Tried Niederau this year. Absolutely loved it apart from the limited blue runs. So we're looking for an alternative this year....
Must have.....
Compact traditional village with hotels near to the slopes / gondola (pref ski in / out).
Good atmosphere, a few welcoming bars and friendly people.
Plenty of blues for 3rd week skiers (must be able to ski back down to the resort).
Be within 90 mins of the nearest airport.
3-4* Hotels for
around £80pppn over new year (half board).
Good value for money mountain restaurants (Spag Bol for €5.50 and a beer for €3).
Nice to have.....
Snowsure slopes.
Either a private or public pool / spa that my wife can go to.
What we don't need.....
Lots of queues for the lifts.
100's of km's of Piste
Lots of snooty women in fur coats!
People who take the whole skiing thing too seriously.
So Tony_H and others, where should we go?
Alternatives to Niederau
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Ok so you dont want a big area, so mega resorts are out. I'd also consider going high early in the season to avoid the problems seen in Austria and France this January.
I think you want to look at Saas Fe, but its not ski in ski out, or maybe Obergurgl but thats pricey. Have a look at my fave French resort, Serre Che, and dabble with a glance at Bad Gastein. You might like Courmayeur as well in Italy.
Or what about the Val d'Anivers - Grimentz, Zinal, etc? Speak to Bandit.
Dave, the Niederau and Skiwelt places that you stayed in for half/third of what we paid, were they over new year? If so, can you give us some more info?
Regarding "snowsure" and canons, I disagree. Too many people see snow making and assume that snow is guaranteed. This is not the case, you still need low temperatures for snow making. A few resorts (Bulgaria for a second year at New Year) are finding this out to their cost.
Regarding queues at New Year, again I disagree. This year there were virtually no queues at Niederau and last year there were none to speak of at La Plagne.
Pete
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Started by PeteM in Austria 25-Jan-2011 - 13 Replies
PeteM posted Jan-2011
Lillianenv
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Hi Pete - I skiied in Niederau when I was at school, many years ago. Austria is great but....
Now I still ski (circa 30 years on)..so I would recommend the Aosta Valley (italy- Pila if you have kids at school), Cormayeur (Italy), Banff and Whistler (Canada) and La Clusaz (France)... avoid the expensive ski resorts in France at all costs..perhaps Kitzbuhel in Austria or Grindelwald in german speaking switzerland or Verbier in French speaking switzerland if you are adamant to stay in Europe...
The world is your ski area!! Enjoy..nothing ventured, noting gained.
Cheers L
Now I still ski (circa 30 years on)..so I would recommend the Aosta Valley (italy- Pila if you have kids at school), Cormayeur (Italy), Banff and Whistler (Canada) and La Clusaz (France)... avoid the expensive ski resorts in France at all costs..perhaps Kitzbuhel in Austria or Grindelwald in german speaking switzerland or Verbier in French speaking switzerland if you are adamant to stay in Europe...
The world is your ski area!! Enjoy..nothing ventured, noting gained.
Cheers L
Tony_H
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Well, at new year you're going to queue I am afraid.PeteM wrote:Tried Niederau this year. Absolutely loved it apart from the limited blue runs. So we're looking for an alternative this year....
Must have.....
Compact traditional village with hotels near to the slopes / gondola (pref ski in / out).
Good atmosphere, a few welcoming bars and friendly people.
Plenty of blues for 3rd week skiers (must be able to ski back down to the resort).
Be within 90 mins of the nearest airport.
3-4* Hotels for
around £80pppn over new year (half board).
Good value for money mountain restaurants (Spag Bol for €5.50 and a beer for €3).
Nice to have.....
Snowsure slopes.
Either a private or public pool / spa that my wife can go to.
What we don't need.....
Lots of queues for the lifts.
100's of km's of Piste
Lots of snooty women in fur coats!
People who take the whole skiing thing too seriously.
So Tony_H and others, where should we go?
Ok so you dont want a big area, so mega resorts are out. I'd also consider going high early in the season to avoid the problems seen in Austria and France this January.
I think you want to look at Saas Fe, but its not ski in ski out, or maybe Obergurgl but thats pricey. Have a look at my fave French resort, Serre Che, and dabble with a glance at Bad Gastein. You might like Courmayeur as well in Italy.
Or what about the Val d'Anivers - Grimentz, Zinal, etc? Speak to Bandit.
www
New and improved me
Dave Mac
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Hi Pete, I have been several times to Niederau for half of that price, and this year at the Skiwelt, paid a third of that.
There is some confusion about the term "snowsure". Almost all the Alps are snowsure wit the assistance of snow machines. This even includes places like St Anton.
Oh, at at New Year, you will be unable to avoid lift queues in any ski European ski resort. It is a European holiday. Resorts
There is some confusion about the term "snowsure". Almost all the Alps are snowsure wit the assistance of snow machines. This even includes places like St Anton.
Oh, at at New Year, you will be unable to avoid lift queues in any ski European ski resort. It is a European holiday. Resorts
Saffer
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Try Slovakia. The only negative is the airport. We flew into Bratislava and took a 3 hr train trip to Liptovsky Mikulas. Jasna is the resort in the Low Tatras. The Grand hotel for ski in ski out, or someone like Ed at Skiandsnowboardslovakia.
Absolutely brilliant time and enough sking for a third timer.
By the way, 1 euro 30 for a beer on the mountain
Absolutely brilliant time and enough sking for a third timer.
By the way, 1 euro 30 for a beer on the mountain
Edited 1 time. Last update at 26-Jan-2011
Tony_H
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Just found out that Poprad flights have been suspended because of the recession. Thats a shame. Jasna was getting some great reviews.
www
New and improved me
PeteM
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Dave Mac wrote:Hi Pete, I have been several times to Niederau for half of that price, and this year at the Skiwelt, paid a third of that.
There is some confusion about the term "snowsure". Almost all the Alps are snowsure wit the assistance of snow machines. This even includes places like St Anton.
Oh, at at New Year, you will be unable to avoid lift queues in any ski European ski resort. It is a European holiday. Resorts
Dave, the Niederau and Skiwelt places that you stayed in for half/third of what we paid, were they over new year? If so, can you give us some more info?
Regarding "snowsure" and canons, I disagree. Too many people see snow making and assume that snow is guaranteed. This is not the case, you still need low temperatures for snow making. A few resorts (Bulgaria for a second year at New Year) are finding this out to their cost.
Regarding queues at New Year, again I disagree. This year there were virtually no queues at Niederau and last year there were none to speak of at La Plagne.
Pete
Huwcyn
reply to 'Alternatives to Niederau' posted Jan-2011
Rauris was good for us last year - half-term February time. Queues were bearable, depending on how impatient you are. Furthest hotel less than half an hour bus ride from lifts (including all the pick-ups)
Bant a ni!
Topic last updated on 28-January-2011 at 18:13