Family

Absolutely! Tirol is a great destination for families with children - especially if you embrace the five lessons learned by our author while staying in the Wilder Kaiser Mountains.

East Tirol. Christian, my husband, has been backcountry skiing and ski touring in Villgratental Valley several times. Every time he returned home, he was totally enthralled by the experience. Not only because of the varied backcountry terrain; he also liked the remote valleys and the pristine wilderness in this area on the border to South Tyrol. East Tirol is where Austria and Italy collide. There is no mass tourism here. Instead of vast hotel complexes, the mountainsides here are dotted with sun-bleached timbered farmhouses. But that's not to say that it’s a backwater, just alluringly remote. East Tirol is close to Italy and to the Sexten Dolomites, with the world renowned Tre Cime (Italian for "three peaks"). These distinctive battlement-like peaks of northeastern Italy are on display in East Tirol, Dolomites near and far can be seen. Moreover, the fusion of an Austrian-Italian style of cooking makes this place a hit.

Take a walk around the Alpine Zoo at Innsbruck while scouting animals that roam large-acreage, natural habitats. With its distinctive hillside setting above town, the zoo is a must-see for animal and plant lovers. You can even discover endangered species that were protected by the Alpine Zoo’s conservation programs. Meet some of the mountain animals that are native to Tirol.

Tirol has more to offer than "just" mountains. The region is home to many gorgeous lakes, including the turquoise Plansee. This body of water, the second-largest in Tirol, is ideal for family adventures together in a canoe – no experience required.

Casey Moore is a professional photographer living in East Sussex, England. He is well known for his analogue photography and still develops each photo by hand. This year he spent his winter holidays in Tirol and of course he brought his camera with him. The following series of photos were all shot during his family holiday in Hall and Kitzbühel in Tirol.

Wondering how you’re going to keep the kids occupied in Innsbruck and environs? Fear not, as we’ve put together some ideas to help you build your own itinerary to suit your family!

New Zealand native Casey Moore lives in East Sussex, England, where he works as a photographer. The following series of photos were all shot during a family holiday in Hochgurgl and Serfaus.

Before you had kids, dining out was something you looked forward to. Now, you’re not so sure (you know, simultaneous meltdowns from all kids, having to carry them out kicking and screaming, that type of thing.). Honestly speaking, restaurants and kids can be a recipe for disaster...

In Tirol, there are new opportunities to get young kids ages 3 to 6 on skis, in a way that is safe and enjoyable: The pre-school “Spielplatz Schnee" (literally "Playground Snow”) Programs are offered at 28 Tirolean ski schools. I sat down with David Bichler, Manager of Kirchdorf Ski School, to get his take on what it takes to get even the littlest kids in on the action.

Given the option of spending time on a beach or in the mountains, which would your kids choose? In the mountains of Tirol, they could be detectives, explorers or super heroes. Read on for a peek at some of our favorite family adventures in the Alps…