Seiser Alm Urthaler

We’ve had a comfortable, relaxed week, with lovely staff, excellent half-board meals, and a calming pool and spa. It’s well placed for winter walking and skiing, though it isn't truly ski-in ski-out. We will almost certainly return for serious hiking in spring or autumn. The marked trails are varied, extensive, and manageable in ordinary hiking boots even in winter. The hotel also seems to welcome walkers and people looking for a quiet retreat, not just skiers. The restaurant is cozy and the bar stylish. Staff there were friendly, multilingual, and professional. Our spacious room and bathroom were comfortable, with a mountain view, kettle, fridge, and everything else we needed. The food was excellent. We eat fish but not meat, and were happy with the choices from the salad buffet and the two half-board menus, one with meat and fish and one vegetarian. We could choose dishes from either menu. Portions were just right, and some combinations felt new but worked well. The wine list was good too. Getting to the slopes takes some care. From the basement ski room, take the lift to the ground floor, walk down the steep driveway, then go about 80 meters up a small access road before putting on your skis. The pistes and lifts are roughly 100-250 meters away. The driveway had been cleared and gritted each morning, but was still slippery in ski boots during our first few days. We saw several people slip and one fall. After we mentioned the problem to reception, they kept a strip of fresh snow along one side from the following day, which was easier to walk on. A rubber mat or another safe surface, perhaps with a handrail, would help further. The ski room is in the basement, and a camera is its only security. Anyone could apparently walk in from the street and take boots or skis. Other ski hotels we've used had a code or keycard for the room, or secure lockers for each guest room. There seems to be space for lockers here, so perhaps the owners could consider adding them. We found it hard to work out the route to and from the pistes, so I hope these directions help. To reach the nearest piste, take the short blue run #74 down to the Panorama chairlift. From the access road, walk about 30 meters farther down to the cross-country piste and ski across it to a small gap in a blue fence. Follow the bottom of the nursery slope, go past the signs where the ski school groups meet, and you'll reach the piste. To return after skiing, take either the ski school's Eurotel draglift #76 or the Euro chairlift #77. From the top of the chairlift, ski about a third of the way down the piste, then turn right toward the cable car station. Go past the cafe toward the ski school area. Look for the tall red inflatable and wooden hut, then take the very short run down from the hut to where you started. Go carefully, since you may need to avoid children on sledges. Don't use the flat piste that curves around the ski school, as it's only for cross-country skiers.