Trip Report: Saalbach Hinterglem 2013 (warning, content may not be suitable for the serious skier)
Departed: 02.02.13
Lots of stuff happened
Returned: 09.02.13
Special note: Saalbach should carry a health warning
TO: Crystal
No particular comments, other than they delivered on all fronts as one might expect. My “accident” report might make for some fun reading on a quiet day in their office…more on that later.
Hotel: Konig
Great place, and can ski to the back door. Located at the lower end of town about 200m from the bottom of the main high street. Service, food, rooms all excellent. Boot/ski room a decent size, all pretty secure – even had security cameras monitoring things.
All the people there were incredibly helpful.
Would definitely recommend the place and would stay there again.
It’s a 5 minute walk to the Schattberg Xpress, 5 minutes to the town centre and, if using the beginner lift directly behind the hotel, one can reasonably easily get up to the main lift area that also serves the learner slopes, again in 6-7 minutes.
=============================
We had an early flight out of Gatwick, so were on resort by about 2.30pm on the Saturday. Dived into Hansi’s ski hire place following a recommendation from Tatman’s Tours or to be accurate Tatmans Winter Alpine Tours . Duly selected skis, with healthy discount and that, dear reader, marked the beginning of a bit of a theme that some serious skiers might express alarm at.
Skis served with Schnapps…so instead of getting our gear on for an early hour or two’s blast, we deposited skis, and marched next door into Bobby’s Bar to watch the rugby and dent their supplies of beer and Jagerbombs. Cuckoo, an excellent live band, were playing between games and afterwards….nothing like a party to kick off proceedings. The “night” duly ended at around 1am, mainly because, in one of those mental, rather spur of the moment things, I decided to mount the plastic cow outside the Alpine Resort Hotel (roll eyes).
And duly slid off the icy exterior (probably purposefully kept so), landing on my @rse/side right on the edge of the concrete plinth upon which said Fresian stood, looking benignly on with its innocent cow-eyes.
Damage:
It took a good 20 minutes to even get out of bed with the old glutinous maximus feeling about the size and stiffness of a cricket ball. Not a great start. Finally managed to get some mobility and headed to the pharmacy for some pain-killers. And then went skiing…OK, so a tad later that expected, but off we went.
Obviously having learned my lesson, bedtime just got later and later. Variously between 2am and 4am IIRC . Actually, to be honest, I think Thursday may have been 9.30pm…the only concession to the liver and body.
Some of the highlights:
First proper night’s après at the Goaßstall in Hinterglem, meeting up with Piccadilly and the other Angry Birds. A rocking early après.
Bobby’s Bar on Monday night, again with Cuckoo playing. Great night!
The Hinterhag on Wednesday (my how the days are hazy trying to recall each event) was absolutely banging - this time with Tatmans Tours and the Angry Bird mob. Dancing on the table benches. Quality night, topped off when I stepped out for obligatory smoke, then watched on with hilarity as some young lady proceeded to try and get on her skis to ski back to town. A Keystone Cops moment . An Austrian guy who was also watching this and I had to hold each other up we were laughing so much Wish I’d had the camera with me but, anyone who has seen the You Tube clip of the guy outside the Mooserwirt in St Anton would appreciate the unfolding scene.
In fact, I don’t think I can recall so much partying in one week. The Munich beer festival pales. A 4-day stag do in la Plagne seems tame by comparison.
The Skiing:
Suppose it ought to get a mention
The conditions were terrific. In the 22 weeks, I’ve been skiing, never seen so much snow fall in such a short time. That created some interesting experiences and a couple of insanely great skiing days, with Blue 68 high on the list and some real mileage clocking over to and around Hinterglem on Wednesday.
Saalbach Hinterglemm is well linked and offers a variety of skiing that should keep most abilities more than happy. Plenty for beginner/improvers, with wide and fairly gentle blues (though some blues could prove a challenge), some fast and blasty reds, several challenging blacks (we never did 14….yet another reason to go back) and off-piste options.
By way of a mention on one of the many TWAT skiing experiences….here’s the group....
Ann, Pete, Jon, Piccadilly, Dom and Sandra with Tatmans Tours and finally Chris.
My aren’t they angry…
They don’t quite fly…but occasionally catch some air
And some have weird small “feet”...
One down....
Angry Birds of a Feather...
Moment of the week? Surely had to be when the sun broke through revealing an untouched area of powder on Red 62a. So there we were, Piccadilly, the Angry Birds and I, when everything clicked into place and we were floating down in knee-deep powder like absolute Powderhound Playground Gods
A quick lift back up and then down again, during which time the sun went and the snow returned with angry vengeance for disturbing the pristine conditions and we were all mere mortals once more.
Night Skiing: never really been bothered before, but had a go. Some of the best visibility all week Well, well worth doing and a nice way to break up the early après from the après, après
There is probably so much more to say. However, I will have to go back again just to make sure it is as great a place as I vaguely recall it.
Should also mention that Tatmans Tours and Piccadilly and the other Angry Birds contributed immensely to the whole experience. Hope we can do it all again.
S’aal(be)bach (in Arnie mode)
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 13-02-13 19:27; edited 2 times in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Chasseur, Reminds me of our first experience in Saalbach in 2009. The incident with the Kuh, oooowwwwww.
I have a pic where my friend is performing fellatio on the big mexican just along from your bovine companion.
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?
ianbradders,
Glad I'm not the only one....rather worryingly, I did think about climbing that one too.
I'm def heading back to France. Sooo much safer (and all the other stuff )
Several extra photos now added....I'm sure the Angry Birds will appreciate it
Really could not have asked for better snow, and actually the visibility was mostly OK, despite the constant blizzards. That awesome blue (68?) and wonderful powdery red were among my best runs ever I think. Great apres, great company, nice hotel, beautiful place. We all said we would go back. I still need to do black 14!
We did tend to orientate ourselves using that cow for the rest of the week .. "You know, the pub just past your girlfriend"
I must say, Tatman's Tours really did make our skiing experience quite out of this world, we owe him a lot of beers next time we see him!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Piccadilly, feel free to add anything/pics etc
Likewise, Tatman's Tours.
Pretty much a union event, ultimately.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Chasseur, top report. Seems like a slightly livelier experience than your Christmas trip!
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.
hammerite, ever so, ever so slightly, ... I could walk and talk after Arabba, for example
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Chasseur, that's impressive damage!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Zero-G,
Quote:
that's impressive damage
Indded it is........but do we believe that´s really how he got it?
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.
kooky, looks like a good spanking to me
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
Piccadilly, You're very kind - makes me feel slightly better about being back in England (surrounded by wet, soggy, useless snow) for 3 weeks. Roll on March - Saal-be-bach! I'll get a photo album done and post it on 'Chalet Tatman' Facebook page. I've also got a lot of video footage, some of which is likely to find its way onto Youtube.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
OK, here are a few pics from me..
Saalbach is simply stunning:
The most gorgeous mountain restaurant, Die Alte Schmeide (gives you an idea of how much snow we had!):
Looking out on the night ski slope from the Goassstall:
Looking down the night ski slope:
... and the reason Chasseur lost his voice??:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
kooky wrote:
Zero-G,
Quote:
that's impressive damage
Indded it is........but do we believe that´s really how he got it?
Hahaha....kooky given some of the messy stories that abound, you know that is the most likely explanation
Shame you couldn't make it over, though the punishing schedule might have tested even you
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Tue 12-02-13 11:14; edited 1 time in total
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Chasseur, brilliant report, Piccadilly, brilliant photos. Sounds fun - but punishing.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Thanks, Pedantica...right on both counts and then some
Voice still not recovered
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?
Lovely pics lads and sounds like you all had a great week! Looking at them is making me more excited for my trip in a few weeks.
divekris, yep, one Euro each, the girl was walking round the Goassstall with them in a pouch. Seemed like a good idea until we had to ski down!
hammerite, haha, next time we will have more people with us and they can have the pig helmet covers. Not one of my most graceful moments on skis, no idea how it happened! We all went down like flies
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Fab report. Sounds like a brilliant week. I was there last january and reading that has bought back so many good memories!
After all it is free
After all it is free
And finally...when I said it was a banging resort...
I meant it in a home improvement kind of way....
Although clearly "isshhh it time for another wee drink" is a bit of a giveaway
Pic courtesy of Tatman's Tours
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.
Steiners ?
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Gerstreitalm...if that's the answer...
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Chasseur, I thought the bar in the picture above was Steiners.......
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.
Dear me, what a couple of roués!
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
Smokin Joe, crossed wires - its Zum Turm, on a street between the main drag and the road leading to Bauers (I think )
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I think I'm glad I always stay in Hinterglemm and not Saalbach
Looks as if you had loads of fun Chasseur, great place isn't it.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Pedantica,
Of course one assumes this is what you allude to: "a man devoted to a life of sensual pleasure"
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Right up there RachelQ
How're you, by the way - the injury?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Chasseur, Great TR. Let me know when you next go on a bash. Before I book preferably.
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?
geepee,
You know you don't mean that - heh heh...and there is one more coming up that you might need some help getting through
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Schatz in Boots, ....some fabulous colouring going on now...might enter one of the photo competitions but its getting the right angle that's the struggle....
After all it is free
After all it is free
Chasseur, I think mine would beat yours - but I'm not risking shattering the camera lens by photographing it. I still can't lie on that side, a week later.
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.
Pedantica, now that is saying something. Look...I've met you and it would hardly be a wide-angle lens affair would it! So what's the issue? Hairy Lunar surface? Going to have to have those pics Pedantica
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
. Duly selected skis, with healthy discount and that, dear reader, marked the beginning of a bit of a theme that some serious skiers might express alarm at.
