@imull, Send me a PM with your email address (or contact me using my website below).
Small hotels that might suit are: Pension Enzian, Hotel Peter, Hotel Koenig.
There is only one catered chalet in Saalbach (we don’t really need them), which is Ski Miquel’s Chalet Christina.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Saalbach has just published its piste map for next season. Apart from the fact that it shows the new Zell am See Express gondola, from Viehhofen up to the Schmittenhohe (but curiously not the piste leading back towards Viehhofen), the only real change from last year’s piste map is that most of the piste numbers have been changed.
This renumbering has not been explained; presumably some bright spark thought it would be a good idea, but I can’t see why. At present any advantage eludes me.
Admittedly I’m biased, because not only had I just about succeeded in memorising the numbers of most of the pistes, but it now means that my guide and suggested itineraries, which I’ve been happily sending on request to fellow-Snowheads will require some careful revision.
No longer will we be getting our kicks on piste 66 - in future it will be piste 166 (doesn’t have the same ring to it!)
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?
@tatmanstours, And the new piste map just does not look as enticing. All the blue shading has gone:
That's our "boys" trip sorted, a week courtesy of Crystal at the Pension Schattberg. Anyone stayed there? Recommendations for dinner/beers/apres?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Poogle, when you think about it, a hell of a lot of work will be involved, changing all the signs and electronic displays (to say nothing of the brain retraining required!) All for what?
I agree that changing the piste numbers is pretty pointless, at least in the short term. Luckily I can hardly remember them anyhow
Another omission which I found strange is that the haven't marked the Zwölferkogel gondola as new.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@espri, I think that they must have given the job to the work experience trainee this year.
Has anyone noticed that they changed piste 2b to 2a (and 2a to 2)? No longer will be able to stand on top of Schattberg, torn between the available options, and wondering whether it will be "2b, or not 2b".
After all it is free
After all it is free
Anyone skied from Schatberg/Limberg to Rammern Alm then down to Vorderglemm?
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tatmanstours wrote:
@Poogle, when you think about it, a hell of a lot of work will be involved, changing all the signs and electronic displays (to say nothing of the brain retraining required!) All for what?
To make more work for themselves — that's why!
Still, I would imagine it's because they have to "Harmonise" piste numbers across Saalbach, Leogang, Fieberbrunn & Zell em See. You don't want to tell little Johnny to meet you for lunch at the bottom of piste number 32, and then find he's in Zell em See, and you're in Saalbach.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
On the Saalbach web site here there are now reasons given for the new "all-encompassing" piste numbering system (as well as descriptions of other developments this year, the Zwölferkogel lift, etc.).
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I thought I was already having a “maximum joyful experience”, and whilst I get Poogle’s point about harmonising piste numbers across the enlarged area, there really is no hope for someone who gets confused between similar piste numbers in what are still essentially two separate ski resorts. Besides which they overcame that problem very sensibly, after the Ski Circus incorporated Fieberbrunn, by prefixing Fieberbrunn pistes with the letter “F”.
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.
My initial thought that it was to enable "area" passes sometime in the future i.e. a certain cost for area 1, area 2, whole area etc...
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
@tatmanstours,
Quote:
there really is no hope for someone who gets confused between similar piste numbers
Don't have any doubt about peoples' stupidity — when I first went skiing with friends in a December many years ago, I was told on the transfer that: "...good news — it's been snowing!". I had no concept that possibly there could have been no snow. DUH.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
NickYoung wrote:
My initial thought that it was to enable "area" passes sometime in the future i.e. a certain cost for area 1, area 2, whole area etc...
Given how cheap the superski pass is, I doubt it. I also can't see Zell wanting a qualifying letter before it's piste numbers. They are the 'premier' destination in that area, after all, given they have a railway station, pond and an actual Bogner shop.....
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@tatmanstours, @JesperErnst
Quote:
1: Is there a blue run from the shattberg x-press middle station to the bottom? On google maps there is a blue run called skiweg Shattberg x-press, but on the map, that area is closed?
There is indeed a run down from the middle station, and well done for spotting it on Google Maps. And yes you are correct, it’s not on the piste map.
I know this, because I tried it for the first time last year! It’s simply a snow covered road that winds its way through the trees all the way to the bottom of the valley. I don’t think it is pisted, rather just flattened by various tracked snow vehicles going up and down to service the middle station.
As you arrive at the middle station, you will see a little sign on your left indicating it; but this is not an official “piste” as such. It’s a long and winding schlep down, but fun. Kids loved it, as they took short-cuts through the trees.
Just be careful at the bottom to read the signs and keep to the right, so that you end-up back at the bottom of the lift. I rushed it, and we ended-up having to catch the bus back to Saalbach
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Just trying to amend all the piste numbers in my documentation. Can anyone work out where piste number 6 is? Also 160?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Piste 6 --- on Schattberg ost there is an unmarked piste (just below the black 7a icon), it splits from 7 and heads to the Schattberg sprinter - could it be 6 ???
piste160 -- just below the H4 Panorama 6er icon (in red )
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 19-08-19 17:38; edited 2 times in total
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?
Poogle wrote:
@tatmanstours, @JesperErnst
Quote:
1: Is there a blue run from the shattberg x-press middle station to the bottom? On google maps there is a blue run called skiweg Shattberg x-press, but on the map, that area is closed?
There is indeed a run down from the middle station, and well done for spotting it on Google Maps. And yes you are correct, it’s not on the piste map.
I know this, because I tried it for the first time last year! It’s simply a snow covered road that winds its way through the trees all the way to the bottom of the valley. I don’t think it is pisted, rather just flattened by various tracked snow vehicles going up and down to service the middle station.
As you arrive at the middle station, you will see a little sign on your left indicating it; but this is not an official “piste” as such. It’s a long and winding schlep down, but fun. Kids loved it, as they took short-cuts through the trees.
Just be careful at the bottom to read the signs and keep to the right, so that you end-up back at the bottom of the lift. I rushed it, and we ended-up having to catch the bus back to Saalbach
I also tried that run for the first time last winter. I was full of trepidation, thinking that they didn’t really want to encourage people to ski it and that it would be challenging. In the event it was like a blue skiweg. If I recall correctly, it was pisted. I was led to believe that I would end up at the bus stop, which indeed I did, and am not sure that there is a route to the bottom of the lift. Indeed, I wonder if that is the reason why the run isn’t well advertised.
I was led to believe that I would end up at the bus stop, which indeed I did, and am not sure that there is a route to the bottom of the lift.
Glad you had fun like me! If one follows the road all the way down, then indeed, you will end-up at a bus stop. But if at some point you take a right across the fields, then you will end-up at the entrance to the tunnel that crosses the road to the Shattberg X-Press. It was sign-posted at the bottom, but I simply did bother to read the signs correctly.
@photuris, Hotel Glemmtalerhof would probably work for you, lovely hotel with good food, nice pool and spa facilities. Great position in Hinterglemm village, easy access to the beginner slopes and also the reiterkogel lift
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@photuris, the Adler is excellent. Stayed there this year and booked again for next. Like how can opt in and out of all inclusive. Food is amazing as are the rooms.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Zur Dorfschmiede has always worked well for us.
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@boabski Their website is a little broken, in that it doesn't actually show me the description of prices of the meals, so I can't tell what is what. Is it totally cool if I just book the room and then on site tell them what meals we want to do? I did email them but never heard back.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Also, does it have a game room that would be interesting for pre-teens or anything like that? Is there a lounge area where someone could just sit for an hour or two and read a book?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Can't remember if there was a game room or not. Lounge area inside, outside and on top floor too. We paid €60 pp a day for all inclusive - worth every penny in my opinion. We did it 3 days so we could fully apres the other 3/4. I think the price is €62/3 this year. It's the best ski hotel I've stayed in.
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.
@photuris, I don't know if you're specifically looking for hotel accommodation. If so, there are several in Saalbach that I can recommend, both relatively luxurious, four star ones with all the usual wellness facilities (the Kendler is one of them), and more modest, three star ones, as well as B&B pensions. I always reckon that location is the top priority, and there is a good choice of centrally-located, ski-in ski-out accommodation.
If you're willing to consider self-catering accommodation, there are a number of British second home owners, who let very nice apartments (very suitable for families looking for a home from home, with Smart TVs, DVD players, games, etc.).
As I'm sure others will confirm, there is a good selection of good, reasonably-priced restaurants, pubs with grub, and take-aways, so Saalbach is not one of those resorts where you need to be in a hotel or catered chalet. In fact sampling the plethora of excellent restaurants, both up the mountain and in the village, is one of the resort's attractions.
Always happy to advise, and also to provide a copy of my comprehensive (20+ pages) to the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn Ski Circus - just send me a PM with your email address.
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
@tatmanstours, I'm looking at everything at the moment, its so hard to choose. I didn't know about Saalbach being good for dining out, we're big fans of sampling local fare!
The biggest drawback to self-catered is the lack of pool/spa, but I'd love to see what you have to suggest. With the Adler its possible to do self-catered if we opt out of the meals but I'm not sure how 2k euros compares to other prices.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@tatmanstours, do you have any information about ski tickets for the new season. Are "point cards" gone after merger with zell?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Nitro, Not as far as I know (although their usefulness and value for money is debatable, at least for most people). When I see a paper copy of the new piste map, I'll know for sure. I'll see if any are available at the Schattberg Xpress or Kohlmaisbahn next time I'm passing.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I've just finished updating my list of recommendations of village restaurants in Saalbach, and I copy it below for anyone who may be interested.
First-time visitors to Saalbach usually have absolutely no idea where to go to grab a meal, so I thought it would do no harm to recommend a few of the Saalbach village-centre restaurants. You can expect a friendly welcome and efficient service in all of them:
Schattberg Stub'n (just over the little bridge on Schulstrasse): a perennial favourite - spare ribs, mixed grills, huge pizzas and much more besides. Reasonable prices.
The Alpzell/Parma Pizzeria (opposite Hotel Kendler in Oberdorf): Unpretentious and popular with locals and visitors alike. Arguably the best pizzas in town, but the menu includes much more. Very reasonable prices.
The Hungry Deer (in Schulstrasse): Owned by a very nice Dutch couple. A friendly welcome and a good menu with reasonable prices. The Crazy Deer pub is conveniently downstairs.
Del Rossi (just opposite the Crazy Deer in Schulstrasse): Beautiful interior. Superb for steaks. Italian feel - great grappa list.
Hotel Peter (in front of Bernkogelbahn, next to Pension Wallner): Traditional Austrian atmosphere. Specialises in steaks and Balkan dishes. Highly entertaining magic show for diners on Friday evenings.
The Soul House/Baeckstaettstall (Up the little hill just behind the Bernkogelbahn lift station): Impressive interior, slightly off the beaten track, therefore often less busy than more central restaurants and with a slightly more up-market feel. House specialties: fondues and smoked spare ribs.
Kohlmais Stub’n (at the far end of Kohlmaisliftweg – turn left off Schiliftstrasse immediately after Kohlmaisgipfelbahn lift station): again slightly off the beaten track, but has an excellent reputation and it’s the restaurant most likely to be recommended and used by local villagers, so booking may be advisable, particularly at weekends.
Il Desco (next to the Hotel Panther in Oberdorf): Only used it a couple of times, but the pasta was excellent.
The Eva Alm (formerly the comparatively unpretentious ‘Jack-in’ bar and internet café, next to the Eva Hotel on the corner as you walk up Dorfstrasse from the village square), has been taken considerably up-market and been turned into a very swish bistro with a friendly, welcoming, informal atmosphere and good food. They also have a very nice dining room with a single large table that can be reserved for dinner parties. Book it for a meal and you won’t be disappointed.
Bobby’s Pub (at the very bottom of the Dorfstrasse): unbeatable value for money pub grub, daily special, e.g. Chilli con Carne 7-8 euros, excellent selection of pizzas for around 10 euros, burgers and kebabs 5-6 euros.
There are many other restaurants (including La Trattoria, Pipamex, and Vitrine, which may appeal respectively to lovers of Italian, Mexican, and Vegan/Organic cuisine). However we don’t tend to use them, so I hesitate to make any recommendation.
There are however some good restaurants along the road (a short taxi journey away) in Hinterglemm, and in the other direction at Jausern/Vorderglemm. In Hinterglemm we recommend the Knappenstube and the Heurigenstube, and at Jausern the Tiroler Buam (which has an excellent reputation).
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 29-08-19 23:36; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
From our experiences last year:
La Trattoria - fairly standard Italian, good service but expensive for even basic wine.
Pipamex - basic Mexican fare for the last 7-8 years, which was entirely empty when we visited, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was converted to something else in short order
Both these, and Vitrine, are part of the Alpenhotel and the staff are interchangeable between them. I can't say I'd recommend any of them, but they are OK.
In Hinterglemm, Zan oid’n Fritz under the Hotel Hasenauer is highly recommended.
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?
Quote:
La Trattoria - fairly standard Italian, good service but expensive for even basic wine.
That's what put us off years ago, along with reports of poor service and rudeness - although that was a long time ago, and I understand that the management has changed, so no longer a criticism.
Quote:
Pipamex - basic Mexican fare for the last 7-8 years, which was entirely empty when we visited, and it wouldn't surprise me if it was converted to something else in short order
Used to be the Arena night club, which Mrs TT and I liked very much. A good Slovenian friend of ours had an excellent band ("C'est La Vie"), which had been the resident band for the season before it changed to the Pipamex, and had also been booked for the following winter season. He was told at short notice that his band's services were no longer required. The owner had evidently decided that a Mexican restaurant was likely to be more commercially successful than a night club. Our friend was not at all happy.
just booked . this last few years weve tended to go to saalbach beginning of march which has always been great fun in the sun but to ring the changes are out 3rd week of january . Different hotel for no other reason than the package with tour company looks good value against self drive , good flight times , dont want to drive in january has helped changed our usual plans. Now just to watch the snow forecasts as unlike self organizing we are now fully booked. will have a look at white weeks nearer the time as enjoy the spring skiing
I left Saalbach the day before yesterday for my three day drive back to Brexitland. There is already a nip in the air and an atmosphere of expectation of the forthcoming winter season. Let’s hope it’s a good one, like last year.
By the way, if anyone’s after accommodation for the weeks beginning 4th January, 8th February, 29th February, or mid-March onwards, get in touch.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@tatmanstours, please could you send me availability for march for 2 people?
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Blighty1066, I’ll send you a P.M.
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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Poster: A snowHead
