 Poster: A snowHead
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Don't get excited! 
My wife and I usually ski in France The first time back out since - Three Valleys, La Plagne, Tignes. The first time back out since 2020, we are tempted to try somewhere different, as availability for the week we are looking at is low - but we know nothing of skiing in Austria.
We are reasonable intermediate skiers and fit (but oldish, at 62 and 63 years), and what we love about the resorts we choose is the fact that we can ski pretty snow-sure and different pistes for the whole week, without resorting to awkward transfers. We ski mostly good blues and reds, with the occasional good black thrown in.
We also are looking at Serre Chevalier, where we had a great week back in 2014, but cvonditions (and lifts!) don't look good.
So I am wondering about Austria. Can anyone give me a couple of resort names where we have a good, large area, suitable for reasonably skilled old bugs that are usually too tired for raucous apres, but do like a good bar with good beer.
PS Christ, I am so looking forward to just getting out on the snow again!
Cheers, folks.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Serfaus-fiss-ladis
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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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@stanton
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@t40ora, There are plenty of good Austrian options, e.g. Lech / Zurs, Saalbach / Hinterglemm, Obergurgl (with the option of Solden for a couple of days). A lot's going to depend on when you're looking to go, what else you look for in a resort, which airport(s) you can get to easily, budget, etc.
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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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| Quote: |
Serfaus-fiss-ladis
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Another good option.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Kitzbuhel would be perfect
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Pretty pistes, varied pistes, reliable snow, excellent for intermediates. Plus many other nice things. Civilised acres ski
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Saalbach and Hinterglemm, has the largest linked ski area in Austria, so i'm told. It also boasts the best lift system in the world!. it's an intermediate's paradise. In Austria the mountain huts are WAY better than France or Italy. Granted generally the resorts are not as high as France but they are pretty snow sure. The resorts are generally pretty mountain villages with character and soul, unlike the French uber resorts like La Plagne etc built from concrete!!
trust me, once you've skied in Austria, you won't go back to France!!
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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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Saalbach-Hinterglemm would be a great choice.
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OK folks, thank you. We are looking to go either 12th/13th or 19th/20th March. Due to lack of brain capacity at the moment, we are also aiming for a package. Don't have time for working out transfers etc....
Airports - Bournemouth, S'ton, Bristol - or the main London ones. My naivety is such that I don't even know where I would fly into.
I've decided that I am going to call a couple of operators tomorrow (Ski Solutions, Iglu Ski) to see what they have available for under a grand each. Looking at a couple of places in La Plagne, and one in SC - but I will widen the scope to the resorts mentioned above.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you want piste skiing with reliable conditions Ischgl is probably your best bet. Both Kitzbühel & Saalbach Hinterglemm are potentially good too, though the season is not as long as Ischgl and later in March can start to get very "spring" like. Serfaus is a good option too. The best & biggest area in Austria is the Arlberg but it is rather different to the larger French resorts. The focus is less on dense networks of lifts & pistes more on challenge (not just for rubber legged experts) and a sense of being underway in some grand mountain scenery in a traditional setting. In many ways Lech is the best location if your main focus is on piste skiing but cost can be an issue.
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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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Surely wanting to go somewhere with good beer rules out France? 
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Reliable piste skiing sounds good....
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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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re cvonditions
Not sure Austria is any better or worse than any ski resorts you just have to take your chances as you see fit
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Poster: A snowHead
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The perception in France is that skiing is a sport. In Austria (and Italy etc.) It is a hobby/pastime which makes everything more relaxed. If you look at the numbers, France is pretty much the same as everywhere else but the experience is much different.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
| Trust me, once you've skied in Austria, you won't go back to France |
As much as I love Austria, there must be loads of people like me, who enjoy both countries - as well as lots of other ski countries too.
I can't see why visiting Austria would mean writing off lesser known but enjoyable French ski areas like Val Cenis or Combloux, or the world class skiing of areas like Espace Killy or the 3 Vallees.
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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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@mountainaddict, +1 Some people just can't resist any opportunity to slag off "France" where, of course, all the hundreds of ski resorts are treeless concrete monstrosities with no character full of rude people bent on ripping you off. Thankfully it's rare to find people who like France slagging off Austria.
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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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nicer food. nicer beer. nicer people.
3 reasons why Austria > France
Easier to get around, cheaper to get around, cheaper beer.
3 more reasons why Austria is > France
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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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I rest my case
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Kitzbuhel is a great town with a good ski area with good access. Nightlife in KItz is varied dependant on what you want
Galtur/Ischgl. Stay in Galtur, it has a small ski area, and get the bus to Ischgl to ski there. A large (Franceesque) ski area awaits at the top of the mountain with skiing Switzetrland thrown in. Ischgkl has/had a very lively Apres ski scene, Galtur is more hotel based. I stay at the Alpenhotel Tirol in Galtur
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Or go to the Dolomites, it's Austria but with some italian food thrown in 
Crystal have the Flora in Selva on 19th March ex Gatwick half board for £786
I've stayed in the Flora a few times and is a great wee hotel with good food. Pretty much ski in as well, despite being on the high street.
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| Mr.Egg wrote: |
nicer food. nicer beer. nicer people.
3 reasons why Austria > France
Easier to get around, cheaper to get around, cheaper beer.
3 more reasons why Austria is > France |
Definitely the beer. Especially the Dunkel Weissbier. I'm feeling thirsty just thinking about drinking a few whilst listening to some cheesy apres-ski songs in a packed bar.
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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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@pam w, I absolutely agree that many French ski resorts are second to none. However, the accommodation isn't. Finding a reasonably priced, spotlessly clean hotel in Austria with a pool and spa is easy. Finding one in a French resort which isn't megabucks is hard.
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@t40ora, I was at Serre Chevalier two weeks ago for the first time. Write up is here (https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=158991). I really rate the resort but snow conditions are abysmal at the moment. If you are going this year I think Austria is a better bet.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| JohnS4 wrote: |
| Mr.Egg wrote: |
nicer food. nicer beer. nicer people.
3 reasons why Austria > France
Easier to get around, cheaper to get around, cheaper beer.
3 more reasons why Austria is > France |
Definitely the beer. Especially the Dunkel Weissbier. I'm feeling thirsty just thinking about drinking a few whilst listening to some cheesy apres-ski songs in a packed bar. |
Most places sell Erdinger in Austria
4 for £6 in Tesco, https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/271028403
but I prefer Brains Dark https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/264097618
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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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| Quote: |
Finding a reasonably priced, spotlessly clean hotel in Austria with a pool and spa is easy. Finding one in a French resort which isn't megabucks is hard.
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Certainly the nice hotel in Les Saisies, though spotlessly clean and with a pool and a spa, is very expensive. However, as I don't like hotels and specially don't like spas, that's not a problem for me! I would always prefer to rent my own private accommodation and that's available at all standards in France - from the super cheap rabbit hutch through to really lovely places with their own pools and cinemas (some of the chalets my son cooked in were out of this world - his staff accommodation in one of them was much superior to our apartment; not a piece of IKEA furniture in sight and a vast flat TV screen on the wall). Given the choice, and a generous budget, I'd opt to rent a nice place where I could sit around in my base layers if I want, have plenty of my own wine and nice food around and go out to a range of good restaurants.
Austria and France are very different - and suit different people. What gets my goat is when the Austria-fans just slag off France and say silly things like "once you've skied in Austria you'll never go back to France" which is patent rubbish.
One assertion I would make is that the Italians have the best mountain restaurants and best value food and hot drinks.
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| Quote: |
| Austria and France are very different - and suit different people. What gets my goat is when the Austria-fans just slag off France and say silly things like "once you've skied in Austria you'll never go back to France" which is patent rubbish. |
Fair point, well made 
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks all.
I've ducked out and opted for Méribel again. It took me long enough to put together flights, accommodation, and transfers for an area that I know, so I'll be looking at Austria and Italy next year. Very nearly went for a package to SC, it wouldn't work with flights from Mank, when I live on the South Coast.
I'll plan well in advance for next year! Bloody nightmare day, today. Started off looking at some packages in Austria, but they were working out about a grand more, for the two of us.
Food seems to be a possible issue, for two people who eat very little meat and can't suggest bovine dairy, so more research needed.
Whatever, I am so f**king happy with the prospect of getting back on the opposite again, I just can't bloody wait.
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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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@mountainaddict, an assertion too far often destroys an argument, however I look at Switzerland, Italy, and the Austria in that order for my skiing these days. I did book a short very competitively priced holiday in L2A this January. The petulant Mr Macron put paid to that to make a point over scallop fishing I think. Back to my 1,2,3.
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Poster: A snowHead
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What happened to Bad Gastein? One of my favourites for many years.
Hardly ever see a Snowhead reference to a very large ski area!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@t40ora, vegan / vegetarian lifestyle is very much on the up in the German speaking world (not for me happy with pig & beer ) so despite what you might think Austria is probably now better from that perspective than France. The days of the "vegetarian" option being potato soup with bits of ham floating in it are becoming a distant memory.
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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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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
| What happened to Bad Gastein? One of my favourites for many years. |
OH and I were there in March 2020, the last week before Austria closed and we were all thrown out! I wouldn't say it's my favourite but it's a pretty village, albeit a bit hilly to walk around in ski boots. It was a strange holiday, with one of the hotels (not ours) closing suddenly midweek. Rumour had it, it was because of covid cases. What happened to all the guests? Nobody knew. Or rather the people who knew, weren't saying  . But the skiing, for intermediates, was great, although I wouldn't recommend it for beginners. Well, at least it was in Badgastein and Bad Hofgastein. I wouldn't recommend Sport Gastein as, basically, it's just one long lift with queues and the few runs off it are crowded. It was our first time in Badgastein and I'd go back. It doesn't seem that popular with the English though.
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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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| munich_irish wrote: |
| @t40ora, vegan / vegetarian lifestyle is very much on the up in the German speaking world (not for me happy with pig & beer ) so despite what you might think Austria is probably now better from that perspective than France. The days of the "vegetarian" option being potato soup with bits of ham floating in it are becoming a distant memory. |
Just agreed with SWMBO that on our return, we will start booking for next year. That will give us a proper amount of time to research. I will start by looking at all the above references - and checking on food options. The last two times I worked in Germany, the hotel was fine, but the bloody clients too me out to places like a Hamhockhause (sp?) which WASN'T so good
We usually try to hit the slopes twice a year (fcuk knows what will happen now though, with EVERYTHING costing so much more, including just existing at home) so will definitely try Italy or Austria for one of those, next season.
We are thinking of an early, December, trip to start the season. Any top tip on which country might have a better chance of early snow? I know!! It's all probability etc, but before I start researching historical snow records for each resort in each country, I thought that I would punt on here just in case there is a definite trend.
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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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| t40ora wrote: |
| The last two times I worked in Germany, |
Austria is however a different country 
| t40ora wrote: |
Any top tip on which country might have a better chance of early snow? I know!! It's all probability etc, but before I start researching historical snow records for each resort in each country, I thought that I would punt on here just in case there is a definite trend. |
North west Austria (Arlberg and Vorarlberg area, resorts include Lech, St Anton, Damüls, Montafon) is the snowiest part of the Alps, but as you say early season is always a game of chance so by far the best bet is to just book last minute wherever looks snowy. It really shouldn't take a year of research either! It's a holiday not a military invasion Book flights to Innsbruck, Munich or Zurich; look at all the resorts listed in this thread and pick one that looks snowy and ticks your other boxes. All are straightforward enough to get to from all those airports either by public transport, organised transfer or hire car, and in 2022 all have plenty of options for vegan and vegetarian food.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@t40ora, Any sort of male social activity here is likely to involve beer but even the Bierhalls here in Munich now generally serve vegetarian food too. There is one that specialises in pork knuckle https://www.kuffler.de/de/restaurant/haxnbauer/ which might not but most places do. Austria tends to be a bit less beer focused than Bavaria as many Austrian's quite reasonably like Austrian wine. Plenty of German wine too (even Bavarian wine) though no doubt beer more popular for nights out even in the wine regions.
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| t40ora wrote: |
| munich_irish wrote: |
| @t40ora, vegan / vegetarian lifestyle is very much on the up in the German speaking world (not for me happy with pig & beer ) so despite what you might think Austria is probably now better from that perspective than France. The days of the "vegetarian" option being potato soup with bits of ham floating in it are becoming a distant memory. |
Just agreed with SWMBO that on our return, we will start booking for next year. That will give us a proper amount of time to research. I will start by looking at all the above references - and checking on food options. The last two times I worked in Germany, the hotel was fine, but the bloody clients too me out to places like a Hamhockhause (sp?) which WASN'T so good
We usually try to hit the slopes twice a year (fcuk knows what will happen now though, with EVERYTHING costing so much more, including just existing at home) so will definitely try Italy or Austria for one of those, next season.
We are thinking of an early, December, trip to start the season. Any top tip on which country might have a better chance of early snow? I know!! It's all probability etc, but before I start researching historical snow records for each resort in each country, I thought that I would punt on here just in case there is a definite trend. |
I did a couple of holidays to Zell-am-See (now all linked up with Saalbach etc Ski circus). Half board hotel coped fine with vegetarian daughters and that was a few years back now. In fact Zell is worth looking at, its very pretty town, less manic less boisterous apres ski than Saalbach, but access to all the same slopes now. Its smaller ski area used to be its slight Achilles heel. its defo an intermediates paradise.
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St Anton would suit well, large linked area with Zurs and Lech now, I was there 8 years ago before it was properly linked and had to get the bus to Zurs, not a massive issue. Snow sure, decent town, has a reputation for raucous Apres ski, and yes if you want it you have the Mooserwert or Crazy Kangaroo and the Piccadilly club but those can easily be avoided if your not interested. The town in general has plenty of places to eat and drink quietly. Not sure on the availability of vegetarian options.
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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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| Ghost Dog wrote: |
| Or go to the Dolomites, it's Austria but with some italian food thrown in . |
go there this year if you don't like snow
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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
What happened to Bad Gastein? One of my favourites for many years.
Hardly ever see a Snowhead reference to a very large ski area! |
hi, well i'll try to put a tripreport together, going to Gastianertal for a first. Lots of exp of austria though. So looking for experince from fellow travelers. might be a bit so&so late in the season. arriving for the w 13
ps/
this is really a good place for inside info
cheers
//Orjan
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FAQ
