 Poster: A snowHead
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We will be in Mayrhofen for 4 days in June for some mountain air and a day at hintertux followed by a few days in Kitzbuhel, we had also tentatively planned a couple of days in Zell am See but now want to look for an alternative. Last time we were there in the summer (10 years ago) we didn't feel comfortable with the non Austrian vibe, looking at trip advisor it seems it hasn't changed since then. When we go to Austria we want more of an Austrian vibe.
Please let's not let this thread focus on that, but rather focus on suggestions for an alternative destination with;
Great views.
Great walking trails.
Easy but interesting bike trails.
Traditional Austrian vibe.
Not too distant from that area as our next stop will be over to Lindau on Bodensee.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Have a great time.
I was going to suggest cycling down the Danube from Passau to Vienna.
Its a great holiday, but you would like to go walking.
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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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@DrLawn, a bit too far east as out next stop is over to the west, we are also more recreational walkers rather than hard core cyclists.
It's a road trip looking roughly like this, but with an alternative to Zell am See.
Rothenburg
Mayrhofen (couple of days of glacier skiing)
Zell am See
Kitzbuhel
Lindau on Bodensee
Rudesheim
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Wed 21-02-24 19:16; edited 1 time in total
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Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet.
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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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Mondi Hotel at Grundlsee. Should also add that the Zell am See area is lovely in the Summer. Loads of hiking trails, mountain biking, plenty of bathing areas all around the lake, weekly SommerNachtsfest, live music venues, great variety of restaurants, summer huts away from the ski areas, schnapps distilleries, championship golf courses, TauernSpa, etc.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 21-02-24 20:20; edited 1 time in total
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@JimboS, Was also going to suggest the Salzkammergut and/or Wagrain/Flachau area rather than Zell am See.
Our area is a walking, MTB or EBike venue in the Summer months. I can recommend the hike from Kleinarl to Tappenkarsee and onwards to the Franz Fischer Hutte for an overnight stay if that's your bag? Lots of trails, not full of Asian Tourists (unlike Zell) and a more rural vibe.
Mrs R&W works in Zell and yesterday ran round the "See". Again very disappointed as the Eastern side has no lake access and you run along the main road. Everything else that side is privately owned on the lake front. Maria Alm is also nice in the Summer though.
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@JimboS, You could look at one of the longer valleys towards the west of the Tirol, Stubaital, Oetztal, Pitztal & Kaunertal. All have glaciers at the end much like the Zillertal. Stubaital is nice and easy reach of Innsbruck. Oetztal, not keen on Sölden but Vent is a nice if quiet spot and Obergurgl is nice too. Pitztal I dont know but must be similar. Kaunertal again not been but is a bit remote, maybe that's what you are after. The Vorarlberg is worth looking at (especially if you are on you way to Lindau). I have been to the mountains above Schruns on the border with Switzerland and that was a bit away from the normal tourist hot spots but very typically "Austrian". I have heard the Bregenzerwald is a good spot (posted a link from a Guardian article about off the beaten track winter holidays there) again well away from the more frequented tourist spots. Do be aware that June is pretty early season and many of the high huts may not be open. Also check the dates of the Pfingsten (Whitsun) holidays, two weeks best avoided as busier than February half term!
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Thanks for all the suggestions, lots of food for thought, time for more research.....
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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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@JimboS, I’d spend a few days in Vorarlberg. Loads of fab walking of all levels/ challenges; lovely views. Montafon is nice; Walsertal is great; Bregenzerwald also nice. Can be a bit Dutch-heavy in peak season but June shouldn’t be too bad.
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@JimboS, In my younger days I went to Scheffau every summer. I was rock climbing so I'm not 100% sure about MB trails - certainly plenty of hiking. The focus was on the Wilder Kaiser range which is on the other side of the valley to the ski area, but the main Scheffau gondola was open for walkers on those gentle hills
Very beautiful area - village was quiet but open, relaxed and peaceful and friendly.
My guide also once took me to Alpbach where his family farmed and that is a very very lovely village and is another to check out.
As well as climbing we sometimes went for a 'beach' day to one of the nearby lakes - very popular and more busy but still a great experience. I don't remember their names sadly
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
^ +1
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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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Swap Zell for Saalbach ? Lovely in summer
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@JimboS, if you are going back via Bodensee, go back via Warth and down the the valley.
Popup to Damuuls, the villages down that way are very much on the Austrian vibe.
Cowsheds, dressing up in uniform for mass on Sunday.
This is real Austria.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
This 100%
The Saltzkammergut is the Austrian Lake district. Stunning.
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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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@JimboS, you are aware that Rothenburg is extremely touristic? Pretty definitely, but be warned. Ever been to Würzburg, and especially, its Residenz? It's stunning, and few tourists. Whilst the Residenz has Versailles quality. Charming small city too, very nicely restored after the disastrous bombing. Great local wines.
Instead of Zell am See you might go around the corner to Saalbach. No issues there with the non Austrian vibe. And supposedly great for mountain biking.
Would not go into the higher valleys. June might be too early for that. So is Arlberg, Warth, Damüls: too early
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Langerzug, thanks for the tips, Rothenburg and Rudesheim are just quick one night stay overs to break up the drive from Amsterdam. I'll save Würzburg for another longer trip.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Key question: do you mean bike trails as in singletrails and mountain biking, or more like forest roads and routes and gravel biking?
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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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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
@JimboS, Was also going to suggest the Salzkammergut and/or Wagrain/Flachau area rather than Zell am See.
Our area is a walking, MTB or EBike venue in the Summer months. I can recommend the hike from Kleinarl to Tappenkarsee and onwards to the Franz Fischer Hutte for an overnight stay if that's your bag? Lots of trails, not full of Asian Tourists (unlike Zell) and a more rural vibe.
Mrs R&W works in Zell and yesterday ran round the "See". Again very disappointed as the Eastern side has no lake access and you run along the main road. Everything else that side is privately owned on the lake front. Maria Alm is also nice in the Summer though. |
You can access the lake through the Thurmsbach Park near the Lido and the Ferry dock, it used to quite unpleasent to cycle along the main road around that side of the lake when our kids were younger but they have now added cycle lanes pretty much the whole way along that section now.
Has your wife tried a run from Zell towards Kaprun via Bruck as this is all along trails through the fields and alongside the river and very pleasent in the summer although not tried it in the winter.
As to the original question June is not high season for the Arabs in Zell, not sure what time of year you went before but we find its generally late July, August and Sep when we are busy with Arab guests.
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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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@beano, Asians (as in South Koreans and Chinese) by the busload.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| @beano, Asians (as in South Koreans and Chinese) by the busload. |
Thats really interesting, never seen many Asian visitors (no more than any other nationality anyway) and we have never had any guests stay from China/Korea. I wonder if they come on day trips and don't stay in the town. Every day is a school day!
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Drive to the Dolomites in northern Italy.
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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
^ +1 |
It’s a resounding “YES” from me too. Beautiful scenery, lovely villages and warm Austrian hospitality. Wolfangsee (with Fuschl a close second) is a family favourite. I’d also recommend Saalbach as a more lively base with access to some cracking walking trails.
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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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| franga wrote: |
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
^ +1 |
It’s a resounding “YES” from me too. Beautiful scenery, lovely villages and warm Austrian hospitality. Wolfgangsee (with Fuschl a close second) is a family favourite. I’d also recommend Saalbach as a more lively base with access to some cracking walking trails. |
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[quote="franga"][quote="franga"]
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
^ +1 |
It’s a resounding “YES” from me too. Beautiful scenery, lovely villages and warm Austrian hospitality. Wolfgangsee (with Fuschl a close second) is a family favourite. I’d also recommend Saalbach as a more lively base with access to some cracking walking trails.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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What’s the issue with Zell by the way - why does it have a non-Austrian vibe? I learnt to snowboard there but this was a good 25 years ago.
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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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Zell certainly attracts huge visitor numbers, but is not overrun like, for example, Hallstatt. Locals can still lead normal lives. Most visitors to Zell are not day trippers. Many, but still a minority, are non-European. The large number from the Gulf states often surprises other visitors.
Does Venice lose its Italian vibe because of the number of international visitors?
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
Does Venice lose its Italian vibe because of the number of international visitors?
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The number of visitors can definitely detract from the attractiveness of a destination. That was the second reference to Hallstatt I've seen today - a friend wrote that he visited it with his partner, whose mother was born there. I must read up about 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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@Austrian Seagull, I think it’s mostly about the difference between the dirndl and the nikab…. 
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Langerzug, the banned Niqab.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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After a bit of discussion with Kim, looks like we will head over to the lake district.
I remember back in ~ summer 2003, I had all the kids with me for a week's skiing staying at the Hof. We took a day of from Hintertux and had an early start and drove to Venice for the day, it was a hell of a long day but the kids still talk about it now.
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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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| Austrian Seagull wrote: |
| @Langerzug, the banned Niqab. |
From our own limited perspective, we noticed a drop in summer guests from the Gulf states after the ban was introduced but last summer numbers were back to pre ban levels. I get a feeling when we wrere there last summer, many are using "Covid Masks" as a work round for covering the majority of the face.
I personally have no problem with the arabic guests, we have the same preportions of good guests and bad guests as from any other country, and often if you take the time to talk to them its an amazing insight into at different culture and way of life. Also there is nothing quite like witnessing people experiencing snow for the first time at the top of the Kitzsteinhorn!
The reason Zell is so popular with guests from all over the world is that it offers a lot, its kind of like if you want the convienience of lots of hotels, restaraunts, the lake, the mountains, easy access by car or rail and a Tourist board that puts on a lot of events then naturally its going to be busy and you have to accept it.
The locals I know who work in tourism are obviously in favour of the high numbers of tourists and the locals who don't are less happy with the numbers, who would have thought that!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Looks like our road trip will be about 2000 miles, since we have a car with poor mpg, 17 or 18 at best that needs super unleaded fuel, it will be worth looking for cheaper filling stations. Can anyone advise of an app that will work in Germany and Austria that finds the cheapest local fuel stations?
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@swskier, thanks.
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@JimboS, Luxembourg? Austria is cheaper for fuel than Germany. If you are concerned about fuel costs avoid the services on the Autobahn as they are known for high prices.
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I think we will just need one fill up in Germany each way so will avoid motorway filling stations.
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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.
|
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
| Hurtle wrote: |
| Salzkammergut, Austria's Lake District. So beautiful. And if you're looking for the perfect spot in which to stay, I cannot recommend https://landhausfay.com/ more highly. It is run by two of the nicest snowHeads you will ever meet. |
^ +1 |
Thanks Hurtle, Alastair Pink and Frosty the Snowman  I’d have acknowledged sooner but have unfortunately been a bit preoccupied with a family matter, so haven’t been checking into sH’s for several days.
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| JimboS wrote: |
| I think we will just need one fill up in Germany each way so will avoid motorway filling stations. |
Good plan! I couldn’t believe how much the A3 Autobahn filling stations were last week….2,20/l for diesel. If I’d had the time I would certainly have searched for alternatives.
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