 Poster: A snowHead
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Pistes fantastic today and yesterday - but incredibly quiet! You have the feeling that you have the mountain virtually to yourself. We've encountered literally only one or two other people as we've carved our way down the sunny and beautifully smooth Westgipfel and Schattberg Nord runs. As I said before, with all these deserted pistes and streets, and closed mountain restaurants and bars, it sometimes feels positively post-apocalyptic - shades of "I Am Legend" without the zombies, and with Mrs TT substituting for the faithful hound, "Samantha" (don't tell her I said that!).
Fortunately a small minority of restaurants and bars have remained open for the last week of the season, such as the Westgipfelhuette on the summit of Schattberg West, and the eternally reliable Bobby's Pub - still open for drinks and excellent food until late at night.
Which leads me to today's delicious gastronomic experience: 'Falsche schnecken' (False snails) - lumps of tender fillet steak, covered in melted cheese and served in a spicy garlic/herb sauce with pieces of warm toast (to dip into the sauce). This highly recommended dish can be ordered for about 12 euros from the restaurant at the bottom of the Zwoelferkogelbahn, but for some reason it's not on the printed menu. At lunchtime, Mrs TT and I shared one serving, which we considered ample for both of us, although our two hungrier companions had one each.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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TT, as seasons go, how do the conditions rate at this time of year to "normal"?
| Tatman's Tours wrote: |
| and with Mrs TT substituting for the faithful hound, "Samantha" (don't tell her I said that!). |
You do like the edgier side of life, don't you 
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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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Chasseur,
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as seasons go, how do the conditions rate at this time of year to "normal"?
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Everyone seems to rate the conditions as exceptional, due not only to the quantity of snow but the quality of the pistes, which have been providing excellent skiing throughout the day and not just before noon, as one would normally expect in April. Obviously the lack of traffic helps.
I do recall that last year we had a sizable dump during the first week of April, and it was snowing as we left on 8th April, but there is definitely more and better snow this season, thanks to the cooler temperatures during late March/early April and the regular top-ups. I gather that it's been similar in the UK, and that it may be about to change both there and here!
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A couple of years ago we would have welcomed conditions as described, when we were there a full month earlier than now.
It was ridiculously warm in the afternoons, around 15 deg. Heavy slush, with only the pistes covered and then patchy.
Also a friend of mine was there a good few years ago now, early march and it was like a meadow on the lower Kohlmais, struggled to get down to mid station to download. Only decent run was the Schattberg black which was like an ice rink.
Seems like most places have had an exceptional season, damn this global warming. Sorry we have to call it climate change now because "they" have been found out.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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divekris, Get in touch with the Tourist Office asking for advice. I did that specifying what I wanted and the tourist office passed my details on to all the properties vaguely matching my criteria. I ended up with a lot of "spam" but in amongst it all were some gems. You may find that a lot has already been booked especially self-catering as that is a very popular period, so many people book immediately when they find they like a place. The Dutch, Scandinavians and Germans are particularly quick about doing this.
If you are looking for self-catering, try looking at Belvilla.co.uk It is a Dutch company (that is their UK web page) that managed properties for non-resident owners. I work with them in as much as I look after a couple of properties for them. The owners are very happy and so am I as the company keep me well informed about who each client is.
BTW this is the time that most Europeans start renting/booking places if they have not already done so, so if you want the pick of the bunch get searching soon or you will be limited in your choices. 
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Thanks SSue, much appreciated. yes, realise leaving this quite late but only just gave it some thought. Hoped we might get away without the kids but no can do.
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divekris: We're full that week, but I'm seeing our Austrian neighbour later today. She has a few rental apartments in our building and may be able to help. You won't find a better location, and her prices are very reasonable compared with some. I'll let you know - and there are also a few other possibilities.
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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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Thanks TT, checked out the Belvilla and nothing doing for those dates but tourism office has options but would prefer your own recommendations
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Love this thread!
There is serious talk about our group returning to Saalbach next year, for those that missed out this year. I will doing as much persuading as possible! Potentially 8 of us.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Struggling to find any available apartments for w/c 28th December and suspect left it too late. Everything seems booked up. Only got ourselves to blame but if anyone else has any other ideas could you let me know. The kids are 11 and 8 so ideally need an apartment rather than separate hotel rooms. Thanks
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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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divekris, I've just done a search on saalbach.com and there are a few possibilities - rather than spell them out, take a look and see what you think. One of them is Haus Pilch, which is in a great location in the centre of Saalbach. I don't know anyone who's stayed there but it looks okay. It's a B&B, which is fine in Saalbach, as eating out is easy and inexpensive, especially if you eat at Bobby's Pub, which is only about 50 yards down the road.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks everyone. Emails have been sent to Haus Pilch and a couple of others.. The Enzian is fully booked on the 28th December.
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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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Sadly  can't find anything in Saalbach that works for us...so going to look elsewhere and thinking about Niederau. Hopefully be back in Saalbach in future years. Thanks for all the tips and advice everyone
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Poster: A snowHead
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divekris, Have you tried www.grafleiten.at ? This is a B&B pension next door to us, and they're currently adding a large extension to it. Try also the Haus Bernhofer apartments opposite us.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yes we tried Grafleiten but they were separate rooms which was not ideal with young children as well as then being x 2 as expensive so we discounted them but they did have two available. Bernhofer was completely full. The one we really liked was the the apartment(s) in your block (Ulreich) and I had a good chat with them but they couldn't offer any alternatives. Just learnt we need to move quickly to sort out accommodation for that key week in December! Thanks for all your help TT, very much appreciated.
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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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Considering these hotels for half board accomodation in Saalbach this winter:
Hotel Bärenbachhof
Pension Helvetia
Pension Iris
Pension Ripper
Any reviews regarding quality of food, rooms and location would be very much appreciated.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Cliff,
In terms of location:
Pension Iris and Pension Ripper are almost adjacent on the main road into Saalbach, 2 minutes walk from the main pedestrian street and village centre. It is possible to ski right to the back door of both Pensions, down the beginners slope. It's a 5 minute walk to the Schattberg lift; 7-10 minutes to the Bernkogel or Kohlmais lifts (or take the Baby lift up to the Kohlmais lifts if you get there before the ski classes start at 10.00).
Pension Helvetia is in the centre of the village, just off the pedestrian street. The Bernkogel lift station is almost in the back yard, so less than 1 minute's walk away. The Kohlmais lift is directly opposite on the other side of the street.
Hotel Bärenbachhof is 7-10 minutes walk from the village centre and the Schattberg lift in the direction of Hinterglemm.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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...and then there's also Cacciatore, 's and Honey Bunny's recommendation (see other threads) - the Hotel Koenig, which is located next to the Pensions Ripper and Iris at the bottom of the nursery slope. (Sorry if I'm stealing your thunder, Cacciatore, and Honey Bunny  )
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Great the Saalbach thread is off and running again, I am all booked up for 18th Jan, simply the best all round resort in my humble opinion
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ribblevalleyblue, See you in Bobby's, Simon! 
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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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WOOOOOO-HOOOOO WE'RE COMING BACK!
11 of us are now booked into Berger's Sporthotel* for the end of Feb. Really chuffed that we're returning, I think the rest of the group missed an absolutely awesome week this year.
Can't wait to get back to Saalbach, it's such a fantastic place - and really looking forward to seeing Mr Tatman & family again - hope you'll be there! Hooray for skiing like a T.W.A.T
*we really wanted the Konig again, but it didn't have enough rooms available.
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HoneyBunny, Wunderbar! But I hope you'll still be there on 1st March, when we shall arrive for 'Winter in Saalbach Part 2'.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Can't wait to give Saalbach a go this season. I'll be there for a week from 1st February staying at Enzian. It will be interesting to see how Austria compares to France ski wise. I'm doing a bit of a mega ski trip all the way from Australia so wanted to experience skiing in more than one country seeing as I'm travelling so far. First time skiing in Europe for me.
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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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Newby Alert
Booked 18th Jan 2014 this thread has been great for hints and tips about the resort sounds like you all had a blast
TT is there any chance of your Guide to Saalbach i keep reading about pretty please
email received many thanks 
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Mon 9-09-13 21:14; edited 1 time in total
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Tangerine Snow Balls, With pleasure - send me your e-mail via PM. Also I hope to have the immense pleasure of skiing/après-ing with a few fellow- s, as I did last season with the indestructible Cacciatore, and the eager HoneyBunny, and her squad of angry birds.
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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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HoneyBunny, You could always change your dates
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Poster: A snowHead
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A question for all the Saalbach experts. I'm considering catching a 6.23am train from Zell Am See on my last day. Looking at the bus timetable the buses don't start running early enough for me to get to the station on time. How much would a taxi cost from Saalbach to Zell Am See?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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€40-€50. If you're travelling to Salzburg Airport, there's a Holiday Shuttle at 05.30.
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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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Thanks Quinton. I'm taking the train from Zell and onwards to Italy. Unfortunately I'm travelling solo so the taxi option is quite expensive.
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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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Raven, I'd offer to give you a lift but we won't have the car with us.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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HoneyBunny, Seriously considering it!
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OMG pleaaase do!! You made our week this year!! Plus with the full gang it'll be great fun. Hinterhag takeover.....
You know it makes sense
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Booked a week in Saalbach today, February 8th-15th at Pension Iris. My dad, my two brothers and I. If you see a group of tall swedes, two skiers and two snowboarders, don't hesitate to say hi.
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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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Booked a week in Saalbach today, February 8th-15th at Pension Iris. My dad, my two brothers and I. If you see a group of tall swedes, two skiers and two snowboarders, don't hesitate to say hi.
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nice to see a Saalbach forum, only just found this website, used to go on Natives but nothing gets posted on there now. Im heading to Saalbach for my 7th season this coming winter will be out there from the end of November through until the middle of April, il be working in the Taverne nightclub again so please pop in and say hi. Jonny
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FAQ
and want to introduce them to skiing and Austria (suspect the Goasstahl won't be hit as hard as February 
). Ideally looking for self catering or B&B as want to have eating options at night (kids are a bit fussy). We are thinking of coming out on 28th for a week until 4th January. Thinking TT might be best source of advice on this but any ideas would be useful... looking at some Pensions and Hotel Koening but any other ideas? thanks
