Anybody been to Scheffau?

I've just returned from my 5th visit to Nendaz and already itching to get booked for next year. Although I still love Nendaz, I'm fancying trying somewhere new and I've always wanted to go back to Austria. For the past few years my business partner has been raving about Scheffau and I was thinking about giving it a try. We are a family of four so busy nightlife is not a priority. My wife is a non-skier which is part of the reason I was thinking about a package to a hotel where there are more facilities to occupy her rather than DIY in a self-catered apartment, which is what we have been doing. Have any of you had any experience of this resort you can share with me?

Trevorwinch, I've been to Scheffau for last 5/6 years, love the skiwelt area. First time, we stayed in hotel Alpin, can't remember what TO was. Alpin was great hotel, free drinks with dinner, :thumbup: their own pool and think they might have a sauna as well. Nice area for walking. It's right in middle of village which is opposite side of valley floor to main gondola. Skibus stops right outside hotel and takes about 4 mins to gondola car park and there's also a very easy run from hotel which takes you under road to the older gondola, both gondola's are about 100m apart and run parallel to each other ending up at the same top station. You can leave your gear at the Ski shop at bottom station for a small charge, which is what my OH does as she's a V reluctant sker, and would happily stay at Alpin if didn't want to ski, (she just said so) :lol: Red Bull bar at bottom of gondolas and a bar in the village so not as noisy as Soll or Ellmau. Option in hotel to book into their pizzeria for one of the evening meals, and they do a cracking' après ski snack service, the usual cafe, cakes, sometimes even a variety of finger food. I would give the hotel a 9 out of 10, losing that all valuable point for not being able to fall out of bed onto piste :lol: check out the hotel website and www.skiwelt.at
A full day tour over to westendorf makes a great day out too :thumbup:
Staying in a pension this year (3rd time) which is just opposite side of road to gondola station, 3 min walk.

Hi Coops: what sort of elevation are the slopes, as I'm planning a trip for the last week of March so would be interested to know the likely conditions. Thanks.

billip1 wrote:Hi Coops: what sort of elevation are the slopes, as I'm planning a trip for the last week of March so would be interested to know the likely conditions. Thanks.

Top of Brandstatl out of scheffau is around 1650, and once you're up there many of the slopes stay in good condition. Above Soll, Hohe Salve is about 1820, as is Westendorf. I haven't ventured too far just yet, as am still on dark side lessons. Am planning to ski a round robin on thurs so will prob'ly update after then. Lower temps last night and today has kept pistes in great condition, and home run into Scheffau is much better than it was on Sunday, just starting to get a little slushy at the bottom. Locals are still forcasting more snow for next day or so. Authorities do a great job of piste maintenance. Haven't seen any of the snow blowers in operation yet. Hope this helps in your decision, just keep an eye on weather reports, :thumbup: I'll be V jealous if you decide yes. :mrgreen:

Thanks for that Coops; sounds like you're having a great time out there. Looking forward to your update. Will let you know where we finally end up, but hopefully will make you just a teeny bit envious (as I am now of you !)

The hotel I was looking at was the Kaiser. Anybody know anything about that one? Also which ski schools can be recommended?

V sunny day today and AM conditions were great, home runs a little slushy in PM! Temps have stayed quite low. Pistes quite busy as it's ladies day, or whatever else they call it when lift passes are cheaper. Never been to kaiser myself but skibus route and stop is right outside. Always looks great and standard is probably reflected in the price. I use the Scheffau ski school, always have great service, lessons or guideing, but believe there is another outfit that also runs lessons, salvenmoose I think.
Locals are saying weather won't be very good tomorrow, hey, I'll take it as it comes. Handed board back in tonight, feel like I've been inside a boxing bag. Will have the delights of being back on ski's tomorrow, don't get me wrong, I'm starting to love the boarding, and will carry on learning, but the thought of getting back on me planks, Hooooorrraaahhhhhhh :lol:

Scheffau. 08/03. Despite really bad vis this AM, went on guided tour, snowed light to heavy throughout day, and vis changed according to locality. All in all was good day out, round Sol area and Hohe Salve. Managed the home run into Scheffau, but very slushy and heavy. Son is instructing in Val DS, and says it's best snow he's skied. :mrgreen: