 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi, group of 5 heading to Saalbach for Christmas. Have been skiing a few times but not in Austria, anybody have any tips on where to spend Christmas Eve/Christmas Day? Staying near the Bernkogel ski lift. Any recommendations for Apres Ski 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Rwstig, Welcome to Snowheads and to the definitive threads about Saalbach >>>
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=94479&start=80 and http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2402083&highlight=saalbach+thread#2402083
If you are near the Bernkogel lift, then you are in the centre of the village and within staggering distance of all of the main après bars (Hinterhag Alm, Bauers, Eva Alm, SpitzPub, Schwipps Bar etc) and the après après (Bobby's, Otzi, Castello, Taverne) and only a short taxi ride away from Hinterglemm's equally manic après at the Goasstall, Hexenhausl, Unterschwartach (for the night skiing) etc. Be aware that some of the places won't really get going until after Christmas Eve, e.g. the band for the après in the Hinterhag Alm usually arrives on 25th or 26th Dec.
Send a PM to Tatman's Tours (use button top right of page) and he'll send you his unrivalled guide to Saalbach if you ask him nicely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
Also will be staying near the Bernkogel over Christmas week!
Very excited 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Great thanks quinton
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
You will all have a FAB time, I can absolutely assure you of that!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Tatmans Tours, is the guru for Saalbach, as is Quinton. You will love Saalbach. What is the make up of your group?
For Christmas Day, see if you can book at Hotel Peter, which is right by the Bernkogel.
We are staying up past the Kohlmaisgipfelbahn on Skiliftstrasse over Christmas.
Love Austria but will always struggle with the Germanic names for lifts and pistes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We've spent every Christmas since 2007 in Saalbach, so our 8th consecutive one is coming up, and I can't imagine spending it anywhere else! I thought it may be helpful for those visiting Saalbach at Christmas for the first time to provide an insight into what you might expect. ianbradders needn't bother reading on, because I've copied it from a recent message I sent to him.
Saalbach is fairly idyllic at Christmas, which is very seriously celebrated in Austria. They're quite religious about it, so the après-ski doesn't tend to kick off until Boxing Day, when the Hinterhag Alm (for one) opens. Until then it tends to be 'holy holy', with brass band carol concerts in the square, carol services in the Church (they're of course nuts about Silent Night, since it was composed by an Austrian; also 'O Tannenbaum'), Christkindl markets in the villages, and of course midnight masses on Christmas Eve - one at midnight and one earlier in the evening. The church is beautifully decorated, as are all the trees in the village centre, and it's hard to imagine anywhere more 'Christmassy'. It's like being in the middle of a Christmas card, with Christmas trees, fairy lights and images of reindeer and Santa everywhere you look, as well, hopefully, as starry skies and plenty of snow.
Some of the restaurants do special Christmas Eve gala dinners (we usually go to Peters - 8 courses for 40 euros), and a guy dressed up as 'Sankt Nicholas', with a red cloak and a bishop's mitre and crook comes round and reads a bit from the Bible - presumably the Christmas story from the gospels, though we haven't the foggiest as it's all in German. Peter has in his restaurant a large Christmas tree, which is covered in sparklers, which after dinner he solemnly lights to the accompaniment of 'Silent Night'.
One thing that struck me when I experienced Christmas in Saalbach for the first time is that you hear all the same Christmas songs round the place - you know, all the usual stuff you'd get on the 'Best Christmas album Ever', which makes you feel quite at home, but without all the irritating, over-the top razamatazz and commercialism that you get back home. Of course the big difference is that you're surrounded by beautiful snowv scenery and can go skiing on Christmas Day (as well obviously as every other day). All in all it makes for a very nice atmosphere - Christmas at its most enjoyable. You can even go for a sleigh ride!
One notable difference is that Christmas Eve is the big event, whilst Christmas Day is more like our Boxing Day. They also don't regard turkey as a 'must' for Christmas dinner; their traditional Christmas dish is carp for some reason, although we usually manage to get some turkey - Mrs TT wouldn't have it any other way.
After Christmas, they apparently feel it's time to let their hair down, so the period between Boxing Day and New Year really hots up - in fact the week spanning New Year's Eve is the busiest of the entire season, and of course on NYE all hell is let loose with all sorts of displays on the nursery piste and enough fireworks to sink a battleship. Last year on NYE they had the Irish band, Cuckoo, playing in Bobby's, which couldn't have been better. At midnight everyone congregates in the square or on the nursery slope, the church bells go manic, and it's firework heaven for an hour or two.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks a million Tatman's Tours - a great help. Will check Hotel Peter out for Christmas Eve.
Can't wait to visit Saalbach for Christmas.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
TT i have obviously read the contents of the post previously....however reading it again make me all excited.
I have been showing the family the webcams and counting down the days.
That massive dump changed my whole perspective of christmas skiing at Saalbach.
Obviously conditions can change overnight but that has given me confidence for good cover over christmas.
The good lady wants to know the times of the christmas services for her and the girls. Meanwhile i will probably be in Bauers!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sounds fantastic x
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
We have decided to give Zermatt a miss for this Christmas and are staying at the Alpin Resort, arriving 20 Dec.
Just hope some of the white stuff arrives or they will be sending out to the local vintners quite often. Hic !!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Alpin resort hotel is LUSH! stayed there in March last year - enjoy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arlberg, Alpin is wonderful. All inclusive as well right? See what you mean about restocking.
They have done a good job so far with very very limited opportunity i am hoping the few cm's predicted and low temps will give them a chance to get some more runs and lifts open.
Ever hopeful.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Wouldn't get hopes up. Predicted cold couple if days but then 23rd predicted boiling. If it is 7 degrees at the top of the mountain then anything will melt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| tatmanstours wrote: |
...their traditional Christmas dish is carp for some reason, although we usually manage to get some turkey - Mrs TT wouldn't have it any other way.
|
Sorry about the zombie thread resurrection!
I haven't been on my summer holiday yet and I'm already obsessing over our Christmas trip to Hinterglemm.
Will it be easy to find somewhere serving carp? - I'd like to give it a go.
Or will it only be in expensive restaurants?
Full disclosure: I am a cheapskate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@Drammeister,
Wear it like a badge of honour.
Being a cheapskate most of the year allows one to indulge in holidays to the mountains.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Keep a look out for “pike/perch” on any menu.
Not. My. Thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
@Drammeister Cheap skate is a different type of fish. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Quote: |
Will it be easy to find somewhere serving carp? - I'd like to give it a go.
|
@Drammeister, Can't say I've ever gone searching for it, but, as it's their traditional Christmas dish, I would be surprised if you can't find it in a normal restaurant, (No carping if you can't  )
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Thanks for the replies.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
I’m imaging picking lots of bones out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
