 Poster: A snowHead
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This weekend should indeed be cold & dry ..enjoy!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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This weekend should indeed be cold & dry ..enjoy!
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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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Am I looking in vain at more snow before the first week of Feb?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| DanFuller wrote: |
| Am I looking in vain at more snow before the first week of Feb? |
That is a long, long way away in snow forecasting terms, its a case of wait and see, and accept there is nothing you or I can do to change the forecast!
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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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@munich_irish, so you're moaning about Langerzug being groomed, but you're not moaning about Madloch being groomed....priorities?
@Bergsteiger278, OK, but after those Hochjoch routes, you'll have to download to the valley at 690 meters....And anyway, Lech/Arlberg is more than these skiroutes...apparently you prefer it too over your homeground? 
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Maybe it's clear if you're a regular, but as someone who came last weekend for the first time since 2017 I didn't find it at all obvious which skiroutes were pisted vs not. Madloch was "partially prepared" according to the signs, but it seemed to have been entirely pisted. One of my friends is not confident in powder and was very nervous - I had to go ahead to check it was ok, and that "partially prepared" didn't mean they had given up pisting it halfway!
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@DanFuller, There is a thought (no more than that) about some snow next weekend but as ever have to wait to see
@Langerzug, I am not complaining about Langerzug being groomed, makes perfect sense, there are plenty of steep mogul routes for those who want that. The issue is that defining it as a "ski route" makes little sense, similarly Steinmännle, Schindlerkar and others. Openskimap shows all of these and more as pistes but runs like Tanegg as "ungroomed ski routes" which seems much more sensible. The Arlberg can be a confusing place for those who are unfamiliar with it perhaps a bit more effort on the part of the lift company and tourist office would be helpful. Madloch is rather unique, part of what makes the Arlberg what it is - the best ski area in the alps, it will be a shame if that is lost.
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@munich_irish, agreed - so glad we did go down, it was one of the best runs I've had in a long time. I think the map needs a total rethink though - this old map is much clearer
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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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@michebiche, it is what it is.
As a matter of fact you actually were lucky Madloch is open currently. Plenty of early January's it isn't because of insufficient snow (recent reports suggests it's thin currently as well). And, on the other hand, it often is closed 1 or 2 days after heavy snowfall. A quite complex situation.
The Austrian system of categorizing ski-slopes simply is not detailed enough to represent the Arlberg geology and micro climate. And maybe a system that would, is simply not possible.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@munich_irish, I actually think that the way openskimap is declaring groomed skiroutes as pistes might be legally problematic. e.g. Madloch wasn't groomed (but open) shortly before Christmas. What if someone got an accident then and starts complaining at openskimaps?
Also, pistes have strict and indicated boundaries. Skiroutes have not, just the sign in the middle. How is openskimaps handling this. Again legally problematic.
The issue is: it's not a safety problem when a skiroute is groomed. But is a safety problem when a ski route is declared a piste, but then it turns out in reality one day it is not groomed.
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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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@Langerzug, that’s fair- it is quite unique. Maybe some clearer explanation on the big screens would be enough
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@Langerzug, That is exactly the issue once you start grooming ski routes many folk simply assume they are pistes and treat them as such. The first section of Madloch looks exactly like a piste with fencing and grooming. No signs in the middle but at the side of the groomed track (piste!). I understand that there are now various norms for a piste which Madloch probably doesnt comply with (hence talk of remodelling). You cant expect average holiday skiers to be up on the finer points of all this. It comes back to the original point that there is no proper definition of a "ski route"
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You know it makes sense.
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@munich_irish, The main issue is legal, not what 'holiday skiers' think (or mostly fail to think). The Lech and Zürs Liftcompanies must comply to Austrian law. Up till today, Madloch legally can not be a piste.
And hence they are now going to turn Madloch into a piste. I think it is the only sensible thing to do, with climate change giving the last push
But as mentioned, Madloch has been a groomed skiroute for at least 35 years now, and the Arlbergers and the vast majority of their guests have been doing terribly well during that time. 
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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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Just a heads-up: After the amazing success of the 'Van Kleist' treasure hunt in Obergurgl/Hochgurgl a couple of weeks ago, the next set of prizes will start to be set out in the Arlberg area in a couple of weeks time. Happy Hunting!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Arrived in St Anton last night spent today skiing.
Blue skies, bright sunshine but generally cold.
Various irritations this morning, the Valfagherbahn is currently not running, "technical defect", according to the guys in Jennewein it stopped just before close of play on Friday causing chaos. No information as to when it will be fixed. There are shuttle buses between St Christoph & Alpe Rauz which seem to be reasonably regular. The Valfagher piste is closed. Flexenbahn running as normal.
Got the 08:40 bus to Zürs. You can now pay by card, if you have a Vorarlberg transport app it is €0.50 cheaper. Some folk still paying with cash. On arrival in Zürs discovered that today was the Weisse Ring race which meant various lift and piste closures which was a bit dull. In Zürs this meant no Madloch and no pistes down from Rufikopf until lunchtime.
As so often great skiing in Zürs first thing, pretty much perfect snow (a few hard patches) on the runs under the Zürserseebahn. The black was probably the best of them, the difference between the blues, reds and black is not great more down to snow conditions and the black seemed to be best. Then did Täli which had excellent snow and is always a joy.
Got a bus down to Lech with a plan to go over to Warth (lot of stuff closed for the race in Lech). Fair queue at the Schlegelkopfbahn and had to use the second section to be able to ski down to the Auenfeldbahn. Was a bit surprised that conditions were not better in Warth. The was a cold breeze and some of the pistes were wind scoured, conditions definitely better in Zürs.
Headed back to get a bus to St Christoph, grabbed some lunch from the Filomena Spar which worked out fine, €6 for a roll and coffee, sat in the sun eating it and by the time I finished the bus turned up. Naturally more crowded than usual.
Headed up Schindler, unusually there were big lumpy but soft moguls on the entrance to Schindlerkar from the piste making for a slightly awkward traverse. Schindlerkar was perfect and warm in the sun, felt like March despite the air being cold (very noticeable change when going into the shade). Did a couple of laps then headed back.
Kandahar was good at the top, lower down not many moguls but fairly hard snow. Black down from Nasserein not ideal, section through the trees by the toboggan track was pretty hard and scraped with somewhat weird light which made it difficult to see. Lower down there are still traces of the race markings, really needs a decent snowfall to give a better surface for recreational skiers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Valfagehrbahn still closed this morning (Sunday), making it very busy on all the pistes in St Anton. What is the best way to get to Alpe Rauz?
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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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@munich_irish, you should have taken an early lunch in Lech. All lifts and pistes always open between 12.00 and 01.00 after Weisse Ring. You've spend a lot of time in the bus....
But maybe this was also because the Oberlech area in your view is rather bland. Whilst I'm the last to claim that the Oberlech area is challenging, you might still have had a pleasant morning discovering the endless possibilities under the Mohnenfluh.
Maybe this:
https://www.skiarlberg.at/en/Lech-Oberlech-Zuers/Ski-action/Tips-for-routes-and-slopes/Mohnenfluh-Runs (click on the link on this page)
could be helpful the next time 
Nr 236 is a personal favorite. And did you ever do ski route nr. 241? It's often groomed as well. And did you know there is a way to do a top-bottom Mohnenfluh-Lech 5km run without using a lift? (several actually) Check suggestion nr. 24.
Run no. 209 (Slalomhang), next to main Petersboden run, is a great run as well.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Sun 19-01-25 13:38; edited 4 times in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| MontyP wrote: |
| Valfagehrbahn still closed this morning (Sunday), making it very busy on all the pistes in St Anton. What is the best way to get to Alpe Rauz? |
Ruined my usual first day routine. Straight to Schindler then a nice long run to Stuben to get my legs back. Very busy as you get past Ulmer Hütte as mentioned
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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.
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Spent the day in St Anton (yes I do ski here too  , both are part of "the Arlberg"!)
Woke to find that the Valfagherbahn was running but on getting to Jennewein to put on boots etc saw the sign pop up saying it was closed to general moans & groans. The folk there and the guides were suggesting that the lift is likely to be replaced soon as it is becoming a problem no idea if this is true (@stanton's rumour was that Zamermoos & Mattun are to be replaced which seems more likely). A bit dull as had a plan to head to Stuben. The piste was open today and the lift itself was running on & off clearly work going on to fix it but no news I know off how long this might take. I didnt want the faff of the shuttle bus between Rauz & St Christoph.
Started off at Kapall, lovely piste snow in the sunshine. Spotted that the lower part of the Platti black had been pisted despite being marked as closed, the upper part is still piles of plastic snow. Even at 10:15 the pisted parts were still corduroy which were really nice to ski (access from the blue "Hoppelweg"). By this point the lift queues were growing though Galzigbahn not bad. Went down Kandahar again really good piste skiing. Headed up to Schindler which was really nice, I dont think it had been groomed overnight so lots of gentle soft moguls. Spent until lunchtime lapping that plus the various side bits which were OK. Galzig restaurant surprisingly quiet given the number of folk around. Back to Schindler and practically had the lift and run to myself. Headed home at this point, most places very quiet, Kandahar decent though the usual soft moguls had appeared today. Used the Platti black to head down, decent snow much better than the Nasserein black or the mayhem past the Moose. Sitting at the station looking up hardly anyone is using that piste whilst Nasserein & Galzig are busy.
The snow in St Anton is better than either Lech or Warth which is often not the case. Warth especially seemed rather thin. Snow conditions on piste are generally good (far fewer hard /icy patches than in Lech / Warth) but off piste does not look great - hardly anyone skiing it which is unusual for St Anton. Even so the place would benefit from some more snow.
No sign of any alcohol ban here perhaps those that dont like drinking should head to snow domes in Saudi!
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Snowreports say that Warth is definitely not thinner (Warth has 85 cm in the valley, St.Anton has 35 cm)
Obvious likely explanation for the perceived difference is the current weather, time of year, time of day: Warth is still very shady. And as you say, Kapall already nice and sunny in the morning.....
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@Langerzug, The parts of Warth where I was yesterday yesterday were in part wind scoured and hard packed. There was something similar in St Anton, the course for the downhill which clearly needs a covering of fresh snow other than that no sign of hard pack. The reason for heading back early yesterday was primarily that conditions were not that good. Zürs was generally good as is St Anton. The south facing slopes coming down from the ridge above Kleinwalsertal were largely devoid of snow cover more like March than January again surprising.
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well, as Fasching/Carnival is very late this year (first week of March), early February should still be reasonably fine.
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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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Oh bug, we are going to Lech 1-8 March and didn’t realise that week clashed with Fasching. How busy will it be in Lech and general Arlberg region?
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@stanton, You do post a lot of tosh at times. Weather forecast for St Anton
No doubt mild over the coming weekend but nothing like the tropical temperatures you suggest. The local bod suggests a Föhn for the weekend maximum temperatures of 7 degrees very similar to the latest GFS above.
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You know it makes sense.
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When are the Feb school hols? Thks.
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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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I've just heard that Pub 37 in St Anton closed last year. Are there any similar bars in the town now?
Haven't been since 2020 and heading over this weekend. Underground closed aswell I believe.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@davidthornton, As Easter is very late this year Bavaria and other south German states "half term" there is first week of March (ie Fasching) I believe same as some areas of Holland & Belgium and elsewhere.
@Jefferson Darcy, Yes Pub 37 is no more and Joan has retired to Australia (I believe). Other suggested drinking spots, Dorfstuben ask for Tegernseer rather than Stiegel, Jules has reopened next to the Tourist Office they serve Augustiner. Gunar still at the Murrmel though I have heard complaints over the price of drinks. If you want a quiet beer then Mondscheinstuberl just up from Nassereinbahn.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@munich_irish, much obliged
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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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My boots seem to be coming to the end of their useful life.
Does anyone have any recommendation of the best way to buy boots in the Arlberg? I was considering the lech Strolz custom fitting but I don't know if this is a useless gymic, the reviews are a mixed bag.
How do the snowheads crowd buy boots nowadays??
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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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Go to Jennewein best sports place in the Arlberg
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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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@badatbetting, Hannes Strolz is not a gymic.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I've realised there are two 'strolz' shops in lech. One with a slightlty cooler looking technica boot, and one with a more old school look.
Do you have any opinions? I think I will just fork out for the simplicity
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@badatbetting, if you want a great fitting boot go and see Jeff in sport Jennewein. If you want the Rolls Royce, and have the funds, go to Hannes Strolz in the Rufikopf valley station.
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@badatbetting, There are various views on Strolz, some think they are the best boots ever whilst others say not. I suspect there is an element of buying the name not the product (that said from someone who now thinks Stöckli skis are the best!). Personally think you are probably better off going to Jennewein (not sure Jeff is there anymore but he does have a very good reputation)
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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 previously bought surefoot so I realise I may be a sucker for the name...
Which jennewein shop should I speak to first? If I don't find an easy fit somewhere I'll accept I need to pay the lech strozl premium..
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@munich_irish, thks for the info.
BTW, is ulmerhutte still around? Haven't seen any posts this Winter.
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FAQ
