Austrian resort search

Hey guys, I'd like your opinions on good ski resorts in Austria. My mum had originally suggested Niederau but after doing a bit of browsing on the web it just looks too small for me. I told her this and she said if I could find a better resort we would go there instead. The resort needs to be suitable for beginners and advanced skiers, not too expensive and not too busy (seeing as we're going at half term this is probably impossible).

Errr maybe half term is the wrong time to go!! I have skied quite a few Austrian resorts - have a look at Neustift and the Stubai Glacier, Kirchdorf and the Schneewinkel area (10 resorts 1 lift pass), Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Saalbach busy but both linked along a valley floor), Westendorf and now linked to Kitzbuhel/Kirchberg, Kolsass-Weer (although you have to get a bus to higher stuff) and Fugen, and have also done Niderau/Oberau/Auffach, which you say you don't want.

Depends if you also want to do stuff off the slopes, meet up for lunch, etc and also £££'s!!

Yeah finding a quiet resort in our half term is going to be difficult, I don't have any experience of the Austrian resorts in half term time, so can't comment on even how some of the more obscure ones will be (ones off the radar of UK To's).

Niederau is a nice area but as you've pointed out not really suited to what you're after. What's your definition of advanced? On piste only, off piste, guided off piste etc? Kitzbuhel is nice but for beginners choose you accommodation carefully as it can be a bit of a trek to the nursery area-but if they aren't a complete beginner no issue. Large varied area, not a huge amount of on piste challenges but a great areas and although not particularly celebrated for it's off piste there is plenty.

Step up in price and on piste challenge I'd recommend Ischgl great area and the nursery slopes are high up on the mountain. Cracking area. I also love Saalbach but I'd expect it to be pricier than Kitz. The amount of snow they've had this year pretty much now guarantees good on piste conditions.

To really be selfish and suit the advanced skier head to St Anton, I don't think it's so bad for beginners either despite it's rep. I'll be in Saalbach and Kitzbuhel in February then St Anton the end of March. The first two trip will be with my other half who's a strong intermediate, ST Anton will be a lads trip for some serious off piste hopefully.

Ischgl, Saalbach-Hinterglimm, Leogang (same area) and I guess Zell Am See should keep ya quiet.

And of course anywhere on the SkiWelt arena (Söll etc).

some other place you might consider, Obertauern - good for beginners and through to reasonably advanced - the gamsleiten black is a terrific run, and as the village is effectively in a snow bowl you can ski back to the village from most points on the runs. Not many Brits or Irish go here but everyone is very friendly and most speak decent english.
The resorts in the ski-amade area are great for all levels of skier. 45 minute transfer from salzburg airport for about 50euro return to most of the resorts. The ones I've been to are Flachau and Zauchensee. Flachau is on the valley floor and has some great skiing up on top and good runs down to the village. Zauchensee is at 1400m in a snow bowl with all runs leading down to the village - Michael Walchofer's home village. Great skiing on and of piste and linked to the rest of the Flachau - wagrain- alpendorf by a 5 minute bus (same lift pass).
This year as we're going with kids we're heading for Maria alm - 150km linked pistes, great ski schools and good prices on the accommodation. Also only 70km from salzburg.

anywhere in the ski-welt area, or otherwise know as the wilder kaiser area.
But being half term, everything would be busy and fully booked

I went to Schladming as a complete beginner last year and had a blast, advanced skiers in my group had a good time too (tho was not during half term!).

You have indicated that you are a novice skier - and by that I mean you might have been skiing for 4 or fewer seasons. As an old timer, I have skied each season for just over 35 years in many ski resorts in Switzerland, Austria and France. The last 11 seasons with my family and teaching them to ski.

We have always chosen resorts appropriate to their ability. 5 weeks in Villars, 1 week in Chamonix (disaster - never again to France), 4 weeks in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (highly recommended) and this year back to Fugen for the 4th time.

This has also been punctuated with a couple of weeks in Maria Alm and a week in Crans Montana.

As my sons are now strapping 17 and 18 yr olds, their requirements haave changed. THey are starting to explore the bars and night clubs and are pretty proficient. Therefore a resort with variety of slopes where they can do their own thing and explore a region is as important to them as it is to my wife and I - we are returning to Fugen (Zillertal valley).

So, to answer your question, Serfaus will fit the bill - it is a little hidden gem, as will Maria Alm and Fugen.

Insofar as expense is concerned, skiing is expensive - get over it! Work on £800 per week per person self catering and that should cover it all (if you have your own equipment). Hotel will be another £200 or so an a chalet £300 or so on top of the basic price.

Anyway, I do hope you have loads of fun skiing, or boarding - love to have done that when I was a youngster, but I didn't start skiing until I was 19 and boards simply were not really in production.

You will find that you willl really start to improve when you have skied about 12 weeks - have 3 seasons in ski school as a minimum when you start. Give it a break for a few years and get some mileage under your belt. Return to ski school to get some style in your skiing on your 10-12 week.