J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by AJ

ParalyticSkiCrazie wrote:Hi - here is my report from Niederau. Got back Sat lunchtime but have been too busy washing and prepping for school to post. We had a really good week - sorry I didn't touch base with any of you - thought I saw Dave Mac but did feel a little shy in approaching just in case it wasn't!!

Tony H has done a fantastic job of describing the ski area and runs and I am with his comments all the way. We skied just the Niederau lifts on the Sunday and New Years Day. The weather on the Sunday was great and we stayed up in the sunshine as much as possible eating up at Markbachjoch. The gentle runs were great for me to get my ski legs back and I particularly enjoyed the reds down to the cable car a few times. Hubby and I managed to get the last T bar of the day up to the top and had a lovely sunset run down.

Monday we went to Hopfgarten - a short 10 - 15 minute drive away to link up to Ski Welt. The car park was full so it took a while to get up. The snow was great and the runs good if not some fairly steep for reds. We ended up skiing the steep black from the Hohe Salve which for a short while was challenging but fine after the initial steepness. We then did some nice cruisy blues down towards Brixen. We enjoyed the long red run down back to the car at the end of the day.

The next day my son had a sickness bug so his GF and sister stayed off in sympathy so Mr PSC and I drove to Kirchberg (around 25 mins). The parking was excellent and close to the Gondola so we were up a lot quicker than at Ski Welt - also the Fleckalmbahn is one long lift from 800 - 1800M. Although a smaller ski are than SkiWelt we preferred it there. There are some great long red and blue runs down into Skirast, Kitzbuhel (skiing next to and at one point on the Hannenkamm was a particular highlight for me!!) and Kirchberg. Another wrong turn and another steep black had to be conquered (no 38)then we skied some other blacks that were not at all bad. Took the kids the next day (New Years Eve) and they enjoyed it too. Weather brilliant sunshine till then.

New Years Eve in Niederau was an experience!! We had dinner (no dumplings were served that night!) and then went into O Malleys. Fearing getting too Paralytic :oops: I suggested we walked up to the Bilchwirt for a drink. At first it looked like a private party with dancing but we were encouraged to go in and I was served an enormous glass of wine by a non smiling lady in a traditional costume. We were amazed at some of the photos on the walls and found it very cosy so stayed for another. We walked down to O Malleys for the New Year and then went outside. I have to say that I was amazed at the free for all fireworks display and can confess to cowering between two cars!

New Years Day - woke up to snow! We ambled up to Mark about 11 o clock and skied again in Neiderau. We tried the black down to the chair but as Tony said had to dodge ice and stones. The top section to the T is great as is the road detour off. We also took the black detour down from the T's. It was fairly quiet and we were able to do a fair few trips all the way down.

Friday we went back to Kitzbuhel and across the 3S which is a fantastic experience. We did not have much time to explore the Jochberg slopes but the ones we did were good. The weather was sunny up above the clouds.

The Allstar Pass is Euro 205 for 6 days and there are many other resorts covered on it if you can be bothered driving. Niederau is a good base for driving to quite a few of these resorts however. The kids really enjoyed the nightlife in N, StadlTreff, O Malleys and the Cave Bar and met up with a number of other teenagers from The Virgin Isles??, Netherlands and Blighty. None of us were too impressed with the food at the Schneeberger - to many liver dumplings and Spatzle :!: Breakfasts were good however. The Hotel Vicky was ok really - very comfy beds and warm considering it was shut! It did feel a bit weird not having a reception or bar open. The new apartments start at Euro's 120,000 and will be between 50m & 90m2 each. See Michael Unger for more details.

I am glad we have tried Austria and really enjoyed skiing the different areas. We are back to St Martin de Belleville in February. It is a quaint village like Niederau but sunnier and with doorstep skiing in the 3V. We also know now that we prefer self catering and it does help save money on going out (we can watch a DVD and have some drinks) and eating (which will be essential in France!!)

Trencher wrote: fresh snow). The one time all bets are off is freezing rain, which coats everything in thick shiny ice. That's rare though.

Trencher

RossF wrote:AJ, where are you looking at whistler for that, could throw you a DIY together for about 6-700.

p.s Banff is the place to go :wink: