 Poster: A snowHead
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We've done France to death as a group, the only option in Italy looking increasingly unlikely, so anyone got suggestions on Austrian high altitude resorts?
December trip, so needs to be snowsure, looking for somewhere relaxed, with a decent range of green/blue/red and the occasional black, quality and price of food and drink fairly important.
Anyone got suggestions on the top 3 or 4 best resorts for an early season trip? I don't think I've ever been to Austria, so anything I should be looking out for?
TIA.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just to kick off with a few resort names ....
Obergurgl
Obertauern
Sölden
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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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Mistress Panda, depends when in December. Resort openings are mid December and they nearly always hit it so you don't necessarily need to aim high.
Obergurgl would fit the bill though.
Neustift for the Stubai
Kaprun
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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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You definitely don't need altitude in Austria like you do in France. Quality and price of food won't be an issue either. For decent range of pistes (you won't get green, only blue/red/black), look at SkiWelt, Kitzbühel, Ski Amadé, Schladming, Saalbach.
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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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Another vote for Obergurgl - due to open on 14th November too, and Obertauern a couple of days later 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Add Ischgl too your list.
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Weekend of 14th Dec is start of the trip. St Christoph has just been thrown into the mix, which looks like it gives access to a decent ski area, but at 1800m am I taking a bigger gamble than the higher altitude resorts in France, Austria or somewhere else?
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Ischgl is one of the best really early season (when in Dec are you going?). DB's list is also worth looking into.
FWIW, 50% of the ski areas currently open in the Northern Hemisphere are in Tirol, don't worry too much about the snow/altitude, just check the opening dates. 1800m should be absolutely fine (remember the Arlberg area is normally one of the areas with the highest snowfall in the Alps; it gets a LOT!).
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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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Although many resorts open before Christmas it often means "open a couple of lifts before Christmas and only open up the rest of the lift system when the Chritsmas rush starts". The three resorts I mentioned above are high altitude snow secure ski resorts that typically open up a lot of terrain before Christmas.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Thu 26-09-13 7:48; edited 1 time in total
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Obergurgul- great height- up to 3300m, village over 1900m, food excellent and a bargain. Beer divine.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Most years that middle week of December is good and Austria being further east will tend to be colder than France in the west, I've often had terrific skiing at relatively low places like Schladming early season.
That said if you are booking now and can't wait it would be prudent to look at places which are higher. DB is right about opennings and many places simply don't get going till the week before Christmas simply because they can't guarantee the snow (and crowds) and need to plan logistics far in advance. Ischgl is an example of a place however which will aim to have 90% of the resort open by the second week of December if at all possible.
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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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We're not that bothered about all the bars being open or ski shops etc, but pistes being open and there being a good chance of snow (as good as anywhere else hopefully) so is that reasonable for St Christoph and accessible area from there? Basically the question is how much of a gamble are we taking 14th Dec there vs first week of Dec in Tignes or VT?
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Suggestions above are good, I'd add Serfaus and Schladming to your list of places worth considering.
Serfaus is high, 1450m ish resort to just shy of 3000m. Great resort with decent area, quite a lot of which they normally get open fairly early. Schladming is much lower but north facing with incredible snow making and often opens in November and almost always amongst earliest opening resorts. Both have quite a bit going on in terms of bars, shops etc. Schladming is a proper town but has a nice feel to it.
Lots of options, whichever you go for will be good!
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You know it makes sense.
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Meant to say you can never be sure but not much of a gamble with any of the list above IMHO.
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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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Basically the question is how much of a gamble are we taking 14th Dec there vs first week of Dec in Tignes or VT?
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You're not, really.
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