 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Snowheads, not long now!
I've narrowed down the resort debate for this years lads ski trip to either Saalbach or Sauze d'Oloux. Can I get your thoughts on which would best suit our group. We're likely to be a group of 4-6 late twenty/early thirty something's, and a mixture of skier's and boarders, but all competent on most slopes except excessively moguled Blacks (and one crazy off-piste free spirited boarder/surfer).
So the boxes we like ticked are:
- Lively early après, i.e. 4pm-7pm;
- Good value food and drink;
- Extensive Red pistes and not too steep blacks;
- Cheap transfers;
- Skiable home runs;
- Good snow record for mid January.
Keen to here of any experiences in either of these resorts. Did Zell last year and whilst the resort is great we were a little underwhelmed by the apres, especially the early stuff.
Many thanks! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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debtors#2,
Saalbach is on my to do list, and one of the reasons is it's famed lift system.
Sauze is not as bad as some remember it, including myself, having been many years ago before re-visiting in March 2013.
Both the apres and the night life are a hoot, and it's cheap, but there isn't the 'lager lout' feeling the place had 20 yrs ago - it's tidied itself up a bit.
There is a pretty reasonable amount of skiing to done there because of its connections to other villages, but.................................
some of the lifts date back to the Cretaceous period and getting around between said villages can involve some fairly lengthy drag lifts.
Then as a final b@ll ache, because coaches are banned, departing requires you to walk from your accommodation down through the village to the coach park carrying bags,skis/board,boots etc.
So whilst you would no doubt have a good time, there are downsides.
Hope this helps 
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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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I can't speak for Saalbach, but have been to Sauze twice, both around the same time you're looking at. Had a cracking time both times. Some lifts are slow, but the skiing is varied when you take Sestriere and Cesana into account, and all pistes were groomed every night both weeks. Après was good and cheapish, with one bar on our walk to the hotel being €2.50 a pint from 4-7, so dinner was always a little bit fuzzy. All in all, fond memories of the place.
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This 
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been to both and saalbach gets my vote, especially if u can get in the hotel that does free wine with dinner and free beer in the bar til midnight.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Can't comment on Sauze, but I LOVED Saalbach. It has everything - and fast lifts to boot.
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debtors#2,
Saalbach-you will not be underwhelmed. In any way, shape, or form.
Geoff
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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debtors#2,
We stayed in a catered chalet, about 5 mins walk from town centre and lifts,
run by ski miquel (chalet christina). Hired skis from shop at bottom of schattberg xpress lift
and stored all gear in their ski storage
Saalbach takes some beating
Geoff
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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 guys for all the responses, general consensus seems to be for Saalbach, very excited at the prospect. Whilst a democratic vote will dictate our ultimate resort of choice I'll be vouching and pleading for Saalbach. I will update everyone when booking
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Been to both several times.
No contest, Saalbach wins in every respect.
One of the worst things about Sauze was the steep uphill walk to the lifts every morning. Especially after requested apres.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
One of the worst things about Sauze was the steep uphill walk to the lifts every morning. Especially after requested apres.
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That's what the skibus is for 
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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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was in Sauze in march this year having been to zell am see in the January. Booked to return for a second march trip next year. I love Sauze, can't believe people moan about a 200 metre walk uphill to lift which is only a problem if you are in a hotel at the bottom of town. The après in March was awesome, sportinia was massive outdoor party everyday 1500-1830 then ski back down to town where any number of bars had more on offer. Massive area and perfectly groomed slopes, we took day trip to montgenevre as well which was great. the only downside of it is the chairs are a little slow in comparison to some of the newer models.
never been to saalbach but my other half has been three times racing there and she raves about it. only reason we have not been is we like to do two trips a year and saalbach is a bit pricey. wherever you go as long as there is snow you will have a ball.
agree with your zell opinion, après was poor and it is more alive after dinner than after skiing. Ellmau in feb for us then sauze in march can't wait
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Poster: A snowHead
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I have been to both and would pick Sauze. The lifts and facilities are excellent in Saalbach but I agree with mikeelsa on everything about Sauze.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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+1 for Sauze. Having been to both found that the skiing was more varied and preferred the village esp the old town. Apres is Saalbach was great but skied nearly every piste twice in the six days that we were there.
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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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Saalbach is the best ski area I've been to and it wasn't close. I had really good conditions though when there. The lifts are all great though there some of the gondolas didn't have seats to rest my tired legs on!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Been to both and loved both 😁 given a 50/50 choice I would choose Saalbach .Why ? Think apre ski better and access to lift from town far easier
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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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I think it depends if you are comparing like with like -have you compared the prices?
Packages might not vary much but DIY our apartment in sauze was £1000 cheaper than the equivalent in saalbach and flights to Turin were half the price of flights to Salzberg. I can put up with some slow lifts for that!- we are talking half term week though.
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