 Poster: A snowHead
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HI All, We were in Saalbach last March and had a great time. Classic Spring condition with sugary/slushy snow once it got warm but we enjoyed the resort.
Look at doing a 4 day trip in early /mid January with our family. Just enquiring what are 'typical' snow conditions for that time of year. Know there is nothing guaranteed about weather or snow but would like to have some level of confidence that we will be able to have decent ski-ing and ski back to the village
Trying to decide between Cervinia or Saalbach - Saalbach is easier to access for some of the group as Young adults coming from different parts of Europe.
This forum always useful for tip so thought i would seek your advice!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Simone, we regularly ski in January and you can ski back to the village, either the Bernkogel or Kholmains, the mornings will be cold the red to get you over to Fieberbrunn will be crunchy as will 1 back into Saalbach before 11ish, snow has been plentiful the only run that probably won't be open if there hasn't been a mega dump is teh one back to Viehofen 168 which is a fabulous run when you get the chance to do it.
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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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@Simone, just to add to what @radar, has said, I have for many years been skiing in Saalbach throughout the season, from early December to April. One of my favourite times is the middle of January.
Normally you can ski back to the village from all three directions (Kohlmais, Bernkogel, and Schattberg) all through the season, even in early to mid-December and late March/early April. The piste maintenance team do a fantastic job, and there is snowmaking covering all the main runs. The snow cannons are churning out snow from November onwards, so in the small minority of years when the natural snow is late arriving (and I’ve never known it delayed beyond late December), there is still plenty of skiing, and the runs down to the village are open.
One important factor that helps to ensure adequate snow coverage on the lower runs is the topography of the valley, which runs from east to west. The sun (which is of course weak and low in the sky in the early to mid-winter) passes behind the looming bulk of the Schattberg mountain (which means literally, “Shadow Mountain”). Hence the lower runs on the south-facing Kohlmais and Bernkogel, as well as the north-facing Schattberg North run, and also the nursery slopes, are mostly in the shade, even on sunny days. Thus, in December and January especially, it can be warmer higher up the mountains than down in the valley.
Last season was probably the worst in living memory for snow coverage and quality (and not only in eastern Austria, which possibly fared better than many other regions of the Alps), so, if you enjoyed Saalbach last March, you’ve actually seen it at its worst.
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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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Hi all, I've been reading through threads on this forum and have found tons of great advice. I was hoping any Saalbach experts could give some advice. We'll be in Saalbach over Christmas.
1. Recommendations for Christmas Eve dinner now that it's about time to start making a reservation?
2. Anything we must see/do specific to Christmas time?
3. Ski run recommendations - I ski, BF snowboards. I've been 8 times now but still pretty nervous with speed. I enjoy a long run that's more flat and winding. I stick to the greens in the US (California and Utah), and BF is fairly comfortable on easier US blues (and hates the flat ones but will do them for me haha).
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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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@jenclaire, welcome to SnowHeads, whereabouts are staying, helps with restaurant choices.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@jenclaire, For Christmas Eve dinner: Del Rossi, Schattberg Stub’n, Hotel Peter, Hotel Mitterer, Eva Alm.
Nothing in particular to do at Christmas, unless you’re religious, in which case they do a carol concert in the church, and also two masses on Christmas Eve, one early evening and one spanning midnight.
If you send me a p.m. with your email address, I will send you an information pack, including my own comprehensive guide and a few recommended itineraries.
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@Dravot: Maybe I can give you some information regarding skiing the second/third weekend in December in Saalbach. I have been doing the exact period for the last five or six years, and I've never had any issues with snow cover. Even last year, which was arguably one of the worst seasons regarding snow cover, I had a blast in Saalbach. I was lucky to hit a jackpot with the weather and could ski off-piste runs that were usually unavailable in early December. This year I will be in Saalbach again in the same period and I can only hope for the good conditions I had last year.
For early or mid-January is a hit-and-miss. Usually, you will have the best condition and the whole area will be open.
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@radar, we'll be in Saalbach village, Siegmundshof, but will have a car.
Thanks, @tatmanstours, sent you a PM!
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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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@jenclaire, @tatmanstours, guide is good , I used it to find my way round.
To do as has been said the church for Christmas Eve service, the town hall has an out door nativity display, check the tourist board as are some hotels that host a choir.
We are a bit beyond the Siegmundshof, good location you are right by the ski bus stop, occasionally the bus into town gets busy, we head to the 12erKogel or the Hochalm(Hinterglemm ) to ski there if it is. Download the Salzburg Verkehr App to get live ski bus times. You won’t want to move your car!
Christmas Eve dinner,
Gold & Pepper, modern more upscale , good food , interesting menu
Del Rossi, quirky, good food,
Hotel Mitterer, classic Austrian excellent value.
Schattberg Stub’n, classic Austrian holiday resort style
Das Neuhaus hotel, ask for the main restaurant, not the conservatory.
Restaurant Herzlstubn, modern upscale, slightly fussy service
Hotel Peter, classic Austrian, famous for it’s hot stone steak.
Down the valley, Tiroler Baum, you can take the last 680 bus for a 7.30 dinner and take a taxi back about €20 they will take 6. Classic Austrian style restaurant (separate from the hotel restaurant) the menu is varied and good
Hinterglemm Xandl Stadl , you can get the 680 bus up the valley and then a 10/15 minute walk or taxi €25 , good food upscale
With the hotel restaurants I would check what their menu will be on Christmas Eve.
If you have any questions happy to help.
PS. Up the road from you is the https://www.franziska-saalbach.at/en, they do food on certain evenings, it’s a set menu but good
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I’m new to this Austrian skiing lark having only ever skied in France.
I’m looking to go to Saalbach in the third week of December.
I’m wondering what the town is like. Is it a small traditional village or more of purpose built resort?
For the skiing, Saalbach looks like a good choice as there are some tree lined slopes and it’s still fairly reliable for December skiing. I know some other resorts may be more snow sure but I want to avoid the exposed higher resorts. Please anyone tell me if I am wrong, it’s only based on what I’ve read.
I’m open to other resort suggestions too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@JRB747373, Saalbach has the feel and appearance of a traditional village, with all the “cuckoo clock” style buildings and balconies (festooned with hanging geraniums in summer) that you expect in Austria.
Before skiing became such a thing, it was a poor farming village. There is still a nucleus of old buildings around the church and village square. The significant expansion and development that has resulted from its success and popularity as a winter sports (and summer) tourism destination has largely been in keeping, with plenty of attractive, wooden-clad, chalet style buildings, and few monstrosities or carbuncles.
So it’s perhaps a model of how a ski village should look, with narrow, cobbled streets, lined with mostly attractive houses, shops and hotels, a village square, a beautiful church, and with a fast-flowing stream flowing under a bridge in the centre.
International tourism is very important to the Austrians, and they design their developments accordingly. Whereas the French really don’t much care. They are mainly catering for their home market (unlike in Austria, the overwhelming majority of visitors to French ski resorts are from the home country), so it’s all about functionality, convenience and cost. When it comes to tradition and quaintness, they really are completely clueless. Anybody who has been to Les Menuires, La Plagne, Flaine, Val Thorens, Avoriaz, Alpe d’Huez, etc. will certainly be able to testify to that.
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