Resort choice

Need some advice on resort,we have a group of mainly intermediates a couple of first timers and my two grandchildren aged three and a half and six and a half,we are not looking for a lively night life just a few bars so have narrowed it down to either Scheffau,Ellmau or Westendorf in Austria,your advice would be appreciated . :lol:

Why those three? Be interested to know.

dobby wrote:Why those three? Be interested to know.

What he said

And there are no other resorts that fit the bill?

For the intermediates, I would definitely opt for Scheffau or Ellmau. These get your directly onto the main extensive Skiwelt area which is pretty wonderful for intermediates. Endless supply of blue/red runs with great variety :lol:. The only issue is that the vertical is not great unless you go down to village level :cry:. Worth doing if the snow conditions are good, especially early in the day when they tend to be largely deserted :lol:. I think there are nice beginner areas as well but not sure on that point. Westendorf is a more limited area and while you can get over to the Skiwelt, the other villages are better located in my view. Just don't take the beginners/kids down the home runs in any of the resorts - they are all fairly demanding, especially in the late afternoon when they can be a mix of icy, slushy and mogully :wink:

.....and Wanderer has perfectly summed up why I have always been put off going there, despite the obvious attractions.

Tony_H wrote:.....and Wanderer has perfectly summed up why I have always been put off going there, despite the obvious attractions.

Tony - I don't think you should be so quick to write off what is a great ski area. It really is fantastic for intermediates. Yes, the vertical is not brilliant but then, like I am guessing most recreational skiers, I am not fit enough to ski a long run without a break (or more likely, several of them) anyway :oops: :oops: :oops:. So taking another lift is no real hardship :wink:. The extent and variety of runs makes up for any lack of vertical :lol:.

I know you also have reservations about snow quality due to low elevation. Again, I would argue that the Skiwelt is probably the best area at piste preparation and maintenance. Admittedly, I would not go there earlier than mid-January or later that early March. But between these dates, you are pretty much guaranteed decent skiing conditions on piste :D. When you add in the great value, the great après-ski and easy access from several airports, I certainly think it is a top resort :mrgreen:

I would happily concede that its not a resort for off-piste lovers :!:.

Thanks to you all for your input which is very helpful and informative,the only reason I have chosen these three is because we like Austria and Italy we all like small villages and small hotels with a few bars,also as the organiser for between 14-20 people with different disposable income I have a budget to keep to,I manage to keep to about £830pp to include half board,lift pass and ski and boot hire,less of course for those who have there own equipment.we have just come back from hotel de Champoluc in Italy which is the third year in a row but is no good for beginners or grandchildren,I also don't like paying over £200 for a lift pass,I would gladly take any suggestions from you more experienced and well traveled skiers in either Austria or Italy or maybe Serra Chevalier,one more point we all like skiing on tree lined pistes.