Why so low in Austria??

I've been hunting around for the annual long weekend break I arrange of a party of 6/7.

For the past 7 years we've visited France - mainly for the ski in/out and the high resorts.

But this year the cost of beer / food / lift pass was a nightmare.

Also I fancy a change and as I am the organiser - I chose the resort.

Been to Italy / Switerland already - so Austria is next.

There are some good priced flights from Stansted (15miles from me) to Munich. Therefore I have been looking at some of the Autrian resorts close by.

They all some low altitude. 2500m highest lifts etc etc. Does this really effect the snow coverage?? Do you need to catch a bus to move from one part of an area to the next?? What is the chance of ski in/out in such a resort.

I know there are lots of J2Skiers that love their Austrian resorts. I want to too. But I also want convience and great snow (weather permitting).

You're comments please.

Thanks.

PS - My 8 yr old could ski aswell as some of those on TV right now!!!!!

What time of the year to you plan on going? Seefeld is less than an hour from Munich. No need for ski buses all three ski areas within walking distance. Also Garmisch/Germany less than 30 mins from Munich. Never had a problem have been to Seefeld 4 times in January and only once was the snow a bit dodgy, but that was the year most of Europe suffered.

Crashandburn,
We went to Obergurgl a few years ago. It's high and snow sure, no lift queues, gondola out and ski in. But we flew from Gatwick to Innsbruck, and it's not a cheap resort, but very laid back and uncrowded with great ski-ing.

I have also skied at Saalbach and Zell am Zee, which were also great, although we took a bus from Zell to Kaprun to ski on the glacier, and nearly got flattened by the mob of skiers trying to get back on the bus afterwards.

Ally

St Anton
Lech
Ischgl
Solden
Obergurgl

5 at high altitude

Mayrhofen
Schladming
Bad Gastein
Nassfeld
Saalbach

5 off the top of my head which arent that high but have excellent snow records

And of course other places like Soll, Seefeld, Kitzbuhel, and even some of our regulars favourite little place, Niederau, have good snow history.

It very much depends when you go, as some of the places suffer late in the season.

I have been to Mayrhofen at Xmas, January and february, and friends have been in March, and it has never been a problem to get any skiing in. The villages are often lower than the ski areas in Austria.

Play it safe and ho high up, St Anton is brilliant, and Solden and Ischgl are high on my wishlist, but low on my bank managers advisory list!

There a hell of a lot to Austria which I prefer to France. Choose carefully depending on when you go. Stansted flights are available to Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich.

As you all know I have never skied Austria, But at such low altitudes the snow must suffer, worn patches, and even icy, if I am right do you guys except that as the norm for an Austrian ski resort ???

Ian Wickham wrote: As you all know I have never skied Austria, But at such low altitudes the snow must suffer, worn patches, and even icy, if I am right do you guys except that as the norm for an Austrian ski resort ???

Have you been to the Arctic? Average elevation around 2300m and it's full of snow :D

ise wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote: As you all know I have never skied Austria, But at such low altitudes the snow must suffer, worn patches, and even icy, if I am right do you guys except that as the norm for an Austrian ski resort ???

Have you been to the Arctic? Average elevation around 2300m and it's full of snow :D

I was really basing my interest at resort level where a lot of resorts are below 1000m, I do like snow at resort level it adds to the whole ambience of my holiday, and no never been to the Arctic I think I'll stick to LGb at least for one more year :wink:

just trying to point out that the amount of snow that falls is a lot more to do with latitude and location than altitude