J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Dave Mac

For skiing purposes, it doesn't matter if there is going to be 2cm or 8 cm, from day to day. It matters if there is 30cm or more, particularly when sustained over a few days.

Much more important is the sustaining of low temperatures, obviously for the retention and quality of new snow, but also, in retaining the base, which in most winters, below 2000mtrs, is provided by artificial snow.

Over the years, artificial snow production and piste machine management has improved. This has the benefit of providing good base for the new snow, and for extending the season.

Yes, I look along the line of snow drops, but I also focus along the mountain temperature line.

Dave,

Niederau is a small resort set in the Wildschonau valley. Not many runs, but what they have are true skiers runs, not overly difficult, but they need respect. (This is a bit dodgy, one person's easy run is another person's Eiger)

The runs are north facing, and set in the trees, so they hold the snow well.

I expect to ski 80/90 km a day, excluding lift distance, so you can get some good milage in if that is what you like to do.

You can walk to a lift from almost everywhere in the village. And ski back to close to your accomodation at night. (If you are near the road.) Or during the day, if you want to add/shed gear.

The top of the mountain has three or four old alpine mountain places to eat/drink.

In the village there are old farmhouses, stubles(pubs), plus two or three music/dance bars. At the top end of the village is a 500 year old stuble, the Bichlwirt, my local. Most nights, Herbert Thaler plays harp, sometimes Strauss, sometimes the Beatles.

From the top of the mountain there are great views over the Kitzbuhler alps, and towards Westendorf and the Ski-Welt.

The ski school is very highly rated. It is one of the earliest in Austria. There are actually two schools, and I refer to the red school, not the blue. The instructors speak good English.

At the far end of the valley, lies Auffach, 20 min ski bus ride. This is a higher resort, and there are a fair number of runs including a long run down to the village.

Niederau is the kind of place that if you have been twice, they will remember you, sometimes after a single visit.

I have been there more than 150 weeks, so I may be a little biased......... Hope this helps.

Sorry Tony H, Niederau is too low for you.

Watch out for the bears, which by now are well awake. Squirrels are a bear's delicacy.

Agusl,

You cannot sensibly buy boots over the internet. You would have to be extremely lucky to have them anywhere near a correct fit. Then they would need setting up for you.

I presume that you are using boots just now, maybe renting? If so, maybe keep on doing that, until you find yourself in a position to spend several hours trying new boots.

What is the reason that you cannot buy in Argentina? Or wherever it is that you ski?

I'm not Scottish Tony, I hail from sunny Manchester. Have lived for a long time in Fife, have a Scottish wife, and two Scots for sons.

And yes, I qualify to wear the kilt ~ and do!

Niederau's Harfenwirt is No Smoking in the restaurant area.

In the Bichlwirt, I have no problem in asking people in the front room not to smoke, can't guarantee, but most people oblige.

Nice question Tony.

Always spend my birthday in the Bichlwirt, 18 Jan presents of schnapps, zipfer, etc welcome. Then stay for two & half weeks. Most years that covers the Hahnemkam, and sometimes go over to Kitsbuhle and watch.

Most years, finish off the season with a week and half in Niederau. March is a very pleasant time to ski, and the light & length of daylight is good for painting. A recent problem has been the conversion of valley painting time, to top of the mountain gluewein time, followed by a last run down.

The other couple of weeks are spent in a couple of big areas. My other half likes to ski different runs every day.

However, the small group of skiers in our wee village, has voted to go to America next season. Have skied a fair bit in Colorado and love it. I am being swayed towards Utah, which actually suits me, but I don't think the group have thought through the full effects of steep off piste, and I am not about to enlighten them.

My parameters are, good snow, good runs, strong preference to ski within 50 metres of the door, good atmospere/ architecture, nice beer & pubs, modest cost mountain food, modest cost lift pass.

That is why I return to Niederau, year after year. Why do you think a core of J2SKI folk keep going back? Why don't we have a J2SKI meet up in the Bichlwirt on 18 Jan 09?

They are ski-bobs swal. They are generally used by nursing wet maids, public schoolboys, any pensioner who has both grandparents still alive, and snowboarders with bad knees.

When I worked in Niederau, they were a minor rage, and there was always one ski-bob class a week. The punishment for not performing well during early morning instructor training was to be the ski-bob lehrer. I copped for it one week and took so much stick from my colleagues. My attentiveness during training went up to 100% thereafter.

This went on until a Kiwi guy turned up who actually liked riding the ski-bob. Turned out he fell into one of the categories above.

I'm sure I have a b&w photo somewhere.... but you are not getting to see it.