 Poster: A snowHead
|
Alrighty Snawheids,
I'm looking for some advice regarding Serfaus/Fiss v St Anton v Solden v Ischgl
I'm meeting a mate in Italy on the 10th of February. Before that I'm going to do a solo trip from the 4th. I've a flight to Venice and will take the train to Austria and ski the 5th to the 9th and ski somewhere. The question is where.
I've been to Solden, Ischgl and the Arlberg and like them all but I'm thinking about Serfaus. As I'll be solo, I'm not fussed about apres. It'll be shash this year anyway, I hear there's a bug going about. A couple of scoops in the evening will do me.
I suppose my question is how does the skiing of Serfaus compare to the other 3? It seems a little known area compared to the other 3. In fact, I'd never heard of the area until the barman in the Limerick Bill's in Innsbruck mentioned it to me in 2019. I'm a piste skier, reds and blacks. Is it likely that Serfaus will be quieter than the other areas? I expect St Anton will be as rammed as ever.
Any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
It's a brilliant area. They have some great black pistes too. And yes, it will be quieter.
Go, you'll love it. The barman was correct (they often are)
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| red 27 wrote: |
It's a brilliant area. They have some great black pistes too. And yes, it will be quieter.
Go, you'll love it. The barman was correct (they often are) |
Excellent stuff, thanks for the input, I'm sold. Just need to sort where I'm going to stay, might stay in Fiss.
Recently I'm more of a Dolomites guy but the forecast snow for Austria is tempting me over the border.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Wot @red 27 said. No mistakes being made there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Serfaus is not unknown, it is one of the top Austrian resorts by visitor numbers. For some reason it does not attract a lot of UK visitors. Cant say I am very knowledgeable about the place but from my brief visit I would say that the skiing is similar to Ischgl (it is very close by, with a bit of touring you can ski to Samnaun, there is a plan to link with See which is a smaller area in the Paznauntal). A good variety of piste skiing, with some off piste, though a bit more skiing below the tree line than Ischgl. What is not the same is that it really pushes the "family" aspect, it is not a place to go to "party" Austrian style (not that is an issue currently).
Generally it does not get as much snow as the Arlberg (which isnt far away either) and that might be a factor at the moment given that the forecast snow is generally along the northern edge of the alps and towards the east (nothing on the horizon for the Dolomites). St Anton is reputed to be quiet, but so is everywhere. Many German families are currently pretty much prevented from taking holidays in Austria which is very much keeping numbers down, though hopefully that should change in the not too distant future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did look at the Schloss but soon realised I'd have to sell a nut to stay there. I've a load more days to budget, dropping £400 a night in the Schloss would be rash. Beef Club looks good. Looked at the Schalber in Serfaus too.
I've sent them an email asking if the bar and cigar lounge are open to outsiders. If so, I'll hang out there at night smoking stoagies, mildly schlossed, pretending I'm a bigtimer before heading off to my cheap schissenhousen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| munich_irish wrote: |
Serfaus is not unknown, it is one of the top Austrian resorts by visitor numbers. For some reason it does not attract a lot of UK visitors. Cant say I am very knowledgeable about the place but from my brief visit I would say that the skiing is similar to Ischgl (it is very close by, with a bit of touring you can ski to Samnaun, there is a plan to link with See which is a smaller area in the Paznauntal). A good variety of piste skiing, with some off piste, though a bit more skiing below the tree line than Ischgl. What is not the same is that it really pushes the "family" aspect, it is not a place to go to "party" Austrian style (not that is an issue currently).
Generally it does not get as much snow as the Arlberg (which isn't far away either) and that might be a factor at the moment given that the forecast snow is generally along the northern edge of the alps and towards the east (nothing on the horizon for the Dolomites). St Anton is reputed to be quiet, but so is everywhere. Many German families are currently pretty much prevented from taking holidays in Austria which is very much keeping numbers down, though hopefully that should change in the not too distant future. |
Thanks, I realise it's not Narnia. That it doesn't attract a load of UK visitors I see as a big plus, similar to the Dolomites.  If St Anton is quiet hmmm.......I suppose Serfaus will be quieter. But maybe I should take advantage of a rare quiet St Anton? Things might become busier though in February no? A lot of those fancy schools taking their half terms early? Last I looked on Bergfex there were non-trivial amounts forecast for St Anton, Ischgl, Solden and S/F/L.
What a dilemma to have! I'll keep a close eye on how things develop with next week's snow, make a decision on Thursday, then find some digs. From my perspective, arguably St Anton is 'closer' than all of the others, given it's a direct train from Innsbruck. No autobus faffaggio at Landeck or Otztal.
Anyone know if it possible to smoke inside anywhere in St Anton? Filthy habit but I do like a cigar and Austria is one of the few places you can still find indoor spaces to smoke. I realise I sound like a total tadgerino.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@sean1967, smoking indoors has been forbidden since end of 2019 in Austria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Does look like a decent amount of snow generally in Austria early part of next week, though just the odd snowflake in the Dolomites.
I went to Serfaus for a weekend a few years back when I couldnt find anywhere to stay in St Anton, ended up in Landeck and decided to avoid the crowds and try Serfaus (parked the car by the lift in Fiss). Thought I would go back but the siren call of the Arlberg has always been too strong.
Ask on the St Anton thread about numbers there, but reports are that it is quiet (along with everywhere else). If you are travelling by train it is difficult to beat St Anton for convenience, easy change at Innsbruck and the station is right in the middle of the village. The Zillertal villages are pretty good too with the train, the trains from Italy stop in Jenbach for the Zillertalbahn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Steilhang wrote: |
| @sean1967, smoking indoors has been forbidden since end of 2019 in Austria. |
I read that with some fear at the time but there seem to be quite a few hotels that still have smoking rooms attached to their bars, some only for guests though. They must have some exemption. There's some in Solden and Ischgl. I've found a couple in Serfaus / Fiss. Just not yet in St Anton other than the Tannenhof which I'm pretty certain will not allow walk ins.
I'm sure I had a cigar in Cafe Habana in Innsbruck in January 2020 too.
Italy too, over the years I've discovered the Park Laurin in Bolzano and the Laurin and the Alpenroyal in Selva all have smoking rooms. Also the SooChic restaurant in Plan de Gralba. Goalies pub has been refurbed and done away with their smoking area.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sat 29-01-22 23:57; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| munich_irish wrote: |
Does look like a decent amount of snow generally in Austria early part of next week, though just the odd snowflake in the Dolomites.
I went to Serfaus for a weekend a few years back when I couldnt find anywhere to stay in St Anton, ended up in Landeck and decided to avoid the crowds and try Serfaus (parked the car by the lift in Fiss). Thought I would go back but the siren call of the Arlberg has always been too strong.
Ask on the St Anton thread about numbers there, but reports are that it is quiet (along with everywhere else). If you are travelling by train it is difficult to beat St Anton for convenience, easy change at Innsbruck and the station is right in the middle of the village. The Zillertal villages are pretty good too with the train, the trains from Italy stop in Jenbach for the Zillertalbahn. |
Thanks, I've never tried the Zillertal. I looked at some options SkiWelt too, changing at Worgl. Looks like I'll do 5 days in Austria, night in Innsbruck, then head very early to Selva the next morning for 4 days with my mate. Such a great infrastructure the Italians and Austrians have for public transport through the mountains, great value too.
I was in Selva a few weeks ago, it was very quiet indeed. Weather was excellent and pistes in great shape too. I'm worried it's been too long without snow, though their snow making and pistemanship is exceptional.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
There’s no wrong answer for me on that list. If you’ve never been, then why not go for Serfaus and add it to your list? You’ll have more skiing than Solden, about the same as Ischgl and less than Anton. Serfaus has significantly quieter apres, but given the year that’s in it, that shouldn’t come in to it as much as you said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| Redial wrote: |
| There’s no wrong answer for me on that list. If you’ve never been, then why not go for Serfaus and add it to your list? You’ll have more skiing than Solden, about the same as Ischgl and less than Anton. Serfaus has significantly quieter apres, but given the year that’s in it, that shouldn’t come in to it as much as you said. |
Indeed, apres shmapres this year. In fact these days I'm happy with a few pints before and after dinner Aye, SFL might be the one, I'll wait for next week's weather and forecast to develop and make a decision midweek.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@sean1967, Restaurants - On the main drag just down from Galzig roundabout on Dorfstrasse is Anthony's- Steakhouse downstairs, pasta and pizza ground floor.
Fine dining at Fahrnerstubn up Alte Arlbergstrasse. Traditional Austrian at casual Der Greiswirt at the side of the Spar just opposite Schwarzer Adler Hotel, also Austrian at elegant Dorfstubn on Dorfstrasse. There's modern eclectic Aquila opposite Schwarzer Adler. Popular Fuhrmannstubn down by the church.
Then there's the cosy Underground (+live music and bossy owner Joan) on Rudi Matt Weg off Alte Arlbergstrasse, or by ski it's by the piste, skier's right just below Mooserwirt.
In all, usually booking is recommended in normal winters, though walk in possible.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
