Latest posts for the topic "Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April"

Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Tue, 6 Mar 2012 23:48:10 GMT

Hi,

Long time reader, first time poster here. I'm going to be in Austria 1st week of April, some business in Vienna then 5 days free then flying out of Munich back to Canada. I'll be with my wife (we usually ski black diamonds or some double blacks in North America - usually Tremblant and Whistler most years) and kids who are intermediate skiers.

We want to get the kids into ski school for at least part of the day so we can ski the harder stuff.

After having done a lot (and I mean a lot) of reading, I am more confused than ever - there are sooo many possibilities. I thought we had settled on Ischgl, but when I check the snow depths, St Anton has a fair bit more (200 cm, 100 cm lower in Ischgl compared to 390 cm, 155 cm in St Anton.

My basic question is - is this just a ridiculous amount of snow and we're quite likely to be just fine and have a good time in Ischgl (or should we start checking out St Anton or one of the gurgls)?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 10:01:45 GMT

i have been to both resorts.last year Ischgl-St Anton and this year ischgl again.lets first talk about the snow.of course st anton will have more snow by then.last year if you remember europe had a huge problem of no snowfall since the end of January.at the end of march most of the resorts in Austria were dry and i went in st anton and they still had a lot.but let me tell you that.i was in ischgl 2 weeks ago and they had massive snowfalls.i cant guarantee that it will stay till April.but i tell you that.if they have a good ammount the ski in Ischgl,the pists,the lifts are much more nicer.in fact i have been to many places,i am an advanced snowboarded and ischgl is one of my favorites.very nice,long and wide red runs and it was never crowded.never waited for a lift.it has been voted as the best ski lift system in europe one year.in st anton many times i had to wait a lot,the pists were crowded and the mountain had some very dangerous points.
let me also tell you something else.your choice depends on what you are looking for.forget about the snow for a moment.st anton has great apres ski life and nightlife.for somebody who wants that and wants the place to be alive then thats the one.ischgl on the other hand hasnt got a big of a choice for apres ski and nightlife.it is quiet,more of a family vacations resort with amazing cosi restaurants with local cuisine(at list if you know where to find them).but nothing else to do.
i would advise you that.wait till the last minute to see the snow conditions.dont worry about hotels.its the end of the season.you find many rooms even last minute and maybe even in a better price.global crises has been there too believe me.i was there on feb which is high season and still they had plenty of rooms.imagine on April.really dont worry.wait by then,check the snow and if ischgl has still good ammount go there.if not st anton for sure.
if you pick ischgl though feel free to ask me for tips.i know some amazing places to dine that is hard to find.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 12:37:11 GMT

Quite frankly both are awesome resorts. I wouldn't be worried about snow reliability in either Ischgl is usually open into May and St A up until the end of April and into May.

Ischgl and St A seem to compete for the liveliest apres in Austria/Alps and it seems to swing from one resort to the other season to season. They are both 'party' resorts but it is avoidable-choose accommodation carefully for this reason and both areas are quite spread out.

Strangely the stats will show you that St A has more blue (easy runs) but I believe that many of these would be reds easily in other resorts. I could prattle on for ages about each resort but will try to summarise a bit. Ischgl has great off piste-St A has more challenging off piste and more of it.

For pisted runs Ischgl has a great variety of runs. And the lift system is really top-notch.

I assume your Canadian and over the pond you like to know your vertical stats-they're about the same. St A pass with Lech and Zurs is a real bonus it's not lift linked but a short bus ride. These along with Stuben (generally some of the highest snowfall in the Alps) are superb areas particularly for intermediates.

In conclusion I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. There has been talk for years now of trying to get a lift link between St A and a resort in the same valley as Ischgl. If you have a car could you do both?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Thu, 8 Mar 2012 01:55:41 GMT

Thank you Den and Griz for your replies. Definitely leaning towards Ischgl now. If you have a restaurant recommendation or 2 that would be great.

We will have a car, so maybe will take a day at St Anton as well - great suggestion thank you!

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:04:34 GMT

Hi again. Was just about set to pull the trigger on a place in Ischgl, but I read a report of only 60cm of base on the lower pistes...although we will have a car, I would prefer to find an apartment/vacation rental near the lifts and may start looking at St Anton again. We'll have our kids with us so apres ski doesn't matter to us (actually we don't want to stay in a noisy area and be awakened by the bars emptying at 3 am). Any thoughts/insight?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:42:21 GMT

Thoughts...that 60cm on lower pistes for mid March is a good depth.
Not sure what your expectations are with this, do you need village slopes with deep snow? Most traditional alpine villages have meadow as village slopes, unlike high altitude French resorts, which are very rocky, and would struggle with 30cm of cover.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:26:00 GMT

That is a good point I guess. I was hoping to ski down to the village, but maybe not realistic in April?

It seems that Ischgl gets less snow, but it tends to stay around longer then St Anton:

http://ski-resorts.findthebest.com/compare/171-600/Ischgl-vs-St-Anton-am-Arlberg

Is this accurate?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:36:42 GMT

As a hugely broad generalisation, I believe the slopes in Ischgl are less steep than in St Anton. Could this account for the snow holding better?

Dons flameproof jacket, helmet on :mrgreen:

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:57:37 GMT

Why would a less steep hold snow better?

Is this because it doesn't run down the slope, but soaks in?

(dons dunce's helmet and stands in corner)
:roll:

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:12:03 GMT

Well it can't run off a less steep slope, can it? As much.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:45:55 GMT

Dids,
I looked it up, and apparently avalanches are very unlikely on slopes less than 25 degrees, so I suppose it is true that the snow sticks better to the less steep slopes.

And, also, during March and April the levels of solar radiation are maximum for slopes nearly 50 degrees (for the latitude of Innsbruck). I only thought of this one because I've been designing a solar panel array. But it is interesting because the optimum slope angle for solar radiation varies both with latitude and time of year. So that the snow on the less steep slopes will actually be less likely to melt in March/April than the snow on the steeper slopes, assuming each slope is facing the same way.

To get back to the original question - Ischgl or St Anton - I haven't been to either but I would have thought they'd both be okay during the first week of April as long as one was prepared to move around the mountain during the day and avoid the sunny slopes after the early morning (as I think Admin said in the thread on spring snow).

At the beginning of April there's bound to be a risk of slush on the lower slopes, so it's a case of either learning how to ski on slush and getting the right skis for it, or avoiding the lower slopes and taking the lifts down the final sections to the resort. Unless of course you go to a resort which is perched up high on the mountain side, like Obergurgl or Val Thorens.

Ally

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:16:50 GMT

AllyG wrote:

At the beginning of April there's bound to be a risk of slush on the lower slopes, so it's a case of either learning how to ski on slush and getting the right skis for it

Ally

I find skiing in slush the easiest kind of snow to ski in. And now you're telling me we need lessons to ski slush or have a change of skis with us for lower slopes?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:31:44 GMT

Tony,
Congratulations on finding it very easy to ski on slush :thumbup:

Ally

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:43:17 GMT

AllyG wrote:Tony,
Congratulations on finding it very easy to ski on slush :thumbup:

Ally

Everyone in our group last week said slush is easy to ski on. Do you find it hard then?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:53:12 GMT

Interesting. I loathe slush and find it the hardest type of snow to ski on/in. Perhaps because I'm old school....

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:00:19 GMT

Tony,
I have just been doing some adding up and discovered that during my entire life I have skied a total of 11 weeks, and I've never skied on slush once!

I guess I must have just been very lucky :D

I was going on what everyone else says about ski-ing slush - people out in the 'real' world and on here.

Maybe you should do one of those opinion poll things on what everyone thinks of ski-ing on slush :?:

Ally

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:11:34 GMT

Ally,
You are a top researcher!

I knew my comment was rather thick, but if Bandit hadn't mentioned steeper slopes I would have assumed both faced different directions, which would also affect the meltng times.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:36:42 GMT

I'm rather fond of slush :mrgreen:

That is until it gets to the consistency of a slush puppy !!!

Was very jealous of a guy in SC last week skiing down Luc Alphand (note: correct spelling this time) - we were pretty much of a match higher up but when it got very lumpy lower down he left me standing :cry:

He was on the BBR, my Fire Arrows just didn't cut through the mush as well at all.
:x

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:19:38 GMT

AllyG wrote:Tony,
I have just been doing some adding up and discovered that during my entire life I have skied a total of 11 weeks, and I've never skied on slush once!

I guess I must have just been very lucky :D

I was going on what everyone else says about ski-ing slush - people out in the 'real' world and on here.

Maybe you should do one of those opinion poll things on what everyone thinks of ski-ing on slush :?:

Ally

Maybe you've never been at a time in the season where its been an issue?

Or maybe we're taking about slush when it actually isnt slush. Cue a debate on what constitutes slush.....

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:40:32 GMT

bandit wrote:As a hugely broad generalisation, I believe the slopes in Ischgl are less steep than in St Anton. Could this account for the snow holding better?

Dons flameproof jacket, helmet on :mrgreen:

Are the slopes in Ischgl not steep enough? We generally like steeps, but the wife doesn't have much off-piste experience, and probably won't want to have a guide. Would St Anton maybe be more appropriate? Are many of the steep runs groomed at St Anton?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 11:13:16 GMT

I like slush :thumbup:

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:40:59 GMT

iandi wrote:

bandit wrote:As a hugely broad generalisation, I believe the slopes in Ischgl are less steep than in St Anton. Could this account for the snow holding better?

Dons flameproof jacket, helmet on :mrgreen:

Are the slopes in Ischgl not steep enough? We generally like steeps, but the wife doesn't have much off-piste experience, and probably won't want to have a guide. Would St Anton maybe be more appropriate? Are many of the steep runs groomed at St Anton?

All marked pistes in St A are groomed. The itinerary dotted routes are not groomed as a matter of course, although we came across one such run that had been and I think for me it took the fun away. Mind you, it was good to blast down it.
Not been to Ischgl but I hear its great intermediate cruising on reds mainly. St Anton has a good mix, with Zurs and Stuben attached with some lovely runs and great off piste.
I really don;t think you can go far wrong with the Arlberg, unless you're a beginner or timid skier.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:44:13 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

iandi wrote:

bandit wrote:As a hugely broad generalisation, I believe the slopes in Ischgl are less steep than in St Anton. Could this account for the snow holding better?

Dons flameproof jacket, helmet on :mrgreen:

Are the slopes in Ischgl not steep enough? We generally like steeps, but the wife doesn't have much off-piste experience, and probably won't want to have a guide. Would St Anton maybe be more appropriate? Are many of the steep runs groomed at St Anton?

All marked pistes in St A are groomed. The itinerary dotted routes are not groomed as a matter of course, although we came across one such run that had been and I think for me it took the fun away. Mind you, it was good to blast down it.
Not been to Ischgl but I hear its great intermediate cruising on reds mainly. St Anton has a good mix, with Zurs and Stuben attached with some lovely runs and great off piste.
I really don;t think you can go far wrong with the Arlberg, unless you're a beginner or timid skier.

Agreed, loved it this January, so booked again for next year although, the snow will not be as good for sure. :wink:

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 22:50:00 GMT

Did you do ski route 18?

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:29:26 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Did you do ski route 18?

Thats, I think, the route that runs down over towards Stuben from St Christoph near the Alpe Rauz chair. No, its on our list to do :wink: Does it have the Tony H seal of approval? :D

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:43:40 GMT

AlistairS wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Did you do ski route 18?

Thats, I think, the route that runs down over towards Stuben from St Christoph near the Alpe Rauz chair. No, its on our list to do :wink: Does it have the Tony H seal of approval? :D

Thats the one, under the Valfegehr chair. Its brilliant fun.
I've got a video Ellistine did on that run. I'll post it when I get a chance.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:54 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

AlistairS wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Did you do ski route 18?

Thats, I think, the route that runs down over towards Stuben from St Christoph near the Alpe Rauz chair. No, its on our list to do :wink: Does it have the Tony H seal of approval? :D

Thats the one, under the Valfegehr chair. Its brilliant fun.
I've got a video Ellistine did on that run. I'll post it when I get a chance.

Yer tis

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:14:48 GMT

Thanks for that it looked great fun. Thats the thing with ski routes there great for transition from piste to safe powder skiing. We did the red ski route down into Zug most days. This was great fun but knackering as last run of the day.

Re:Ischgl or St Anton or ? 1st week of April

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:11:17 GMT

We just returned yesterday and I wanted to follow up. We had a really great time. The kids were in a lesson at St Anton for the first day, and didn't really think much of that ski school - too many kids of variable levels that really slowed things down, so we skied with them the other days - they did great even on the blacks. Had really good weather, bit of clouds for a couple of days, but mostly sun. On the one slightly rainy day, we drove to Salzburg and had a great time (although a fair bit of driving time). Beautiful city!

We spent 2 days in St Anton and 2 in Ischgl. Snow conditions were just a little bit better in Ischgl overall, but not by much. The lower slopes were pretty much the same on both mountains, not that much fun at the end of the day. Good conditions in the upper slopes esp Valuga (St Anton) - our kids really loved Valuga, and the views were spectacular. Iscghl was a better in terms of not waiting at lift lines and the village was a bit better for families, the kids loved the novelty of skiing to Switzerland. Both resorts were slushy in the lower slopes, but we could ski all the way down in both resorts, which is quite impressive this late in the season. Overall both were great (but we think we'll go back to Whistler next year - maybe just because we have our tried and true routine there).