Life

Factfile

* Getting there: I travelled with Topflight, which has a direct charter flight from Belfast International Airport to Salzburg every Saturday for the winter season.

Prices, including flights, transfers and accommodation, start from £799 at the four-star Zentral Hotel in Kirchberg, or in Kitzbühel from £399 in the three-star Kolpinhaus Apartments.

See topflight.ie for deals and discounts, call 028 9752 1168 or see your travel agent.

* Where to ski: I was in Kirchberg, a pleasant town with access to the 100 miles of piste in the Kitzbüheler Alps and Pass Thurn, as well as short bus connections to the Ski Welt, Austria's largest interconnected ski area. Good intermediate skiers should buy the €249 Kitzbühel Alpin All Star Card which gives access to all those ski areas. Beginners can save a bit with the Kitzbühel Kirchberg Lift Pass at €241.

* Where to stay: I was in the pleasant four-star Metzgerwirt (metzgerwirt.at). For disabled visitors, the 400-year-old Bräuwirt (hotel-braeuwirt.at/ de) has access in all rooms.

* Where to drink: The Tiroler in Kirchberg is both spacious and cosy, with open fires and several bars. The Dutch-owned Eisbar has no seats and loud music, and is great if you're a twentysomething from Amsterdam. Having said that, try its apfelstrudel, a scrumptious blend of apple schnapps, vanilla and cream in a shot glass.

* What to do: The tour of the Erber Distillery (erberedelbrand.com) is free, including a tasting. If you're planning a visit to Kitzbühel Casino (casinos.at/de/kitzbuehel), you need a proper shirt to get in, if only so you can lose it.

* LOOK OUT: A church in Kirchberg, pictured left