Another plus to a Hungarian assignment is that the alps are on your doorstep and are thickly quilted with the white stuff this year…

When winter hangs heavy in the sky it is easy to get into a rut and hole up until the spring, and you know this is not good. Moreover, when the kids get their February break, keeping them entertained indoors is challenging to say the least. So give yourself a break this year, hit the slopes…

KinderHotels website offers a great listing of family friendly hotels in Austria that have fantastic features such as babysitting and playrooms!

Being largely prairie, Hungary does not shoot to mind when considering ski breaks. Nonetheless, there are some ski stations in the country, the best k nown being Dobogókő, Kékestető, Bánkút, Galyatető, and Mátraszentistván. Be aware, however, that these resorts are perhaps more suited to a quick weekend’s honing of your skills before heading abroad for a full skiing holiday.

Some of Europe’s best ski slopes are just next-door, Austria offers St. Anton in Tirol, a top class ski resort supplying the full scope of slopes from challenging runs to kiddie areas, with excellent après ski to boot. The ski regions of Obertauern and Schladming prove to be popular with skiiers of all levels. For singles, fun seekers and the glitterati there is always Kitzbuehel. Ischgl appears to be where the die-hard party goers from Ibiza spend the winter. Beginners might head to either Lech or the lakeside town of Zell am See, which is good for kids but will not provide for advanced skiiers. For sheer convenience however, Semmering is the most accessible ski resort to Hungarian visitors and will keep beginners to intermediate ski bunnies happy.

ViaMichelin is a handy site when planning a roadtrip!

Slovakia’s ski profile is rising, and contrary to popular belief the resorts are knitted in lifts and the food is quite tasty. The most developed resort is the Jasna-Chopok which offers excellent snow boarding and skiing for intermediates, though less so for advanced. Accommodation is varied, but we recommend the Tri Studnicky, a lovely hotel by a stream which offers spacious rooms complete with chimney. It is a marvelous setting. However, one drawback is that it is not within walking distance of the slopes. Rather the ski lifts are some 5 kms away, but they are accessible by bus or car. For those who need to be nearer the station, the Hotel Grand shares ownership as Tri Studnicky and whereas it might lack its sister hotel’s charm, it does have a large swimming pool which does nicely at the end of an energetic day of skiing.

The picturesque Lake Bled in winter.

Slovenia should not be ignored when planning a ski trip since the Julian Alps have a lot to offer skiiers of all levels. Slovenia has a charming family friendly atmosphere.  Closest destination for expats in Budapest is Maribor Pohorje which boasts the biggest ski center in all of Slovenia as well as the longest night ski run. Vogel is the ideal family destination overlooking Lake Bohinj and in near proximity Lake Bled.  For families with younger children, we highly recommended staying at the Hotel Savica in Bled (a scenic 30 minute drive away). The hotel has a children’s club with organized family activities. For the more advanced skiier, Kranjska Gora is ideal, eventhough is also caters to beginners and intermediate skiiers.

Avoiding the throngs is preferable for many, for this reason Expat Echo has put together a handy list of Budapest international school ski breaks cross referenced with the school breaks in popular ski break destinations.

Budapest International Schools

• American International School of Budapest (AISB)   -    Feb 22 – 26 2010
• British International School of Budapest (BISB)   -   Feb 22nd – 26 2010
• Lycee Francais de Budapest (French school)   -   Feb 22 – March 5 2010
• Budapest German School (Thomas Mann Gymnasium)  -   Feb 8 – 12 2010
  

School breaks by country

Austria: Lower Austria Feb 1st – 6th, Upper Austria Feb 15th – 20th, Other regions here.

France:  by region, listed here.

England: Feb 15 – 20 2010

Slovenia: coming soon…

Slovakia:  coming soon…

With school breaks only a few weeks away, it’s time to get planning!  Enjoy the slopes!

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