Obergurgl Oberlech Zell am See Saalbach

Hi all we are family of 4 advanced beginners to intermediate we went to Mayerhofen last year enjoyed it and Austria. Slopes were perfect for us lovely hotel but want to go somewhere different in mid Jan.

Am looking through Crystal brochure at moment there is so much choice so narrowed it down to the 4 above in that order. Is Obergurgl big enough? Oberlechlech has lots of blues,Zell very picturesque and loads of runs in Saalbach.

Not bothered about nightlife but do prefer nice hotel probably go half board.

Would appreciate any advice

Not sure about the others but IMO Obergurgl and the Lech ski areas are snowsure with plenty of skiing in both resorts. They both have a selection of top quality hotels. If you go for Obergurgl you have an area of approx 100kms shared between Obergurgl and Hochgurgl. You can even pay a little extra on their ski pass and ski Solden for a day. Thats another 110kms of piste. Lech area offers approx 250kms if you include the other local resorts St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Zurs, Zug and Lech itself.
Hope this helps
Have been to Obergurgl 3 times and of to the Lech area in January.

AlistairS wrote:Not sure about the others but IMO Obergurgl and the Lech ski areas are snowsure with plenty of skiing in both resorts. They both have a selection of top quality hotels. If you go for Obergurgl you have an area of approx 100kms shared between Obergurgl and Hochgurgl. You can even pay a little extra on their ski pass and ski Solden for a day. Thats another 110kms of piste. Lech area offers approx 250kms if you include the other local resorts St Anton, St Christoph, Stuben, Zurs, Zug and Lech itself.
Hope this helps
Have been to Obergurgl 3 times and of to the Lech area in January.

Agree here, Lech and Obergurgl are snow sure. Lech is far bigger and you can ski St Anton too. Haven't been to Obergurgl mainly because the area is small for what we normally manage, but hotels are all good there and skiing is handily nearby.
Mate goes to Saalbach and has stated that they havent been able to ski lower runs in a number of recent years due to poor snow, and its a banging resort for nightlife.
Never been to Zell, its doesnt really appeal to me but I know people who have been and liked it.
Have you considered Schladming or Bad Gastein?

Thanks for replies lads will probably have a think for a few weeks but there is so much choice.

Been to both Saalbach and Zell and prefer Saalbach, went before xmas last year and the snow was good all way to bottom, but later in the season it wasnt so good from what I heard on the lower slopes, Hinterglemm is nice along with Leogang as all 3 are connected.

Obergurgl is a great place for all skiers, I am a mid intermediate and my husband an ex instructor and we have a great time. Most is ski in ski out and I can't remember having to queue for a lift up the mountain. Mountain huts are great fun and the town is pretty. Going back for our fourth xmas in a row this year

Hi, I am a high end intermediate skier with 15 years on piste experience and no wish to go off piste at all. I have skied Zell (twice), Mayerhofen and Obergurgl (twice) and, in my opinion, by far the best on piste holiday sking is to be found in the combined resorts of Obergurgl and Lech. Virtually no lift queues but this is a 3200m mountain that can suffer from lift closure due to high wind. The resort is snow sure and at the end of March this year we were skiing back to the village late in the afternoon under clear blue sunny skies on perfectly skiable, if a little heavy snow. The resort was planned around four star hotels so is not cheap, a factor that tends to keep the snow boarders at bay. Good mountain restaurants complemented by the legendary Neiderhut (rock and roll, dancing on the tables sort of thing plus a free ski-mobile ride back down the hill if you over do it) are icing on the cake.

You pays you money.....

We are all high end intermediates too and the kids do off piste (I.m too old now!) We spend 3 weeks a year on the mountains

Went to Saalbach the season before last and oberlech last year - Oberlech!!!!!!

Fantastic ski in ski out, lots of runs, no lift queues. Up market hotels and y0ou really do get what you pay for. It usually books up early though for the bigger more popular hotels.

You also have Lech and St anton as mentioned. The nighttime toboggan run from Oberlech to lech is fun after apres ski or dinner!

Did not really like Saalbach at all as have to walk a fair way to get to the lifts to take you up the other side of the mountain and it was very slushy down low and that was february. 7km run home on wet moguls was not fun :evil:

We also want to try Obergurgl soon