 Poster: A snowHead
|
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the new thread for 2024/25. Let discussion commence…
I’m currently in Saalbach, and will be there for another few weeks. It’s a lively and popular tourist season as usual, with some idyllic swimming in lakes, and hiking and biking. Highlights have been the annual Hinterglemm Farmer’s Market (basically a three day street party), the weekly Wednesday street party at Zell am See, and the Thursday evening “all you can eat” barbecue party at the incomparable Hecherhütte at Viehhofen.
The only new developments that I’m currently aware of are the new Zwölfer Nord gondola at Hinterglemm, and the new Streuboden gondola at Fieberbrunn - both very expensive, much-appreciated upgrades. But no doubt there will be other things to report on in due course.
And, as I mentioned in my last post on the previous season’s thread, bear in mind that there are a few British owners amongst my circle, who have good, well-located rental apartments available in Saalbach, and who (for some unknown reason) tend not to use Snowheads. So it’s always worth messaging me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
fieberbrunn was desperate for that new gondol it was the worst in the area
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@Baron von chippy, agreed
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| Baron von chippy wrote: |
| fieberbrunn was desperate for that new gondol it was the worst in the area |
vintage chic 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Welcome back Richard. Hopefully catch up this season.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@RedandWhiteFlachau, that would be great 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy new thread Richard, looking forward to your reports again.
I am out late this year, booked in Kristiania first week of March, 3 of us flying out on the Friday to get the full day skiing Saturday.
Is it snowing yet!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@ribblevalleyblue, it has been known, even in August, but recent temperatures have been around 27-30 degrees, which is pretty normal. Too warm even for my shortest lederhosen. Balmy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Yippee here we go again, something to look forward to this season is the new Nordbhan coming along nicely
A bit of reprofiling going on too, looks like the red on the side is being widened again, which is no bad thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I’m hoping might make a few days in SH this coming season. Skied there in 2016 and thought it was brilliant. We scored a bargain with our accommodation with a new aparthotel opening and offering great intro rates at the time. Doing my research suggests prices have gone up a bit since then so will need to start saving the pennies! Looking forward to keeping an eye on this thread.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Here is the annual how to get to Saalbach post
Public Postbus (260) from Salzburg airport, is the cheapest way to get to Saalbach, the fare is €16.80 each way there is a family fare see below, change at Maishofen (680) a couple of minutes walk between bust sops, the bus going up the valley will wait if there is slight delay to the incoming bus.
Freizeit-Ticket Salzburg, this is a one day family ticket for travel within Salzburgland, the cost is €19.00 for 2 adults and up to 4 children under 15, you can buy it from the bus driver, so for 2 adults it's cheaper than buying two standard singles, https://salzburg-verkehr.at/tickets-preise/einzelfahrkarten/freizeit-ticket-salzburg/
Austrian Transfer run a shuttle bus service 8 times a day https://www.austriatransfer.com/en it is 130 return per person if more than two travelling , however if you are a solo traveller it is 220 euro! if there are four or more then a private shuttle is more cost effective €480
This is the timetable https://www.austriatransfer.com/downloads/fahrplaene2024/airport-shuttle-saalbach.pdf
Andy Rose of Snow Camps Europe started offering a shuttle type service last season and is doing it again , €130 return https://www.snowcampseu.com/airport-transfers/
Private transfers, Taxi companies based in Saalbach, Taxi Rainer https://www.taxirainer.at/en/ , Taxi6620 https://www.taxi6620.at/en/ , https://taxi-pinzgau.com
The public bus has five connections on Saturday, to check the times https://salzburg-verkehr.at/en/, it has a map of the walk between bus stops at Maishofen.
You can also go via Zell Am See, take the bus to Salzburg HBF then train to Zell, there maybe a change, then bus 680 to Saalbach or a taxi approx €60, you can get the times here, https://salzburg-verkehr.at/en/
You can buy bus or train tickets through the Salzburg Verkehr app, it also has the live ski bus times, handy for when you are in resort.
NB: the Postbus from Salzburg to Saalbach is not included in your ski pass.
Ski bus The ski bus in Saalbach stops at 17.00, “from 17:00 the 680 bus takes skiers, but only if they are still in ski clothing and are coming from skiing, you can travel for free with the card” from the tourist office.
Live ski bus timings as well as those for the 680 are available on the Salzburg Verkehr app
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Wed 23-10-24 13:20; edited 7 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Thanks George, very useful. The public bus has certainly become an extremely useful and cheap option, and it takes only about 2 hours (1.5 hours to Maishofen). I find the Austrian public transport website very user-friendly: www.oebb.at
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@tatmanstours, well done for stating this post up. It was very helpful for when my 16 year old son and I visited last Feb. And @radar also for the help with the bus info.
We had a great time, out best trip ever and would have been coming back this year. However, as some of you may have seen elsewhere, my son was sadly killed in Mar and I don't have it in me to come back so soon. If you recall it was just my son and I, single dad. Beyond tragic. So I will wish you all well for this year, although I may come back and read a few posts. Hopefully I will visit and ski again soon.
Here's the very last pic I have of him, with me at the bottom of the floodlit piste in Hinterglemm. Taken at the end of our last day out there, our last day ever skiing together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@Boofont, really sorry for your loss, my deepest sympathies .
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@Boofont, my sincere and deepest condolences
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Originally posted on last year's thread so apologies. Question re Fasching, what effect, if any, does it have on the village and the ski area? Does it make it substantially more busy all round ie lift queues, bars, restaurants etc?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Really sorry to hear that @Boofont, my condolences. That's a lovely photo of the two of you.
I wanted to ask the Saalbach-Hinterglemm experts, we have S-H on our shortlist for next February half term. We would be arriving on the evening of Saturday 15 Feb. However, I understand that is also the last weekend of the World Cup, with the two slalom races on the Saturday and Sunday. How chaotic or otherwise will that make things? The Saturday won't impact on our skiing, but might make the village a bit "lively". How much will it affect the Sunday, either in terms of pistes being closed, or the village being busy? Will the crowds be drifting off by the Sunday evening, or hanging around for one last party? And will Saalbach or Hinterglemm be most affected, or both?
We are a family of four, kids by then will be 10 and 8, piste skiers only, and intermediates, happiest on blues and reds.
Many thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@kb36,OOphs was thinking of Epiphany! this season it's 6 January, it is busier more children, but it's not a dramatic difference, you may have to queue a bit longer for some lifts on the mountain, at the base station avoid peak if you can, the Schonleiten gets busy, we tend grab the bus up to the Hochalm / Nordbhann as it's less busy if going out at peak time.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 10-09-24 11:18; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
@kb36, Fasching is so late in 2025 (4th March) that most of the countries, including Austria itself, will have already held their half-term holidays, so the impact on lifts, queues, restaurants etc. will be minimal.
@Temesvar, The races take place in Hinterglemm on the Zwolferkogel. Other than the race track itself with takes up half of a normal piste, there are no piste closures - in fact, you can ski down the piste adjacent to the race track for most of the courses (except for the very top of the downhill courses) and watch the competitors for free. The rest of the resort (Westgipfel, Reiterkogel and Hochalm in Hinterglemm, and all of Saalbach) won't be affected at all. All of the parties, presentations etc. take place in the centre of Hinterglemm. By Monday morning (17th) other than the clearing up and the empty grandstands behind the Zwolferkogel lift, if the previous World Cup weekends are anything to go by you'll hardly notice that there has been a two-week event in the area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks @quinton
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
That could well explain the increase in hotel quotes for the first week of march over and above any inflation one of the hotels weve checked has gone up nearly 20 % bringing it well into high season territory
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
This seasons operating dates
29.11.–05.12.2024 lift operation in Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
06.12.2024–06.04.2025 lift operation with ski connections between Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
07.04.–13.04.2025 lift operation with ski connection in Saalbach and Leogang
14.04.–21.04.2025 lift operation in Leogang
Looking forward to trying the new lifts 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
The Kitzsteinhorn glacier at nearby Kaprun is re-opening on 5 October.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An upgrade that I’ve just become aware of is increased capacity on the Schonleitenbhann.
I1+I2 SCHÖNLEITENBAHN
Over the summer months, the Schönleitenbahn team and the cable car manufacturer were able to implement an improvement in comfort. By increasing the travel speed to 6.2 m/s, adding 7 cabins and improving the processes, there will be a significant increase in transport capacity from the coming winter season, which will lead to a considerable reduction in waiting times.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Season tickets available at pre-sale prices until 08/12/24. A lift pass for the whole season costs only slightly more than a two week pass!
SKI ALPIN CARD
Grab your Ski ALPIN CARD by 8 December at a special price and experience the Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn, the Schmittenhöhe Zell am See and the Kitzsteinhorn Kaprun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
Delighted this thread is up and running.
Will be in the area for January 2025 (4 weeks from 4 Jan) and have previously rented skis and Mrs BH's snowboard for our one week trips but considering buying them this season or looking for a deal on 4 weeks of hire. Basically will do whichever is cheapest.
We would normally hire skis from Hansi and snowboard from the board shop just down the road (Board.AT) - does anyone know whether either of these shops offer some sort of deal on longer term hire or of any others that do? Also having never visited before so early in Jan are last season's skis, that are presumably discounted for sale, still knocking around first week of Jan? We would not buy something unsuitable just to save some cash but trying to understand what the options will be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
@TomBH, I suggest that you speak to Hansi. I’m sure he’d be happy to give you a good deal (and mention my name for an extra discount).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
@tatmanstours, thanks and will do. Is he generally around or does he take some time off now and I'll wait till a bit closer to the season to message?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
He’s unlikely to be around his shop in Saalbach at this time of the year, but I may be wrong, because during the summer tourist season he lets, or sublets, the shop to another guy, who operates a mountain bike/e-bike maintenance business from it. And at some stage (possibly around now, if not already) the shop has to be changed back and kitted out for the winter season.
But his mobile number will be on his website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
@tatmanstours, thanks. I did wonder what he did with his shop in the summer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
@TomBH, He never used to, it’s a fairly recent thing. At one time he used to stock summer clothing, like lederhosen, in the summer tourist season. But I know that he hates sitting there all day. Even when it’s only for four months during the winter season he grumbles and gets assistants to stand in for him, whilst he has days off. But the present arrangement presumably suits him very well. The guy, who runs the bike maintenance business in the shop during the summer, also assists Hansi in the shop, and is put in charge when Hansi has days off, during the winter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Just to remind any new visitors to this thread, Hansi (Hansi’s Best-Price Ski Rentals) has a shop - his own business, independent of the big conglomerates, next door but one to Bobby’s Pub at the bottom end of Saalbach’s main village street.
As the name of his business would suggest, he assures the best price and will always strive to beat or match any other quote. His equipment is also good, and he knows his stuff. He is also generous with the homemade schnapps that trickles from the schnapps fountain from the bar in his shop.
And he gives an extra discount to anyone who goes to his shop on my recommendation (for which I receive no commission - and haven’t asked for any).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@tatsmans what's your thoughts on mid-dec skiing in S-H. Ive been in mid season, snow was perfect, and also late march/early April but it was a bit patchy. How does early season fair?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
@Dravot, this is an answer I gave to a similar question on another thread:
“Saalbach (where I live most of the time) is normally okay in mid-December - in fact often idyllic with relatively empty, beautifully prepared runs. I used to arrive in the resort just before Christmas (my 19th consecutive Christmas there coming up), but got sick and tired of being told that I’d missed a couple of weeks of quite possibly the best skiing of the season. So these days I aim to get there around the beginning of the second week of December.
But occasionally snow droughts in November and December do occur, so I would suggest leaving it as late as possible to book. There will surely be plenty of accommodation available before Christmas (and by the way, I’m in contact with a network of Brits who own and let good apartments in Saalbach, and am always willing to try to help fellow-Snowheads find accommodation).”
As you’re probably aware, Saalbach opens for skiing on 29/11/24 this year. In a normal season, the ski area is opened by degrees and sections during the first two weeks, with a view to all the extremities and links being open by the middle of December. I would be surprised if the whole ski area isn’t open by mid-December, but there are of course no guarantees, and I’m not a gambling man. The snow usually falls in November, and the snow cannons are also switched on. And it’s amazing what they can achieve with snowmaking when there is interminable high pressure and blue skies over the Alps throughout November and early December. But usually that isn’t the case.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
P.S. It’s not unusual for the Saalbach lift company to open part of the ski area in advance, at weekends in the second half of November, when snow conditions allow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Going to Fieberbrunn middle-end of January! Any good off-piste / freeride group courses?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
