Yes I forgot to mention the warm Föhn wind but this is only likely to be around 30-50kmph ..
However please stop being so Bitchy..
BTW. Are you really Irish (by your handle) because you come over like a next level Whingin Pom ----and there are far to many of them in St Anton !! Mad Mad
Expensive Rescue for 3 British Skiers After Venturing Off-Piste on Albona
Three British skiers were airlifted to safety after recklessly venturing off-piste on the Albona despite lacking local knowledge
Their ill-advised in search for untracked Powder led them into dangerously steep and rocky terrain, ultimately requiring an emergency helicopter rescue by Austrian authorities.
At approximately 12:55 p.m., the three British skiers aged between 55 and 68 were rescued after straying off marked slopes in the Albona .
Seeking “good snow,” as they stated later to police, the trio ventured into unfamiliar, steep, and rocky terrain, ultimately finding themselves trapped above a vertical rock face.
Unable to proceed or retreat safely, they contacted local rescue services for assistance.
The Vorarlberg police dispatched their “Libelle” helicopter, whose crew executed a rope rescue to extricate the skiers from their precarious position.
They were transported to a safe area within the ski resort.
Citing gross negligence, authorities announced that the individuals would be responsible for covering the costs associated with their rescue.
This incident underscores the inherent dangers of off-piste skiing, particularly for those lacking local knowledge, equipment, and proper guidance.
____________________
Almost certainly they will not be covered by their insurance for Off Piste . They are probably looking at €50K (min) invoice and Passports confiscated until identity & guarantees assured.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Forecasts I have seen suggest 50km/h plus from Saturday lunchtime mid mountain, who knows if accurate but if so will likely mean lift closures. Also light snow on Sunday morning, not sure how likely.
Irish yes
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?
djeeezz, three seniors of 55-68 y. What a bunch of sad old macho's. Clearly there was no-one in the group that said: guys we are not going to do this.
The older, the crazier.....Must have been embarrassing in the helicopter.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Thu 20-03-25 19:49; edited 1 time in total
@stanton Does anyone have any more details of where this vertical rock face was in Albona?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Dont be so quick to condemn folk who get into difficulties in the mountains. I doubt that there is anyone who has spent time in the mountains whether on foot or on skis who has not at some point or other made poor decisions and put themselves in potentially risky situations. A simple wrong turn is enough to turn a routine off piste run into something much more serious. One of the attractions of the Arlberg is the off piste skiing, which most do without guides. In other places the local rescue services would not have made an issue of something like this. Far more sympathy for these folks than those who get bladdered in the Moose and then are a danger not only to themselves but to others (including the piste patrol who have to deal with the injuries) when attempting to ski down! That's irresponsible.
@munich_irish, not when someone is 68. That's simply an old macho idiot that should not know better by that time. But, as said: the older, the crazier....
Your comparison with the scenes at Mooserwirt is also weird, as this example clearly shows. Your are downplaying the dangers of the mountains. Like so many....
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Langerzug, What's wrong with being 68? (no I am not there yet). We are all make mistakes, much more sensible to admit you have got yourself into a situation you cant cope with rather than ploughing on and the mountain rescue collecting body parts from the bottom of a cliff. Personally I have always managed to get myself out of the various scrapes I have got myself into in the mountains over the past 45 years and think self reliance is a very important aspect of being underway in the mountains but I would hope if I needed help it would be there especially in such a heavily "tourist" area as the Arlberg. If you sell packaged "adventure" then there is a certain responsibility to those you are selling to.
After all it is free
After all it is free
There's been a spate of ski thefts recently around St A,. Yesterday a guy I was with had his Salomon's taken from outside the Galzig restaurant on Galzig. A few days ago another pair were taken. Probably quite few.
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.
I always lock mine with a cable lock, rented or owned.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@davidthornton, Did your mate have insurance? At Galzig many folk leave their skis inside (on the St Christoph side). Not sure it is any more secure though it feels like it is. Its the Moose & KK were there are normally issues.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Random q, but at the top of riffelbahn 2, where does the off piste route down the back end up? It's extremely tracked out so it must be a very common off piste route I just can't in my head process where on earth it ends up....
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.
Also question number two. Where did @stanton learn the phrase whinging POM?... I wanna know if I qualify as one being Welsh
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
@badatbetting, the col at the top leads in to the bowl with the various Hinterrendl routes. They end up on the path through the trees that comes out just above the hut at the bottom of the red home run. If you look across from Galzig towards Rendl you can see the next valley which has what looks like a dam but is in fact an avalanche / flood protection barrier, the various routes come past or near this barrier down into the trees. It is a very popular off piste area. See https://openskimap.org/?obj=26e003f26238040b33b03f775bc2c84ffc89e3cb#13.82/47.11222/10.28098
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@badatbetting, Not sure if there is an Australian slang term for clueless Dutch (or maybe Nigel from Nottingham )
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@munich_irish, they were outside rack St Christophe side.He was very vague about his insurance, almost too casual. Salomon BBRs, told him to tell Galzig staff. Wasn't skiing with him.
Yep, KK, Mooser, etc usual places.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@munich_irish, they were outside rack St Christophe side.He was very vague about his insurance, almost too casual. Salomon BBRs, told him to tell Galzig staff. Wasn't skiing with him.
Yep, KK, Mooser, etc usual places.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@badatbetting, as @munich_irish, accurately describes leads back to R1 just above Alm restaurant. The initial drop down to the bowl is not too difficult, steepish but wide with good turning points. Followed by wide bowl leading to damn, I ski skier's left of damn. North facing slope so snow good. But it is remote. The gated entry is closed sometimes, depending on conditions, I think.
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?
davidthornton wrote:
Salomon BBRs
Now very much joke skis. Obviously nicked for a bet
Also question number two. Where did @stanton learn the phrase whinging POM?...
There are at least 10 Ozzy & Kiwi permanent very long term ( since 80/90's) residents in Town & a few others dispersed in the region...Many have come to work in the bars in Amsterdam in the summer ....... Hang around them long enough
Alpine accident Off Piste Ski Tour in Pettneu am Arlberg
Press release of the Tyrolean police
A 32-year-old Austrian mountain guide undertook a ski touring freeride crossing with a group of four in the period from 11.03.2025 - 15.03.2025 with a group of four, starting in the Stubai Valley and finishing in Pettneu am Arlberg. On 15.03.2025, the group started from Pfunds to Samnaun, on to the Heidelberger Hütte and to Ischgl.
From there, the group drove to Kappl, as they wanted to descend via the Lattejoch descent into the Malfontal with the final destination Pettneu am Arlberg.
At around 3:20 p.m., a 64-year-old German member of the group drove over a stone on the Lattejoch descent, fell downhill and sustained injuries of undetermined degree.
Since the mountain guide was unable to make an emergency call in this area due to the lack of mobile phone reception, he went to Pettneu and made the emergency call. The victim was flown to the BKH Zams with the NAH Robin 3. The other members of the group were rescued by the crew of the police helicopter and flown to St. Anton am Arlberg.
Here are the recorded wind speed/gust at 16:00hr yesterday -.
as You can see 30-50kmph in Arlberg ..
Innsbruck setting the record at 96kmph so should of been some good flying in & out of the Airport
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
On the way home from the Arlberg beach party (however no sand ). Its been warm here, not just spring but summer has arrived.
Headed to Zürs first thing on Saturday, conditions were pretty good. Not as perfect as earlier in the season but with the exception of the final stretches down to the lifts conditions were good, soft but not slushy. There was a strong Föhn enough to keep it feeling coolish at the top but not enough to close any of the lifts. Täli was OK good at the top but softened towards the road. There were signs warning of "stones" on Madloch but decided against it not because of that but with the slushy stuff at the very bottom at Zürs thought the Lech home runs would be very hard work. Headed back to St Anton. Lunch stop at Galzig, t shirt weather sitting in the sun. Headed up to Schindler, no sign of the Föhn and the snow was good on the piste however Schindlerkar was not good. This was a surprise as whenever I have been in April the best place has always been Schindler. The top section was moguled, not the normal semi piste, very little difference between the nominal track and the off piste. The real issue was the lower section below the cliff path, this is seriously worn with large patches of rock & earth and a good number of stones & small rocks in the track. The only real option is to head into the "off piste" either side and navigate around the bare patches. In the end I traversed across the hill side to join the piste a good deal higher up than the normal exit point. In this state it really isnt worth doing.
The runs off Galzig were far better, Kandahar nice to ski even if naturally fairly soft by around 14:00 no slush or gloop. However anything below Zamermoos was total rubbish, the section under the Galzigbahn above the Sennhütte the usual piles of snow & bodies. Stopped at the Moose, probably to prove to myself that a "mispent youth" is not completely past . Stayed for a beer & a Willi and left the party in full swing.
Forecast for today was light snow first thing then clearing. Woke up to layers of cloud and signs of some light rain in the village. No evidence of a frost. Headed up to Kapall first thing, so so conditions. The piste felt more like granular ice than snow. Absolutely fine to ski first thing but was clearly going to turn soft & gloopy very quickly. Indeed by 10:15, piles of soft granular snow where everywhere on the more skied sections. Headed over to Galzig where things were much better. Real snow on the pistes, nice skiing. Kandahar was a good ski though was getting a little soft lower down. After a couple of laps decided that it was better to head home early than fight the conditions. After a mid morning cappuccino at Gampen (more t shirt weather) headed down the Nasserein black which was very soft but easy to ski (actually easier to ski the steeper stuff, less effort needed).
Bit of a shame to have a short day but have had some very good skiing this season. I can get home in time to sort the bike and the mountains will be there another day with better snow. I know some snow is due next week but the forecasts suggest more mild weather. Unless Janvril turns up big time keeping the place open until 21st of April is going to be a stretch.
Changeable this week clouds showers temperature dropping ,freeze level to 1000metres so we will get some snow (dust or more)
_______________________
Worth a read
Skiing is hardly possible without artificial snow
This year's dry winter has once again demonstrated how important artificial snowmaking has become for ski operations. In previous winters, the snow cover at this time of year has often been twice, if not three times, as thick as it is now. However, cable car spokesperson Andreas Gapp is optimistic about the future of snowmaking.
This year's winter hasn't been as dry as it was in 28 years. Although it was very cold, there was little precipitation – a benefit for snowmaking, says cable car spokesperson Andreas Gapp. This meant the snow cannons could be used frequently.
Storm coming for the weekend but the potential Nordstau that we been waiting for probably not going to happen now but there could be a second chance of it happening in the first week in April !!!!
26 Days Left of the Official 24/25 Ski Season
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
badatbetting wrote:
Word on street is kk close 6th, taps 8th, moos 12th
That is Correct and nearly every where else ...
Easter will be quiet
Turning out to be a repeat of Last Season
23/24
3 metres Opening Day ...... 1.2 Metres after closing Day !!
24/25
1.5 metres Opening Day ----- ???? Metres after Closing Day
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Oh my. We have very different ski vacations!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@stanton, That chalet (the Arula chalet) in the video, located slightly above village, next to the Schlosskopfbahn and piste, is owned by a Brit. And it is indeed rather ostentatious.
But right next to it is the super charming, super Austrian unassuming Hotel Formarin*** with its lovely terrace, and great kitchen.
Lech has many faces.
But you're right: breaking down the Flexenbahn again would be a great idea indeed
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sat 29-03-25 21:56; edited 1 time in total
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@Langerzug, Flexenbahn turns Zurs into the bottleneck
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
@skimastaaah, absolutely. Ski Arlberg is a bit shaped like a number 8, and Zürs is the center of the 8.
I think they have totally underestimated this. And it's already so since 2017.
Must say it's taking too long now. We most likely will not ski Arlberg next winter.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Looks like end of season time, I am unlikely to be able to get back but given the forecast (I have seen suggestions of 20 degrees for next weekend) and no sign of Janvril doubt it would be worth it anyway.
A few thoughts on the past season (5 weekends for me). Despite the dry weather I have had good conditions on every visit (including opening weekend), no wet miserable weekends that I have had in some previous years. The good conditions have been primarily on piste no doubt helped by the generally cold conditions which assist snow making, off piste has been less good simply because of the lack of snow.
The village has generally been busy but not overwhelmingly so (I avoid New Year). I would say the sort of drunken behaviour notorious in some parts has been less in evidence. Yes you can still see folk staggering down Dorfstrasse at 20:00 waving skis in all directions but fewer than there used to be. It seems there is not just a ban on ski boots in the village bars but socks too ie carrying your boots in your hand is likely to lead to a refusal to be served, carry shoes in a rucksack or go home to change. There are visible security staff though they seem more concerned with directing pedestrians and giving out parking tickets than supervising bad behaviour.
Many things are the same as they always were. DJ Gerhard appears punctually at 15:30 at the Mooserwirt for the Final Countdown (I believe his son does most of the DJing these days), the same guy behind the bar, the same trays of beer and schnapps being waved above the drinker’s heads (maybe more Aperol Spritz than there used to be). The Steissbachtal is still best avoided. Gunar is bashing out the same tunes. First time visitors complaining about the crowds, the prices, the lack of blue runs, the buses, the piste map etc etc.
The biggest change, which has been widely remarked on, is the cost. I dont think that food & drink is particularly expensive certainly not when compared to similar sorts of places or even big cities (a beer in a central London pub is likely to be around £7.50 maybe more). As far as I know the ski pass is the most expensive in Austria and the Arlberg is not generally part of the various area passes (I think you get a couple of days in St Anton on the Tirol pass). However it is not a lot more expensive and for some (me!) it is cheaper than elsewhere as there are discounts for the over 64s, I think all in all better value than other ski areas with poorer snow records and far less interesting skiing. The main increase in cost has been for accommodation. This is a deliberate policy from the TVB. There must be a market for hotel rooms at €1,250 a night and the sort of high end luxury chalets (like the one above) though maybe less than in Lech. This risks losing much which has made St Anton what it is as those who can afford to pay tend to be older. I am sort of resigned to paying €150 - €200 a night, how those who have to pay for a family can afford this no idea. Perhaps if you can book early enough (and for Saturday to Saturday) you can still find one of the old style Pension Garni, I suspect the folk who run them have not got the online booking systems as there are very few that appear on the TVB booking system, maybe there is mileage in calling the tourist office for availability (rather old school, getting a print out with a list of numbers to call).
Some mentions of spots I have used this season
Jennewein especially the team opposite the Galzigbahn, the best place to buy or rent kit.
Dorfstuben, food nothing special, Schnitzel mit Pommes, but nice staff (Greek!) and generally possible to find a spot, ask for Tegernseer beer.
Fuhrmann Stube, standard Tirolean fare, no booking but often a queue
Jules, welcome return, international type menu, Augustiner Beer
Kirchplätz'l (Pettneu) family Gasthof, standard menu, popular so need to book or grab one of the few spots at the bar (the same family run a small Pension near the Wellness centre)
Gasthof zur Trauben (Pettneu), traditional Gasthof with a more varied menu, lots of space but even so need to book at busy times
Fredls bar (Pettneu), quiet bar, limited food, in centre of village
Nassereiner Hof - negative mention, tired decor, poor breakfast, overpriced for what it is, I would avoid in future.
m3 hotel on Dorfstrasse, perfectly OK hotel, location ideal for those who want to go to the various bars etc
Pettneuer Hof, standard small family hotel, not in centre of village but handily placed for bus to Nassereinbahn
Sport Hotel on Dorfstrasse, not as swanky as some of the other big hotels, they do seem to do last minute deals (hence why I ended up there), perfectly OK though dont expect "luxury"
Hotel Schindler, traditional family hotel, nice place, only minor comment is that it might be a bit noisy for some as many of the rooms look over Alte Arlbergstrasse
Hotel Post, still seems to be owned by the Alber family, traditional large hotel, maybe slightly faded but certainly appears to have a connection to an older St Anton (adjacent to old railway station) again last minute deals seem available.
All things considered a pretty decent season's skiing, as always more days would have been better but have to earn the money to pay for the visits! Season ski pass deal was exceptional (€550) whether this will be repeated seems doubtful though I am sure I will be heading back come December.
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?
@skimastaaah, @Langerzug, think that the thought that the Flexenbahn causes a bottleneck in Zürs is a misconception. The Arlberg simply isnt like one of the large French areas or even the Dolomites. It is a large amount of skiing spread over a big area which is somewhat linked together, each part having its own character. There are pictures from the 1950s of long queues at the Madlochbahn (single seater chair with queues on the frozen lake) many years before anyone even thought about the Flexenbahn. Those wanting to ski to Lech from St Anton would mostly be better off getting the bus, more time for actual skiing. No doubt the Flexenbahn makes it much easier for those based in St Anton to ski in Zürs (which often has the best snow) but the only folk disadvantaged by that are those who pay the inflated prices to stay in Zürs itself.
@munich_irish, correct me if I'm wrong, but there was no 'normal' ski connection from St. Anton to Lech. Only way was over the Valuga to Zürs, with guide.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@Steilhang, Indeed, there isnt, never has been a piste connection between St Anton & Lech. Getting between the various areas of the Arlberg involves either off piste, ski routes (though a plan to turn Madloch into a piste), lifts, walking or buses. The marketing of the Arlberg as "Austria's largest ski area" is somewhat disingenuous.
@skimastaaah, @Langerzug, think that the thought that the Flexenbahn causes a bottleneck in Zürs is a misconception. The Arlberg simply isnt like one of the large French areas or even the Dolomites. It is a large amount of skiing spread over a big area which is somewhat linked together, each part having its own character. There are pictures from the 1950s of long queues at the Madlochbahn (single seater chair with queues on the frozen lake) many years before anyone even thought about the Flexenbahn. Those wanting to ski to Lech from St Anton would mostly be better off getting the bus, more time for actual skiing. No doubt the Flexenbahn makes it much easier for those based in St Anton to ski in Zürs (which often has the best snow) but the only folk disadvantaged by that are those who pay the inflated prices to stay in Zürs itself.
I'm trying to understand what you mean to say here, but I'm sorry...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@munich_irish, if you have stayed in Zurs any time over the past few seasons you will have experienced what I mean. Madloch and Zug now have much better lifts and make access there well improved, but the bottle necks are Ubungshang and Zursersee lifts taking the St Anton skiers that pile up having used the Flexenbahn lifts.
From Zurs I found it better to take the ski bus into Lech and completely miss the hoards. Not much point staying in Zurs.
After all it is free
After all it is free
munich_irish wrote:
! Season ski pass deal was exceptional (€550) whether this will be repeated seems doubtful though I am sure I will be heading back come December.
I guess season pass for normal tourists is more than 1000 euros ….
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.
@skimastaaah, I am sure it is an annoyance to those who thought Zürs was their own private ski domain with just a few scruffy types from St Anton who made it over on the bus The queues on the Madlochbahn can be a pain, maybe not as bad as before but still irritating but then it has always been the case and better a queue at the lift than too many on the run. Not sure the proposed new lift and remodelled run is going to improve things, good for tourist office publicity less so for skiers. I dont mind the queues at the relatively slow Zürserseebahn & Seekpfbahn either as it keeps numbers down on the pistes underneath.
@saller1, I believe the full price cost is €1,175, I get an old gits discount and also there was a special offer up until opening weekend plus an additional €100 off if you had a pass from last season. Not sure this will happen again.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
munich_irish wrote:
@skimastaaah, I am sure it is an annoyance to those who thought Zürs was their own private ski domain with just a few scruffy types from St Anton who made it over on the bus .
I stay in Zurs because St Anton prices are now pretty similar for 4* hotels but Zurs does not have the p*sshead skiers issues. Zurs hotels have much more class than the rest of the Arlberg. So the annoying scruffy types can f*CK off from my private ski domain and leave the best snow in the Arlberg to the entitled mofo's like me.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
)
. Stayed for a beer & a Willi and left the party in full swing.
