 Poster: A snowHead
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I've found myself with a spare week off and have booked flights to Innsbruck 5th to 12th of January.
I'm looking at St Anton and was looking for some advice. I was in Lech once before in January 2014 or 2015 with mates and the snow was very poor, brown patches etc. Given the areas reputation, I feel the area should given another chance.
I hear it is generally a busy resort but is it likely to be busy 5th-12th of January? I would have thought not.
Where's the best place to look for accommodation? I'm flying solo and am looking for budget stuff. Booking.com etc are hopeless for ski resorts.
For ski hire, are there any recommended places? I'd be looking for good piste skis with flexibility to change to some fat floppies if required. Ski hire in Lech was extortionate, I believe there is a family cartel in place that would make the Medellin boys jealous. Is it the same in St Anton?
Any restaurant recommendations? I don't mind spending a few bob on food if it is decent.
All advice is very much appreciated.
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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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The Arlberg has one of the best snow records in the eastern alps, if the snow is poor there it is likely to be worse elsewhere. There was a recent season where I simply didnt bother going skiing until the end of January, there was not enough snow to be worth spending the money, I went walking instead, it could well be the same year you mention.
Pettneu is a good spot to look for less expensive accommodation, there are (or at least were until recently) a number of B&B places for around €50 / night (maybe even a little bit less). The ski bus takes 10 minutes and they run regularly in the morning and evening. Unlike the outlying spots in St Anton itself (St Jakob, Gand etc) there are some bars and restaurants in the village.
I have tended to use Alber Sports for ski hire, never had any complaints, but not sure there is a big difference between the various companies. It is worth booking online a couple of days before hand to get a small discount and request the sort of skis you want. I have found sending an email asking what skis they have gets a helpful response.
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@sean1967, how busy? I believe from comments on other threads that Russian New Year will make the Arlberg resorts very busy from 5-10 Jan 2019.
Local area experts may be along soon to advise more on that.
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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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Russian Week
Low season
But begin of all the tourist companys (scandinavia etc)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sean1967, You'll easy get accommodantion, look at Gampberg hotel 45-50€ a night b&b single room, 100m from the lifts. Brilliant week to ski, quiet and fantastic conditions. We're going tomorrow for a week, i'll try not use up all the powder.
Ski hire Jennewein or Alber Sport as above, newest and best rep........some folk on here moan about them being expensive but its great kit and great locations.
Restaurant - so many, no bad ones imo. Look up Antonys downstairs.
Enjoy
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Can recommend Hospiz Alm in St Christof (EDIT: Not here actually see below) for food, super chilled (never seen it rammed like some of the other on-mountain places), has good wine and great food - excellent value too.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Thu 20-12-18 13:42; edited 1 time in total
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Also, what ability is your group? If you've got any beginners or nervous skiers then I would stay closer to the nasserein lift as piste 50 (blue into St Anton centre be Galzig) can get super mogully - like waist high - at the end of a day.
However if your all ok with reds or moguls then stay as close to Galzig as possible, it's where all the action is!
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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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We were there that week this year and about 7 years ago. It was not very busy but not quite, max 5 minute queues at most lifts, it was also not over run by Russians.
We found two bad pinch points at Zurs where we had long waits a couple of times, the Zursersee and Madloch lifts.
One other negative from last year was the closure of Happy Valley, it forced a lot of skiers onto black 52 that were not capable.
Overall we had a fantastic holiday and would return again that week.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Markymark29, Really? I've never had anything but great service there, I wouldn't call the staff attentive in the fine dining sense, no; but I personally hate that anyway. They're available, fast, and cheerful.
Yes it's not 'cheap' for Austria, but massive portions! 18 euros for a big oval plate of their haus spitz is very welcome after a hard morning.
Each to their own I suppose!
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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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| Thomasski wrote: |
| Can recommend Hospiz Alm in St Christof for food, super chilled (never seen it rammed like some of the other on-mountain places), has good wine and great food - excellent value too. |
Biggest RipOFf Jint in Austria
Austrians McDonalds ,,seriously..Nithing s Fresh except the Wine !
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Just realised I've misremembered the place, Alm have good wine but expensive, noisy and rammed, it was a place in Stuben that - for some reason - my mind is mixing up. Apologies!
Not don't go to Hospiz Alm, head down to Stuben instead. There's a place there with a small terrace you can ski up to that is everything my first post promised.
Anyone know the name of it?
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You know it makes sense.
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| sean1967 wrote: |
I've found myself with a spare week off and have booked flights to Innsbruck 5th to 12th of January.
I'm looking at St Anton and was looking for some advice. I was in Lech once before in January 2014 or 2015 with mates and the snow was very poor, brown patches etc. Given the areas reputation, I feel the area should given another chance.
I hear it is generally a busy resort but is it likely to be busy 5th-12th of January? I would have thought not.
Where's the best place to look for accommodation? I'm flying solo and am looking for budget stuff. Booking.com etc are hopeless for ski resorts.
For ski hire, are there any recommended places? I'd be looking for good piste skis with flexibility to change to some fat floppies if required. Ski hire in Lech was extortionate, I believe there is a family cartel in place that would make the Medellin boys jealous. Is it the same in St Anton?
Any restaurant recommendations? I don't mind spending a few bob on food if it is decent.
All advice is very much appreciated. |
I turned up at St Anton without booking any accomodation. The tourist information office when you arrive can do a check on the day for rooms available. I am not sure it will be better than booking in advance though, but worth knowing if you can't find anything cheap.
If you use your card to get into a bank corridor, there is a heated area next to the ATM which could do for one night!
There is a usually a range of free ski hire at the restaurants next to the piste. Just take your boots along and help yourself to a pair that fits. It is a bit like the bike hire in major cities, except there is no charge (watch out for people claiming these skis as theirs, they are con artists)
The supermarkets do a good range in flavoured boxes of pringles!
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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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Look at Haus Bachseite. Good value and central location
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Thomasski wrote: |
Just realised I've misremembered the place, Alm have good wine but expensive, noisy and rammed, it was a place in Stuben that - for some reason - my mind is mixing up. Apologies!
Not don't go to Hospiz Alm, head down to Stuben instead. There's a place there with a small terrace you can ski up to that is everything my first post promised.
Anyone know the name of it? |
I believe you are thinking of the Berghaus. It is just behind the church (“behind” if you are looking up from the Albona 1 load). It is very good. The food is great, the prices reasonable, service good, and a fairly chilled atmosphere.
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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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@ulmerhutte, Yes! That's it! Between the church and a new build. Brain wasn't working...
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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 love the Hospiz, if nothing else go to the toilet there.
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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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| Thomasski wrote: |
Also, what ability is your group? If you've got any beginners or nervous skiers then I would stay closer to the nasserein lift as piste 50 (blue into St Anton centre be Galzig) can get super mogully - like waist high - at the end of a day.
However if your all ok with reds or moguls then stay as close to Galzig as possible, it's where all the action is! |
My group is limited to me and I ski like Snow Jesus.
I'll not be seeking out moguls though, a waste of energy for little reward.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for all the advice but I'm thinking........
Balls to it! I am going just leave it very late, see where the snow and forecast is best before booking.
St Anton, Soelden, Selva, Ischgl and many others are easy to get to/from Innsbruck on public transport.
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@sean1967, Austria snow will be brilliant by time of your trip look st the forecast for next week
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