 Poster: A snowHead
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We are going to Bad Hofgastein in two weeks & having never driven there beforehand thought it prudent to check out the legalities for driving etc.
Just as well as I have discovered that we need a vignette, is this for Germany & Austria?
Where/when do you get them & how much are they?
Winter tyres, are they obligatory? Conflicting info, can someone please clarify legal requirements as we are taking delivery of a new car 1/02/17 & our previous winter wheels/tyres will not fit...do I need to buy new winter tyres/wheels?
Will buy yet another set of chains, acquiring a collection in my garage now 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Winter tyres are mandatory for insurance purposes. You need to buy a vignette for using Austrian motorways, available from the service stations as you approach the Austrian border. I would think you are unlikely to need chains.
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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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Nothing required for motorways in Germany, but if you go off the Autobahn in and around some cities you will need an Umweltplakette, only relevant if you are planning an overnight stop somewhere en route.
Austrian vignette costs €8.90 for 10 days, as above you can pick it up from service stations in Germany as you approach the boarder, and at the border itself. In my experience, the services selling them are indicated as such as you get near to Austria.
Winter tyres you will need, they are a legal requirement in Austria.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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We've done the trip through Austria many times and it's very easy to buy the Vignette at one of the last petrol stations on the Autobahn, or the first in Austria. Really no need to do it on-line. We stop overnight near Ulm, right next to the Autobahn and have never needed an Umweltplakette. Another hint if you are new to driving through Germany - at service stations you have to pay for the seemingly expensive toilets, but you get a voucher (sometimes called 'wert-bon' vouchers). These are redeemable at the shop/restaurant. It's not always immediately obvious how to use them, especially if you are not up to scratch with the language.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Bananamoore, in the ladies there are signs on tbe back of the cubicle doors in english. 1 voucher per item. You cant club them together for 1 thing.
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Don't need an Umweltplakette for Filderstadt. Ulm is one place that technically you might need one. Certainly do if you take that B10 shortcut through the city and stay in a hotel there.
I'd just buy the Austrian vignette at one of the service stations. Cheaper that way. I'd stop at Holzkirchen Service personally (recently rebuilt), and avoid Irschenberg services (unless you fancy the excitement of merging back on to the A8 in a slip road that's about 10 m long with a crash barrier at the end).
Those loo vouchers are hilarious sometimes. Often see people totally confused trying to post them back in to the turnstiles as if it's the permit to get out. Just walk out! Then go use the voucher in the shop. There's now a rolling announcement in the loos in English and German explaining Sanifair.
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I've never seen an explanation on the back of a loo door, but then again, I'm usually managing two small kids in a tiny space, so may have missed that!
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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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No it's an audio announcement in both languages. There's also posters on cubicle doors and for blokes to read standing up, which sometimes are adverts, and sometimes a bi-lingual explanation that you get 50¢ back if you use the voucher in the shop or restaurant.
PS Austrian services are similar, but I think is 50¢ for a pee and you get a 50¢ voucher (Germany is 70¢ for a pee with 50¢ voucher)
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I was responding to a poster further above who'd mentioned seeing posters in the back of the door! We've done the trip so many times now, I know the score 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Oh missed that one.
I've never had a problem using 2-3 in one purchase.
PS they're valid for 12 months, so not a problem to save them for the return journey or a summer holiday.
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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 the reminder re Irschenberg - think we made that mistake once before..... Can't wait to go at half term 
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You know it makes sense.
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@michaelbury17, you do need winter tyres but many (most) tourists totally ignore it. Look at the Dutch registered cars and you will rarely see winters on there. They get away with it but few will be aware of the consequences should they be involved in an accident. I'm so sold on winter tyres I now run them in the UK too.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
has that cleared things up
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The snowflake crowd will be along like a flock of seagulls, all squawking 3pms any moment now.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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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 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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@michaelbury17, Good now you are getting it in all seriousness though, the first time you ' really ' wish you had the correct equipment will be the last.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@michaelbury17, Good luck 
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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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Wheel/tyres bought.... 
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Anyone got any tips for Bad Hofgastein or Super, runs, ski area, apres, restaurants etc
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| michaelbury17 wrote: |
| Anyone got any tips for Bad Hofgastein or Super, runs, ski area, apres, restaurants etc |
Go to the Alpentherme. It's got a lovely outdoor pool, which is worth visiting in itself. The Sauna World area is great, but mixed naked, so Brits are often too prudish to go in.
If the snow is good, spend some time at Graukogel. Don't be put off by how small it looks on the piste map. I had one of my best morning's skiing there a few years ago.
Personally I like the Dorfgastein area better that the Bad Hofgastein / Bad Gastein area. I'm fairly sure it's the Wengeralm in Dorfgastein I've had great lunches at a couple of times - the staff are in traditional dress too which adds to the atmosphere.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@GixerGirl, thanks for the advice, I think we will just get them en route, seems easy enough 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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FAQ
one. Across the road a bit from the Salzburgerhof there was a nice little bar called Promillchen and another bar for a late drink called Salute on Sparkassengasse.