Poster: A snowHead
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Having only skied Austria pre-children when my requirements were very different, i’d love some recommendations for places that might tick as many of these boxes as possible:
4hr max from Zurich
Small resort with beginner area at the bottom (no need to take the gondola up)
Ski school/ childcare for little ones
Enough skiing to keep two adults entertained for a few hours each day- happy to pootle-dont need ++kms
Ideally a swimming pool/ spa centre in town or nearby
Good self catered accommodation or a good pension recommendation
Any ideas are most welcome- it will be first week in March
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Off the top of my head from day visits, Seefeld or Galtür. The only thing I don't know about is the spa situation in Galtür, but it's fairly upmarket so I'd be surprised if there wasn't something in the area. Seefeld has a huge spa: https://www.olympiabad.at/en/. Seefeld has several separate areas, but the main one, Rosshütte, has a kids area at the bottom and a funicular if you want to take them up to the restaurant. I remember using a magic carpet to reach the bubble at Galtür, so I think that has a similar setup. It is 10 min from Ischgl and 20 Min from Kappl/See, should you wish to expand your horizons.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 9-10-22 13:53; edited 1 time in total
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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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According to Google Maps, Hochfügen is 4hrs 9 mins. from Zürich. https://www.hochfuegenski.com/
Hochfügen is 12kms up a side valley from Zillertal. The beginner area is directly next to the car park and the accommodation.
Some accommodation options in Hochfügen can be found here: https://www.hochfuegenski.com/planen-buchen/hotels-und-unterkuenfte/
Chalet Apart is really nice (but expensive!), Panorama Lodge has everything a person would need on a ski holiday, but is by no means luxury!
There's a pool and wellness centre in Fügen https://www.erlebnistherme-zillertal.at/en/ which is 20mins. drive down from Hochfügen.
A lot of people stay in Fügen, or further down the Zillertal and then drive to Hochfügen every day or take the free ski bus up... Though, I suspect you probably wouldn't want to do that with 2 small children!
There are more accommodation and eating options around Fügen which is why the majority of people who ski in Hochfügen stay there.
If you need more info about this area - give me a shout!
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You should be able to find nice suitable villages in the Vorarlberg region, bordering Switzerland. 1,5-2 hours from Zürich.
But a small skiresort with a good spa/swimmingpool is gonna be hard to find, anywhere.
Check villages like Gargellen, Tschagguns, Warth, Damüls, Brand, Faschina.
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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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Defo Galtur, perfect fit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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The Vorarlberg is a sensible suggestion. The Montafon is really a collection of partially linked villages, some of which are in an adjacent valley to parts of the Arlberg. Damuls is supposed to be the snowiest place in the alps. They are very easy to get to from Zürich, you can even get the train. If by car no need to go through the Arlberg tunnel so should really be no more than 2 hours drive. They are all popular with Swiss based folk as they are a good deal cheaper than being in Switzerland!
Guarantee of resort level beginners area in March is more difficult, St Anton but that hardly fits the rest of your criteria (despite its reputation St Anton is actually very good for complete beginners/kids, it is the moving on from the nursery slopes where it is more challenging), Galtür maybe but it is a good way down the Paznauntal, Warth might work but not sure if on the expensive side and is a fair drive on mountain roads from St. Margrethen/Bregenz. Most places beginners areas would be at the mid station, more snow sure.
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Damuels and Warth Schroeken struggle in my view to meet all criteria. In particular spa/pool.
Don't get me wrong I've skied Damuels and Warth several times (infact going back to Warth in Jan, with a stop off for the day in Damuels), but I think Galtur is a really good fit. I would absolutely use it for my kids if I was doing it all over again.
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@munich_irish, I think Lech's blue slopes are even better for beginners and no need for a gondola. I am thinking of the 200 etc.area, and you have the Rodelbahn in the afternoon but those are CH prices.
Garni Kristall was central, clean and relatively less expensive. No pool I can think of.
Hochgurgl/Obergurgl could fit but the gondola is required in Obergurgl
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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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I have zero interest in pools & spas so dont notice them much. Most of the big hotels have them these days (it gives business outside of the ski season) and many are open to non residents. Again St Anton has excellent public sports facilities as does Pettneu, which is quieter, has more reasonably priced accommodation and is very "family" friendly, yes you have to get the bus to the lifts but that is often easier than many parts of "St Anton" itself. I didnt mention Lech simply because of the cost issue though I believe there is some "reasonably" priced accommodation.
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In Obergurgl there is a beginners area with no gondola required. 1 drag lift. Behind Haus Christophorus. I don’t remember a public spa though. All the hotels have pools.
St Anton is not a bad shout. Stay around nassereinbahn and there is a school there. Great spa in town.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Thank you for the recommendations. We’ve done Galtur before and loved it but fancy a change so we will look into the recommendations. St Anton would be an absolute waste of a lift pass/ expense if we just get a few hours per day. This isn't our main ski holiday so we are really looking for a small place to move their skiing on, over our kms.
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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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Somewhere cheap like Schoppernau and stay in a hotel with a pool?
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Not Austria, but I've always fancied skiing in Flumserberg. I'm guessing you'll have already been there though? I've passed it on the way from Zurich airport to various resorts and thought it looked convenient and interesting, with a lovely view down to the Walensee.
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You know it makes sense.
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@Nadenoodlee, Kleinwalsertal would fit the bill. Has beginners areas, loads of (very good) hotels with spa... is an absolute 'Schneeloch'. If they don't have snow no one does.
Look in Riezlern or Hirschegg. Only ~2.5 hours drive
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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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@sugarmoma666, its one of our local areas. Something like that in AU would be perfect.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Nadenoodlee wrote: |
@sugarmoma666, its one of our local areas. Something like that in AU would be perfect. |
Is it at nice as it looks?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Its good BUT parking at weekends is hell. A lot of people take the train down from Zh -its a good place to ski for a few days. Good intermediates happy on reds will really enjoy it. We go mid week and its empty. Another one with similar
Views but smaller is Klewenalp
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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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Steilhang wrote: |
@Nadenoodlee, Kleinwalsertal would fit the bill. Has beginners areas, loads of (very good) hotels with spa... is an absolute 'Schneeloch'. If they don't have snow no one does.
Look in Riezlern or Hirschegg. Only ~2.5 hours drive |
Absolutely, an area that often gets forgotten. Easy enough from Zürich.
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