 Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@Snowy_Kenobi, welcome by all means.
Most people I know don't feel confident on any kind of red pistes after only one week of skiing, so ski lessons will definitely be recommended by all of us here in order to enjoy and master the inherent difficulties.
The Apres issue might pose a problem in Covid19 times. Austria is regarded by many as the best place to enjoy it, but social limitations will probably still be in place next season.
St. Anton was perfect in that aspect but beside Lech (which is very expensive), it's considered a harder and more challenging destination, one that is enjoyed with more experience.
Skiwelt is wonderful in any possible way and the pub at the bottom of the slope right next to the Hochbrixen (Brixner Stadl, look for it on YouTube) was blasting with energy at the end of the day last March.
I haven't been to Saalbach but it gets great reviews for skiing and apres.
In France, you have of course Val Thorens and Tignes Val Claret (cocorico) which will offer a wide array of pistes plus apres.
I expect many more suggestions from the others.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
are there any university trips you can join?
Piste Apres is probably not going to be like it used to be for this season. So you could be paying a premium for that element that is non existent (equivalent of a hotel with a nice pool for your summer holidays, but the pool is closed!)
Don't get caught up to much on piste colours.
You can have Red's that should really be blacks or blues that should be red - but that blue is a link, so is labelled so!
There are lots of resorts you could look at. Les2Alpes, Alpe Dhuez, Mayrhofen, etc. which are large enough resorts to have some sort of night scene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Not really, I’m graduate myself so I don’t think I even could tag along anymore but tbh we’re used to travel by ourself so I wouldn’t really want the school trip experience either.
Good point with the apres, its easy to get a little carried away with all the apres praise out there! I do feel kinda optimistic about the restrictions going away since things changed quickly in the US too after vaxinations and we’re something like 4-5 months behind, but obviously idk.
I heard somewhere too that all the resorts have similiar amount of blues etc since there arent strick guidelines to any of that, which is why we’re having a hard time to decide the right mountain for us 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In your shoes I'd go somewhere in Austria but not St Anton/ Arlberg.
Ski Welt, Ski Circus or Mayrhofen/Zillertal may all fit the bill and have decent apres ( if it is allowed).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I would throw La Plagne/Les Arcs into the pot for consideration.
La Plagnes has lots of motorway skiing; easy routes through forests; and excursions to satellite traditional villages, if the snow cover is good enough.
Les Arcs has more interesting skiing, of various standards.
Both resorts have Glaciers and are connected by a cable car; there is lots of accommodation beside the lifts; there are trees, if the weather closes in; Evo 2 ski school in some of the resorts; and the lesser skiers don't need to get the whole area lift pass, as each resort has a decent amount of skiing.
Last edited by After all it is free  on Thu 19-08-21 12:11; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
First of all a confession - I'm not an expert on the Apre Ski scene or what people want from it so I'll concentrate on the skiing.
For a good mix of scenery and easy piste skiing on very well prepared pistes IMHO you cannot beat the Dolomites (OK geography purist, they are not technically the Alpes but who really cares). Wolkenstein or St. Ulrich would be my first choices, but Canazei would also be good.
For me the true alpine skiing experience is staying up high and heading straight out onto the piste and that means a purpose built resort - somewhere like Alpe d'Huez or one of the smaller resorts like Valmorel.
May I suggest getting a second hand copy of Where to Ski and SNowboard from Amazon and spending a long pleasant time doing detailed research.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mid-Jan is the perfect time for a budget friendly ski holiday and the world is your oyster from that pov.
Given you are 3 youngish mates I wouldn't take a week of lessons but maybe get do a couple of hours private 2nd or 3rd day to get errors spotted, tip techniques to get you going in the right direction.
Second the comment about not getting too hooked on slope gradings as their so many variables. You have to get to know them a bit at the start of the week and also understand how the exposure and weather conditions will affect them. Talking of weather the downside of mid-Jan is the weather can be bleak - best to find somewhere with tree skiing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
I’d echo the recommendation for Saalbach Hinterglemm. Mid-Jan should be fine for snow coverage and their snow-making is excellent should there be a slightly late start to the real stuff falling (unlikely). The Ski Circus is vast so you get a great sense of travel. Of course, as with most “mega” resorts, ski passes are on the pricey side!
The piste options are plentiful! Regarding Apres….well, that’s hard to predict in these times but, Saalbach is awesome. One of the best places I’ve been to with a good mix catering to most tastes, from wild to slightly more sedate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I certainly would NOT recommend St Anton for you, based our stated experience. Very few “easy” slopes and you need to be comfortable on crowded slopes. Lech offers more intermediate possibilities, but staying there is seriously expensive.
From what I have heard, Saalbach or perhaps Hopfgarten might be better for you. I have not skied the former and my experience of the latter is based on a Contiki trip a lifetime ago, so take it with a grain of salt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@holidayloverxx, Yes, the Italianisation of the German speaking Dolomites continues, but my maps (on View Ranger) still say Wolkenstein and St. Ulrich.
Selva is the name for other places in the Dolomites so I prefer to stick to the original names to avoid confusion. If I go to Selva I end up in a beautiful little town linked to the Civetta ski area. Also worth considering BTW.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Big thanks for all the help! Never expected this helpfull lot, really appreciate it!
Saalbach seems to be it, although we’ll be taking a second look at places you mentioned before doing anything too stupid. Only thing that it seems to be missing is some of the scenery of other resorts, but we’re not there to only fill our Instagrams. I’m sure its a great place live too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Snowy_Kenobi wrote: |
Good point with the apres, its easy to get a little carried away with all the apres praise out there! I do feel kinda optimistic about the restrictions going away since things changed quickly in the US too after vaxinations and we’re something like 4-5 months behind, but obviously idk.
|
Yeah, we got all excited about being vaccinated, shed our masks, started going to restaurants, basically going nuts.
And what did that get us:
Bloomberg: Covid Hospital Deaths at Highest Level Since February in US.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-19/u-s-covid-hospital-deaths-hit-february-levels-as-icus-overflow
It turns out that all us vaccinated folks were catching the thing, not knowing it, having larger viral loads, and then doing all these Old Days things, spreading it far and wide. And all the unvaccinated folks were the same ones who never had worn masks anyway. And based on what I saw at the store today, no one is seeing the light. Locally, all the ICU beds are full.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Snowy_Kenobi, Cervinia in Italy fits the bill, I’ve skied for 50 years and am going there for my middle daughters boyfriend who is a first time skier. For as many thrills as you want just opt over the border to Zermatt. Highest lift served skiing in Europe, great restaurants, and overall its high so good snow record. Only downside is you might get too much snow, and potentially high wind. Obvious really given the height.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
In your shoes I'd go somewhere in Austria but not St Anton/ Arlberg.
Ski Welt, Ski Circus or Mayrhofen/Zillertal may all fit the bill and have decent apres ( if it is allowed). |
Yep, Saalbach would be perfect
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
| Snowy_Kenobi wrote: |
Thanks for any help in advance! |
Students who have crossed off Switzerland still have St Anton on there?
Seems like if you want Austria (most is cheaper than St Anton), then somewhere like Saalbach, Kitzbuhel or Mayrhofen, the classic British favourites (though if you are from Sweden maybe that'd put you off), should suit you just fine for all the aspects you are looking for. SkiWelt also, though it's a bit lower and Soll is a little less convenient for slope access
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@buchanan101 Isn’t Swizerland overall more expensive though? We found airbnb’s from Pettneu for a decent pricing and from what I read beers are around 5e and the food is the same as in any city in Scandinavia.
We did book Saalbach however, got some cheap flights and the area seemed great. Can’t wait for the trip!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Snowy_Kenobi, enjoy your trip to Saalbach, I'm sure you'll have a great time! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Snowy_Kenobi wrote: |
@buchanan101 Isn’t Swizerland overall more expensive though? We found airbnb’s from Pettneu for a decent pricing and from what I read beers are around 5e and the food is the same as in any city in Scandinavia.
We did book Saalbach however, got some cheap flights and the area seemed great. Can’t wait for the trip! |
Yes but St Anton area is possibly the most expensive Austrian resort, that and Ischgl and Obergurgl. They are probably more snow sure than lower resorts, but Austrian snow making is very good and extensive. Saalbach is an excellent choice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
@Snowy_Kenobi, if you would like me to email you my comprehensive guide to Saalbach, send me a personal message with your email address.
I’m always happy to answer any questions about the resort, as I live there all year round and know the area pretty well (and am also in regular contact with several British families who own apartments that are available to rent at any time of the year).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
If that makes sense. All of us did find most of the blue slopes in Lapland a bit boring though, whereas red’s gave a decent mix of challange and laid back experience. We did do some off-piste there too but I don’t personally feel that confident going off-road in the Alps 
