Hotel Schladmingerhof, Schladming

Continental buffet breakfast

3-course evening meal with salad buffet

Many Austrian hotels do not serve free tap water with meals.

With a vast ski area and an excellent variety of terrain, Schladming is one of Austria's best-kept skiing secrets. The resort is particularly popular with intermediate skiers, thanks to its long, rolling red runs and wide, confidence-boosting blue pistes that are perfect for covering the miles. When the lifts would usually close, the skiing doesn't have to stop – floodlit night skiing lets you carve beneath the stars for a memorable end to the day. For unforgettable Alpine views, head up to the Dachstein Glacier, where on a clear day you can see as far as Slovenia and the Czech Republic.

Set on the banks of the Enns River, Schladming combines mountain scenery with a lively pedestrianised centre. Stylish hotels sit alongside colourful, stone-fronted restaurants serving everything from hearty Austrian specialities to pizza and Mexican cuisine. Après-ski is a big part of the resort's appeal, with the legendary Tenne ski hut at the foot of the Planai home run drawing the crowds for music and dancing. For something a little more glamorous, visit Platzhirsch-Alm, affectionately known as the "Home of Moët", where champagne bottles are famously opened with a sabre before the corks are hung from the ceiling.

Away from the pistes, the Dachstein Glacier offers some of the region's most spectacular attractions. Ride the open-top gondola before stepping onto the dramatic Sky Walk, crossing the Suspension Bridge or braving the Stairway to Nothingness. You can also explore the fascinating Dachstein Ice Palace, home to intricate ice sculptures carved deep within the glacier. For another snowy adventure, swap your skis for a fat bike and discover the winter landscape on two wheels.