J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

Week in Niederau in July, with my Scouse mate and his Kiwi wife, both live in New Zealand. We were all ski instructors together in Niederau, back in the umpties. We also shared accomodation for two winters. This is their first visit back to Niederau since then.

Plenty of Zipfer bier, and harp music to be had in the Bichlwirt.

However, before then, I have to finish off a watercolour of Oberau church, being done for an Austrian friend. I promised it to him 18 months ago.

Don't really like beach sun baking, uually spend 4 or 5 hours a day swimming in the sea.

Used to kick turn, but you need two good knees for that,so now I rely on almighty jump turns.

Hi Hamish, when are you going? We are there 19th July.

Hi there Hamish,
It isn't clear if you are looking at summer or winter. If summer, I'm not sure that the Vicki remains open. Summer visitors to Niederau tend to be aged UK, or aged Germans. The Vicki does cater for a younger set, (I hear)

If you go summer, the Harfenwirt is good. If you want to know about winter, try contacting the visitor centre at: -
http://www.wildschoenau.com

Alternatively, you could pp Jan, but he might suggest staying at the Auhof, which I might add, looks a pretty good place to be.

Met several J2ers in Niederau, looked into the Vicki, the week you were there, no sign of a kilt, so gave up!

There are several new developments going on this year. There is a new replacement four person chairlift going in place of the single. The Harfenwirt is being extended.

Let me know if there is something specific that you cannot find elsewhere.

Ise, this series is really good, inspirational. Most of us have ambitions to do stuff, and fear of failure holds us back. This is a really good demonstration of "Can DO".

A 2000m climb does sound tough though. In Niederau, at 7.00pm most Tuesday nights, groups of local ski tourers set off at various points of the valley, and head for a stuble at the top of the Marbachjoch. It's only a 700m climb, but remember, this is after a working day.

There follows some music, a meal, a little drinking, and conversation, with a late night ski-down by helmet torchlight. Not on your scale, but definitely sharing your mountain spirit.

Tennis 5 X a week.
Building projects on both of my sons' houses.
Alpine walking, (Niederau in July)
Scottish hill walking, Braemar in June
Some mountain biking
Walking and training our guide dog puppy~new pup every year, just get them to perfection, and you have to hand them over.
Water colour painting
Bird watching
Thinking about skiing~technique, where to go.

Ise wrote

I find that surprising, I was there last week and it was busy with a single room, b+b costing 50 euro a night, selected at random by the tourist office for me. It's easy to get there, easyjet to Innsbruck, train to Landeck-Zams and the postbus up the hill

Yes Ise, but there is a considerable difference between May and New Year prices. My July visit to Niederau is costing nearly three times my normal easyjet cost.

The other influence, i that when organising a group, it is much easier to go with Inghams/Thomsons. Hence the big whack on price.

I appreciate the suggestions though.

Zed, thanks for the Flachau suggestion, will look at this.

Also, caron, thanks for the Obergugl, but at New Year, it is very expensive. This looks like £10-£14 a run, (for me,) there is no calculation for the beginners.

Couldn't quite understand the earlier message caron, ( I've clicked,..........) The "painkillers" you are on for your knee aren't illegal are they?

Only kidding, I really hope you are well on the mend, give us an update.