@Langerzug, Ah OK, I thought they still were free, i'd be on the lift over anyway.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@munich_irish, @ulmerhutte, The buses are indeed public transport between St A and Lech, prices were reasonable 4.40 or 7.80 return. We used our ski pass for a trip one evening into St A from St C which was great.
The flexibahn ski route/lifts seemed a longer route to Lech so we used the buses, but enjoyed the journey and scenery. Its a shame that Tirol and Arlberg regions can't organize a ski bus between the resorts though.
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?
@Simon94, There is a geological reason the skibus between Tyrol and Vorarlberg (not Arlberg!) stopped, and this is also part of the reason why the Flexenbahn was build. Yes, really!
The connecting Flexenstrasse is a very vulnerable and very costly structure to maintain. You don't directly realize this in winter, but you do in summer, when almost every year there were (and are) major restauration and reinforcing works going on.
The many ski busses driving between Alpe Rauz and Zürs in the past were a major burden to this road, and this was an -additional- reason why they decided to build the Flexenbahn. (apart from touristic/commercial reasons of course)
@Langerzug, I seem to remember the tourist offices were claiming the Flexenbahn was a big environmental tick as less buses meant less emissions though this rather ignored the effort in constructing the lift and the energy required to power the lifts. Seemed more like green washing to me!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Langerzug wrote:
@Simon94, There is a geological reason the skibus between Tyrol and Vorarlberg (not Arlberg!) stopped, and this is also part of the reason why the Flexenbahn was build. Yes, really!
The connecting Flexenstrasse is a very vulnerable and very costly structure to maintain. You don't directly realize this in winter, but you do in summer, when almost every year there were (and are) major restauration and reinforcing works going on.
The many ski busses driving between Alpe Rauz and Zürs in the past were a major burden to this road, and this was an -additional- reason why they decided to build the Flexenbahn. (apart from touristic/commercial reasons of course)
Absolute crap. The ski buses represent a very small percentage of the traffic that uses the Flexenstrasse in a winter let alone over a year. Trucks and vehicles servicing the communities of Lech and Zurs, additionally tourism, year round, are a much more significant factor in the burden on the Flexenstrasse. The Flexenbahn does not alleviate that at all, nor was it in any way, a reason for the construction of the ski lift link from St. Anton to Zurs.
@davidthornton, "Absolute" and "Crap". Strong words. You prefer your world to be clear and simple, I guess? Thanks anyway.
@munich_irish, green washing, definitely. But Flexenstrasse is also definitely not an easy construction. And it is quite unpleasant when a bus or truck is on the opposite side. Come in summer and you risk waiting times because of reconstruction works. Been there, several times (also on the Lech-Warth side by the way, similar steep slopes)
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@davidthornton, @Langerzug, Take a Chill Pill !
Use the Lifts ..Thats why they built them & you pay in your lift passes why pay even more for easy Bus rides ......
Hit the Apres Ski early ....do not forget to Tip ..empty your pockets and add a 10-20% Tip when paying by card
After all it is free
After all it is free
Morning all. Just looking for some advice on getting from Innsbruck airport to St Anton. I understand that bus from airport into Innsbruck city rail station, then train to St Anton is efficient and economical. Anything to watch out for? We’re out on 2nd Feb, returning 5th.
Given it’s a short trip, would it be wise to focus on a specific ski area, or head somewhere vague and get lost as usual?
We’re staying in the Nasserein area.
Thanks in advance.
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.
We’re both pretty competent beer drinkers who like to have a few skis from time to time. Or vice versa, can’t remember which.
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.
A nice day for sliding..
Unfortunatley (Hohe) Albona is not open (lifts)
Tomorrow (Friday) heavy rain in town & snow aboove 2200M ...
Do not forget top Tip ...
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@Blanch1962, Yep, regular buses to the main station then regular trains every 2 hours, taking about an hour. There are luggage lockers at the main station of you miss a train and want to wander around Innsbruck. The area right outside the main station is not so nice, but it's a short walk to the centre which is great. Depending on how far your accomodation is from the lift you might want to keep you skis and boots in the lockers at the base station. Skiing from Nasserein is great, there's good skiing on that side, it's easy to get across to Galzig and then over to St Christophe or Alpe Rauz, or ski down to St Anton and head up to Rendl. Queues can look long at the base station if you hit it at a busy time but it's a fast lift so don't stress it.
@Blanch1962, assuming you are reasonably competent skiers it would be worth heading over to Zürs one day (get the 08:40 bus saves time in lift queues) look to do Madloch (if snow condition good take the Lech variant)and also Zürser Täli. In St Anton Schindlerkar usually has the best snow (turn right off the piste down from the gondola, sign saying "only for experienced skiers") and is within the compass of most. The Mattun run is pretty good too though often lots of moguls. The Rendl area is a mixture of some easy pistes and a couple of interesting ski routes. For beer drinkers no trip to St Anton is complete without a visit to the Mooserwirt (just above the main Galzig lift station at the side of the main home run) pay the couple of Euros to put you skis in the "cloakroom" (too many skis & poles go missing) if you get enthusiastic with the pop & shots then try to resist the temptation to ski down especially in the dark ,you can get a taxi, (look on YouTube for folk unable to stand trying to ski down!). Base Camp by the lift is an alternative with no skiing required to get home.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Also, beer/music wise, further up the mountain from the Mooserwirt, by the piste 50(blue) is Sennhutte on skier's right tucked away. Same piste, just yards past Sennhutte, is Heustadl on skier's left. Both have live music late afternoon.
Lively Mooserwirt a legend, legendary DJ as well: music Europop. Can seem crammed but beer waiters brilliant.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
We prefer to ski over to Flexenbahn and then onwards. Firstly, that avoids having to walk over to the Bahnhof (the Post Bus no longer goes to West Terminal) and the bun fight getting on. Secondly, if we get first lifts, we enjoy relatively quiet pistes and lifts over to Zürs.
The runs, like Valfagehr and Trittkopf, are still corduroy, so very cruisey skiing. Every now and then you get a few inches of fresh on them, that has come down since grooming. Ego snow.
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?
@ulmerhutte, with car hire the best option is to drive over to Alpe Rauz, take the Flexenbahn to Zurs, and ski over to Lech, Warth and Schroecken. Stay ahead of the St Anton skiers, hit the best pistes in the early morning ahead of the masses, ski 252/253 in courduroy conditions, back over to Lech for lunch (Rud Alpe) or Champagne Spritze back at Zurs.
Thanks all for your time and responses. It all adds to the sense of anticipation.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Scarlet, achtung…staying over in Dornbirn tonight 12C here, monsoon conditions most of the drive from Rotterdam , it’s hot and wet in nether-Arlberg- hope there’s some snow left when we arrive tomorrow!
Only messing - we’ll be heading up high….or skiing in our speedo’s!
@skimastaaah, yeah, everyone has their preferences; none are right or wrong. We prefer to ski over and we don’t have a hire car. We are not long lunchers - our day is for skiing - and we certainly don’t drink at lunchtime. Horses for courses!
When we ski with our StA friends, we sometimes drive over to Zürs and park at Seekopf. That lead to a sublime experience last year. First lift out of Seekopf. We did not see another person from the unload of Seekopfbahn until the Zugerbergbahn. We literally had a private Madloch-Zug run.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Markymark29, ah nice. Almost there then. Yep, it’s been a bit wet today, almost no snow left outside our place I guess you see St. Anton conditions tomorrow then, or rather feel them, as I doubt you’ll see much at all. I think the forecast is better for Sunday, and if it cools down, some more snow next week.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Scarlet, aye, not expecting much this week afraid!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
@Markymark29, hoping you find some decent skiing. It often happens that you go with low expectations and find yourself having a fabulous time. Stay safe, have fun, and don’t thrash all the snow!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Markymark29 wrote:
@Scarlet, achtung…staying over in Dornbirn tonight 12C here, monsoon conditions most of the drive from Rotterdam , it’s hot and wet in nether-Arlberg- hope there’s some snow left when we arrive tomorrow!
Only messing - we’ll be heading up high….or skiing in our speedo’s!
Safe trip Mark! I think the skiing this week might be better than you expect - it's already snowing solidly from St Christoph up, and it'll be the dense base-building type of snow. So once things clear and the snow stabilises again things should actually look pretty good above ~16/1800m.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Yesterday .. Rain allday ..... During lastnight even harder rain... Freeze level dropped urig the night :
Pistes still exist
Off Piste is Cancelled for the forseble future...
Better pray for snow in January.... otherwise rebook for Thailand or Mexico..
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.
December 25
A nice Sunny Day ..
Lente/Spring has come in December .
Feels & looks like April
Unfortunatley there is no (significant) snow in the 10 day forecast upto Jan 2nd and Temperatures will be rising ++++C until Jan 4th at least
The hard rain washed away the snow in the surrounding villages ..
The Pistes on the Mountain still remain in great shape ... The Crews have done a great Job
Avanlanche risk is High 4
Do not be tempted to go Off Piste the whole snowpak will give way. There is NO bonding (perma freezing) with the Ground/Mountain
The Mad Crowd have started to arrive for the busiest week of the season ....so your your short parallel turns in top shape to avoid innevtiabe ice fields (pistes)
Baragain drinks/resturants rates take a break untll the low season--We are move into full on cashcow mode
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Avalanche in Zürs...area Trittkopf
Ten persons are missing...traffic Chaos way to Stuben because of the rescue helis
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@turms2, 9 buried missing, 1 pulled out injured. Heli search apparently called off, bad light. Av 4. Skiing in St Anton today was fabulous on piste am above 1800m.
Does anyone know why Madlochbahn is not open yet? I am staying in Zurs next week (first time) and it seemed to me like the best way to go to ski in Zug and Lech without having to take a bus. Is there another way to go there in case Madlochbahn does not open next week?
Thanks in advance!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@horizon, love the Schindler couloirs. Especially when you exit at the bottom and get the big powder field over to Ulmerhütte
@Docand, Madloch needs a lot of snow, it's very rocky. It is quite common to stay closed in early season (including Christmas/New Year)
There is no other way to get to Lech/Zug. There is the Wiesele skitour (but probably closed too), which ends between Zürs and Lech, from which you still need a bus to get to Lech.
They are working on permits to restructure Madloch and place snow canons. (But not yet this season obviously)
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Mon 26-12-22 17:48; edited 1 time in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@ Langerzug, thanks a lot. Not much snow expected, so I ll have to find the nearest bus stop I guess...
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Langerzug, you've just answered the question I came here to ask. I'm sure the last time I was here, a decade or so ago, there was a Weise Ring that went round Zurs/Lech/Oberlech - or have I misremembered? So Google says it still exists https://www.skiarlberg.at/de/Lech-Oberlech-Zuers/Der-Weisse-Ring but it isn't mentioned on the piste map any longer.
So there's no way to get to Lech from Zurs other than a bus? The number 3 from the look of it. https://www.lechzuers.com/de/ortsbus But we can come back via Rufikopf?
One other question please, is Sonnenkopf open at the moment? It doesn't seem to be interactive on the interactive pistemap... and it's not mentioned on any of the big maps by the main lifts. It is in the Arlberg lift pass area?
Thanks!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
horizon wrote:
While waiting for some snow (I hope!) tonight, I managed to get fresh turns in this small couloir from Schindlergratbahn.
Note: I picked this one due to much lower likelihood of a bad slide. Did some jumps at the top, all looked quite stable.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
I guess you see St. Anton conditions tomorrow then, or rather feel them, as I doubt you’ll see much at all. I think the forecast is better for Sunday, and if it cools down, some more snow next week.