We are an mid aged Aussie couple arriving Zurich airport 1pm 18 Dec and are googled out trying to decide where to ski for a week (that we can reach on the day of arrival). St Anton looks to be a bit challenging for my partner who is a 'shaky' intermediate. Engelberg sounds good but may lack variety. Any suggestions appreciated!
BK
Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ?
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Started by Briank in Austria 27-Nov-2010 - 9 Replies
Briank posted Nov-2010
Bandit
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
Welcome to J2ski :D Engelberg will be easy for you to get to from Zurich. The train runs directly to the centre of the resort.
The local reports coming in from there suggest much more snow than usual for this time of year 8)
For an intermediate, Engelberg should be fine for a weeks skiing, with a number of long, easy to moderate runs. There are also several glacier pistes, which were very well groomed, the last time I was there.
If you decide on Engelberg, be sure to call in to the Skiers Lodge to say hi as they are also J2skiers.
The local reports coming in from there suggest much more snow than usual for this time of year 8)
For an intermediate, Engelberg should be fine for a weeks skiing, with a number of long, easy to moderate runs. There are also several glacier pistes, which were very well groomed, the last time I was there.
If you decide on Engelberg, be sure to call in to the Skiers Lodge to say hi as they are also J2skiers.
NoHelmet
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
I find skiing Engelberg will be tough for a middle-aged *shaky* intermediate, honestly now the runs from the Stand-Titlis and Jochpass are steep, fast and demanding. You can't spend all your time at Brunni where all the children go or at Gerschnialp which is not snow guaranteed and hidden from the morning-sun. Engelberg is a lovely resort make no mistake and I like going there year in and out. Nearby Lucern and its lake area are attractive and a good visit in between ski days.
http://www.titlis.ch/upload/titlis_winterpanorama_10_11.pdf
Would propose Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland Jungfrau region high above Interlaken. The majority of the runs are easy and the selection would be larger. There is equally good sight-seing there and Bern the capital a must see is not far.
http://www.myjungfrau.ch/en.cfm/ortsplan/ (click on Winter Map)
There is a train station at the airport and at the centre of both resorts. Check your schedule here: www.sbb.ch
http://www.titlis.ch/upload/titlis_winterpanorama_10_11.pdf
Would propose Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland Jungfrau region high above Interlaken. The majority of the runs are easy and the selection would be larger. There is equally good sight-seing there and Bern the capital a must see is not far.
http://www.myjungfrau.ch/en.cfm/ortsplan/ (click on Winter Map)
There is a train station at the airport and at the centre of both resorts. Check your schedule here: www.sbb.ch
Edited 1 time. Last update at 27-Nov-2010
NoHelmet
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
Forgot, since you are on the Austria Forum:
Check out the Montafon valley in the Vorarlberg area, that's before you get to St Anton, the train also goes to the centre of Schruns. http://www.montafon.at/ViewPage.asp?Site=MONTAFON2&PageID=302&Lang=199
Silvretta Nova at the end of the valley is lovely.
http://winter.silvretta-montafon.at/
Check out the Montafon valley in the Vorarlberg area, that's before you get to St Anton, the train also goes to the centre of Schruns. http://www.montafon.at/ViewPage.asp?Site=MONTAFON2&PageID=302&Lang=199
Silvretta Nova at the end of the valley is lovely.
http://winter.silvretta-montafon.at/
Epsilon
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
Try Lech/Zurs - this gives you plenty of options for a 'shaky' intermediate and the option to go to St Anton as well (all part of the same ski area). You can get the Alberg Express Coach direct from Zurich Airport at 4pm and you will be in Lech for 7pm latest. Alternative get the train to Langen Am Arlberg then a taxi up the hill. In fact I am in Lech myself 14 - 21 Dec so let me know if you want showing round. Regards
PV
PV
SwingBeep
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
Flims Laax Falera might be worth considering http://www.laax.com/en/#/en/home 2½ hours by train / bus from Zürich airport, 220km of mainly long wide intermediate runs. Don't be put off by the unfortunate (for English-speakers) local name for 'peak', which is 'crap'. There's a video review here: http://www.powdertravel.com/review%20Flims%20Laax%20Falera.htm
Epsilon
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
Was also going to recomend Flims - it good for novices/intermediates but apart from limited runs on the glacier it does not open until 18 Dec - and that being the first day it will be packed with weekend snowboarders from Zurich....In fact I used to ski Flims when it used to be quiet but they have opened a huge "lodge" in Laax and it now gets very crowded at certain times...
SwingBeep
reply to 'Austria or Switzerland December 2010 ? ' posted Nov-2010
The weekend of the 18th will certainly be busy, but by Monday all the snowboarders will have gone back to Zürich.
Topic last updated on 30-November-2010 at 14:14