 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Welcome to SHs, @Kenneds4  Do you mean today? Or 2023? Latter probably more realistic.......
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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.
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As a Beginner Family going in Dec the sort of things to consider might be:
- Small area with a high percentage of easy runs, as you don't need the expensive Lift Pass of a large linked area
- Good ski school, with small classes and English speaking instructors
- Somewhere high or with a decent early snow record due its geographical location
- The length of transfer is the least important priority
- With kids, being handy to the slopes and ski school is a very good idea
- Hotels make life easier, but generally don't give much of a discount for children - even if in your room
- Self Catering is very flexible and allows meals can be tailored to fussy eaters and at a time that suits....but is bloody hard work
I'm sure you will get good suggestions.....and I'll put my thinking cap on, as I mostly went to large resorts with our lot, as myself and Lady F could already ski.
BTW. Welcome to
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Wed 28-12-22 23:21; edited 1 time in total
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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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Thank you very much! Appreciate that. I’m currently looking at package websites with the option of adding on the passes, equipment etc and wondering if this is the best way? Although I never use package websites usually for holidays. It just seems easy adding on everything on one go- but maybe a lot more expensive
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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On your first holiday, and from Dublin, a package holiday with a tour operator would probably be a good idea. Have a look at what's available. But also look at some of the current threads on Snowheads with dire snow conditions at many resorts which would normally be considered a reasonable bet for Christmas. If you have a generous budget look at Esprit, which are v good for families as they will help get kids to and from ski lessons - which is VERY hard work when you're not used to it.
Also Club Med, for all-inclusive holidays where you have to do a lot of paying, to save having to do a lot of thinking.
When you've done some preliminary research you'll have lots more questions which people will be very happy to answer.
BUT - you will also discover that New Year is about the most expensive and crowded week of the year to ski, and with no guarantee of good snow. It might be worth keeping an open mind at this stage about going in the Easter hols (assuming you have to go in school hols).
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I'm in NI and fly out of Dublin with Crystal.
I find the best prices with them are usually late June/early July, when they have lower prices and incentives like 2 lift passes for the price of one. They have beginner packages and may have early incentives with them.
Some resorts have free beginner lifts - so worth checking out.
An idea of your budget per person including Lift Passes/Ski Hire/Lessons/Food if Self Catering/Money for Lunches/Hot Chocolets etc up the mountain/general spending - would help pin ideas down.
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Thank you for the replies.
I will need to sit down and think properly about the times (has to be school hols) and whether new years is essential!
I’ve gotten prices of approx €8k for one week there with crystal (half board) with everything included . Have no idea if this is reasonable or not so will keep looking.
Thanks again for all the advice
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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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| Quote: |
| One suggestion so far has been Sol I’m Austria? |
Welcome @Kenneds4 
I've written such a long response, that some of this will have been said already (while I was typing)  - but here you go. Apologies for any duplication.
Firstly, a package holiday will make things easy for you, so I'd go with that as first timers.
Next, the moral of early season snow (ie before Christmas) is that you need to aim high in terms of the ski area - in fact the higher the better. This season is illustrative of that. It's been unseasonably warm for the time of year in the Alps and there has been rain below 2,000m that has damaged the snow cover.
The highest skiing in the Alps is generally at 3,000 - 3,500m (with some places a bit higher). The top of the skiing at Söll (not Sol) is about 1,800m - so you will immediately see the potential problem. That's not to say there won't be snow there at Christmas - but it's a bigger risk than booking a ski area with a lot of slopes above 2,000m. Again, this December is proving that.
Austria would be a good choice for a first ski trip - the lovely ambience of nice villages and reasonable prices for food and drink would be a winner. However, New Year ski trips aren't cheap...
Having said that, if it's high, snowsure and short(ish) transfer you are after, Kuhtai (at 2,000m altitude) would fit the bill if you were to fly into Innsbruck. At that height, you'd be virtually guaranteed snow in the streets and a nice atmosphere. It's not the liveliest place though - fairly sleepy in fact. If you wanted more of a proper town (with lots of shops, bars restaurants and a big choice of accommodation), Mayrhofen could be a possible. It's about 50km from Innsbruck so reasonably short transfers. As ever with a lot of ski resorts, this would involve an element of compromise. Mayrhofen is fairly low (about 700m) but with a high ski area, up to about 2,500m. You would travel up to the ski area and your ski lessons by gondola (ie a small cable car) or full scale cable car. Snow in the streets would be possible but not probable at that time of year.
A lovely alternative from Innsbruck (resort at 2,000m) but a longer transfer would be Obergurgl. It's absolutely picturesque. It is another quite sleepy place though.
Good luck with your research.
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 28-12-22 23:47; edited 1 time in total
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@Kenneds4, Where did you price?
- Extra offers generally won't appear until next summer
- As said above, New Year is the most expensive and crowded time to go.....and no guarantee of decent snow.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| One suggestion so far has been Sol I’m Austria? |
Welcome @Kenneds4
I've written such a long response, that some of this will have been said already (while I was typing) - but here you go. Apologies for any duplication.
Firstly, a package holiday will make things easy for you, so I'd go with that as first timers.
Next, the moral of early season snow (ie before Christmas) is that you need to aim high in terms of the ski area - in fact the higher the better. This season is illustrative of that. It's been unseasonably warm for the time of year in the Alps and there has been rain below 2,000m that has damaged the snow cover.
The highest skiing in the Alps is generally at 3,000 - 3,500m (with some places a bit higher). The top of the skiing at Söll (not Sol) is about 1,800m - so you will immediately see the potential problem. That's not to say there won't be snow there at Christmas - but it's a bigger risk than booking a ski area with a lot of slopes above 2,000m. Again, this December is proving that.
Austria would be a good choice for a first ski trip - the lovely ambience of nice villages and reasonable prices for food and drink would be a winner. However, New Year ski trips aren't cheap...
Having said that, if it's high, snowsure and short(ish) transfer you are after, Kuhtai (at 2,000m altitude) would fit the bill if you were to fly into Innsbruck. At that height, you'd be virtually guaranteed snow in the streets and a nice atmosphere. It's not the liveliest place though - fairly sleepy in fact. If you wanted more of a proper town (with lots of shops, bars restaurants and a big choice of accommodation), Mayrhofen could be a possible. It's about 50km from Innsbruck so reasonably short transfers. As ever with a lot of ski resorts, this would involve an element of compromise. Mayrhofen is fairly low (about 700m) but with a high ski area, up to about 2,500m. You would travel up to the ski area and your ski lessons by gondola (ie a small cable car) or full scale cable car. Snow in the streets would be possible but not probable at that time of year.
A lovely alternative from Innsbruck (resort at 2,000m) but a longer transfer would be Obergurgl. It's absolutely picturesque. It is another quite sleepy place though.
Good luck with your research. |
Thanks so much. Excellent info there to use!
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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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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
@Kenneds4, Where did you price?
- Extra offers generally won't appear until next summer
- As said above, New Year is the most expensive and crowded time to go.....and no guarantee of decent snow. |
This was for Andorra- arinsol? Half board with passes and equipment included. On crystal ski
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| Kenneds4 wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
@Kenneds4, Where did you price?
- Extra offers generally won't appear until next summer
- As said above, New Year is the most expensive and crowded time to go.....and no guarantee of decent snow. |
This was for Andorra- arinsol? Half board with passes and equipment included. On crystal ski |
Andora gives decent vfm and has good snowmaking (if the weather is cold enough). There are more snow sure resorts for that time of year. Italy also gives better value than France and Switzerland and somewhere like Cervinia has access to a glacier.
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You know it makes sense.
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I was just looking at La Thuile in Italy (on the border) and it looks decent enough.
Would it be essential to be very close to the slopes to manage equipment with kids? There are self catering options nearby but a hotel on the slopes basically
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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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| Kenneds4 wrote: |
Would it be essential to be very close to the slopes to manage equipment with kids? There are self catering options nearby but a hotel on the slopes basically |
IME A short walk is not a problem - but the further you are from the ski school meeting point, the more organised you have to be. Some kids are better than others at walking in ski boots and carrying their skis. Remember, it will all be new to you as well.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We're in Austria right now as we came for Christmas. Last time we came, we stayed in accommodation a 5 minute walk away (in normal shoes), 10 minutes in boots abd carrying skis.
This year we've gone for accommodation next to the lift and it's been a game changer for ski school mornings. Much more relaxing to drop the children off in normal shoes and then go and sort our own kit out in peace.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Owlette wrote: |
We're in Austria right now as we came for Christmas. Last time we came, we stayed in accommodation a 5 minute walk away (in normal shoes), 10 minutes in boots abd carrying skis.
This year we've gone for accommodation next to the lift and it's been a game changer for ski school mornings. Much more relaxing to drop the children off in normal shoes and then go and sort our own kit out in peace. |
We're in suspense! Give us a clue. Scooby Doo, where are you? 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Looks fab! Can I ask what the transfer time is please? Did you book all yourself?
Thank you
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Hello! Yes, we prefer to DIY. As far as I'm aware, no ski operator offers here as an accommodation option at the moment.
We like public transport. From Salzburg airport it's 10 minutes on the bus, which puts you at the train station, and then a little over an hour to Taxenbach-Rauris station. There's a local bus that goes from the train station, or you can phone a taxi. Takes about 15 minutes to get into resort.
A taxi from the airport will take about 90 minutes.
Last time we were here we used Adventure Rauris ski school, this time we have used Maier ski school. Both have been excellent.
We were all beginners last time. We opted to put the children into group lessons and husband and I shared a private instructor for several mornings. We liked the flexibility this gave us to have afternoons wandering around the town or relaxing in the pool/spa. Also felt like we progressed quicker as we had focused attention.
We can't recommend this accommodation enough. As I write this I'm sat in a hammock in the spa. The bar/restaurant is lovely, and the children have enjoyed the pool and the Kids Room. The apartments everything in the place is so well finished. It only opened last July, so its all very shiny.
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Oh and the boot room is just fabulous. I have been spoiled with heated hooks for the boots. Nothing nicer than putting your feet in warm boots. Now known in the Owlette house as 'like putting your feet in a unicorns ass'.
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sounds amazing! Thank you for all that info! Looking it up as I type!
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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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99% of accomodations will only allow sat-sat or sun-sun in highseason.
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@Kenneds4, Obertauern is worth a look. I would expect that most of the resort would be open.
It's a pretty compact resort so easy to meet up if you do separate activities or lessons etc.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
'like putting your feet in a unicorns ass'.
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You're so right about the paucity of accommodation on offer through tour operators. Friends of mine are going to Sauze d'Oulz at the end of Feb, through Crystal, all in double rooms. Their prices for "singles" are exactly the same as for two people. I have found a great ski in/out apartment which with the very cheap flights to Turin will cost me FAR less.
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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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@Kenneds4,
I'm from NI too, but regularly use crystal from Dublin. Been skiing for 30 years, I'm just back from a week in Arinsal in Andorra. It's a good value beginners resort, prob the cheapest you will find. I stayed in the Palarine Hotel run by Graham and Maria (British/ Chinese couple), the food and hospitality was prob the best I have ever experienced. Although the hotel is out of town there is a regular free bus to the gondola and ski lockers at the top.
Graham also drove me to the other ski areas in Andorra (Arcalais and Grandvalaria) for no cost.
Now, Arinsal is certinaly not the the best ski resort in the world, but for first time, beginners, value for money it's not bad.
Big downside is the 4 hr transfer.
Good luck,
John
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Another good beginner resort from Dublin with Crystal would be Passo Tonale in Italy.
Very good value hotels, village at 1900m, skiing up top 3000m, small glacier, day trip the the stunning resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Nice long blue runs for beginners. Transfer around 2.5 hrs.
Been there 3 times.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thank you all for the replies!
Very helpful
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FAQ
Stop interfering! 