 Poster: A snowHead
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@biddpyat, Austria is famous for its swinging - bless 'em.
@HoneyBunny, I'm planning next years outings and one of them comes down to a choice between Ischgl (which I've been and - like you - love) and Saalbach which I ain't
I've got similar quote for a decent place in both resorts (in mid March) so it's not about the priiiiice tag. I'm leaning toward Saalbach as I love exploring new places but as you know both places I'd be interested in your view by way of comparison. I love the hard piste skiing in Ishcgl - will Saalbach be too easy?
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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'd highly recommend trying Saalbach. I didn't find Ischgl significantly more difficult, it was just different. There are a handful of decent steep blacks in the Ski Circus, some lovely rolling red runs and also many long runs (the Blue 68 to Viehhofen is up there with the best runs I've ever skied, and it's a blue!). Ischgl has more apres bars and they are ALL packed, but the ones in Saalbach are just as much fun, if less numerous. It also has the best mountain restaurants I've ever been in, bar none.
The other good thing about S-H is that there are many routes down to the bottom from both sides of the valley, not just one - so you don't really get the big crowds all crammed onto one track like in Ischgl.
You also get a fabulous sense of travel in Saalbach as the lifts are so fast. Oh and it's very pretty.
I really don't think you'll be wishing you'd gone to Ischgl instead.
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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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@red 27
If you're going mid-March and that is the only option in terms of dates I would be a little worried about Saalbach....
Not as high and a lot of the slopes are South facing so you could end up with slushy slopes...really not fun...
Slope wise Saalbach is definitely not as difficult as Ischgl...
Agree with HoneyBunny re most of the other points, but I would add for me the lift system in Ischgl was better than Saalbach...no walking or busses required at all in Ischgl...
You do need a bit of walking in Saalbach...
On the other hand Saalbach / Hinterglemm's Apres ski bars on the slopes are awesome!
If you haven't been - try Saalbach - but I would recommend going earlier if possible.
My two pence
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Linked to above -
So we returned from our trip to Ischgl on Saturday….completely knackered!
Trip report / review…
Dates: 31/01/2015 – 7/02/2015.
We were a group of 12 people (10 skiers and 2 boarders) with mixed abilities ranging from early beginners to some pretty advanced skiers.
Some of the group travelled via Munich, with the train to Landeck and then the bus to Ischgl. No issue from their side with this.
We flew to Friedrichshafen, rented a car and drove from there to Ischgl. Flights to Innsbruck was way overpriced by the time we made the booking and transfers we're not an option. Fairly painless, but quite busy in terms of traffic and the trip took 3 ½ hrs instead of the supposed 2hr 10mins.
We stayed in Hotel Garni Caroline – which was very comfortable and is located opposite the lift in the centre of the dorftunnel – so 5 mins to get to Fimbabahn and one of slope 1’s bottom branches ends up 80m above the hotel with an easy walk down the road to get to the hotel.
The other members of our group rented a self-catering apartment above Fire and Ice – on the doorstep of the Silvrettabahn. They were also very happy with this location…
Skiing
My wife and I booked a 3 hr private lesson with mayr for the Monday morning, which was extremely helpful. He is an excellent instructor and the lesson helped both of us a lot with the skiing during the week. Can’t thank you enough mayr!
Depends on the weather as well which slopes are great, but we had pretty decent weather most of the time with two gorgeous days Tuesday and Wednesday…Monday being a day with quite a lot of snow and low vis…
Best slopes –
Blacks – 33, 34, 35, 20, 14b (once you get past the flat section along the top – which isn’t fun late in the afternoon – was very icy when we did it once late in the afternoon). 5 is very nice and good when the weather isn’t playing along and quite easy for a black – good slope though. 14a’s top section is awesome, bottom bit is steep, but not that intimidating – did it early morning so can imagine if it is icy or full of moguls it won’t be fun. We all found 13’s top section to be a lot more intimidating though – definitely get a sense of vertigo standing on the edge. Vis turned poor when we got there early morning and not for the faint hearted – we all had a bit of a brown pants moment! It is however a very nice run if you start from the top of 13 down to the village via slope 1 early morning before slope 1 turns into the M25.
Reds – 1 (early in the morning), 2a, 7, 40, 42, 38, 30, 76, 70 and 80. 80 does have a very very long flat section at the end into Samaun which requires poling / cross country skiing and isn’t a lot of fun, but the rest of the slope makes up for it. 42 has a bit of a flat section at the end, but with enough speed you can get to the end where it joins up with 40 without the need for poling / cross country skiing. The gondola up to the top of Piz val Gronda is spectacular! We used to plan our routes for the day to end up at Paznauner Taja, which has a great Apres ski vibe and is definitely worth a visit. However, I would recommend you leave before 16:00 as slope number 37 has a bit of a steep section mid-way which isn’t fun for timid skiers as it becomes extremely busy after 16:00 and due to the amount of people skiing it in a slightly (or in some cases) severely intoxicated state it is a bit of a hazard. It also flattens out so you do need to build speed to get over the flat section before you hit the short drag lift. Slope 1 isn’t as bad as people make it out, but it is extremely busy and we did see a bad accident the one day. There are different branches though and the one above our hotel was absolutely fine. However 1a’s bottom bit is not great late in the afternoon for the home run and similarly the right hand side of piste 1’s branch is also not great. One girl in our group was knocked off her skis by someone who didn’t even bother to stop and check if she was ok.
Blues – 22 & 23, 11 (early in the morning – becomes very very busy later on), 62 & 63 – 22 & 23 especially are awesome runs…
Slopes which we did not enjoy – 15 – Narrow, was icy when we did it, flat sections – really not a nice slope…
Mountain restaurants:
Alpenhaus – very good food and easy place to meet up
Alp Bella – good chicken, but be prepared to wait a bit if you pitch up after 13:00 – you can smell it as you approach - yum
Paznauner Taja – good chicken and awesome Apres!
Apres ski
We mostly frequented Kuhstahl and Niki’s Stadl which are both excellent. Booked a table at Kitzloch one afternoon, but we were late (need to be there at 16:30) so missed the booking. For both Kitzloch and the Trofana Alm you need to book tables and get there early as it gets rammed with people – very very full – and there virtually isn’t room to stand! Did have a beer at Schatzi and it is interesting and worthwhile to go for a beer there – best to go there, have a beer and watch the ski-show – which is a must watch! Won’t stay for a long session of Apres though at schatzi as it is as described by others a bit blokey and rough…Some of the single guys and girls did go to Freeride though and had a very fun night there. For our last night we also went to Fire and Ice which is a lot quitter early on, but the music is very loud inside so be prepared to lose your voice if you stay for a long session. They do have the nail game though…
Also – no nasty incidents seen anywhere in any of the bars
Didn’t eat out too much, but I do need to mention Restaurant Loba – food is amazing – went there twice!
Overall I would summarize…
Excellent infrastructure and layout – virtually no queues if you get up early…very few drag lifts and most lifts are fast & large chairs…
Excellent mixture of slopes – from nice cruisy blues to a couple of hair raising blacks and quality of snow is awesome due to the height and cool temps
Awesome après skiing in town – but a pity there aren’t more après ski huts on the mountain.
Home run should be avoided late in the afternoon if you’re not a confident skier and even then it does pose a hazard given the amount of people on it
Town itself is pretty and there is something for everyone
Tad more expensive than the other Austrian resorts I've been to...
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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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Yes, overall Saalbach is easier than Ischgl but I meant there are some challenging pistes in the Ski Circus if you want them.
I really wish we'd made it to Niki's Stadl on the last day, but the others had already booked a table in the Kitzloch. Ischgl is certainly up there with the best resorts I've been to, I'd certainly go back. Never went to Freeride either, missed that one!
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@HoneyBunny, @mayr, @Woolies,
Thanks folks... Despite me saying it's not about the money, I really want to go the the Alpin Resort hotel in Saalbach and that's only really affordable from 12/3/16 onwards (via Neilson - the week before is £700 more!) ... I too am a little worried about conditions being a little too 'spring-like' then but I think I'll probably chance it as everything else looks so good.
Nice to have these choices! 
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@red 27, having stayed in that place a few years back when it had just been refurbished, you will be in for a treat.
The 'spa' area and swimming pool are so nice that even if the weather is rubbish, you'll still enjoy it - along with the great food and free bar.
Almost tempted to book this myself.
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@Ross52477, Thanks - good to hear it's as nice as it looks in the brochure. That was my thinking too... If it gets horribly slushy in the p.m. I will retire to the hotel for a swim/gym/spa/lunch/all of the above.
It's time like those when a nice hotel is worth it's weight in €
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Have booked for 29th Mar in the Chalet Zita. Had to go for it now as single rooms are a bit thin on the ground what with it being Easter week.
Looking forward to it 
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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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According to the Ischgl.com events calendar you can see Jan Delay if you're still there on April 5th - who-ever he is.
And in stead of hitting the apres at 4pm on Wednesday you can hit the cable car museum instead! Yea..
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I have seen these posters around too!
From the north of the fatherland methinks.
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You know it makes sense.
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Any recommendations in Ischgl or Galtur for off piste guiding as I will likely want to hire a guide for a day or two while I'm there to make the best of the off piste opportunities?
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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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Schneesports Akademie has off piste specialists
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Poster: A snowHead
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@mayr, ok I will take a look thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Off to Ischgl on Sat and getting a little worried there will be enough snow - only 62cm forecast to fall this week
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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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Skied today. Brilliant powder morning and super off piste. Snowing again now (has been all day) - if we get some sun tomorrow, could be one to remember.
Had some excellent venison last night, and excellent late lunch on the mountain - shocking how reasonable food and drink is here when compared to big French resorts.
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@Harry Flashman, I find that the quality of the food , and the price is so much better than in the french resorts, in all of Austria, enjoy, and I hope you get that sunshine.
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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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Sunshine arranged for 'morning' today 
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Already up, for that bluebird powder day, @mayr!
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Sounds good, I will be out there later this month booked up with Ski Total.
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| biddpyat wrote: |
| @Harry Flashman, I find that the quality of the food , and the price is so much better than in the french resorts, in all of Austria, enjoy, and I hope you get that sunshine. |
I'd agree with that comment also the fact that Austrian resorts are run by adults and not teenagers on a gap year like val'd, it makes a difference. lunch for 3 at idalp came to 45 euro including a few beers.
the knodel sets you up for the rest of the day
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We skied as two adults and two children, and kept forgetting that one meal would be enough between the children, the portions are huge, a soup was enough for me and dh always had lots left over, it was the same in all the places we ate. In general the food was excellent, service was always friendly too.
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That may have been one of the best days skiing I have ever had. Once they opened things up late morning after blasting, endless sunshine, endless powder, steeps, trees and jumps. Knee deep fresh everywhere and some stunning off-piste routes
Absolutely shattered. What a place - the lift-served off piste here is great fun, and short hikes get you to some very fun stuff.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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...and when you are done with the snow .......there is the Apres!
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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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@mayr, apologies that I never got in touch for the lessons: have been enjoying all your fresh snow instead!
Have made a lot if fresh tracks today - but I am still looking at that slalom course above Mittelstation and thinking I should learn how to do it one day.
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@Harry Flashman, no worries. Make the most of the fresh stuff while you can. There is more on the way too. The slalom will still be there when you are ready for it.
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You know it makes sense.
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Well back from another great week in Ischgl - though be some weeks before the liver's fully recovered!
Visibility wasn't the best much of the week because it was snowing but first you can't ski without snow and second this just kept most people off the slopes, the suckers. Monday was the only really bad day though we had a couple where none of the Austria/Swiss border lifts were open, to avoid people going over and getting trapped on the wrong side if the weather got worse and forced them to close. Not the end of the world as we still managed over 100 miles of skiing but did make accessible slopes/lifts busy.
Apres... If you can remember Ischgl apres you weren't really there. Only bad thing to say was that the steak in the steak restaurant was very, very average this year.
Only one of our guys had a lesson in the end but unfortunetly you weren't free mayr 
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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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Sorry, I have been incredibly busy. Glad you had a good time though.
The weather this week is the complete opposite, sunny and warm.
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Poster: A snowHead
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mayr - is this your first season in Ischgl and if not has there been a big jump in the number of Brits?
A couple of years ago it was a handful of people rattling around an empty transfer bus but this year it was over half full. Also we seemed to hear a lot more British voices on the chairs/in the restaurants.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Mjit wrote: |
mayr - is this your first season in Ischgl and if not has there been a big jump in the number of Brits?
A couple of years ago it was a handful of people rattling around an empty transfer bus but this year it was over half full. Also we seemed to hear a lot more British voices on the chairs/in the restaurants. |
I only heard a couple of brit voices, one holding up the lift queue while calling a missing member of party on phone and waving...
quickly pretends not to speak English....
very impressed with ischgl though.
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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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Here's a quick Ischgl apres song ID request.
In the Kitzlock DJ Boris was playing a German song that, from the dance moves seemed to be about driving and thumbing a lift - to what was clearly the music of Kenny Rodgers The Gambler ("You've got to know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run").
Anyone know what the spres song's called?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Ohhh yes, all the Germans knew the actions to that one!! It was a new one to us (and we're pretty well versed in Austrian apres!)
Sorry can't help with the name but we enjoyed trying to copy the moves.
Did you have fun jumping about to the trumpet song too?
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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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That new song really bugged me as I knew I recognised the tune but could place it. Took will Wed. for "You've got to know when to hold'em, known when to humm-hum" crawled out of some dark recess of my brain and that was enough to trigger someone else to say "Kenny Rodgers".
Rather worryingly last Saturday ran:
Arrive in Ischgl on transfer bus.
Check in to hotel and dump bags.
Head to Kitzloch.
Walk up to bar to be greating by Arnot with "Ah, the Enligsh eisbaren! you want to reserve a table for tomorrow night?".
And then we ordered our first round of drinks!
Can't say I remember a trumpet song, just spent all or time trying to remember the lyrics to "Ratatatatatatatatata, tatatata, tatatatatatata"
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They hold the lyrics up on a big card for the people who can't remember them.....however most are too drunk to be able to read them
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Or can't speak German.............!
DJ Boris was great, he actually taught us the actions to the 'Schwim' song and what they meant - we'd been bemused for years!
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Ah, So Ein Schöner Tag...
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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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That's the one!
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Looks like snow forecast between now and end of next week. Not long until I go now on 29th
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FAQ
