 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone have any experience of XC skiing around Leogang? My wife has been very keen to try it. So we are thinking of a long weekend, her and some friends will XC ski whilst I and others alpine ski! Any recommended beginner XC ski schools in the 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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I too was skiing in the Saalbach Hinterglemm area yesterday. My friends and I skied over from Fieberbrunn and then used the TirolS gondola (allowing me to claim to have been on it on the first day -4th Dec- and last day of its season  ). As might be expected, the south-facing Reckmoos Süd piste wasn't in great condition, with occasional earthy patches and pretty yucky...
We still managed down to the gondola. However, on the way home in the afternoon, it looked as though the piste had been closed. I'm not sure what any skiers from the Saalbach side would do then, though I did see a bus (empty) leaving for Leogang about 14:30.
The skiing on the Saalbach Hinterglemm side was fine and we enjoyed a good run down the Bernkogel. The snow was soft (not surprising when I had seen temperatures up to 28.6°C at lifts) but still skiable...
As Tatman's Tours says, the slopes were very quiet. That, the soft snow and lack of moguls, probably helped my friends (whom I would say are early intermediates) when they skied the steeper sections of the Vierstadlalm piste on the way back to Fieberbrunn...
I must admit, though, that after mastering that, the young member of our party felt he had had enough and we downloaded on the Reckmoos Nord gondola rather than skiing down. We went back there today, however, and skied on the Hochhörndl pistes and later down the Reckmoos Nord piste. It was a true bluebird day, with the pistes still in pretty good condition. The Reckmoos Süd and TirolS gondolas are now closed, so there is no link to Salbach Hinterglemm (where the lifts on the northern side of the Glemmtal are also closed). It was an enjoyable final day for my friends, though again very hot (we went walking at the Pillersee in the afternoon). Here is the panorama view from the top of the Hochhörndl chairlift, the highest lift access in the Fieberbrunn area at 2020 metres...
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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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We left Saalbach last Saturday, the day before the resort closed for skiing. After several days of spring-like weather (I even got out my lederhosen shorts for a stroll in the village!), winter returned for a final flourish, and it was snowing at village level as we left - presumably the final weekend skiers were treated to fresh powder at the top. After a very quiet, almost funereal, mid-week period, Bobby's Pub was buzzing again on Friday evening - a cracking party atmosphere was developing, but, in anticipation of an early start, Mrs TT and I decided to call it a day and tore ourselves away to the strains of Black Magic Woman (Wolfie always seems to start playing good music when we're trying to harness our willpower to leave!)
I would just like to say how enjoyable it has been this season, not only to converse and exchange views and experiences on this forum, but also to meet and occasionally ski and/or apres-ski with some of my fellow snowheads. Looking forward already to next season (and to being able at long last to sit down on the shiny, new Schoenleitenbahn!)
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thanks @espri, As you say, looks promising.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@espri, great post. Any idea whether the cabins are up for general sale?
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@hammerite, There's an idea - a nice tree-house for the kids?
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I did see a couple of cabins at a hotel in Saalbach, so I assume that they are for sale (although earlier I had believed that the whole lift was being sold to another area; that doesn't seem so likely now). You could ask.
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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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| espri wrote: |
Looks promising for next season  |
So how long a day would it be to start from Fieberbunn, ski into the Zell am Zee area and back? Or Vice Versa?
Is that something likely to be feasible for an average skier, or only for those who like to ski pretty fast?
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@alex_heney, It wont be possible to access the Zell am See area by lift next season the Saalbach side. The slope coming from Zell am See will only have a mid mountain lift back up to Zell. Coming from the Saalbach/Hinterglemm/Fieberbrunn side you can ski down to Viehhofen then get the bus round to Zell am See, you will then be able to ski the Zell am See area and ski the whole run past the mid mountain lift back down to Viehhofen.
At the moment from Viehhofen you will have to get a bus back to the Saalbach ski area, so at this point from Fieberbrunn in a day may well be a bit of a stretch. In the future, I believe there will be lifts linking Zell fully into that valley, also linking Viehhofen to the Saalbach area.
See here for the extension first stage plan - http://www.schmitten.at/presse/pressetexte/pdfs/winter-15-16/zellamseexpress/zellamseexpress_infographics_en.pdf
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@alex_heney, AthersT has explained the development well. But once both new lifts, Viehhofen-Zell and Viehhofen-Asitz, have been built I expect it will be a strenuous day to cover the whole area. There's a good deal of ground to cover.
I hope I might manage it - but I'm not sure
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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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@Tatman's Tours, the OH wants one for the garden as a kind of feature/seating area!
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| hammerite wrote: |
| @Tatman's Tours, the OH wants one for the garden as a kind of feature/seating area! |
But they don't have any seats - you have to stand in the Schönleitenbahn. Maybe better as a bar 
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| espri wrote: |
| hammerite wrote: |
| @Tatman's Tours, the OH wants one for the garden as a kind of feature/seating area! |
But they don't have any seats - you have to stand in the Schönleitenbahn. Maybe better as a bar |
Yes, we would add seats, but probably not go to that much effort!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I come to bury the Schoenleitenbahn, not to praise it. I once saw a review of Saalbach on here, and whilst the review was generally complimentary, the reviewer referred to the Schoenleitenbahn as the "box from hell" - something that they repeatedly had to endure after skiing all day and aching for a rest, after coming down piste 2b with burning leg muscles. I've always remembered and empathised with that review when getting in the Schoenleitenbahn late in the afternoon, although, more often than not, I've also felt relieved to have made it with minutes or seconds to spare, and my sense of relief has been quickened by the knowledge that I shall arrive at the top at around 4.15pm, with just enough time to ski down to the Bergeralm before the end of happy hour (4.30pm). I for one shall be celebrating the swish new lift, presumably fitted with heated seats, and I would have very mixed feelings about having one of the dearly departed "boxes from hell" adorning my garden.
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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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I'm delighted both by its replacement, and by the new link into Zell - as long as the gondolas are indeed being shipped out. If it also solves the queueing problems here, so much the better.
I commented here on the Bernkogel T-bars and they replaced them with an excellent chair. I commented here on the very steep Rosswald T-bar, and they put a chair in instead.
Now all I can wish for is the replacement of the Zwolfernord gondola cars with a seated version 
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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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@ousekjarr, ....and of course the replacement of the Kohlmaisgipfelbahn with a seated version (which I understand is on their "to do" list in the next few years).
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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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Doesn't bother me - there are so many lifts on that side of the valley that I've only used it once in 7 weeks of trips...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@ousekjarr, However it's the main lift on the north side, and, for those staying in Saalbach, it's the only way (apart from the antiquated, slow, 3-seater chair that runs parallel to it) of accessing the Kohlmais mountain and skiing the network of easy pistes that offer a progression from the nursery slopes, and of course also going in the direction of Leogang. (oh, and it's directly opposite our front door, but it would be selfish to yearn for an upgrade for that reason alone )
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Especially for disciples of the Hinterhag Alm - situated at the top of Saalbach's nursery slopes and possibly the best apres-ski venue in the Alps! https://quik.gopro.com/v/ihpsCnatBK/
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Hi fellow SH's...
I was hoping you could assist me with some inside knowledge and recommendations.
I am looking for a luxurious self catering apartment/chalet in Saalbach for a week between late January and mid March (dates flexible). We are all in our early 30s and value closeness to slopes, beautiful views and clean/modern facilities.
Thanks in advance!
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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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@rrd3718, We may be able to assist, depending on numbers. E-mail me - web address below.
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@rrd3718, Here you go: http://www.chalets-saalbach.at/
Brand new and ski in and out.
There are very few chalets in Saalbach. You will find more in Hinterglemm - but that is not as pretty as Saalbach.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@rrd3718, Those apartments, suggested by @PeDaSp, are near to ours - also ski-in ski-out and with panoramic views (like ours), but a little way up the mountain. They certainly seem to be luxuriously appointed, but the prices are more than twice the going rate for a nice apartment. Also you have a tedious uphill walk to get back from the village in the evening (unless you use a car or taxi). (Also I wonder if they have Smart, internet-ready TVs and blue-ray players )
If, by "chalet", you mean a British-run catered chalet, there are very few to be found in Austria (except for St Anton), as the other accommodation is so good, and the places to eat so plentiful and reasonably-priced, that they are not needed. To some extent it depends on what you prefer.
As I said, if you e-mail me, I'll see if we can assist, and, at the very least, will point you in the right direction. I'll also send you a copy of our comprehensive guide to Saalbach, which other Snowheads have been kind enough to say nice things about
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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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@PeDaSp thank you for your response, I have emailed you!
@Tatman's Tours thank you for your reply, i will email you shortly! We aren't looking for a catered chalet.
Roland
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@rrd3718, I have no connection with those chalets at all! Just spotted them online, as there are so few chalets in Saalbach, and they are very well done.
I stay I bit further up the road at the beautiful Hinterhag Hotel www.hotel-hinterhag.at/en/.
@Tatman's Tours is the real specialist about Saalbach. He has great accommodation, and is well respected here at Snowheads. He's your best guide to Saalbach
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Good afternoon Saalbach-Hinterglemm experts. It's many years since I enjoyed a stay in Hinterglemm and the midnight pleasures of the Goatstall, but have the chance to stay in Vorderglemm for a short period next season.
I'd very much appreciate any tips on good places to eat, drink, how to get around etc.
Thank you.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@LOTA, PM me your e-mail address and your wish will be answered! (Incidentally, your obvious final run of the day will be down the sublime piste 68 to Viehhofen, via the excellent Hecherhuette restaurant - provided that the run is open at the time of your stay.)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@LOTA, There is little in the way of nightlife in Vorderglemm, so for apres and nights out, you need a cab into Saalbach. The ski bus finishes at 17.00, although there is a Nightliner service with a couple of busses each night. One big advantage of Vorderglemm is the new Schönleiten lift, which opens this winter and which replaces the old stand-up lift with heated 10-seat gondola cabins.
For what to do generally, send a PM to Tatman and ask for his guide to Saalbach-Hinterglemm, or look at Saalbach.com for the official version.
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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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The cable was being installed today on the new Schönleitenbahn - see the photo in this post on alpinforum.com.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You would think they might have positioned the lift station on the same side of the road as the piste this time! But I can see on Google Maps there is a big building/hotel on the other side; maybe they had issues getting the land on the same side as the piste? If I recall correctly there is a tunnel under the road? Maybe just my imagination.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thank you Tatman's Tours and quinton for your assistance.
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@PeDaSp, It's on the same side as where piste 2b finishes, and people coming down 2b are more likely to be in a hurry (if they're rushing to get the gondola up the other side, as we often are in the late afternoon), than people coming the other way. As you say, there is a tunnel under the road, so, after skiing down piste 61b, you just ski on through the tunnel and then walk up the bank on the other side to the lift station - at least that's what we always used to do, and I assume that the routine will be unaltered (although a travelator would be nice).
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@Tatman's Tours, is it not time you started the 16/17 thread ? 😀
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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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@ribblevalleyblue, I was going to leave it a bit longer, but, since you mention it, no time like the present
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FAQ
