 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Kitzbuehel is an established town that does skiing as well,
So Mrs Knackered Knees can have a good browse around the shops all day while you enjoy the varied skiing
The apres ski is plenty from piano bars to rowdy bars
+ a casino ... but don't expect James Bond to show up.
Or The big twon in the ski region is Innsbruck .. so you could choose a resort near there.
But I'd go for Kitz
That's where I want my ashes spread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@knackered knees, there is quite a choice. Personal faves would be Westendorf, Saalbach Hinterglemm, St Anton, Ischgl. Guess it depends what your non skier will want to do with all that spare time.
Driving - I always break up the drive there by overnighting in Luxembourg (there is an Ibis on the motorway at Luxembourg Sud). I do the return in one go but pretty rare to achieve it in 11 hours. Maybe doable from the Arlberg but not from Saalbach. Depends more on the traffic than your ability to put the hammer down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Are you brave enough to allow your wife to go shopping every day in Ischgl?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@knackered knees, hi!
Google times are pretty good now as they also look at the traffic on the route.
11 hours is possible with very few (if any) stops to get from Calais to Land Salzburg.
My step-dad did it in 9 hours once - thank you for non-reciprocal speeding fines!
We normally do it around the 12 hour mark with a couple of stops (travelling with a 10 and 7 year old).
We never break the journey as we are only going to the South East so once we are in Dover there is only about 30min travel time left.
This is over the summer months.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@knackered knees, Google times are actually relatively accurate for the moment you are looking at the route. you also have to bear in mind that things change considerably from day to day and from hour to hour. I've done the trip to Dunkirk from my corner of Bavaria in 10 hours driving on my own and my sister regularly gets 9 to 12 hours when she pootles back to the UK after stopping with me. We both drive alone and only stop for the loo or fuel (in Luxembourg), food is in the car with us!
It is fast motorway from the Channel to Austria but it can and does get very heavily used on certain weekends and most Saturdays, especially around Munich and along my daily commute route the A8 between Munich and Salzburg, but there are workarounds and alternative routes that can get over these problems. timings are everything to be honest, hence I get up at 04:30 to get along the A8 each day I'm in the office. this means I leave my home here in the Chiemgau at 05:30 and have no problems getting into the office before 07:00. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obergurgl is easy skiing, snow sure, very pretty, and has a snow park (or maybe it's across on the gondola to Hoch, can't remember). Never driven but Google maps says 10.57 from Calais. If your wife likes pottering round the shops, going to the spa and sitting in little bars reading a book it's fine for that, too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Obergurgl definitely - snow sure and your wife can meet you at several restaurants on the mountain plus free parking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Driving - it's all about how lucky you are near Munich - its a real bottleneck. Getting there early (pre 7.30am) or late seems to be the most efficient way. Resort wise I would try and go to somewhere with a proper town for your wife - my OH is similar in that she likes to shop, drink coffee, eat cake, read and people watch. There are numerous places that would fit the bill - Mayrhofen, Zell am See/Kaprun and Kitzbuhel spring to mind.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
I've booked to go to Nauders in Austria for Feb half term, not the biggest area slope wise although the ski pass does allow you to go to a couple of other places, it's got a snow park and the town looks quite pleasant. The major plus was as it's not used a lot by the brits accommodation and lift pass prices were very reasonable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Does it have to be Austria? Think about Germany too. We had a lovely time in Garmisch Partenkirchen about 2 years ago (admittedly not over half term). Plenty for your wife to do around the town and you have the car to get to the slopes (parking free).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@francium., not much in Nauders. Hotels, two supermarkets, castle with museum and a few shops (mainly ski/sports). Hopping on the ski bus to Italy (South Tyrol, so basically Austrian like) could be entertaining.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@HutToHut, sounds perfect for Feb half term, I've heard it's not too bad for off piste when the snow's good. We're staying in the Castle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
@francium., looked to be lots if lift served off piste and some marked routes. Top lifts (the ones you'd want to access off piste) were shut when we went in early January, avi level was 4 so that may have been why. Heard when we got back there'd been avi fatality the Friday we were there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Going back to the OP. Nauders may suit. Having a car would be handy as all three ski areas are a drive away, but that also means three (possibly four) different towns for Mrs knackeredkness to potter around, there's just not much to do in Nauders. Big Dutch contingent so check their hols dates. I did read last year though 'why would you drive past Serfaus and go to Nauders instead?'
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Maxyrhofen has the best snow park the Vans Penken. Its a town with more to do and has good transport links, all included on the lift pass, to other areas in the Zillertal Valley. My wife uses the Zillertalbahn to go to Innsbruck for the day and we meet her on the way back at Kaltenbach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Thanks to all.
Guess I'd better get googling as there seem to be a number of options 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Zugspitze Arena is very easy to get to, as is Bregernzerwald.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@knackered knees, All great skiing suggestions but very few will amuse the Mrs for a week. Much as I like Obergurgl for example from a shopping point of view she'd do well to pass a morning.
The ones that will definitely do so are Kitzbuhel and Zell am See, both are the 'county towns' so to speak and are genuinely summer and winter resorts, the down side is that both are low-ish and will suffer in a poor winter. maybe wait a bit to book either if you can. Other possibles are Mayrhofen and Schladming which are more in between the two extremes and all have connections to the cities for a day if she feels like it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Consider Ski Amade Salzburgerland. Two of us drive from Calais to St Johann in Pongau in 11 hours on average, but with only one stop for fuel. That said we normally do two hour stints driving each. Depending on mood and time of day we either travel Calais-Lille-Namur-luxembourg-Karlsrue-Stuttgart-Munich-Salzburg- St Johann iP in summer, or in winter to access the well kept autobahns during any snow Calis-Lille-Liege-Cologne-Frankfurt-Wurzburg-Nuremburg-Munich-Salzburg-St Jo iP.
St Johann is a regular town with their ski resort of Alpendorf a couple of clicks up the hill. If interested in that area Wagrain is a nice central village between St Johann i P and Flachau. Lots of skiing and lots of links to other resorts. Google ski Amade for lots of info.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consider Ski Amade Salzburgerland. Two of us drive from Calais to St Johann in Pongau in 11 hours on average, but with only one stop for fuel. That said we normally do two hour stints driving each. Depending on mood and time of day we either travel Calais-Lille-Namur-luxembourg-Karlsrue-Stuttgart-Munich-Salzburg- St Johann iP in summer, or in winter to access the well kept autobahns during any snow Calis-Lille-Liege-Cologne-Frankfurt-Wurzburg-Nuremburg-Munich-Salzburg-St Jo iP.
St Johann is a regular town with their ski resort of Alpendorf a couple of clicks up the hill. If interested in that area Wagrain is a nice central village between St Johann i P and Flachau. Lots of skiing and lots of links to other resorts. Google ski Amade for lots of info.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PS Snow park in Alpendorf. Another in KleinArl Flachauwinkl all accessible from Wagrain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks Snowheads.
Have spent a few hours Googling the possibilities and have come up with Kirchberg. Seems to have good links to both Kitzbuhel and Ski Welt, plus decent accommodation. Mrs KK is happy to ride the bus to Kitzbuhel for visits and will be happy pottering about Kirchberg. Luckily she is not a shopper so doesn't need a retail heaven. Prefers a coffee & cake shop.
Had good news in that the kids school breaks up on the Thursday, so will break the back of the journey on the Friday 
A final question, is it best to get the Kirchberg/Kitzbuhel pass or the Allstar version? I, more than the boys, like to get around areas and try to ski as much of a resort as I can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
KK , sorry cant help you with accommodation as Im fully booked in Feb, but feel free to send me a PM re Kirchberg accommodation and I can help you out re locations of hotels etc that you may be interested in. I can also get discounts re hire equipment etc if required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
@knackered knees, Kirchberg is Ok (but a bit sprawling) but most accommodation is a bus ride from the main lift at Klausen up into the Kitzbuhel area. Have you looked at Brixen? On same train line as Kitz and train drops you at Hahnemkann lift, and Brixen is perfect for SkiWelt and even more perfect for accessing Westendorf which has best skiing in the area in my opinion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@knackered knees, as you are driving down you are perfectly placed to drive to the Fleckalmbahn and Maierlbahn to access the Kitzbühel slopes and a little further along the valley the Ki-West lift takes you straight into the Choralpe and Ski Welt lifts - no real need to go as far as Brixen unless you really want to!
The All Star pass gives you way more options and the difference in price between the standard and the All Star passes is not that great to be honest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
@knackered knees, As you have the car, you could also get up early and have a day skiing around Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Fieberbrunn. Drive to Fieberbrunn, then up and ski over to the new lift to Hinterglemm, anti-clockwise around the Ski Circus (Hochalm - Zwolfer - Westgipfel - Schattberg down to Jausern - up to Schonleiten - back to Saalbach - up Bernkogel to the top of Reiter Ost - back to Fieberbrunn). This is also included on the All-Star Card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Quote: |
no real need to go as far as Brixen
|
It's about 5km from Kirchberg. Much nicer, more compact village to stay in and you can leave the car where you are staying. Otherwise its drive, park, boots on, walk, ski, walk, boots off, drive etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Pruman, How's Brixen for non skiers? Are the children's ski school areas in the village? We're a mixed abilities group, we have an older non skier (who will take the youngest to the ski school), good skiers that like to explore and nervous intermediates. You make Kirchberg sound v. hard to get around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Try Neustift in Stubaital.
~45 minutes on good roads south of Innsbruck. Good skiing area includes Stuabai glacier and schlick2000 plus some samller ski areas.
Easy to get a bus into Innsbruck for non skiers. Bus is free if you get Stubaisupercard - gives discounts to other things too (Stubai Guest card gives you a discout on ski pass but not buses to Innsbruck)
Good ski ski schools for kids. glacier is very snow sure.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@sugardaddy, Kirchberg is alright if you don't mind buses and have only got yourself to look after. I really would avoid it with kids. At Brixen most accommodation is just a walk away from main lifts and ski schools etc are all there. Better skiers can head off up Choralp and tackle the steeper stuff in Westendorf. Not a lot for non skiers but at least there is a train station and Kitzbuhel isn't far away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
"At Brixen most accommodation is just a walk away from main lifts and ski schools etc are all there."
Yep the two lifts are in the Brixen village But depends on where your accommodation is in the village, not everyone would want to walk with their ski boots on. So no different to anywhere else really. Yes the three main entry points from Kirchberg aren't really in the town, most people can either drive (same as most would do in Brixen) or catch the very regular buses that drive along the valleys to each gondola. You are also more likely to be able to ski back down into Kirchberg later in the season than Brixen, especially off the South facing Piste. Horses for courses id say. Personally I don't think their is much in it between the two. Either location gives you the best opportunity for skiing both the Kitzbuhel ski area, and the Ski Welte.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
No bias there then kirchberg.co.uk
These days its pretty easy to select accommodation that's near enough to the lifts. On/off buses with kids and equipment isn't a bowl of cherries. I tend to Google Streetview places and "do the walk" online.
Brixen itself is south facing yes but I'd say the north facing run down from Westendorf is easily as sure as the run down to Klausen. Only thing that still amazes me is they spent fortunes on a new run with epic snowmaking and new lift, only to end it with a rope tow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You obviously didn't read to the end of my post then, so Ill say it again.
Personally I don't think their is much in it between the two. Either location gives you the best opportunity for skiing both the Kitzbuhel ski area, and the Ski Welte.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Lech.
2. St Anton.
3. Kitzbuhel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Pruman wrote: |
These days its pretty easy to select accommodation that's near enough to the lifts. On/off buses with kids and equipment isn't a bowl of cherries. I tend to Google Streetview places and "do the walk" online.
|
Not in Austria you don't, no Streetview there, nor in Germany, for that matter.
If you have a car, you probably won't use the buses at all anyway. It's much more convenient to have a 4 minute drive than stand at a freezing bus stop waiting for a bus.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Drammeister, Well I never. I used it for Finland last year and I have been using it for the Dolomites. I always stay in the same place in Austria so never needed it. Is it a privacy thing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
