 Poster: A snowHead
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We're off to Austria from 2-9 May 2022 for a final fling with our Tirol Snow Cards.
I had thought we'd just be skiing glaciers, which would be fine, but I've just seen that Söelden website says its skiing is open until 8 May.
Can anyone advise on what slopes (if any) other than the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers are likely to be open at that time?
Cheers.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I usually ride Sölden at the end of season, although this year I'm not yet sure. I've been there off and on for maybe 15 years, only once been able to ride down to the mid station in early May, although that was surprisingly good. Usually you are absolutely restricted to the two glaciers with their two related bases. You will either drive up there, or there's a shuttle bus from the village, but only that one time could I ride up on the lifts.
So, get your lift pass in the village and drive up; it's a toll road but your lift pass gets you up for free. Or catch the bus. Park at either base, but most people park at the first (where the buses also stop) as it's easiest and you can easily/ always get to the other base.
Most people will ride the main steepish direct slope on the Rettenbach. The top bit's usually in excellent condition and the bottom bit is surprisingly steep for a glacier. The lift's fairly quick, with a mid station if you just want to session the bottom. You can cut across to skier's right from there, and then session the "fridge", which keeps in condition longer than the main slope for obvious reasons. That's a fast slope with a few small bumps at the top. You can ride it down to the base but it's just a cat track back skiers left, so most people will session the T-bar there. In between, well some people ride off piste there, but if there's fresh snow then there's no need, and if there isn't it'll be tracked and probably not in great condition.
If you drive to the Tiefenbach base or go through the tunnel, you get to a very large open area with wide flattish pistes. That's usually in condition some part of the day, and some bits have a few minor lumps in them which are fun. There's a view point at the top. From the base there's a drag which gets you further out skiers right, or a heated big chair lift back to the fridge.
Food wise the two bases are cafeteria fayre; nothing I'd eat as I'm picky. The Rettenbach base has a cafe on the 1st floor (English) with a slightly stroppy proprietor and that does decent espresso and cakes, if you get there early enough. If you're lucky they'll have some events on at the base there also. It's common to have demo tents for skis and boards, plus if there's an end of season party you can watch people in lederhosen dance to has-been rock bands.
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The resort is a bit weird late season also, with most restaurants and some of the hotels closed.
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| Can anyone advise on what slopes (if any) other than the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers are likely to be open at that time? |
Yeah, none of them. Nada.
The one exception I noted above you could ride the Giggijoch lift from the village, and ride the slopes under the top section of that lift (2662m down to 2284m, and also the connecting lifts to the Rettenbach base, and the slopes under those. That was a great end of season. I think we actually had a couple of days of fresh snow then too, so 15-20cm of fresh in early may.
=> you will, most likely, be "just skiing glaciers". But Sölden glaciers are good.
As I'm bored I'll go see if I can find a picture or two.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks philwig - much obliged. Great pics too.
We were at Sölden in January, so I do know the area. The glaciers would do us nicely - but I'm wondering if the toll road will be covered by our Tirol Snow Cards. I have the same query re. the toll road to the Kaunertal Glacier. Think I'll email both areas to ask the question.
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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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| mountainaddict wrote: |
Thanks philwig - much obliged. Great pics too.
We were at Sölden in January, so I do know the area. The glaciers would do us nicely - but I'm wondering if the toll road will be covered by our Tirol Snow Cards. I have the same query re. the toll road to the Kaunertal Glacier. Think I'll email both areas to ask the question. |
We bought our first Tirol Snowcards at the toll booths at Kaunertal in 2014 and didn't have to pay any extra to drive to the glacier.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
We bought our first Tirol Snowcards at the toll booths at Kaunertal in 2014 and didn't have to pay any extra to drive to the glacier.
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Thanks.
I had emailed Kaunertal but not Sölden yet. Kaunertal have responded swiftly, as follows:
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| Of course, the Snow Card Tirol also includes the road until the end of the validity of the Snow Card Tirol! |
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I'm going to be getting a Tirol Snow Card 22/23 season. Man it's such value. Sölden is a resort I'll be visiting 2nd week in April. I'm guessing most of it will be open then.
you ski much off piste @mountainaddict when you were there earlier in the season
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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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@mountainaddict, we skied Hochzillertal one day this season. I'm going back next, Theres scope there for fun.
On the Tyrol card next season we'll be doing Xmas and new year Kitzbuhel area, A week in Jan doing the Paznauntal valley. Hochzillertal Feb half term. Mayrhofen 1st week of April sölden 2nd week of April.
I'm unsure how many ski stations we'll pull in but either way what value against what France has to offer
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
We're off to Austria from 2-9 May 2022 for a final fling with our Tirol Snow Cards.
I had thought we'd just be skiing glaciers, which would be fine, but I've just seen that Söelden website says its skiing is open until 8 May.
Can anyone advise on what slopes (if any) other than the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers are likely to be open at that time?
Cheers. |
I'll have an update for you Sat, I'm flying into Innsbruck tomorrow and over in Solden for the weekend!
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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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@Bergmeister, I dont know why the 3V's values itself above the other heavy weights in the Alps in terms of lift pass prices. No early or repeat discount. I wouldn't say its any better ski area than EK/4Vs/Arlberg. You personally do well out if it with the US add on but I'm guessing not many do that.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Mother hucker wrote: |
| @Bergmeister, I dont know why the 3V's values itself above the other heavy weights in the Alps in terms of lift pass prices. No early or repeat discount. |
Sadly, I think it's simply because they can  .
It's frustrating but we have learned to live with it.
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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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@Bergmeister, Does being a born and bred local gain any discount?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Mother hucker wrote: |
| @Bergmeister, Does being a born and bred local gain any discount? |
I think it may be cheaper if you live there and are registered for tax purposes, though I'm not sure. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Update re Sölden: Tourist office has confirmed that the toll road is included on the Snow Card Tirol; and that the glaciers are open until 8.5.22.
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FAQ
After our final trip in May, we'll have done 42 days at about 25 different ski areas - so just under €21 a day. Not bad when places like Ischgl are €59 a day. Of the areas we've skied so far, the off the UK radar area of Hochzillertal takes the biscuit at €61 
for a day ticket.
It's been an absolutely brilliant winter after the covid nightmare of winter 20-21. Of our 35 days so far, we've had 31 sunny days, 4 snowy days and 5 proper powder days. And on our ski tour in March, we had six days of sun and skied fresh tracks most days. Overall, we've been very lucky with the weather and snow. Hoping that continues on our May trip 
