Austria in mid March

A snowHead

Hi All

I'm looking for some info on Austria. In the past we have stuck to the high altitude, large resorts in France - Tignes, Les Arcs, 3V etc. I'm looking to give Austria a go for the first time. It's likely that we would be going March 11th - 18th. So I'm worried a bit about the lower altitude in most Austrian resorts. We did a trip at the same time of year in 2105 to Courchevel and the temperatures were in the mid to high teens - although very pleasant the snow was disappearing by the end of the week.

Are there any Austrian resorts that would be more suitable than others for that time of the season? Also, we may have a couple of non-skiers with us so that could be a factor too.

Thanks!

A snowHead

Are you looking for quiet or for a party?

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Lech, now part of the biggest linked ski area in Austria is as 'snowsure' as it gets, short of glacier's. Lots of walking trails for non skiers and one of the prettiest villages in the Alps. Voted prettiest, I think in 2005?. Don't be put off by anyone saying it's mega expensive, it's not for what you get. Accommodation can be no doubt but look for the UK TO's with accommodation there. they offer great value if you can get in.

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I've been to Ischgl a fair few times now, all of them mid-late March and while the lower parts of the runs back to the resort suffer either ice or slush I've never had an issue with too little snow up in the ski area. Too much snow, yes but not too little Smile

Ischgl's season runs through to the very end of April, so March is only really mid-season.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Yep, Ischgl is a good bet. Mayrhofen worth a look as well (Hintertux glacier is nearby), and Obergurgl.

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So as above, but maybe stay elsewhere in Zillertal rather than Mayrhofen or don't stay in the centre.

Stay in Kappl for Ischgl as as you don't mind a short drive each day.

After all it is free

As you are not looking for partying, and you are mentioning Courchevel as comparison, Lech indeed might be your best Austrian option
Lech actually has better snow records than Courchevel, and mid-March is a perfect time to go. We will be there 4-11 March, which is our traditional week to go, the last 10 years or so. Always excellent.
And Lech is muuuuuch prettier than Courchevel (and still offering lots of ski-in/out accomodation).

Mayrhofen is no good advise at all imo (at 600 meters altitude, there will be no snow in the valley; furthermore Mayrhofen can not keep up with Courchevel in any way)
Ischgl (and St.Anton) are also very good, talking about snow, but are really party-destinations.
Obergurgl, also very good for snow, but is much smaller.

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[quote="Mjit"]I've been to Ischgl a fair few times now, all of them mid-late March and while the lower parts of the runs back to the resort suffer either ice or slush I've never had an issue with too little snow up in the ski area. Too much snow, yes but not too little Smile

Ischgl's season runs through to the very end of April, so March is only really mid-season.[/quote

Definitely worth investigating. Thanks. Any tips on accommodation? Our preference has always been self catering and DIY trips but this might be tricky in Austria?

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I've stopped twice at Chalet Alpenland in Zug (just outside Lech) which is with Skiworld. Pretty good value catered chalet in my opinion for somewhere close to Lech. As others have said, very snow sure resorts and a big area to go at. Lunch time dining on the mountain too is in my opinion excellent value compared to France and you get proper cooked food too.

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@adriangrogan,
We are staying B&B.
Lech indeed is better for hotels etc. but does offer more and more apartments nowadays.
I would not like to stay in Zug myself at it is very quiet and a bit remote (but has lift connection)
Lech is excellent for DIY as only few accomodation -and definitely not the best- is with agents. Most acco do not need it, that's why.

Just did a random search (booking.com and lech.at) for that week for 6 persons (?) and got some very well located apartments.
Have a look yourself. Very willing to comment on your results here in the forum

Yep Zug is very quiet but depends what you're after I guess. If you can find something of a similar value in town then definitely go for that instead as you don't have to think about getting the bus back after a few apres drinks.

You know it makes sense.

@adriangrogan, DIY to Austria is really easy. Flight to Salzburg or Innsbruck, shared taxi transfer to resort, self-catering apartments sourced via HomeAway, local tourist offices or Snowheads. Lech and St Anton are both great places to ski, maybe not so easy for self catering, but they are 2 resorts out of a hundred or so,

Ischgl, Mayrhofen, Saalbach-Hinterglemm all offer good skiing, also in March. Even if the runs down into the valley will be slushy in the afternoon, all of these resorts have their main ski areas from 1500m and above and have extensive snow management as a back up. The towns are pretty, the non-skiers can ride up on the gondolas so they can meet you for lunch.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

11-18 March is still a fair way from end of season, and you will usually find snow in almost all Austrian ski resorts at that time. It would have to be an exceptionally poor year for any but the very small and very low resorts to not have decent snow then.

And by "very low" I mean ones where the skiing is mainly below 1000m.

Here are examples of some snow depths (scroll down to near the bottom, then select the week closets to the one you are interested in):
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ski/saalbach-hinterglemm

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ski/ellmau

http://www.worldtravelguide.net/ski/kitzbuehel

Those all show 4 or 5 years figures between 2008 and 2012, and all of them had fully acceptable snow mid-March for each year shown.

A snowHead

A snowHead

Markymark29 'St Anton is a serious ski town with partying if you want it.' Kind of agree with that, but and it's a big but, the serious skiing is somewhat overshadowed by the partying. It is also being spoilt by it's own popularity. Far too many people heading down the same slopes at the same time of day, many of them there for the 'serious reputation', but without the requisite skills to master it, even on piste's. Just 1 view for what it's worth.
If Courchevel is the OP prefered resort in France then Lech will outshine it massively.

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@Old Man Of Lech, Agreed regards Lech if OP likes Courchevel.

Agree regards busy slopes at the end of the day, same could be said of places like Val D'Isere, Chamonix and Verbier plus many others. I've personally never had an issue with partying folk overshadowing/ spoiling my holiday, to the contrary its good to have options for a couple of beers at the end of a hard ski day. I know some people do stay up until all hours, however they aren't doing much skiing/ boarding day after I guess.....its a town with many aspects to it, and enough room for all imo, once youre up on the mountain there's so many options and continued investment - its benefits far outweigh a few drunks who don't know when to go to bed! wink

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@Markymark29, I think we are probably on the same wavelength!

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@Old Man Of Lech, yes

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Thanks to everyone for the information so far. Definitely plenty for me to start with.

Just to clarify re Courchevel - I only mentioned it as we had been there recently at the same time of year and I was glad Of The altitude given the relatively warm weather. I'm not saying it was my favourite resort or that I would be looking for something similar. We have stuck to large French resorts as that's where we started and then just stuck to what we knew. But now I'd really like to go for somewhere with more of an Alpine village/town feel to it. Especially as we'll have non skiers..

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After all it is free

@adriangrogan, I think it was mentioned above, but many Austrian resorts look low on the map but you actually get a gondola up to the skiing which typically starts at 1800m+, this is the case in Fugen/Kaltenbach and in Mayrhofen so don't be put off by the comments above. It's actually better for your non skiers as they can meet you for lunch. It's also better as you can drive to other small areas within 10-15 mins which you cannot do if stuck up a mountain e.g France. And if the last run of the day is slushy and crazy busy just get the lift down....I wouldn't take my kids down happy valley in St Anton for example. Too crazy.

Don't be put off by hearing Mayrhofen being described as a party town, it's actually quite quiet and laid back but with a few good après spots if you want them.

If you want quiet hotel, the Laendenhof is quiet with a very good restaurant and comfortable rooms.

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@Bennyboy1, +1 Zillertal will be fine that time of the season. If you are not bothered about nightlife then I would probably have a look at staying in Zell am Ziller. Some nice hotels and better deals.

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As above I went to Mayrhofen last season at the very end of April and it was still very good. Most skiing is above 1500m.

Like others have said you should be fine at that point in the season, in fact I think it is the best time of the season. Often most snow lying, longer days and (at least in theory!) a better chance of some sunshine.

I'd also add Serfaus to the list, an amazing area and high altitude for Austria. Very, very reliable for early and late season, often one of the earliest to open given altitude and incredible snow making.

Self catering in Austria is also a doddle, I almost always book having found something often the resorts own accommodation search - they're way better than the French resort website accommodation searches.

Good luck choosing, you have tons of options!

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Has anyone mentioned Solden??

Extensive high altitude skiing, with two glaciers; can be lively in town but there are quieter places too.

And (I think) the lift pass still includes a day in nearby Obergurgl.

Vorderlanersbach or Finkenberg also worth considering if a quiet life is required and access to same system. Mid March the snow depths have built up and up the road there is always the insurance policy of Hintertux glacier.

You know it makes sense.

Kuhtai or Obertauern worth a look too if higher altitude is really vital.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

I cant understand why people keep recommending Ischgl
Its a horrible place with rubbish skiing wink

Ive no idea why we are going yet again this winter

A snowHead

I buy a Salzburger superpass (235 euro me thinks) and fly to Munich which has cheaper flights and car hire than Austria. Its a two hour drive to the Salzburger ski area which gives you access to Kitzbuhel Ski Area, Zell am Se (including Kitzsteinhorn Glacier) and my favorite bit - Hochkoenig; also gives you Wagrain, Saalsbach-Hinterglem ski circus, leogang, Flachau, Schladming. The pass says it covers the biggest area in Europe and I have skied these areas for 4 weeks on the trot and not done the same run twice.

If the weather is bad is Kitzbuhel, no problem - head over to Hochkoenig (I have skied here Feb half term and been the only person on most of the pistes!!). All the areas are about 45 minutes drive between each other, and there is a huge choice of places to stay to suit all budgets - try Maria Alm, its a gem.

Yes Austria is low in terms of altitude, but they have invested heavily in snow making equipment so as long as its cold you can ski from the tops into the valleys. Austria also has an odd climate in that air from the Med. creates moist air which as it hits the alps gives a good snow record. Also most of the pistes are on meadows which means the base layer holds better and new snow 'sticks' nicely. I skied until the end of the 1st week in April this year and had no problems finding good snow.

Anyway, wherever you decide to go you can't been Austria in my book - have a great trip

Austria is also relatively cheap compared to France for passes and eating out; paid out £25 for an omelette and frite in Maribel.

A snowHead

@Markymark29,
You are right, St.Anton is a nice village as well, especially compared to the French purposed built rubbish. I was a bit too much in the Courchevel-Lech association

But I still do think the OP should stay with one of the top resorts in West Austria, i.e. Lech, St.Anton or Ischgl.
Only these can really compete, size- and altitude wise, with Trois Vallees and the other large French resorts. The OP will be pleasantly surprised!

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Most of Austria is melting by March.

Head high.

Lech.
St Anton.
Ischgl.
Obergurgl.
Solden.

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Stuben could be a good option if not fussed about partying, and gives you good access to Arlberg. Oberlech/Lech definitely up there with the best in the Alps. I would agree with others on Ischgl/Kappl.

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@alex_heney, Most of the northern hemisphere is melting by March isn't it? Seems like reasonable advice to me, I'd be going high in mid March, more chance of cold conditions, decent snowpack and less likelihood of melt surely?

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

It's not one dimensional its common sense.....that said I agree with your point regards going east, we ski mostly in Arlberg which is eastern Alps, and high so I'm not concerned, I would be however if I was intending skiing in a lower further east ski area like say Kitzbuhel.

Spot on. It's really unhelpful to make generalised statements about the climate in Austria; I have lived in Austria and skied there for the last 10 years and never had a bad season, even in early April. If you are prepared to travel up to 1 hour you can find good snow in most places that time of year. Fair enough there won't be much in the valleys, but there will plenty at 1600m plus.

My brother in law works for the Panoramabahn ski lift company and he prefers to ski in March as the snow is good, the crowds have gone and you get more bluebird days. He also tells me that in common with the rest of the Alps, Austria is getting less snow - however temps are getting lower which is why his company have just invested another 3 million euros this year on snow making equipment. So unless you are after nice powder, piste skiing is still top class in most places between December and end of March.

By all means join the crowds in Lech, Zurs and St Anton if you want to, I prefer something a little less busy such as the Resterhoe side of the Kitzbuhl ski area.

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Austria in mid March

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