J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by Wanderer

If it was just the two of you, I would dismiss St Anton immediately for a first trip - you end up paying a premium price for a premium resort when really a small resort is absolutely fine for your requirements and will be a lot cheaper.

However, skiing is a very sociable activity and it is lovely to travel with a group of friends even if you are not able to ski with them. So I think you need to balance the benefits of being with friends versus the downsides of being in a resort that has fairly limited beginner skiing.

BTW, St Anton is a beautiful town

Natalia

Good advice from Dave Mac. If you do pick out one or two resorts that you like, you can post again and ask for views on the individual resorts here. J2skiers have been to most places and are generally extremely helpful

That is scarey. You really do not expect avalanches to cross over popular blue pistes. Hopefully, nobody was killed.

I do remember a few years skiing down a blue piste in Tignes when half-way down, we were stopped while the helicopters flew in, threw dynamite onto a ridge above the slope to try to bring down an overhang or something. If didn't budge and they reopened the slope. You have never seen a bunch of beginners schuss down a slope with such enthusiasm!!!

You want it all don't you!

If you want apres-ski, then Austria wins hands down. Most resorts will have very lively apres ski and reasonably priced beer - think €4 versus €6 in France.

On the other hand, as the resorts are generally traditional old villages, it can be trickier to get accommodation within walking distance of the lifts.

St Anton is a wonderful resort with the best skiing and best apres ski. However, it is quite big and you really need to pick your accommodation carefully to avoid the need for buses.

Soll is another of my "regular" spots but there are only a very few hotels close to the lift meaning a fairly long walk or a bus.

I think you should be able to get a standard pint of beer for around €6 in most ordinary bars. However, any special beers will bring up the price. If you hit any late night spots, the price can rocket with prices of €10 or more not being unusual.

Hi

I have come across the same problem and have not been able to find any way around it. By coincidence, all the shops seem to charge the same prices :evil:

Perhaps one for the Austrian competition authorities to have a look at :shock:

A few of the shops give you free kit for kids up to 10 and this can soften the blow if you need it.

During the recent bout of snow in Dublin, I spotted a Council van with snow socks on. The driver was extremely happy with their capacity to keep him moving around the city on icy compacted snow. The impression I get is that they are really quite suitable for the occasional compacted snow conditions that we get on these islands. However, I suspect they would not cope very well with a heavy dump in the alps.

Snow chains are like fire insurance. It is highly unlikely that you will ever need them but it will be a complete nightmare if you do need them and don't have them!

My bugbear is the extra charged for them. Its usually about €30 per hiring even though you could probably buy a set for not much more. Its the same story with child seats. My kids need booster seats and I have been quoted as much as €70 to hire one when I can pick one up locally for about €15! I now pick one before I go (and will not bother bringing it back if I am loaded with bags). Unfortunately, chains are not so easy because they are car/tyre size specific and relatively heavy which can be problem with restrcited baggage allowances!