 Poster: A snowHead
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Planning a ski trip to Austria at the start of March 2015 and trying to figure out what resort it best. We are 2 people in mid-20s looking for some good Apres-Ski and nightlife, as well as good skiing at that time of year. One of us is a beginner and the other an intermediate. So far we have looked at Zell Am See, Saalbach, Mayrhofe, Soll and Solden but are finding it hard to choose. Does anyone have any recommendations?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Two words for you!
Saalbach-Hinterglemm! 
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I really enjoyed Solden, but Soll would be better for nightlife. Mayerhofen is also good, but as Alastair says, Sue knows Austria (and nightlife) 
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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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Thinking about it, they were probably the first 3 resorts I skied in Austria. Mayerhofen was certainly the first. I think (Hoch)Solden was the second and Mayerhofen the third. All three were very boozy affairs nearly thirty years ago, but I do remember the skiing as being especially good in Solden. Soll was OK and I must admit to not remembering that much about Mayerhofen 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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You'll have a great time at the start of March in Mayrhofen 
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jacquihawthorne, so many choices. I would also say Saalbach would be good for you, as are Söll and Mayrhofen. Sölden I would personally avoid; just don't much like the place. OTOH further up the same valley is Obergurgl which I would also recommend, though maybe not so much for complete beginners... Kitzbühel is also worth considering.
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Another vote for Saalbach.
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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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There will be a lot of places that meet your criteria, throw in a few more must haves and that may narrow it down some more.
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Another issue may be ski pass for beginner - Soll is I think part of the skiwelt points system whereas Kitz only has a full price pass - although it may be possible that day one is on free beginners slope at bottom of Hahnenkamm - shallow and won't get you far.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Definitely Saalbach! We loved it so much we went back this year for a second week.
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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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Thanks for all the quick replies! Seems Saalbach is the most popular. Would you suggest staying in Saalbach or Hinterglemm? I know there is a bus in between but it would be nice to be walking distance to town/pubs/restaurants.
JimboS we are just looking for somewhere that will have good snow (were going in March) will be lots of fun (apres and nightlife) and is appropriate for a beginner. I guess also somewhere where it is easy to get around.[/quote]
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Another backer of Saalbach Hinterglemm!
The night-life is pretty hard to beat.
We have a pretty calm environment in my town (Radstadt), although Flachau does a good Aprés along with the umbrella bars at the bottom of most runs but there is something special about that ski-to-high-street at Hinterglemm. I normally pop down once a year for an afternoon skiing, then a bit of Aprés then the night skiing / fun park.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hinterglemm is quieter than Saalbach.
I'd also look at Obertauern too. It's fairly high so the snow is generally good and has a decent mix of blues and reds, so you should both be OK, plus Edelweiss and Lurzer Alm are hard to beat for Apres.
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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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If you want the Apres, then Saalbach all the way. There are so many great options. Just remember there is apres and then apres, apres. Starts at the Hinterhagalm . Then ski back to the town from where you can walk to pretty much all establishments. There are plenty of central hotels etc to chose from.
There is a really accessible beginner area just above the main town, plenty to progress to and for intermediates its heaven.
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Poster: A snowHead
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So you recommend staying in central Saalbach, skiing and ending in Hinterglemm for Apres and then skiing back to Saalbach for dinner/nightlife?
Do you recommend anywhere in particular to stay at? Were looking for something resonably budget
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
So you recommend staying in central Saalbach, skiing and ending in Hinterglemm for Apres and then skiing back to Saalbach for dinner/nightlife?
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Cacciatore's recommendation is to finish your ski day at the Hinterhagalm, which is a bar/restaurant on the slopes 100m above Saalbach, not Hinterglemm. After enjoying the après there, you ski, slide or stagger down the short run back to the village, whilst attempting to avoid the Bauers Schialm or Spitzpub, which are both bars cunningly located on your route home. You should however get over to Hinterglemm at least once during the week, for the après at Goasstall featuring the goat-band, or the night skiing. Busses run until 5 pm; after that it's a 10 min taxi ride.
Last season's very long thread regarding Saalbach can be found here >> http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2402083&highlight=saalbach+unofficial#2402083
Good places to stay served by UK Tour Ops - Hotel Konig, Berger Sportalm, Hotel Central, Hotel Panther all in the centre of the village. All within 5 minutes walk of the various lifts. Best chalet by a long chalk is Pension Enzian, run by a British couple, which you need to book direct and find your own flights. It is located just off the black run on Schattberg, so maybe not ideal for a beginner/intermediate couple, but it is only a short walk up a road from the village centre.
Rent skis from Hansi (above Bobby's at the lower end of the pedestrian street).
Group lessons - Snowacademy (ask for Johnny) or Furstauer (Casey, Phil or Nick) or Stevie at Zink for private lessons.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 30-06-14 16:00; edited 1 time in total
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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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quinton, thanks for qualifying and spot on!
jacquihawthorne, I stayed at the Hotel Konig a couple of seasons ago - with reasonable conditions you can ski back to the boot room (albeit by crossing a road that is often covered in snow). It is a mid-range hotel, with outstanding food and a pleasant, quiet bar area. Rooms were decent sizes, bathrooms good with reasonable shower. Very friendly people there (but that seems typical of Austria in my experience).
The Hotel is a 5 minute walk into the centre of Saalbach and a couple of minutes from Hansi's (I used them and all good there, including the Schnapps they dole out) and Bobby's (great place that rocks when Cuckoo play....seasonal band....).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Saalbach Hinterglemm was the best ski area I've been to. Admittedly had mainly good weather days but it's all really well linked. Did not sample much of apres as was before xmas. I stayed in the hotel Edelweiss in Hinterglemm which was excellent.
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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 could stay at Maishofen.
You could buy SalzburgSuperSkiCard and you could try everyday another resort depending on weather and snow conditions.
Austria and especially Salzburg area are not like Tirol or France with high level resorts.
Most of resorts are from 800 until 2000
Only Obertauern and Kitzsteinhorn are exceptions.
If the temps are high that might be a problem. Is better to choose a skipass which includes many resorts , low and high altitude.
Consider SalzburgSuperSkiCard or Zillertal.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
You could stay at Maishofen.
You could buy SalzburgSuperSkiCard and you could try everyday another resort depending on weather and snow conditions.
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A possibility only if you have a car, and only if you are not interested in the après in Saalbach-Hinterglemm - the police are always stopping cars on the Saalbach-Maishofen road after 4 pm. There is not much to do in Maishofen for a young couple looking for après and nightlife.
Also, for a beginner and an intermediate, there is more than enough in the S-H Ski Circus even on a sunny day with relatively poor snow conditions. If Saalbach has poor snow, then the surrounding areas will be even worse (with the exception of Kitzsteinhorn, which will then be rammed with guests). A SalzburgSuperSkiCard is great if you have transport and a two-week holiday, but a waste otherwise. Why spend time driving an hour or more to other resorts when there is so much in S-H. If you do want a change of scenery, then a Ski Alpin card includes Zell am See and Kaprun as well as S-H, but is still only viable if you have your own transport.
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Thanks so much for all of the recommendations! We have decided on Saalbach and are currently booking accomodation. I got a quote from All Mountains Lodge which is right in town in Saalbach for a good price. I cant find any reviews at all on google, and they want a deposit so i just wanted to check to see if they actually exist and Im not getting scammed. Has anyone ever stayed here?
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Might be worth you posting this on the Saalbach/Hinterglemm Official Unofficial 2013/2014 Thread - it's Snowtime thread and one of the Saalbach experts such as Tatman Tours may be able help you
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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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jacquihawthorne, All Mountain Lodge very much exists - it is directly by the Bernkogel cabin lift in the centre of Saalbach. Ideal position for the village shops and entertainment. Ski Pro rental shop is almost next door. You are right next to one main lift; the others are two minutes away (Kohlmais and Turm) and 5 minutes away (Schattberg) so an ideal spot.
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Thanks! Ill go ahead and book it then 
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