Talk to me about Austria

Thinking about Austria Next year..But not sure where
I've briefly been looking at Zurs/Lech
I read a post on the best place in Austria and most people rated St Anton ,but on the same note it seems to get slagged off by alot of people
Also been looking at Amade as it seemed quite a large area??
Theres going to be about 8 of us all 40+ skiers & snowboarders prefer red or blue slopes
3x Pas de la casa 1x Sestriere
May be a few bars
We can only do 5 night so not sure if thats a problem in Austria

thanks

Soll or Kitzbuhel from experience. Saalbach and Mayrhofen look OK too. I love St. Anton but it's better suited to advanced intermediates who are prepared to have a crack at some of the un-pisted itineraries. The lift-pass looks much better value when you factor in the ski-routes.

Just as Gaz C wrote St Anton is nice if you want to go off-piste otherwise there are to manu people, the pistes are crowded and a lot of people are there only for party.

I wrote about Obergurgl in another thread, a really nice village, not that many pubs/bar but they have at least a few.
The pistes are practically empty



There are two more videos in the Obergurgl thread.

Sölden is in the same valley as Obergurgl, really nice skiing and quite a lot of party in the village.

Lech/Zurs is really nice a little bit more expensive but really nice and they will connect the Lech/Zurs system with the Warth-Schröcken system.

Solden is a good shout. Not sure if any of the major UK tour operators do packages but that shouldn't be a problem if you are d-i-y-ing for 5 nights. Another place that is off the radar of the TO's is Serfaus. That's an area I really like the look of. What I have heard about it is all good.

Right. Better get packing. Have I mentioned that I'm going skiing tomorrow? :lol:

If your not too bothered about having a massive après scene you might like Maria alm. Largely blues and reds, linked to 3 other small villages, cheap in comparison to a lot of larger areas. One of the quietest areas I've been to regarding lift queues. We went late January last year and could not have designed better conditions. We were knee deep in the soft and fluffy stuff 4/6 days.
Short transfer from Salzburg. Get in touch with their tourist board for info regarding hotels/pensions that are happy to accept part week bookings. I don't think any of the major Brit TO's go there any more.

All of the above would meet your need for blues and reds but they are all very different.
I didn't like Soelden at all but that's probably because I'm a woman and the resort seemed full of testosterone-fuelled 30-something males . The nightlife there is accordingly very lively!
Maria Almost is very pretty but I think it's a mainly family resort?
Lech/Zurs will be expensive as is St Anton.
You mention Ski Amade which is the area I know best. schladming has it all and must now have one of the best and most up-to-date lift systems in the Alps given the massive investment for this year's World Championships. You will be able to book in for however nights you want and can choose Schladming town centre with all it's night life, or go to Haus, Rohmoos or Reiteralm where much of the skiing is from your door.
schladming is still run by the locals so they look after you!

Definitely a few resorts to look at.
I was leaning towards Lech/Zurs but Price is a factor when we book hence Pas and Sestriere.
Interesting about Amade as there doesnt seem to be many reviews about it but it is listed as one off the biggest ski areas ??? are they all linked??

Soll or Mayrhofen if price is an issue. Cheap deals for either to be had except peak season in a great snow year like this one. Both should suit your level of skiing too.

Right. Off to the land of the Mickey Mouser to catch my flight to Geneva. VT tomorrow. 20 cms of fresh reported, and that's in Meribel!!! Smug? Moi? :-D