Cross-Country Skiing: Trins & The Three Valleys

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 21 reviews.

Rose Cavanagh

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: TRINS & THE THREE VALLEYS

Written January 2011
I had never skied before and was pleasantly surprised that I was shown how to put the skies on and given sufficient training by the instructor Barbara (superwoman/wonderwoman) to ski alongside other beginners who had skied before. Barbara was always helpful and on hand to advise us on all things as they cropped up. The warm ups before activities were useful in getting us warm therefore avoiding any sprains (thank you Barbara). As well as the skiing lunch in the various cafés/restaurants were superb (gave me something to look forward to each morning). The food was of excellent quality and reasonably priced. If you wanted to budget you could spend as little as 3 to 5 Euros on lunch (i like my food so it was nice to refuel ready for the afternoon skiing). The hotel food was equally wonderful and the bar inexpensive compared to a pub in the UK. Would I go again, YES, I miss it already!!!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were so many, every day had something, but for me personally day 5 doing a few full snow ploughs and and half snow ploughs, you had to be there to appreciate it!
What did you think of your group leader?
There were two leaders. I was with Barbara who was in charge of the beginners. I thought she was an excellent leader. Barbara was competent, friendly with an excellent sense of humour able to deal will all personalities however difficult (i should know i moaned enough about every incline we went down [i didn't mind going up though]!!). Thank you Barbara for an excellent week i enjoyed it tremondously and would do it all again.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Layers are important, but if possible make sure the base layers are breathable so that when you stop after raising a sweat you are not cold (i had a tee-shirt over my breathable thermal layer and it retained the sweat from the base layer (made me very hot). An empty ruck sack to put the layers in when you are too hot was useful.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The scenery is fantastic and so is the food. We are able to visit a local farm and were able to try their wares, sausages (salami), cheeses, schnaps. They had marmelade jams and honeys and many other local delicasies. Leave space in your luggage for the produce if you are lucky enough to have a farm visit. The main leader Bob Mason has many local contacts which enabled us to get closer to the local community.
sue coulter

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: TRINS & THE THREE VALLEYS

Written February 2010
We loved this holiday, as soon as we got back we just wanted to go back again. We went from not being able to put skis on to skiing 10 miles on the last day. The hotel is lovely with a fantastic bar and everything is reasonably priced (ski hire 8 euro/day). Plenty of euros left over for apres ski. The skiing is in lots of different areas and makes use of local transport though if you book as an independent, Bob will help sort out the buses for you.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was very patient.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you want to take your own skis then make sure they are suitable for the area. A couple of our group brought their wax skis only to find they needed to hire the fishscales skis.
Antony Greene

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: TRINS & THE THREE VALLEYS

Written January 2010
I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Just ensure you are right for the Grade. If you are not sure - ask to speak to the expert. The hotel was wonderful, as too Trins and the locations, the leaders and the lunches. If you like to be outdoors all day, Norway may be more your thing. Both worked for me.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting the chance to eat local food - if you like Bavarian or Czech food you'll know what I mean. My favourite eating place was at the Maria Kloster. Being in a Germanic culture. Good beer and wine. Being in the mountains enjoying the cross country skiing. The lovely hotel. www.wienerhof.at The local village of Trins (it is a farming village). Driving to the Loipen (ski tracks) locations through the mountains, local towns and villages. The chance to take great photos. Bob and Albert our leaders. The Sauna and rest rooms - eating the fresh apples. Going to the field to lie in the snow between saunas. The water from the Maria Kloster. Meeting local people and German tourists at the hotel. Basically everything.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was Bob who is the main leader at Trins. He was a very friendly, fun and warm guy who kept us informed, both in terms of the skiing, but also the local culture and wildlife. Bob speaks and reads fluent German so don't be worried if you don't. The other leader on our trip was Albert who took the Winter Walking (CAT). Albert also takes cross country skiing at various centres. Albert is a very lovely guy, and was very helpful and friendly to all the clients.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Austria is not Norway! By this, I mean there are three types of cross country skiers. There are those that love Norway, those that love Austria, and those that are easy both ways. So you know, in Norway you make your lunch at breakfast, and you will be outdoors all day. Hence this appeals to those who are more the outdoor type. In Austria, you will be out all day, but you will stop for lunch at a Gasthof. Because of the lunch stops - I'd recommend you take a small flask - you will not need a large one. Once I got use to the idea, I made the most of the lunch stops, to eat all the local food I am used to from Bavaria. Do take the chance to eat the local food. Bob will help you with the German. Try Suppentopf and Kaiserschmarrn (pancake with fruit jam) at Schmirn, Pikant RindGoulash (beef stew in Goulash sauce) at Maria Kloster & zwiebelrostbraten (beef in dark sauce with dry fried onions) at Obernberg. Now I am back, I have made myself the Kaiserschmarrn! http://www.tourmycountry.com/austria/kaiserschmarrn.htm Allow about €15 per lunch stop (€100 for the week).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
All the ski locations require a short bus ride (20-30minutes). This will cost about €45 for the week. While public transport is used, mostly this is under private agreement so there is no hanging around. Bob was very good at organising this and letting us know what time to be ready. On this holiday, Bob's organisation was very good and necessary. When you get on the Bus - just say 'Mit Bob!' The local Trins Ski hire costs €7 per day. If you for any reason wish to use Snows Shoes they are available at €6 per day. Have a good check of the skis to check you have no problems. One day the binding on one of skis came apart due to ice. Luckily this did not spoil the day but it could have.The walkers had great fun with cheap sledges available locally. There is a big hill down to the river below the hotel. The Wienerhof is a very pleasant and friendly hotel. You will not be disappointed. However, do make the most of local food when you are at lunch. The food at the hotel is nice but not really local. The room I had (single in the old house) was very nice & I was lucky I had a great view. While there is only a shower - this was very good. If you use the sauna - shower before you leave as by the time you get back to the room the hot water may have been used up by everyone getting ready for dinner.The Sauna and rest rooms are first rate. If you like this, this is great way to relax after a long days skiing and eating, before dinner! A towel is provided in the room for the sauna. Maybe ask for a bigger one if you are lady - forget the swim wear! The bar is great in the hotel. While smoking is allowed this really was not an issue as the ventilation is very good. I mainly had the local while wine. It is served in jugs (1/8, 1/4, 1/2) so it last longer than when sold by the glass. I found a 1/4 was enough all evening. The locals also use the bar (Stammtisch - locals table) - but this give character to the place. On your last day (travel day) you have plenty of time to either go to Innsbruck, or to have a proper look around Trins. While Trins is a farming village - there is plenty to see. Walk down to the river, up to the Ski centre, back to Trins and up to the Church. If you want to go to Innsbruck, think about taking Rucksack instead of a suitcase - though I am sure there is somewhere you can leave you bags. If you are going on a Grade 2 group - I would not recommend this useless you have a) progressed well on a Grade 1 group -- and b) you will be able to get to grip with the Snow Plough by the end of day one. The Grade 2, 2+ and 3 groups are more about doing than leading - though the leader will teach the group skills you require as well as new techniques.
Jonathan Grice

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: TRINS & THE THREE VALLEYS

Written February 2009
This particular holiday fell below our expectations from previous Exodus/Waymark cross-country Skiing holidays. The hotel could do with a little attention to detail that would improve the enjoyment of the stay and the skiing loipes were on the short side and took some time to travel to and from.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The highlight was a skiing the highest and most interesting loipe around the Maria Waldrast in excellent weather.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was very knowledgeable and informative about the area and its history and did a good job organising local travel arrangements. I enjoyed Alex's relaxed instruction and friendly group leading.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Depending on how much skiing you want to do in a day, there are longer and more interesting loipe with less local travel times in other locations in the Exodus brochure.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel does need to make some inexpensive improvements. Although the rooms were generally fine, better quality bed linen would make a big difference. Attention to ensure that heating controls were fully operational on a regular basis would ensure guests like us were not waiting for three days for a plumber to fit a radiator control (as ours was missing) before we could turn the heating down from full blast! These two issues led to some uncomfortable nights sleep.
Although the restaurant was non smoking this did not apply to the lounge/bar and as us UK residents have become used to nonsmoking public places this meant there was no where for us to comfortably relax as a group.
Exodus Response
Exodus/Waymark have been working with this hotel in Trins for over 30 years. We use this hotel because it is a traditional family-run 3 star hotel in a working farming village. As a member of an association of traditional Tyrolean restauranteurs, this is reflected in the hotel's style and quality of food.
The owner tries to blend the needs of her local customers with the expectations of Exodus guests. Therefore, in the typical Tyrolean bar, there is a 'Stammtisch' table reserved for locals, where the village farmers meet to drink, talk and smoke. However, the delightful dining room, which is beautifully decorated is totally non-smoking and this compromise helps the hotel retain its authentic local atmosphere.
Exodus continues to work with our hotels in order to develop common interests and this is proven by the fact that all bedrooms are now non-smoking (the smoking ban has not yet arrived in Austria). Furthermore, fire precautions have been improved beyond legal requirements and improved ventilation in the bar is being planned.
Exodus guests can always be sure of a warm welcome in this hotel along with a complimentary cup of traditional British tea!

- Exodus Staff
Thomas James

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: TRINS & THE THREE VALLEYS

Written February 2009
A full week of supervised cross country skiing in a lesser known region - a variety of sites and runs. Excellent value for solo traveller - no single supplement.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Final day skiing around the Maria Waldrust monastery - great winter weather and beautiful scenery.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob Mason - experienced, well organised and with many local contacts.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Resort is small and quiet - few other travellers or activities about.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hotel is clean, food, service and amenities are good, but the bedding and decor would benefit from updating. This is however reflected in the lower price for this trip.
Elizabeth Musetti

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: THREE VALLEYS

Written March 2008
Not the holiday for me I'm afraid. Its probably best for people travelling alone because you're with the group and the group leader almost 100% of the time, skiing and eating. However it was a good week as far as learning to cross country ski was concerned. My husband and I learnt the basics and at the end of the week we completed a 10km "journey" with the rest of the group, and felt fitter for it. However, it was rather like a school holiday for adults - if you like someone organising everything for you then this is the holiday for you but we found it far too organised, with no flexibility - we skiied all day, every day and it would have been nice to have been given the option to do have a small break mid week to do something else. If we go again we would maybe try a bigger resort if there is one - Trins is very small with nowhere else to go apart from the hotel we were staying in, and the hotel lacked atmosphere.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Being able to complete a 10km cross country journey (uphill most of the time) on our last day.
What did you think of your group leader?
He taught us to cross country ski but, for both my husband and I, he was far too controlling and serious .....as I said above it was rather like a school holiday for adults. Things had to be done only one way - his. This was unlike any other holiday we've been on. I'm a downhill skier and have been on many downhill skiing trips, enjoying the skiing and the laughs that go with it - but the group leader made this holiday far too serious for us. He definitely lacked a sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you like a group holiday that is totally organised then this is the holiday for you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think I've said everything.
Exodus Response
A full week of guided cross-country skiing is offered so those who prefer to ski every day have this possibility available to them. The advantage of a centre-based holiday is that all clients can choose to take a break at any time to visit Innsbruck, which is easily accessible by public transport.
Many clients praise the organisation and knowledge of our leader based at Trins, however we will surely take these comments into consideration.

- Exodus Staff
Rodney Ellis

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: THREE VALLEYS

Written January 2008
An excellent week with good skiing, good food, good company and services of knowledgeable and thoughtful leaders. Everything from the inital phone call contributed towards a good holiday. Definitely to be recommended.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The scenery. The food. The skiing.
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was Bob Mason - first rate - left nothing to chance.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Check you have selected the right grading.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The last day was spent "filling in time" at the local resort. It might be worth considering leaving after breakfast and taking the group into Innsbruck for a few hours before going out to airport for late afternoon flight.