Newbie to J2SKI - Niederau Questions

Hi,

I’m a newbie to this site, so please let me first introduce myself. I live in the South West of England on the Somerset levels (not many mountains here :P). My good lady & I have spent the last twenty three years providing for our offspring (bless em). And now & only now...Well, these last three years have I had the funds to take up something I’ve always wanted to try…...yes you’ve guessed, skiing! Our first ski trip (Bulgaria) as a family was filled full of apprehension :roll:; but did make the Xmas shopping choices that much easier :lol: We’ve been to Bulgaria for the last three years; the first and second year I spent performing free style stunt skiing while doubling up as the entertainment at the same time. I have however, managed to hold on to both legs arms which still appear to work ok ha! ha!
Anyway, we decided on a change for 2009; thought we’d (five of us Shrek-ets) try Austria. We’re off to Niederau on the 24th Jan09 and staying at Pension Enzian (with First Choice, flying from Bristol). A couple or so questions if I may; has anybody on this site stayed in the Enzian? I would be really interested in any views/opinions etc. Does the lift pass require a photo? Are the pistes clearly marked (unlike Bulgaria)? How long does it take to get from one ski area to another by the bus and how often do they run? How far is the gondola from Enzian? Can we take the hire equipment back to our hotel or should it be handed back in at the ski depot each evening? Just a few questions… :D

Shrek

Welcome to J2ski Shrek.

Will do a quick answer just now, then come back to you later.

Our family will be in Niederau at the same time as you, so maybe meet up.

Will try to find out about the Enzian, Jan may know.

Pistes are clearly marked, off piste isn't

You don't need a bus within Niederau. From your experinece, I think you will find one or two visits to Auffach attractive, 20 min on ski-bus, you will be given bus passes by the Enzian.

You don't need a photo for a weeks pass, I need one for my season pass, but nowadays, they just pint a webcam at you and print direct on to the pass.

Got to go

OK Shrek, back on the case, just had to do the ironing and cooking.... :cry:

The Enzian is at the opposite end of thevillage top where I stay, so it's exact location is a bit hazy. I am fairly sure that it is close to either the Ungenarden beginner lift, or to the Lanerkopfl cahairlift. Either way links in one to the other, the lift is only 30 metres from the Enzian, and you will be able to ski back to the Enzian.

Visit: http://www.cpu.woergl.at/members/enzian/eng_start.html

100% the Enzian will have a ski room. All accomodation in Tirol will offer this.

If any other questionsoccur, just contact me.

Hi Dave Mac,

many thanks for the info & link; I found it very interesting. I'll probably be spending a lot of time between now and when we go viewing webcams; how sad is that!

It'll be good to meet up & swap a few stories; let me know where & when.

regards

Shrek (John)

Hi Shrek,

I have (finally) got around to taking a picture that I hope will help you.

This view shows the location of the Enzian and it's proximity to the two nearest lifts:



This is the same info from the air (curtesy of a well known search engine;))



The aerial shot is not so recent and doesn't show the new lift but hopefully you get the idea!

Cheers

Jan

Interesting, prices look good, I'm very tempted.
The only problem, I had a bad experience with Austria on a summer visit about ten years ago, I stayed in a small village outside of Innsbruck for three nights, I stood at a local bar waiting my turn to be served, and they then served everybody else possible even the local dog before grudgingly they served me, when served they were so rude ( drinks slammed down on the bar, I really could not believe it ), my wife and I went and sat outside.
Even the Hotel staff were grumpy, although a beautiful country it was possibly the most unfriendly place I have ever experienced, hence I have not spent any more of my hard earned cash in the country.
As the years go by and the memories fade I am tempted to perhaps revisit and I know reading the posts in this forum I am in the minority with regard to my experience of Austria, maybe 2010 will see my return.
I would be interested if anybody else has experienced Austrian hospitality ?.

I have only had but the best service and hospitality in Austria. I have only stayed in Gotzens and 5 times in Seefeld. Both were great from service and friendliness in the hotels as in the shops,bars, ski hire etc. I feel so at home there I would love to live there.

I stayed in the nicest hotel i've been to skiing in bad gastein, austria and it was lovely! The staff were nice too aswell as the people working in and around the resort! I was in the top group of the adult ski school for 3 half days and every bar 2 of us were austrian. The other was swedish and everyone of them made an effort to talk to me! I also went to wagrain this easter and again had the same response! Go for it is say!