 Poster: A snowHead
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Landhaus Fay is owned and run by SnowHeads, Cacciatore & Schuss in Boots http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=125711
Well, where to start.....
Of all the accommodation options we figured a nice B&B with some local knowledge and friendly hosts would be the best way forward. Landhaus Fay, Nicky & Mark, proved to be an inspired choice. What was also inspired was location of the place. Landhaus Fay is slap, bang in the middle of one of the most dramatic and beautiful places on Earth. The district of Salzkammergut is know as the Austrian Lake District - It is gobsmackingly beautiful, dramatic and 100% geared up for touring around on a mountain bike. No great skills are required as one can choose any amount of easy routes. It is bloody steep in places, so either be fit, or have/hire an e-bike. It really is the best way to get the most out of this stunning area.
DAY 1 - 5 Peeps - Me, The Boss, another couple and a cousin of the couple, all mid 50s, we bike together at least once a week. Left work at 2 ish, went home, loaded pre packed stuff, loaded bikes, drove to Hull, boarded ferry, all 5 ate in our cabin as we had all brought a picnic. A few drinks in the cabin, a drink in a bar on the boat and then to bed. Very quiet crossing, decent kip zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....
Day 2 - Coffee and a Pain au Chocolat at Starbucks on board, a bit of a slow disembark at Europoort, hit the road at 10.00. Good journey down, 1 pee stop, another picnic lunch stop, thunderstorms, another pee stop and then 3 stops to try and buy a vignette, 1 of which we topped up at. TIP, leave buying one until the last service station before the border & know where this is. Arrived 22.15, welcomed by Nicky & Mark, shown to breakfast room where drinks were available and where we had use of plates and glasses as pre-arranged, another picnic. Didn't sleep so well as the brain was wired from the last couple of hours driving in the dusk/dark.
Day 3 - High 20s today. Up & at 'em, lovely breakfast, chat with Mark about a route we had planned and he suggested a detour to take in the Ewige Wand. We had no stuff for a picnic so Mark suggested the lovely http://www.rathlucka-huette.at/ for lunch. A navigational error by me, fairly early in, resulted in an exhausting push up through the woods until we met the track we should have stayed on. We then biked the stunning Ewige Wand track, basically a horizontal gouge in a vertical rock face, nice drop to the Hutte, and a very scenic lunch.  We then climbed and descended all afternoon until we went through the ski resort of Loser, and then up to the Blaa Alm Restaurant. We were pretty tired on arrival but there was some type of band festival on, lots of brass bands of all different sizes. Everyone in traditional dress, a band or group would suddenly strike up a tune, finish and then down their beers. It was fabulous and we fortified ourselves with drinks and strudel.  We than had the most magnificent 12km decent through a gorge back to Bad Ischl. Never have we descended so slowly. It was quite awesome. We showered and then straight out to a lovely restaurant recommended by our hosts. https://www.restaurant-attwenger.at
Tough day 55km and 1500m of climb
Day 4 – Hot again, except Mark guided us on a tour around Wolfgansee from Landhaus Fay  and we rode through some stunning pasture land on the way to the lake. We then had a great lunch at the stunning https://www.fuerberg.com/ by the lakeside just round from St Gilgen. We then had a stonking climb over the hill to St Wolfgang. This was only managed by Mark and I on E-bikes, the other 4 were pushing as it was seriously steep. St Wolfgang was delightful and then we went around to Strobl and had a lovely swim in the lake. Back home and Mark & Nicky joined us for an evening of eating outside (buffet purchased from the local SPAR).
Easyish day 63km but only about 700m of climbing
Day 5 – Drove to Gosau and cycled to the main lift at Russbach, caught the lift up with the bikes, pootled around the tops, some awesome views of the Dachstein mountains, and then ate a picnic lunch up the hill in the most idyllic and private spot – Quite stunning. We pushed the bikes along a foot path (no bikey bit) for about 1.5km, but that was a pretty special,. Stunning hiking out here). 
We descended down to Gosau, cycling the fab Panoramaweg and the plan was to visit Gosausee and the 2 smaller lakes beyond. Thunderstorms were forecast and we had been keeping an eye on the sky as things were closing in. We reached a point in the forest where we could turn right to the Lakes or left to head back to the cars. We ummed and aghhed which way to when when a massive flash and thunderclap helped make our mind up. There was a huge storm right overhead and we dashed at full speed, downhill back to the cars. Just in the middle of loading the bikes the heavens opened and it lashed it down for 36 hrs. The first eating shop we came to was a bike shop with a café inside. We spent a lovely hour in there eating, drinking and chatting with the young owner.
Cut short today, but still 38km with a decent bit of uphill. 
DAY 6 – Pissing Down. One of the party fancied Salzburg, so off we set, via the Salt Mines at https://www.salzwelten.at/en/hallein/ It was a good visit and a great idea to do it on the off day. On to Salzburg….which was a bit of a soaking squib. The rain was just too heavy to do anything really.
On reflection, a day off the bikes was a really good thing. It left us refreshed for more challenges
Day 7 – We cycled a route discussed with the owner of the bike shop we were chatting to on Day 5. We drove 15 mins and then set off. The first hour was all up, but nice all the same. It was a lovely ride through the mountains and then we descended to Altausee, then biked over to Grundlsee, where we picnicked, and then to Bad Aussee, a short ride to a terrific coffee stop at a delightful pension/bar http://www.waldruhe.eu/en/ and then a very leisurely descent down the valley where we had a wonderful surprise. There is a very small lake, Koppenwinkel, https://www.hallstatt.net/about-hallstatt/active-summer-holiday/wanderzeit-en-US/gluecksplaetze-places-of-happiness/koppenwinkel-lake-in-obertraun/ a bit off the trail, but good bike tracks. It was serene, one of the most special places I have been. While there an animated, but very welcome Austrian manged to indicate with sign language that there were some springs nearby where the water was rushing out of the ground. We could hear the loud noise of water which we presumed was a waterfall, and so off we set. We detoured to follow “The Man’s” instructions and came across this river rushing over rocks down the hillside. The Boss reckoned this was it and she dumped her bike and set off up the rough path next to the river. After about half a km we came across the source, which was indeed 3 springs next to each other where the water just erupted from the ground and then set off down the hill at high speed over rough and rocky ground. It was utterly spectacular. Had this been in the UK it would have been a national treasure. I have no idea if this occurs all of the time or just after heavy rainfall.  We then biked to Obertraun, round to Hallstatt, the world famous world heritage site. Very pretty, but full of bloody tourists, but bike is definitely the way to visit here. We then finished with a fab cycle around the Hallstattersee back to the start.   All finished off with another terrific meal, this time at www.agathawirt.at near where we had parked.
A wonderful day, 64km, 1200m of climbing
Day 8 – Mark took us on a guided loop tour from Stroblt to Schwarzsee (stunning) with a coffee and Kaiserschmarren , and then Attersee (gorgeous)  with a picnic at Unterach with one of the nicest swimming spots you will ever see. I simply adored swimming here, a stunning place.  We then visited Mondsee before climbing back over to Wolfgansee and riding around the lake back to the car.
Another 60km+ ride, but fairly easy
Day 9 – Up, quick brekky, sad goodbyes to Mark and Nick. Excellent run through to Europoort – 10.5 hours driving plus breaks. Nice crossing, this time we booked meals. Good nights kip, 2 hours to get through passport at Hull, absolute joke.
This was the best summer holiday. We have ever had
The Salzkammergut is brilliant
Mark and Nicky were top class hosts
One of their dogs is recovering from a big operation and needed constant watching. As a result we spent less time with them both than we would all have liked. They couldn’t come out with us on an evening, but we ate at home twice and we had a couple of great nights in playing board games etc We laughed all week long. They are a lovely couple who seem to have got the balance as hosts just right. They will stay in the background if you want, or they will get involved.
The cost per person of every single expense, including all travel, food, tips etc etc was £790.00 - Unbelievable Geoff!!
Go stay and Landhaus fay – It is fookin’ mint
PS Apologies for the extensive use of superlatives….but it really was that good. Bike is a brilliant way to tour this area.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Great report, thanks!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Frosty the Snowman, sounds fabulous, glad the hip held up.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@T Bar, The new one was faultless, the old one and the knee were helped by drugs and beer
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Sounds like you had fun. Great report!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Should this be in apres?
This is the 2nd mtb thread in piste...
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@abc, You been sniffin' glue again? 
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@Frosty the Snowman, yes I have. But so have you.
Anyone who even look at a ski forum in the middle of summer had been sniffy glue too long. (or rather, sniffling cold snow powder) But NOT realize the irony? That’s a sign the damage is irreversible.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@abc, It's in RESORT REVIEWS & TRIP REPORT btw
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Well I'm bloody glad it's not in Après, as I've got that on ignore. Fantastic report. Sadly I don't think I'll ever be fit enough for that sort of itinerary.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Hurtle, we can do it, I reckon an ebike with one of these and I'd get you up them hills.
We'll get you a better fitting helmet than this though.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Digger the dinosaur,  you like living dangerously?
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You know it makes sense.
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Two hours to get back in to 'Ull someone is taking the Michael. 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Frosty the Snowman, EPIC
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Poster: A snowHead
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 #BikerLife
Actually I think it would make @Hurtle this happy.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 1-08-18 14:34; edited 2 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@admin, should I be glad or sorry that I can't open your link? 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Frosty the Snowman, Looks great, we're doing similar in Arlberg/ Vorarlberg all around St Anton, Warth and Lech/ Zurs early September - Austria is a beautiful country and biking really is the best way to see it. We love the mountain lunches and lakes you just come across and its so quiet! We'll give that area a go some day soon.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Great report. Sounds fantastic!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Hurtle, it's the picture that tells 1000 words 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@x7, damn. I want to see it! Why won't it open for me?
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Sorry @Hurtles - that should be better 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@admin, LMAO!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@admin, where did you buy the brave pills?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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You know it makes sense.
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FAQ
Even got around to washing the ski gear today 