J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by buntycake

Hi
The Hopsi Express belongs, I think, to Schi Schule Hopl. Lovely people and typical of them to offer you a lift down.

HI
As regular readers will know, I am a big fan of Schladming and have had many happy holidays there.
As far as I am aware, there are no problems with pedestrians getting access to the lifts. I regularly see walkers and others taking both chair lifts and gondolas.

If you want to be absolutely sure I suggest you email the local tourist office. They will speak English and will be more than happy to help.
While you are there, a trip to the Dachstein viewing platform would make a great day out and would give your partner lots of photo opportunities. There are regular buses to there and to the other 4 mountains which make up the Schladming resort.
Probably best if you stay in Schladming itself as there is more going on at night and during the day. They have really upped their game due to the world championships being held there earlier this year.
Good luck!

Hi
You don't say whether you will have transport during your stay.
Given all the investment that has gone into Schladming over the last 13 years leading up to the 2013 Wordl Cup, I think you will struggle to find such cheap accommodation again. if you have transport, you can go further afield and get something cheaper. there will still be some cheaper accommodation around Schladming but I personally don't know any. I think you should contact the local tourist information. they will have the detailed local info you will need for a search of this kind. Good luck!

You only need to worry about height in Austrian resorts if you go very early or very late season. We have been skiing there for over 30 years and The only significant problem we have had was one New Year when it rained in Soell. Zauchensee is the highest mountain in Amade but many of the Austrian resorts are 'snow holes' and keep their snow ell. Also, the trees protect the snow for longer. If you want to ski at the back end of March or APRIL THEN, YES, YOU MAY HAVE TO GO TO dance if you want to be snow sure but any other time Austria is fine. obergurgl and Zauchensee have longer seasons than most. Also, Obertauern is high but there's not much else there besides hotels and pistes.

Re Amade - the ski
Ass is valid in all resorts. If you go to Schladming, you can ski across 4 mountains that are linked. We've done three in a day but not all 4! So there's a challenge for you! zuachensee is the most snow sure of the Amade resorts and they have just finished for the season. There is also the Dachstein glacier where you can ski al year round. They are about to install a new cable car this summer so next year will be super fast. Mayrhofen is a very sociable resort but is not snow sure, neither is Soell. We have skied on mud in both those places. As you can tell, I love Amade. WE have now bought an apartment in one of the Amedeo villages because we love it there. They are passionate about their skiing and their region and most of the ski instructors are local meaning they really care that you have a good time and the same applies to the entertainment. There are a lot of Eastern Europeans now in Schladming and it has become more blingy but not on the scale of Kitbuehl and St Anton which I think of as fur coat resorts. Ski Club of Great Britain has reviews, as does J2. Some of the big tour operators go to Schladming so you could see what they say. If you pick Zauchensee there is a family ski company, Ski Hillwod who go there. I can't think why anyone would go to France when Austria is so much more fun and friendly. The hotels are way better and the people much friendlier. They have also really invested in the infrastructure and have massive snow making facilities. Goo Luck!

All of the above would meet your need for blues and reds but they are all very different.
I didn't like Soelden at all but that's probably because I'm a woman and the resort seemed full of testosterone-fuelled 30-something males . The nightlife there is accordingly very lively!
Maria Almost is very pretty but I think it's a mainly family resort?
Lech/Zurs will be expensive as is St Anton.
You mention Ski Amade which is the area I know best. schladming has it all and must now have one of the best and most up-to-date lift systems in the Alps given the massive investment for this year's World Championships. You will be able to book in for however nights you want and can choose Schladming town centre with all it's night life, or go to Haus, Rohmoos or Reiteralm where much of the skiing is from your door.
schladming is still run by the locals so they look after you!

As it is not a school holiday next week I suspect there will not be many older children in ski school at all so your son will probably be in with adults. I know the Hopl ski school very well so would you like me to ask them if there will be any teenagers in resort next week?

Even if it doesn't snow again, there should still be plenty left by beginning of March. Dont worry, I'm sure you'll love Schaldming and the skiing to Reiteralm, Hochwurzen and Hauser Kaibling. The list system is as good as you'll find anywhere and the mountain restaurants are really good. We like the Jagastubl on Hochwurzen, the Holzhackerstubl on Planai, the Krumhozhuette on Hauser Kaibling and the Preunegg Stubl on Reiteralm.
I'm off there tomorrow to watch the Giant Slalom World Championship Race. Have fun!