Niederau

It wasnt the hotels I was on about. Most bars still allow smoking. Even some resaurants allow it in designated areas ( Which wafts into the non smoking areas) I will not go back to Austria until they bring a smoking ban in all public areas. Which is a shame because I loved the villages and the people. Think France is better for the skiing though.

Personally I wouldn't stay in the Austria again, you can't argue with it's location but there are better quality hotels for less money in the village. I don't know about smoking in the bar area now, we haven't stayed in it since about 2009/10. The Sonneschein have a free storage facility beside the gondola station so walking in ski boots doesn't need to be an issue. Check the Simmelwirt, it's also in the village, near the Austria, I think they have a pool as well.

We stayed in the Harfenwirt several years ago. It's about 5 mins walk (maybe a bit more, I don't remember exactly) from the main gondola and nursery slopes. But there is a ski bus stop right outside the hotel. It has a ski room but you can store your skis and boots at a free facility next to the gondola station. Personally I wouldn't leave my things here overnight. And AFAIR it's not a very big room, and used by several hotels. The Harfenwirt is nice enough. The TO put us in the Annexe, which is across the road from the main hotel. I would describe this as 2 star at the most. Fortunately our room had a plumbing issue which they couldn't fix so we were moved to the main hotel, to a new wing which had a very plush room. I believe these rooms are premium price! If I return I'd consider paying extra for one of these rooms. The hotel has a nice pool. The food was plentiful and ok quality, though they struggled a bit with my husband's vegetarian needs.

I think I'm right in saying that you can just cross the road from the Harfenwirt and take the Tennladen T-bar, then ski from the top of the drag lift across to the gondola.

billip1 wrote:I think I'm right in saying that you can just cross the road from the Harfenwirt and take the Tennladen T-bar, then ski from the top of the drag lift across to the gondola.

Yes you can, as I remember. When we were there the Tennladen T-bar wasn't always open. I think from the top of the Tennladen you take a short 'path' which brings you out on run 19 Marchenwiesen, which is an intermediate run but by that point is an easy slope down to the gondola and ski school area. You just have to be careful when 'merging' onto the run as people are skiing down from the top and are going at a fair pace :shock:

Yes, it's a bit like joining the M6 from a minor road !

billip1 wrote:Yes, it's a bit like joining the M6 from a minor road !

Yes :lol: but not half as bad as going the other way, where the path that takes you from the top of the nursery slope over to the Tennladen T-bar means you have to cross over 19 Marchenwiesen. That was like trying to cross the M6 :shock: :shock:

Tennladen T-bar still not open yet this season.....but my guess is will be operating after this weekend if more snow comes are promised.