Latest posts for the topic "Talk to me about Austria"

Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:22:02 GMT

Thinking about Austria Next year..But not sure where
I've briefly been looking at Zurs/Lech
I read a post on the best place in Austria and most people rated St Anton ,but on the same note it seems to get slagged off by alot of people
Also been looking at Amade as it seemed quite a large area??
Theres going to be about 8 of us all 40+ skiers & snowboarders prefer red or blue slopes
3x Pas de la casa 1x Sestriere
May be a few bars
We can only do 5 night so not sure if thats a problem in Austria

thanks

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 18:18:22 GMT

Soll or Kitzbuhel from experience. Saalbach and Mayrhofen look OK too. I love St. Anton but it's better suited to advanced intermediates who are prepared to have a crack at some of the un-pisted itineraries. The lift-pass looks much better value when you factor in the ski-routes.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:14:26 GMT

Just as Gaz C wrote St Anton is nice if you want to go off-piste otherwise there are to manu people, the pistes are crowded and a lot of people are there only for party.

I wrote about Obergurgl in another thread, a really nice village, not that many pubs/bar but they have at least a few.
The pistes are practically empty

There are two more videos in the Obergurgl thread.

Solden is in the same valley as Obergurgl, really nice skiing and quite a lot of party in the village.

Lech/Zurs is really nice a little bit more expensive but really nice and they will connect the Lech/Zurs system with the Warth-Schrocken system.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:37:37 GMT

Solden is a good shout. Not sure if any of the major UK tour operators do packages but that shouldn't be a problem if you are d-i-y-ing for 5 nights. Another place that is off the radar of the TO's is Serfaus. That's an area I really like the look of. What I have heard about it is all good.

Right. Better get packing. Have I mentioned that I'm going skiing tomorrow? :lol:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:48:31 GMT

If your not too bothered about having a massive apres scene you might like Maria alm. Largely blues and reds, linked to 3 other small villages, cheap in comparison to a lot of larger areas. One of the quietest areas I've been to regarding lift queues. We went late January last year and could not have designed better conditions. We were knee deep in the soft and fluffy stuff 4/6 days.
Short transfer from Salzburg. Get in touch with their tourist board for info regarding hotels/pensions that are happy to accept part week bookings. I don't think any of the major Brit TO's go there any more.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 05:43:17 GMT

All of the above would meet your need for blues and reds but they are all very different.
I didn't like Soelden at all but that's probably because I'm a woman and the resort seemed full of testosterone-fuelled 30-something males . The nightlife there is accordingly very lively!
Maria Almost is very pretty but I think it's a mainly family resort?
Lech/Zurs will be expensive as is St Anton.
You mention Ski Amade which is the area I know best. schladming has it all and must now have one of the best and most up-to-date lift systems in the Alps given the massive investment for this year's World Championships. You will be able to book in for however nights you want and can choose Schladming town centre with all it's night life, or go to Haus, Rohmoos or Reiteralm where much of the skiing is from your door.
schladming is still run by the locals so they look after you!

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:47:53 GMT

Definitely a few resorts to look at.
I was leaning towards Lech/Zurs but Price is a factor when we book hence Pas and Sestriere.
Interesting about Amade as there doesnt seem to be many reviews about it but it is listed as one off the biggest ski areas ??? are they all linked??

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 10:53:59 GMT

Soll or Mayrhofen if price is an issue. Cheap deals for either to be had except peak season in a great snow year like this one. Both should suit your level of skiing too.

Right. Off to the land of the Mickey Mouser to catch my flight to Geneva. VT tomorrow. 20 cms of fresh reported, and that's in Meribel!!! Smug? Moi? :-D

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:27:40 GMT

wasley wrote:Definitely a few resorts to look at.
I was leaning towards Lech/Zurs but Price is a factor when we book hence Pas and Sestriere.
Interesting about Amade as there doesnt seem to be many reviews about it but it is listed as one off the biggest ski areas ??? are they all linked??
You would probably get the most out of the amade area if you had a car so you could choose a diff starting point each day without having to attempt the buses (which do run to time) between bases. The linking is good but impossible (IMHO) to get from one end to the other in a day and be able to enjoy exploring the areas whilst your at it. Nicer to choose a few areas to start at during the course of a week and explore their neighbouring links at a leisurely pace.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:40:16 GMT

Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I could go on ...... go to Italy 8)

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:57:38 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:50:11 GMT

Are any Austrian resorts Snowsure?

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:23:23 GMT

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

Talk to me about Austria

Sat, 20 Apr 2013 22:21:31 GMT

wasley wrote:Thinking about Austria Next year..But not sure where
I've briefly been looking at Zurs/Lech
I read a post on the best place in Austria and most people rated St Anton ,but on the same note it seems to get slagged off by alot of people
Also been looking at Amade as it seemed quite a large area??
Theres going to be about 8 of us all 40+ skiers & snowboarders prefer red or blue slopes
3x Pas de la casa 1x Sestriere
May be a few bars
We can only do 5 night so not sure if thats a problem in Austria

thanks

I think mayrhofen would be the place for you.
Accommodation available online www.mayrhofen.at and its short transfer from Innsbruck.
All reds and some blues, not easy runs and steeper than many resorts I've been to. Lots to choose from with a big area linked by buses and trains with the main area giving you plenty for 5 days.
Lively town with big choice of bars and restaurants but not rowdy or mental like st Anton, ischgl or Solden for example.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 07:16:08 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:15:50 GMT

Re Amade - the ski
Ass is valid in all resorts. If you go to Schladming, you can ski across 4 mountains that are linked. We've done three in a day but not all 4! So there's a challenge for you! zuachensee is the most snow sure of the Amade resorts and they have just finished for the season. There is also the Dachstein glacier where you can ski al year round. They are about to install a new cable car this summer so next year will be super fast. Mayrhofen is a very sociable resort but is not snow sure, neither is Soell. We have skied on mud in both those places. As you can tell, I love Amade. WE have now bought an apartment in one of the Amedeo villages because we love it there. They are passionate about their skiing and their region and most of the ski instructors are local meaning they really care that you have a good time and the same applies to the entertainment. There are a lot of Eastern Europeans now in Schladming and it has become more blingy but not on the scale of Kitbuehl and St Anton which I think of as fur coat resorts. Ski Club of Great Britain has reviews, as does J2. Some of the big tour operators go to Schladming so you could see what they say. If you pick Zauchensee there is a family ski company, Ski Hillwod who go there. I can't think why anyone would go to France when Austria is so much more fun and friendly. The hotels are way better and the people much friendlier. They have also really invested in the infrastructure and have massive snow making facilities. Goo Luck!

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:14:41 GMT

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

I have dodgy knee's and I am trying very hard this summer to strengthen
them a bit of cycling and some exercise hopefully I will get a few more years out of them, as sixty is not too far away for me :oops:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:00:35 GMT

buntycake wrote: zuachensee is the most snow sure of the Amade resorts

Been looking this morning and my big concern with nearly all the Austrian resorts not just Amade altitude.Most resorts seem below 1000m and mountains peaks only upto 2000m and that worries me.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:03:28 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

I have dodgy knee's and I am trying very hard this summer to strengthen
them a bit of cycling and some exercise hopefully I will get a few more years out of them, as sixty is not too far away for me :oops:

40-48, I didn't start skiing till I was 49 & have done 19 trips & am now 66.I have 2 trips booked for next season & my left knee MCL was torn 3 yrs ago, but still able to ski on 11 months later.

From my experience you could have another 20 yrs :)

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 15:31:54 GMT

You only need to worry about height in Austrian resorts if you go very early or very late season. We have been skiing there for over 30 years and The only significant problem we have had was one New Year when it rained in Soell. Zauchensee is the highest mountain in Amade but many of the Austrian resorts are 'snow holes' and keep their snow ell. Also, the trees protect the snow for longer. If you want to ski at the back end of March or APRIL THEN, YES, YOU MAY HAVE TO GO TO dance if you want to be snow sure but any other time Austria is fine. obergurgl and Zauchensee have longer seasons than most. Also, Obertauern is high but there's not much else there besides hotels and pistes.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:19:07 GMT

Nice 1 Brooksy, I learnt to ski at 49 and board at 50. I will be 55 in July and still going strong. 48 is young, plenty of years left in them

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:13:05 GMT

Wasley
For a 5 day trip you will have to DIY so you have many options. Snow will be fine on over 1000mtr from late December to mid March at least.

I would look at the following:

- Saalbach - http://www.bergfex.com/saalbach-hinterglemm-leogang/
- Ischgl - http://www.bergfex.com/ischgl/
- Solden and Obergurgl - http://www.bergfex.com/soelden/
- Obertauern
- Mayfhofen and other places in Zillertal

Ski Amade is great. It is not all lift linked.
I would look at it as a few separate resorts, that have the same ski pass and are relatively close to each other. Choose one and go:
- Schladming - great and linked about 120km
- Flachau/Wagrain + 10min bus ride to excellent Zauchensee
- Gastein valley: Bad Gastein + bus ride to Dorfgastein
- Maria Alm

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 14 May 2013 18:15:48 GMT

brooksy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

I have dodgy knee's and I am trying very hard this summer to strengthen
them a bit of cycling and some exercise hopefully I will get a few more years out of them, as sixty is not too far away for me :oops:

40-48, I didn't start skiing till I was 49 & have done 19 trips & am now 66.I have 2 trips booked for next season & my left knee MCL was torn 3 yrs ago, but still able to ski on 11 months later.

From my experience you could have another 20 yrs :)

Yep agree with all that brooksy, I aim to ski as long as I can but 66 mate thats really old :wink:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Wed, 15 May 2013 01:50:06 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

brooksy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

I have dodgy knee's and I am trying very hard this summer to strengthen
them a bit of cycling and some exercise hopefully I will get a few more years out of them, as sixty is not too far away for me :oops:

40-48, I didn't start skiing till I was 49 & have done 19 trips & am now 66.I have 2 trips booked for next season & my left knee MCL was torn 3 yrs ago, but still able to ski on 11 months later.

From my experience you could have another 20 yrs :)

Yep agree with all that brooksy, I aim to ski as long as I can but 66 mate thats really old :wink:

You're not wrong Wickers, I use walking sticks instead of poles now & they have to stop the lifts to get me on & off, but the incontinence pants cushion the impact when falling over, so mustn't grumble -)

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Wed, 15 May 2013 07:55:43 GMT

brooksy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

brooksy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

wasley wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Ok ... People that don't smile, Low resorts, fohn winds, poor food .... I caould go on ...... go to Italy 8)

I was orginally think cervinia but as we have already been to Sestriere/Milyway we thought we would try another country..As we are all 40-48 we dont know how many years we have got left in us

You have plenty of years left :thumbup:

My left knee would disagree..But if it comes to that i'll take my GBP9.99 sledge

I have dodgy knee's and I am trying very hard this summer to strengthen
them a bit of cycling and some exercise hopefully I will get a few more years out of them, as sixty is not too far away for me :oops:

40-48, I didn't start skiing till I was 49 & have done 19 trips & am now 66.I have 2 trips booked for next season & my left knee MCL was torn 3 yrs ago, but still able to ski on 11 months later.

From my experience you could have another 20 yrs :)

Yep agree with all that brooksy, I aim to ski as long as I can but 66 mate thats really old :wink:

You're not wrong Wickers, I use walking sticks instead of poles now & they have to stop the lifts to get me on & off, but the incontinence pants cushion the impact when falling over, so mustn't grumble -)

I am not that too far behind you :thumbup:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:56 GMT

I'm with you brooksy...I've a month set aside next year and hope to emulate
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7359508n

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:53:01 GMT

daved wrote:I'm with you brooksy...I've a month set aside next year and hope to emulate
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7359508n

True Daved you will be with me, for a week anyway :thumbup:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:56:11 GMT

Perhaps we should start a 70 plus J2ski club :lol:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:35:41 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:Perhaps we should start a 70 plus J2ski club :lol:

I think that club's already started without us Ian... :lol:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:46:52 GMT

Admin wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:Perhaps we should start a 70 plus J2ski club :lol:

I think that club's already started without us Ian... :lol:

Yeah, we like to give you kids encouragement -)

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:09:16 GMT

I didn't think you were 70 yet Ian

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:16:12 GMT

daved wrote:I didn't think you were 70 yet Ian

I might not look like it with my youthful good looks but I surly feel like it some mornings :thumbup:

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:19:19 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

daved wrote:I didn't think you were 70 yet Ian

I might not look like it with my youthful good looks but I surly feel like it some mornings :thumbup:

" Youthful good looks " perhaps my age is affecting my eyesight -)

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:36:07 GMT

brooksy wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:

daved wrote:I didn't think you were 70 yet Ian

I might not look like it with my youthful good looks but I surly feel like it some mornings :thumbup:

" Youthful good looks " perhaps my age is affecting my eyesight -)

Brooksy you should try my specs they are Rose tinted :D

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 5 Jul 2013 10:55:46 GMT

One of the guys I ski off-piste with is 72 next season - a wicked and fearless skiier. He actually started skiing in the late 1950's.

I am 47 and hope to get another 20 years+ if I live that long etc. I had a knee operation last year but was 100% fine for the last season.

Must admit I rather enjoy doing some jumps in the funpark and when I take my helmet off at the bottom the kids see it's some old git with grey hair.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Fri, 5 Jul 2013 23:26:20 GMT

Good posting with the Lou Batori video, Daved. He was still skiing and racing this winter at 102 years old. Not quite up with Hermann Jackrabbit yet, (skied til he was 109, but they are both greats.)

Lou broke his leg when he was 98, but was skiing the following season.
Anyone not planning to ski into their 90s is a real lightweight....

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 01:04:59 GMT

Just so all you old duffers know ,we've ended up booking Solden 9th - 14th Feb
I nearly gave up on Austria as i contacted at least 30+ hotels/B&B's and they only seem to take Sat-Sat bookings also none of them seem to have twin rooms, doubles only.
At the place i found We've all got our own rooms but there's no reviews on trip-advisor .I found a few German reviews after i booked it and it could be a bit dive??
www.pension-oetztal.at

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 13:23:22 GMT

The Oetztal looks great, a tad expensive, but that won't matter. Wasley, when you say you were looking for twin rooms, did you end up with the required number of single rooms? Many going to Austria for the first time do not realise that an "Austrian twin" is virtually a double bed, or rather two adjoining singles, that do not separate.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 16:55:04 GMT

Dave Mac wrote:The Oetztal looks great, a tad expensive, but that won't matter. Wasley, when you say you were looking for twin rooms, did you end up with the required number of single rooms? Many going to Austria for the first time do not realise that an "Austrian twin" is virtually a double bed, or rather two adjoining singles, that do not separate.

Basically there are 7 of us each with our own rooms with this arrangement ,3 regular single rooms and 4 double rooms used as singles.
I think you are right 99% of the photos showing the different hotel beds have 2x mattresses 2x quilts/pillows but on a double bed so cant be split.
I like my mates but don't want to spoon with them after a hard days skiing.
I've been to Andorra,Bulgaria and Italy and most of the doubles are 2x single pushed together ,there fore can separate .Surely the Austrians are limiting the market if they only provide double beds or are they just more liberal over there with there sleeping arrangements than us brits??

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 16 Jul 2013 23:50:44 GMT

It's just a traditional Austrian thing, Wasley, it was there before anyone thought about markets!
I spent my first season with a series of room mates ~ we had no money, and no choice about the situation.

Not nowadays, though! I usually take an apartment to myself!

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 14:48:43 GMT

GMarc wrote:

My only problem with St Anton, is the slopes I found them busy and some days down right dangerous ..... and I actually saw a bad accident
and I was thinking all week that it was going to come, I actually had a very good time the village is pleasent and the scenery is Mountains which was great and the company was great ....... but would I take my daughter to ski there and the answer is NO .... Too dangerous.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:04:54 GMT

Blimey, didn't realise there was such a risk! Was it the snow? or something else?

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 17:14:34 GMT

GMarc wrote:Blimey, didn't realise there was such a risk! Was it the snow? or something else?

Poor piste maintenance, poor signage and on some parts it was easier to ski the blacks than the blues due to the piste layouts, it seemed like that they do not have to try too hard to fill the resort so they don't .... but again I will say I liked St Anton as a village a nice place to walk around and the prices were not too bad a touch higher than I am used to paying in France ...
the main danger area was the blue run down to St Christoph where the run narrowed down into a funnel, snow was heavily chopped up which made it incredibly difficult for the less experienced, they could solve that problem with a touch of summer piste maintenance if they so wished.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 10:31:11 GMT

Wasley, Solden looks great and was a serious contender for my group of 8 this season, but we couldnt get flights to work out for our northern monkey of the group and instead opted for Bad Gastein.

As for St Anton, its been discussed before, but personally I dont think you'll find many better places with such a huge variety and feel to them.

Yes as Ian says it does get busy, certain slopes in particular, but show me a resort that doesnt have a mental run off (unless you use your brains, have a late beer up top and then ski off when everyone else is busy eating cake, taking a shower, or having a snooze....).

Dangerous? The run into St Christoph wasn't dangerous at all, except in blinding fog, and yes there was a bad accident there one day but that can and does happen anywhere in the mountains: its the people involved not the slope that makes these things happen.

Ian paints to dark a picture of St Anton. With respect, I think this may be because he was injured at the time, and was not able to appreciate much of the area as he was restricted to how much he could ski. With slightly less respect, it is also because he has a tainted view of Austria as a nation because he is of the opinion that everything in France is better in every respect. Each to their own, we have agreed to disagree on that one ;-)

However, please read other peoples reviews on St Anton and do not be put off by the odd person who found it intimidating compared to what they're used to possibly.

Stuben, Zurs and Lech on the area lift pass offer fantastic slopes, many of them deserted much of the time we were there, with a fantastic snow record to boot.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 12:11:10 GMT

I used to go to St. Johann for skiing in the winter but i dont find the time anymore. St Johann is a nice little town with very afordable hotels.

Re:Talk to me about Austria

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 11:16:41 GMT

No I dont paint a dark picture of St Anton, I just expected better from a so called top ski resort, It is just an opinion and not anti Austria ..... perhaps my expectations are too high, but the food is still Cr*p. -)