Solden, Saalbach or Mayrhofen in Feb??

A buddy and I, both in our late 20's, are planning a snowboarding trip to Austria in the 2nd week of February. I've pretty much narrowed it down to these three resorts. Cost is a major factor for us. So is apres and nightlife! The livelier the better, but really not a fan of that German pop/techno stuff. That said, it would also be nicer if it isn't a complete sausage fest up there. One of us is an intermediate boarder and the other has had only one week of boarding before. So we don't need a massive ski area, but good snow since we're making a long journey to get there. Anybody who's been to either of these resorts (or 2 or all 3), please give us your two bits. Any inputs that could make our choice easier would be highly appreciated.

Saalbach is excellent all round, although a little low in altitude if it warms up and the snow level is low. Solden is snow sure and theres a huge amount of high altitude to explore. Mayrhofen - I've never been to so can't help there.
Apres Ski in Solden and Saalbach is excellent, but for me Saalbach has the edge, more authentic, more fun and not quite as pushy. And with Saalbach you should do Apres Ski in the other linked village of Hinterglemm. 4pm the Goat Bar at the bottom of the Reiterkogel lift in Hinterglemm is possibly one of the best apres ski experiences you will ever get invovled with.

Mate of mine does Saalbach every year and says the skiing is lovely long cruisy runs and superb apres ski. He always mentions the Goathstall. I'm taking him to St Anton to sample the Mooserwirt and KK so he can compare them!

Haven't done Solden yet.

Mayrhofen I've done many times, possibly the nicest town I've stayed in for a ski resort with a huge choice of bars, restaurants and hotels. Plenty going on, and good apres up the mountain from about 3pm so have a beer and avoid the queue for the gondola back down. The skiing is on the difficult side of intermediate, but its a resort which helped me develop massively.
The Ice Bar at the bottom of the Penken Gondola is a mad experience, and theres a lot of other places with great atmosphere.
Later on the bars are always busy and fairly relaxed, always some live music to be found as well.

2nd week of Feb is half-term in GB, so the resorts will be packed with British school parties.
My son went to Saalbach on the school ski trip last season, Feb 2011, and had a great time. They were supposed to be in a ski-in/out hotel, on piste 57 I think, but the snow did not reach down that far!
He did say that there are either not many black runs, or that their instructor, in the advanced group, did not take them down any black runs.

Well, we're going from the 11th to the 18th of Feb. Is that the British half-term?

Yes, my son is going with his school.

a-monk29 wrote:Well, we're going from the 11th to the 18th of Feb. Is that the British half-term?

'Fraid so, cant you go any other week as it will be a lot cheaper and not packed with annoying children

The only other time I can go is from March 10th to the 17th! Isn't that too late in the season to go to either of these places? We will get much better deals though.