 Poster: A snowHead
|
Looking for opinions on the following. Trip for 24/25. Solo intermediate skier, prefer easy reds to hard reds.
Looking at 3 options at the moment, im a sucker for Austria so im looking at Saalbach Hinterglem (probably staying in Leogang), Mayrhofen and Bad Hofgastein. Would welcome any advice on which area would suit an intermediate and keep them busy and not too repetitive for a weeks skiing? Was wondering if there is enough at Mayrhofen or Hofgastein for an interesting weeks skiing?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@DHosking, The ski area specifically in Mayrhofen is a decent size, but not huge, but what you also have access to is all the ski areas in the Zillertal on your lift pass, using the train or bus networks to access them.
There's more than enough skiing in the Zillertal to keep you entertained for a week, and some!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Plenty of intermediate skiing at all three areas, although you’d probably need to hop on the odd bus or train for Mayrhofen and Bad Hofgastein. One issue with basing yourself at Leogang for S-H is that you’d probably start and end each ski day the same, i.e. gondola to the top of the Asitz and then heading towards the Schönleitenbahn, unless you get a bus to another area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@DHosking, As a village, Leogang has not much going for it. Very spread out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
We've been to both Saalbach and Mayrhofen recently. Both now in the very short list of places we'd happily return to.
When you go could have a bearing - if we'd been a week earlier in January last season Saalbach might have been disappointing.
As it is I think Mayrhofen just edges it area wise. The local area isn't anywhere near as big but as above some great areas are easily accessible by bus and train.
A bluebird day up at Hintertux after a stormy day down low in Mayrhofen is top of my list of fun days I've had sliding around on snow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
As above, all 3 are good. If staying at Bad Hofgastein I would recommend a car - so many other good areas nearby on the same lift card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Saalbach by some distance. Wasnt particularly impressed with Mayrhofen, as part of wider adventures in Zillertal its fine for a day but youd deffo want to explore the other places like Gerlos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I don't think Saalbach is a great destination. Long strung out along the valley. Town centre Ok but not as good as Mayerhofen. Zillertal offers as much as SH if not more, esp. with Hintertux. Stayed in Badhofgastein 2 years ago, still quiet due to covid, but again I think a better village. Easy to get to all the Gasteins on skis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Last three trips have been to Saalbach. The sheer variety of runs/ areas is amazing. We go as a group of good intermediate skiers and you rarely have to ski the same run twice in the week. What really keeps us coming back is the ability to ski home and to the centre of the village after a long day topped off with a few delicious Weissbier or gluivein with or without a head torch.
This experience was not possible in Soll or Kirchberg. That said, I've had great mates who love their skiing and swear by Mayrhofen. Can you ski in ski out or do you need to download?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| hrooney18 wrote: |
Last three trips have been to Saalbach. The sheer variety of runs/ areas is amazing. We go as a group of good intermediate skiers and you rarely have to ski the same run twice in the week. What really keeps us coming back is the ability to ski home and to the centre of the village after a long day topped off with a few delicious Weissbier or gluivein with or without a head torch.
This experience was not possible in Soll or Kirchberg. That said, I've had great mates who love their skiing and swear by Mayrhofen. Can you ski in ski out or do you need to download? |
Depends, there is a run down from Ahorn in to town, and there is an itinerary that comes down to the Horbergbahn the other side of Mayrhofen from Penken, but generally you're probably downloading.
We went to Saalbach last January, and I wasn't that fussed really, but that does go against the grain of most peoples thoughts, particularly on this forum.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
@DHosking, are you looking to ski and socialise with others, or happier on your own? Saalbach is great for meeting up with others as there is a decent bunch of residents and also a steady stream of Snowheads during the season. Just put your dates up and there's usually a few people to ski and drink with. Also, there is a lot of piste skiing on the pass which you'll like. It's a good choice. Gastein is a bit spread out and smaller. Not been to Mayrhofen as not part of the Superski pass... Consider Flachau area or Schladming?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Mayrhofen was my first ever resort so i guess it feels homely to me and will be back there in 4 weeks after a deviation to Saalbach last year. Usually ski in March and in about 15 weeks I’ve only seen snow to the village in mayrhofen maybe twice and 2021 was the only time I’ve seen the Ahorn run to the village look vaguely skiable although not fun.
I don’t think we had a fair shot at Saalbach last year in March as the weather was pretty end of season slush and almost unsuitable to resort after lunchtime but hopefully that was a one off. There wasn’t a lot of shops or interest in the town in Saalbach but it is nice to be able to ski home after a jar or two and not have to take a lift down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of the 3 you've shortlisted I'd probably go for Saalbach, lots of variety as others have suggested. I thought Mayrhofen was ok but didn't love it, more of a faff than the other 2 to get to the various ski areas. Bad Hof was good too.
Another contender with lots of piste variety for an intermediate is Serfaus / Fiss. I'd say even more in the immediate area for an intermediate and easy to get to everything on the mountain with excellent lift system. Tbh I think all would be good, Mayrhofen just being lowest on the list.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
What time of the year do you plan to go?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
January, I'd say Saalbach, but only if I was staying in Saalbach rather than out on the periphery. March/April, I'd say Mayrhofen as it has good late season snow pow record for me anyway. We have been there ~ 20 weeks late season and you can get the best of pow and hot weather.
Bod Hof, been once and wouldn't go back in a hurry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| ollski2.0 wrote: |
Mayrhofen was my first ever resort so i guess it feels homely to me and will be back there in 4 weeks after a deviation to Saalbach last year. Usually ski in March and in about 15 weeks I’ve only seen snow to the village in mayrhofen maybe twice and 2021 was the only time I’ve seen the Ahorn run to the village look vaguely skiable although not fun.
I don’t think we had a fair shot at Saalbach last year in March as the weather was pretty end of season slush and almost unsuitable to resort after lunchtime but hopefully that was a one off. There wasn’t a lot of shops or interest in the town in Saalbach but it is nice to be able to ski home after a jar or two and not have to take a lift down. |
Lucky you, in the Alps in 2021.
We were prevented by the pandemic laws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Snow&skifan wrote: |
| ollski2.0 wrote: |
Mayrhofen was my first ever resort so i guess it feels homely to me and will be back there in 4 weeks after a deviation to Saalbach last year. Usually ski in March and in about 15 weeks I’ve only seen snow to the village in mayrhofen maybe twice and 2021 was the only time I’ve seen the Ahorn run to the village look vaguely skiable although not fun.
I don’t think we had a fair shot at Saalbach last year in March as the weather was pretty end of season slush and almost unsuitable to resort after lunchtime but hopefully that was a one off. There wasn’t a lot of shops or interest in the town in Saalbach but it is nice to be able to ski home after a jar or two and not have to take a lift down. |
Lucky you, in the Alps in 2021.
We were prevented by the pandemic laws. |
Fair shout……21/22 season
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
@Klamm Franzer, “ Saalbach is great for meeting up with others as there is a decent bunch of residents”
How kind! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
