month of March daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 6°C. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around -3°C. 

If we are lucky we will get some nice warm tanning weather and normally we would expect some snow during the week, with night time temperatures dropping to minus 3 to 7 degrees.

What to wear for dancing:  We recommend that you bring shoes with a leather sole for the dance classes and the evenings. Your shoes should be comfortable and supportive. Wear lightweight cotton socks to avoid sweaty and blistered feet!  Wear comfortable loose clothing for the classes.  We expect the Freestyle Nights to be quite dressy so bring some glam gear with you for the evenings!

Ski Equipment

This can be hired locally from €TBC per week. Alternatively, we can arrange ski carriage with your airline for £60 each way.