Planning A Family Trip To Austria’s Alps
In the summer of 2024, my wife and I were planning a vacation to Europe with two of our kids — Zak, a high school teenager, and Simone, who had just turned 21. We knew hotels could get expensive for a party of four traveling across Europe for a week or longer. Flying in from Atlanta, we wanted to enjoy a scenic vacation away from the buzzing cities filled with summer tourists. So we naturally turned to the HGV website to explore the map for suitable resort accommodations.
Alpine Club is a Hilton Grand Vacations resort in the scenic town of Schladming, Austria. We noticed it was almost centrally located in Upper Austria and within a few hours’ drive of Munich, Graz, Salzburg and Vienna. It is also near the Austrian Alps, which suited our plan for some mountain exploration. Booking the resort seemed like a natural choice!
Getting To Schladming: Scenic Drives, Trains And Day Trip Stops
We drove from Frankfurt to Schladming through scenic Bavaria, which was charming and relaxing. You can opt for a shorter drive by arriving in Munich by train or plane and renting a car. While it's possible to take trains from any major city to the resort via Salzburg, we found the flexibility of driving and exploring nearby towns with a rental car quite useful, and it was more cost-effective given our travel party of four. On our way to Schladming, we made short stops at Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Austria.
Staying At Alpine Club Schladming: Location, Views And Family Amenities
The resort was very welcoming and sits on a hill above the picturesque town. The 2-Bedroom family Suite offered plenty of room for the four of us, and the location was close to the world-famous lakeside village of Hallstatt. The master bedroom balcony offered a wide view of the Dachstein Mountains, which surround the Lake Region of Upper Austria. There is a small restaurant on the property, but we found many good eateries just a couple of miles away in the town. With ample space in the kitchen and dining area, my wife also preferred to do some grocery shopping at the nearby Hofer (known as ALDI in the U.S.) and made hearty breakfasts and dinners on some days!
Visiting The Dachstein Mountain Region
Exploring the nearby attractions around Schladming was easy with a car. Hoher Dachstein mountain itself is a major attraction, with cable cars that take visitors to elevations above 8,000 feet, offering access to exciting trails, caves and mountain exhibits. The key towns of Bad Ischl, Bad Aussee, and Schladming connect to the villages and Hallstätter See, the lake at the foothill of the mountain, via roads and train. You can travel between the villages via the local train, by road around the lake, or by taking the hourly ferry boats popular with tourists. Some crowd-pleasing villages here include Hallstatt, Obertraun and Grundlsee. The scenic viewing spots near Obertraun, with a view of Hallstatt across the lake, are popular with tourists.
Visiting Hallstatt: Austria’s UNESCO-Listed Lakeside Village
Hallstatt, tucked in Upper Austria’s stunning Salzkammergut region, is a picture-perfect lakeside village that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Its enchanting beauty often draws comparisons to a fairy tale, and it is known as the most Instagrammable village in Europe.
Our drive from Alpine Club to a nearby parking lot took about 1.5 hours. The village lies between the southwestern shore of Lake Hallstätter See and the steep slopes of the Dachstein massif. It is connected to nearby villages like Grundlsee and Obertraun by boat and ferry.
Two major attractions in Hallstatt are the historic salt mine and the Hallstatt Skywalk platform, both accessible via the funicular. Once visitors reach the upper-level cable car station, they can access the path to the salt mine tour or take the lift to the skywalk and scenic viewpoint. A bridge from the elevator connects to a restaurant and the walking path to the platform overlooking the scenic lake. Down in the village, a picturesque lakeside trail leads visitors to shops, restaurants and water activities.
Practical Tips For Visiting Hallstatt: Crowds, Parking And Timing
The small village isn’t designed for its massive numbers of visitors during the summer peak season and on weekends, when the population swells from 800 to 15,000! Consider visiting in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) or arriving early in the day to beat the rush.
Be prepared for limited parking options. The main parking lot can fill up quickly. Luckily, there ae public transportation alternatives (train and ferry).. You can also park across the lake near Obertraun and take the boat, or take a lazy mile-long stroll via well-marked trails to reach the village. Many restaurants and shops may not accept credit or debit cards. Carry sufficient cash (Euros) to avoid any issues.
Other Attractions Near Schladming And Upper Austria
Graz, about a two-hour drive from the Schladming resort, is Austria's second-largest city (after Vienna). Known as a college and university city, Graz's historic center (Altstadt) is one of the best-preserved in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Notable attractions in Graz include the Eggenberg Palace, the historic Uhrturm clock tower, Schlossberg Palace and garden, the largest armory in Europe from the Habsburg Empire and the famous Kuntzhaus Graz art museum.
Visit the home of the famous Red Bull Ring Formula 1® racetrack in Spielberg. The location is just a 20-minute drive from Graz. The museum of world champion cars, the Drivers’ Hall of Fame and the Formula 1 track are a must-see on your visit. They also have a nice restaurant right above the track where you can dine and enjoy a race!
In western Austria near the German border sits Salzburg, famous for its salt mines and as the birthplace of great composers like Mozart and Haydn. The city is a little over an hour's drive north of the Alpine Club resort. Notable attractions in Salzburg include the Mirabell Palace and Garden, Mozartplatz, a square in the historic center (Altstadt) of Salzburg with a statue in Mozart's memory, Hohensalzburg Fortress, a large medieval fortress, and Mozart’s residence, which is now a museum.
Final Thoughts On Our Austrian Vacation
We found the Alpine Club resort in Schladming to be a perfect base for exploring the Austrian Alps and even for short day trips into Germany and Italy. The scenic views, serene atmosphere and family-friendly vibe make this location in Schladming an ideal choice for a summer vacation with family.
Key Takeaways
Schladming is an ideal base: for exploring the Austrian Alps, Hallstatt and Dachstein Mountain.
Hallstatt is best visited early or in shoulder seasons: to avoid peak crowds.
A rental car offers the most flexibility: for alpine villages, lakes and scenic viewpoints.
Alpine Club Schladming is well-suited for families: with spacious suites and kitchen facilities.
The Dachstein region blends outdoor adventures with cultural attractions: offering cable cars, caves and panoramic trails.
Planning ahead improves the experience: especially for parking, ferries and attractions.
FAQs
Q: Why is Schladming a good base for visiting Hallstatt and the Austrian Alps?
A: Schladming is centrally located near the Dachstein Mountain region, allowing easy day trips to Hallstatt, alpine lakes, Salzburg and Graz while avoiding crowded city accommodations.
Q: How far is Hallstatt from Schladming?
A: Hallstatt is about a 1.5-hour drive from Schladming, depending on traffic and route.
Q: Do you need a rental car to explore Upper Austria?
A: While trains and ferries connect major towns, a rental car provides the most flexibility for reaching alpine villages, scenic viewpoints and less accessible lakes.
Q: When is the best time to visit Hallstatt?
A: Yes. The resort offers spacious accommodations, kitchen facilities and a quiet alpine setting while remaining close to popular attractions.
Q: How many days should you spend in the Hallstatt and Dachstein region?
A: Two to three days allows enough time to explore Hallstatt, nearby lakes and cable car attractions without rushing.
