Mid Jan

Resort height gives pretty much a guarantee of returning to resort on skis for Zermatt and Saas-Fee, Niederau is a low altitude alpine village at 828m, very different.

Also would most members book a ski package or book separate flights accomodation etc on line

Thanks

Paul

I have turned up "on spec" in Saas-Fee and managed to find a weekend room without too much problem, and I have also visited there on a package with a T.O. For Zermatt I have booked flights and rail travel independently and use the services of the excellent Zermatt Tourist Office.

bandit wrote:Niederau is a low altitude alpine village at 828m, very different.

Im sure Im quoting Davemac/Jan here, but because the slopes in Niederau are north facing they hold the snow fairly well for a low altitude resort so I wouldnt let that concern you to much. 8)

But as bandit said before, it depends what you are looking for pavb2. Niederau is a great place for kids though, as there are plenty of activities (tobogganing, sleigh rides etc). Prices for niederau (certainly through a TO) can be relatively cheap compared to other resorts in Austria though! :D

Hi Pavb2,

I am not clear as to what your are your key criteria.

Have skied Zermatt, Saas Fee, and lived for several winters in Niederau.

There is no other place with a stunning mountain view to compare with Zermatt. It's only bad point are the lift queues up to the Kleine Matterhorn. Many plusses, great views, dominated by the Matterhorn, skiing and lunching over in Italy is really nice, but the link may not always be open.

Saas Fee is a pleasant place, good skiing, does seem prone to piste closure due to bad weather. I reaaly liked Saas Grund, a 10 min bus ride. You get to ski right alongside an open-sided glacier.

Both Zermatt and Saas Fee have retained many of the old Swiss farm buildings right in the middle of the town, and both have heaps of places to spend money.

Niederau is much smaller, the Wildschoenau has only a quarter of Zermatt,s piste lengths, and a half of that of Saas Fee. It has a different, small village atmosphere. You don't take an hour to get up the mountain, and if you choose the right accomodation, you are virtually ski in/ski out. Again, many of the old tirol buildings remain as they were 400/500 years ago. Niederau has just been voted Europe's best village in the "Small and Fine" category, according to the ADAC VerlagReisemagazin. (Information, courtesy of Jan)

Looking at the Inghams brochure, the lowest HB hotel costs for all 3 locations are broadly similar.

All places have their strengths, take your time, and vist them all! :lol:

Hi All

Saas Fee looks like a good option,better rates for half board

Would Geneva or Zurich airport be closer

Also anyone familiar with Saaserhof Golf Hotel

Thanks

Paul

pavb2 wrote:Hi All

Saas Fee looks like a good option,better rates for half board

Would Geneva or Zurich airport be closer

wrap up, it can be cold :D For transport, there's a Swiss transfer ticket which is probably worth looking at. In terms of times, it's best if you work it out yourself! The timetable is at :

http://sbb.ch/en/index.htm

I think Zurich is slightly quicker now the new tunnel's opened.

Could be a spanner in works now had good offer from hotel Mondschein (6 nights for price of 7 for four persons) in Stuben Arlberg in Austria.

Can anyone advise?

Thanks

Paul