 Poster: A snowHead
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@daisy2836, I would definitely book in advance. If you were going off peak you could probably get away with not, by why risk it? They can get fully booked (especially Feb half term which I know you aren’t going).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@daisy2836, Based on what i've seen so far above i'd definitely say Lech is the place to go for you, if you can fly into Innsbruck then great but beware flights in/ out there can get diverted due to bad weather, thats why we use MUC and ZRH, major Swiss and Lufthansa hubs that hardly ever close, rather than INN which is a regional airport nestled in the Tirol which in December can be very stormy, often at short notice, with delays and 3-4 hour transfers and diversions to places like Friedrichshafen in southern Germany (it happens rarely but it happens).
The other places you mention above like Kitzbuhel, Zell and Seefeld are all great but wont give you the same experience as Lech will, and be as snow sure. Have skied all those places many times especially Kitzbuhel (great place but early snow is a gamble) and seriously Ski Arlberg is the best, especially at that time of year, its high, west of Austria gets better snow than the east (usually), and frequently earlier (which is what you need i'd say). Obergurgl great, high snow sure but not chocolate-box Christmas.
A tip regards Lech accommodation - go on the Lech Zurs website and search accommodation, look at 3* Pension accommodation and go B&B, you dont need to go 4* ++ and pay top money (unless you want all the fancy wellness, silver service and glitz of course) we dont - but choose to stay in small Pensions with a quality breakfast and really relaxed atmosphere (and many have sauna/ steam rooms but not pools), its all walkable from the centre and lifts, very compact. There are many top quality restaurants in Lech and imo its a shame not to try them, you can pre-book. Also book ski school early and also just buy a Lech pass, you are unlikely to need the whole area pass.
Hope that helps.
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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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[quote=“Markymark29”]Hope that helps[/quote]
Yes, super helpful thank you! I looked and seen that there is Pension Zoggeller still available for a decent price and about 7-8min walk to the center of Lech. So seems reasonable. Have to calculate everything, lift pass, rentals, lessons, accom, flight, transfer, food to see if it can fit our budget. It’s a lot of little details!
Because it’s Christmas would we need to prebook all of our meals in Lech? Would definitely do that for dec 24-25 but it seems places get super busy in general...I’m not too sure how to plan booking 7 or 8 nights of meals.
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@daisy2836, no need to prebook them all just for the special ones, note the evening of 24 December is the big local Weinachten celebration, 25th is pretty much a normal day for the locals but bearing in mind it’s an international resort probably book 25th and 26th also.
The place you mention look ideal, regards location it’s in the small hamlet of Stubenbach which is a 3-4 minute free ski bus ride or a walk into Lech, which isn’t s problem you just need to coordinate ski bus times with lessons etc. Should work well, the buses are super regular in all weathers and are on a continuous loop, electric and/ or bio,
Interesting fact - Lech is 100% self powered and has a shared biomass gasification heating system to the buildings, almost carbon neutral - it is actually a net exporter to the grid, pretty amazing given the high location, size of lift system etc.
https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2009/02/24/green-ski-resort-inspires-innovative-renewable-energy-plan/
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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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@daisy2836,
Yes, the Pension Zoggeller looks perfect!
As for evening meals, I would suggest you pre-book the arrival evening (Sat) and certainly the 24/12/19.
We can help with where to choose in the coming weeks, there is a great choice ranging from pizza, local cuisine up to high-end fine dining.
As it happens my wife and I will be in Lech for the same week and would be happy to meet up and offer advice and assistance whilst you are there.
@Markymark29, @Markymark29,
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@Markymark29,
Apologies, fat fingers on my phone.
I meant to say thanks for the article link - interesting.
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@daisy2836, also worth noting that you can generally take restaurant to-go pizzas and/or local meats and cheeses/nibbles/ salad etc from supermarket back to the Pensions. We quite often do that for a chilled out evening. Balcony’s act as great fridges for wine and beers too (so long as you don’t leave out too long and they freeze)! If you do book then PM me and I’ll forward you some ideas for good eateries. Don’t also forget the floodlit toboggan run down to town from Oberlech, usually preceded by a couple of local schnapps, great fun. We’re in St Anton from 27th so could always ski round and say hi!
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Seefeld is good at Christmas. What sort of accommodation were you after?
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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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Seefeld is good at Christmas. What sort of accommodation were you after?
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| Quote: |
I guess I’ll budget in about 5 days of lessons at least. Do people normally book them in advance? Or could we just show up and see how it goes and add more/less as needed?
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Wise to book in advance at busy times. If you make exceptionally fast progress they'd probably promote you to another class. If you just do a few days, then hit some bad weather and busy slopes, you could have really miserable days bumbling round getting nowhere. Good ski lessons are fun, and it takes weeks to get good at it!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Christmas week isn’t that busy but they might not be fully staffed so booking is a good idea.
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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 may get lucky and get virtually a private lesson as our kids did on Xmas and Boxing day (before the hordes appear)
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| pam w wrote: |
| Quote: |
I guess I’ll budget in about 5 days of lessons at least. Do people normally book them in advance? Or could we just show up and see how it goes and add more/less as needed?
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Wise to book in advance at busy times. If you make exceptionally fast progress they'd probably promote you to another class. If you just do a few days, then hit some bad weather and busy slopes, you could have really miserable days bumbling round getting nowhere. Good ski lessons are fun, and it takes weeks to get good at it! |
Its also catch 22
2hr lessons & practice what you learned rest of the day
4hr lessons & push yourselves.
Individual decision as conditions, personal fitness, etc. All plays a part. 1/2 a day on a dry slope or in a fridge is a worthy investment
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You know it makes sense.
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@Cas, @Markymark29, thanks a bunch! Sorry, didn’t get a chance to reply earlier, we’re actually in Hong Kong and there's been a lot going on recently if you’ve seen the news! Will message you both about a potential meet up if we book in Lech, this is such a friendly forum.
We can only find accom from 21-28, which is expected, but we’re wondering what we would do with our time from the 28-31st…any ideas? We would fly out from Zurich or Innsbuck.
Other resorts actually do have accommodation for longer periods which might just be easier, so we don’t have to fit the Saturday to Saturday schedule. Will make our decision in the next few days!
@musher, We were looking at Hotel Helga! I would totally want to go if it was just more guaranteed snow. Perhaps another time.
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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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@daisy2836, there is skiing accessible from Innsbruck and it is a lovely city. We have done a day trip there one year from Obergurgl to visit the Christmas markets which was lovely, you could to worse than spending a few days there.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@daisy2836, Agree with@NickyJ, , you can always catch the fast train from Innsbruck to ZRH after your 2-3 ski days there.
Hope all good in HK, interesting times all over the world, not least here in UK too 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Free public transport from Innsbruck to several ski areas but I think there is a small charge for the bus to the glacier.
Hotel Helga always looked lovely but I haven’t stayed there. Perfectly placed for the beginners area of Geigenbuehel and Birkenlift. Seefeld can be a bit dodgy at Christmas, probably is best later in the season. If you do stay in Innsbruck then it is only a short train ride away approx 30 mins no changes.
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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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@daisy2836, We have done add-on trips to Zurich & Liechtenstien previously and this year are visiting Innsbruck for the first time and are using the train. Zurich is interesting but I don't think it is worth the 3 nights. You would need a hire car for Liechtenstien and I wouldn't say it is a must-see. Also, both are more expensive than Austria.
Innsbruck appears to be your best option as there is skiing nearby- I hope so, Lech/Innsbruck is exactly what we are doing!
Yes, it is sad to see the problems in HK. Mrs Cas visits regularly for work and has many friends there. Stay safe.
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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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@musher, thanks for that ‘absolute shite’
Check the comment by @daisy2836, she is only finding acco 21-28 december....as predicted....
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@daisy2836,
For beginners, the Pension Zöggeler is not that ideal. (It is perfect for intermediates etc.)
The beginners pistes and lifts in Lech are not in walking distance from Zöggeler, you will need the skibus and walk towards the area behind the church. Doable, but not easy walking distance.
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| ster wrote: |
If you end up in Innsbruck have a look at the City cars you can buy
https://www.innsbruck.info/en/sightseeing/innsbruck-card.html
Well worth it if you intend visiting museums and using public transport around the city. Definitely take a trip up the Funicular to the Nordkette ski area just for the view. |
BTW there will be a new 'Ski + City' card coming for this winter. Not sure if all the details are public yet though.
Prices up: https://www.ski-plus-city.com/en/prices-purchasing/prices/
13 ski resorts + the various city/surrounding attractions, starting from €111 for two days.
For reference, two day ski pass just for Stubaier Glacier would be €98.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Wed 28-08-19 10:25; edited 1 time in total
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@Langerzug, actually I did find some accommodation for 22-29 but a lot of it is out of budget or a bit further. it's definitely not impossible though.
Is a 15 minute walk really that bad? I'm not sure what it's like in the snow or if it's all uphill but it doesn't seem that hard/if the ski bus comes every 10 minutes it seems pretty doable.
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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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@Langerzug,
Jeez, years ago you would offer friendly advice but more recently have taken to trolling and offering nothing useful.
What has happened to you?
As for the Zoggeler, I have not stayed there but know exactly where it is, a 10 minute walk into the centre, shallow incline downhill. Probably just over 5 mins to Oberlech cable car, the OP may have lessons up there. Not too demanding surely.
The efficient buses are available if you feel tired at the end of the day, no hardship there.
Bottom line for me is, would I stay there? and the answer is yes. In fact it appears to offer better value than the accommodation I have booked.
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@daisy2836, yes, sunday-sunday weeks are possible too. That’s a recent thing. Yet still limited compared to sat-sat
And 21-31 december is virtually impossible. Just too costly for hosts, because they risk not getting booked 31 dec-4jan
26 december-4 january is the busiest period of the season in skiresorts.
The best accomodations -in all pricecategories- are being booked by regulars a year ahead, especially in the Christmas/New Years period. Many hotels in Lech have up to 90% regulars, with ‘waitinglists’ for the remaining 10%
One of Lech’s most beloved, and expensive hotels, the Almhof Schneider, does not even publish its rates for this period. Just not usefull, it is fully booked with regulars.
As a side note: I would estimate that about 95% of guests in Lech is skiing....might be even more.
@Cas just giving detailed advice, based on detailed knowledge.
Zöggeler’ location is excellent for skiers that are beyond beginner, being close to the Schlosskopflift. But the Schlosskopf is completely unsuited for beginners. (Although I would not want to stay in Zöggeler because it is right next to the main road, and I like to sleep with open window)
And yes, it is pefectly doable, but just not a 7 minute walk to the nursery slopes behind the church.
And Oberlech is not a good idea for beginners coming from Lech. Too much hassle, nursery slopes far from cablecar.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Tue 20-08-19 13:36; edited 4 times in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Langerzug wrote: |
| @Cas just giving detailed advice, based on detailed knowledge. |
So where would you recommend that is a similar price to the Zöggeler for the dates mentioned, where exactly are the learner slopes in Lech?
Isn't the bus stop right next door to the Zöggeler, doesn't the bus take you to the learner slopes?
Couldn't a learner take the schlussköpfe lift and then ski blue 210 to blue 200 down to the centre of Lech to the schlegelkopf Lifts?
https://www.skiarlberg.at/en/interactive-map
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Tue 20-08-19 13:35; edited 1 time in total
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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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@DB, I was referring to optimism about walking distance...bus will be fine (if you’re fine with bus) although you need to walk a bit uphill from the busstop, but not a big thing.
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Sometimes it's not how far the hotel is from the ski piste but how far away it is from the bus stop especially if there is a gradient involved.
Remember one year booking St Anton late and could only get a place for half reasonable money way out in Untergand. The bus was great, instead of fighting through the village getting really full and taking ages the Untergand Bus just shot up the main road. Previoulsy I'd stayed somewhere up a hill in Nasserein which was a right pain when it iced over while trying to carry skis & wearing ski boots.
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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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@Cas,
I think my point is clear, and so is the location of the church.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Langerzug, I'd give up skiing and start snowboarding if I were you, MUCH faster to walk in snowboard boots 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@BoardieK, we don’t have to walk, our acco is ski-in/out 
(Not for boarders by the way, they still need to hike to piste....that is what I’m talking about reg. the many downsides of boarding...)
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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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Just wanted to update you guys since everyone has been so helpful. We’ve actually reserved dec 22-29 with Haus Odo which is right across from the lift and one of the ski schools! It’s halfboard too which I guess is just easier especially if we might be tired from snowboarding. But definitely still want to check out some cool restaurants for lunch.
The ski schools haven’t replied any of my emails but I don’t think they’re really open until September it seems.
Unfortunately, found out my husband’s leave isn’t actually confirmed so there’s a chance we might not even be able to go at all. Luckily the accom has free cancellations at least...
If we do make it there will shoot @Markymark29, @Cas, a message if you’ll be around!
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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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@Langerzug, haha we still have a few months to think about it!
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@daisy2836, have a great time. You'll love it
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@daisy2836,
Well done!
You even have "The Official @Langerzug Seal of Approval" so that takes our walk-time debate out.
I have no experience of the ski schools, but do know the main one - https://www.skischule-lech.com/en/home has an excellent reputation. If this is who you have emailed, I would be surprised if you don't get a reply shortly.
Really hope you can arrange the leave time- you will love Lech.
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Lech is a great place to board, you will have a great time. Just had a look out of my balcony. Your accommodation must be over there close to the cluster of buildings.
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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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@boabski, Thanks!
@Cas, Yep, that's who I've emailed a week or so ago. Oberlech school too so hopefully I get a response soon!
@JimboS, wow cool! yeah I think its just on the edge of the hill.
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@daisy2836,
Given that you are staying in Haus Odo, Oberlech ski school would be difficult to get to each morning. Lech ski school is much easier, so I would focus on them.
As you suggest, it is still early and I wouldn’t be worried if a reply takes a week or so. If then you have still have nothing, send an email to the tourist office - they are very helpful.
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FAQ
- personally, I would use that time to grab a sandwich from Hagen's.
