J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by caron-a

so sorry to hear :cry:
sending good thoughts your way

So, second time in Obergurgl and a lot has changed. In particular, as I mentioned in another thread, they've shifted the whole ski school to where the infamous rope lift was which is now the best button lift I've ever been on (although very busy at school start times obviously). I envisage massive price hikes in the surrounding hotels and chalets, the convenience is unbelievable. You can still choose to meet at the Edelweiss I believe so this makes life easier for both ends of the village.

The snow was wonderful, the piste bashers were out from 4pm until 8am constantly. Unfortunately, we didn't really get the best weather but were actually quite lucky with the temperatures. On our last day it was -22 and only two lifts were open so, as you can imagine with kids, we didn't do a huge amount. The day we left we managed one last walk-on for a couple of much enjoyed gluweins at the top of the Festskogl gondola and it was -18. I wouldn't have liked a week of that.

There is night skiing on a Tuesday. It was only our second day so I passed but the boys did the circuit twice and came back absolutely buzzing. A highlight of the holiday for them (probably because they didn't have to keep stopping for me!)

We were in the same chalet (Verwall with Esprit) and you honestly couldn't get a better location. Our rooms were big and we had a beautiful view. Some of the staff and certain aspects of the chalet left a lot to be desired but not holiday ruining.

The bar at the top of Hochgurgl is stunning, we'd heard a lot of worrying talk about the black and blue down from there but my boys did both and, apart from the very steep top section of the black, thought they were both reasonable.

We didn't do the Nederhutte dinner on the piste basher this year as it clashed with nye which we thought would be good in the chalet, but every Monday, Wednesday and friday they have live music (4 till 6:30ish) and plenty of dancing on tables. We got a skidoo up and back instead of skiing which was absolutely brilliant fun. That was a great evening. The Austrian staff everywhere were fantastic, very friendly and extremely efficient.

My favourite hut anywhere has always been the Nederhutte but I think Davidshutte may have taken over. The skiing around that hut was the best too, definitely the quietest. Talking of which, it was extremely busy, particularly on the many roads/tracks in Obergurgl. Despite this, there was never a queue at the lifts. Good work. The new gondola (the Hohe Mut Bahn) from the village is also exceptional.

Prices varied from place to place. 6 euros for a gluwein at the bottom of the slope into the village but 3.50 euros in an umbrella bar in Hochgurgl. Overall we spent less in bars and restaurants than we did in Tignes.

To summarise, I loved it and didn't want to leave but a little voice in my head says my preference not to revisit is correct and Graham, after years of nagging me to go back, agrees.

Onto the next adventure, 81 days…

photos to follow

30 mins from stansted and 20 mins from Hatfield

Sorry, didn't get home until sunday night (Monarch delay there and back) I'm on my 7th load of washing, christmas presents all over the house, all day at work yesterday and now a son with bronchitis :cry:
I won't be at work tomorrow for that reason so promise I'll upload them then.

Tony_H wrote:I really hope you take to the boarding though so you can really experience a decent week on the snow

Absolutely. Reason number one. I can't stop having these holidays, I love them too much

Having bought mine before christmas and using it in Obergurgl over new year I can tell those of you who are worried how it would feel that mine was extremely comfortable and warm, the ears were lovely. I used the vents on warm days and this seemed to work well too. In fact, on a couple of occasions, I forgot to take it off at lunch :shock:
I know this wasn't the case for Finn and possibly others so I'd advise that you make sure you try it on for as long as possible before buying, I knew immediately when I had the right one on but I still shook my head around and jumped up and down like a loon for quite a while :lol:
I still believe in freedom of choice though.

What a horrid way to start your holiday. I'm glad there was a happy ending for you (though not for scapula's pockets)
Hope you had a great holiday. Washing and repacking now I'd imagine :D

Tony_H wrote:Caron, this might be a silly question, but why do you only ski when the sun is out? Do you own a pair of goggles?

I do but am not particularly fond of them. If we'd only skied when the sun was out we wouldn't have got out much.

View from our balcony:

Now you see it


now you don't


We had a wonderful holiday but my perfect afternoon didn't occur again and my right leg just didn't want to turn. After much deliberation and observation I've decided, for a large number of reasons, to give boarding a go in Arabba :shock:, possibly at Hemel beforehand. Call me mad but it's something I always knew I'd try and now is the right time.

the very best wishes to you all.
here's to a happy decade :D