Niederau info.....

Sorry guys i gather this has been done to death but any help would be really appreciated!! I am a complete newbie to the site haavin come across it whilst searching for info using google,have used other forums in the past like snowheads, but it seems for info regarding Niederau this is the place to ask!!! have a few questions if i may??? :roll: ) very nice site by the way!

Hi Swell, welcome to J2ski. I have been to Niederau, once or twice. Fire away with your questions.

Thanks, think i could be on here a fair bit this winter!!! Basically 8 of us have just booked a week in march (12th till 19th of March at the sonnschein) 3-4 are more or less complete beginners( ie done a lesson or 2 at the local dry slope, and will prob have been to Hemel for a hour or 2 before we go). Now it seems :Niederau is perfect for them (which is why we booked it) but the other 3-4 of us might find things a bit limited, so what what would you suggest for us whilst they are at ski school or practicing on the lower runs??( basically want a day or 2 of hardcore skiing!??) What are our options as far as neighbouring resorts are concerned??? where can we go and what lift pass is the best value??? Any help really appreciated! any suggestions on what else the 8 of us might get up to off the slopes whilst not sking or drinking would be good too??? Sorry, and lastly whats the snow like in March??????

Just read that back and its a silly amount of questions!! Any answers greatfully recieved!!!

The Sonnschein is a great hotel, a bit of a walk up to the centre. Gill Thaler is very attentive to any issues, but the rooms are good. Her husband, Herbert, runs the Harfenwirt, which might have been a better bet location-wise, but that is not a big issue. Herbert plays the harp, and you should figure out which nights he will be playing. The Bichlwirt is 150m up the road from the Harfenwirt, and is a 500 year old pub, run by Herbert's sister, Maria.
Be sure to book any ski school with the Red ski school. This has a terrific reputation. Sepp Schellhorn is the head instructor.
For the experienced skiers, you can get an idea of what the runs are like by clicking on to the www. at the top of my post. It may not be quick enough for you, but it will give you an idea of the standard of the runs. The ski bus runs to Auffach, which offers easier, wide open skiing. One of the reasons I like Niederau, is that I can get much more skiing in a day, than with many other resorts.
You will also find that the local reps are offering a day trip to Hopfgarten, 15 min up the road. This will let you access 250km of skiing.
As for the snow in March, check Iglu snow history.
Anything else, just ask. Keep doing the exercises! Oh, I will probably be there the same week as your group.

Cheers Dave, very happy with your answers and can not wait to get out there!! My mate booked up in a hurry because the rooms were selling fast and the price was right! I think we have found the perfect place tho, for a mixed group of begginers and experienced skiiers! What would you suggest lift pass wise(for us experienced skiiers??) Glad to here you might be out there at the same time cause theres a beer or 3 in this for you!! Also i like the way you ski and would love a go on that speed trap! Seriously gratefull for your help!

You are welcome, Swell, glad to help. The lift pass is the Wildschoenau pass, covers Niederau, Oberau, Auffach.
Have you booked with a tour operator? You can usually buy your passes from the rep, on the bus journey. The price will be as in the brochure. You can compare this with the price when buying at the lift office on:
http://www.schatzbergbahn.at/tarife/winter/en/detail.aspx
The advantage of getting the passes through the rep, is that you will have them delivered to your hotel.
The beginners should not buy a lift pass. The instructor will advise.

You're going to a good place for beginners, definitely.