 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, I'm looking for recommendations for a ski resort that would suit our family for a trip in February please.
We're a family of 4, one experienced snowboarder, two tween/young teen kids who can both ski reasonably though not exceptionally well (they've both been skiing a couple of times and can do parallel turns) and myself who can ski but not fantastically and will be looking to have a few lessons when we're there. Ideally we'd like somewhere with lots of green and blue runs and maybe a few reds so we can mostly stay together - whilst I don't need super easy nursery slopes as I can just about parallel ski, I'm not that confident yet so I also don't want to be throwing myself down sheer drops! Somewhere high enough to be snow sure would be good please. Last year the snow was rubbish when we were in Megeve in February.
We can't stay a whole week (though I'm aware we'll probably need to rent the apartment for the whole week) so we're hoping to find somewhere that's not much more than an hour from an airport you can fly to from London Gatwick. It'll be school holidays so I know everywhere will be busy busy, but hopefully we can find somewhere that isn't going to be completely rammed and has enough lifts so the queues are minimised. Ideally I'd love to go somewhere with a proper town centre where we can have drinks when we come off the lifts and wander out for dinner from our accommodation. We will have a rental car, but we'll only use that to get to and from the airport and would prefer to be able to walk everywhere once we're in the resort.
We have a fairly healthy budget. We'd probably be after an airb&b and we'd be looking for something that's a bit stylish, not shoebox studios like in a pierre et vacance type resort. We'd want availability of rentable ski lockers near the lifts or ski-in-ski-out so we don't have to trek miles with equipment. We don't want to have to use the bus.
We were thinking of Austria but open to other options. Ideally I'd prefer to avoid France though as we never find the food options that great for the kids in France.
Not asking for much am I! Thanks for the help.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 30-09-24 17:36; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Flipjango, You might want to look at the Dolomites / Sella Ronda, not Austria but not really Italy either (or a lot of it), sounds ideal from a ski & food perspective but maybe not so much from a travel one. In Austria maybe look at Kitzbühel, Saalbach & Ski Amade areas (all easy from Salzburg). Whilst UK half term week does not have the same issues as in France, February is high season and everywhere is busy. You might find it not so easy to book part weeks, most places will be looking for Saturday to Saturday
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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 wrote: |
| You might find it not so easy to book part weeks, most places will be looking for Saturday to Saturday |
Yes, we had the same issue last year. We're aware we'll probably have to book a whole weeks accomodation even if we don't stay the whole week.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| munich_irish wrote: |
| You might want to look at the Dolomites / Sella Ronda, not Austria but not really Italy either (or a lot of it), sounds ideal from a ski & food perspective but maybe not so much from a travel one. |
They travel bit really is non-negotiable I'm afraid. We need to make the most of the short time we have so don't want to spend it driving up mountains for hours.
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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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@Flipjango, Flachau in the Ski Amadé area fits the bill - 45 minute drive from Salzburg airport with several private transfer options if you prefer, and all accommodation is in the valley and the drive is simple. Forget AirBNB - very few places in Austrian ski resorts use it, and most will take bookings direct or via the local tourist board website.
If you look for somewhere near the Starjet lift you can have the town centre (such as it is, as it's a fairly strung out place along the main street between the 3 main access lifts) nearby, but there are regular free buses from the outlying areas and between the lifts which we've used extensively. https://www.flachau.com/en/winter/
Or fly to Innsbruck and then try the Zell am Ziller or Fugen/Hochfugen areas which are reachable by train or an easy drive/private transfer in under an hour. Start at https://www.zillertal.at/en/winter.html
Austria generally doesn't do shoeboxes. Stylish apartments or family-run hotels are common. Lockers are available in several places, but it can be more hassle fighting your way to the locker at busy times than stepping off the bus carrying your kit, and of course the accommodation will have a ski cellar or similar to store them.
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| ousekjarr wrote: |
@Flipjango, Flachau in the Ski Amadé area fits the bill - 45 minute drive from Salzburg airport with several private transfer options if you prefer, and all accommodation is in the valley and the drive is simple. Forget AirBNB - very few places in Austrian ski resorts use it, and most will take bookings direct or via the local tourist board website.
If you look for somewhere near the Starjet lift you can have the town centre (such as it is, as it's a fairly strung out place along the main street between the 3 main access lifts) nearby, but there are regular free buses from the outlying areas and between the lifts which we've used extensively. https://www.flachau.com/en/winter/
Or fly to Innsbruck and then try the Zell am Ziller or Fugen/Hochfugen areas which are reachable by train or an easy drive/private transfer in under an hour. Start at https://www.zillertal.at/en/winter.html
Austria generally doesn't do shoeboxes. Stylish apartments or family-run hotels are common. Lockers are available in several places, but it can be more hassle fighting your way to the locker at busy times than stepping off the bus carrying your kit, and of course the accommodation will have a ski cellar or similar to store them. |
Thanks for the suggestions. but I'm not sure this really fits the bill for us. We are looking for a nice pleasant town with a proper centre, some shops, maybe an ice rink, that kind of thing. We like to have a wander around in the later afternoon and evening. We definitely have no interest in having to get on a bus - our routine is very much get off the lift, drop kit at the ski locker and then wander back to the apartment via a bar or two.
I have hypermobility problems that don't affect skiing but do affect me carrying kit so ski locker or ski-in-ski-out are pretty essential.
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A real town is that important?
Chamonix or Briancon in France. (BUT it's the school hols month)
Kitz in Austria. I was about to suggest Radstadt in Ski Amade but no ski lifts in the village. Obertauern is lovely but small.
Zermatt or Grindelwald in CH
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@Flipjango, fair enough, that wasn't clear. In that case, look at Mayrhofen in the Zillertal and leave the kit on the mountain at the top of the Penken lift, or go further from Salzburg and try Zell am See which can be reached by train (bus to the central station then direct train), car or taxi relatively easily but at 1:10 by car on a good day and closer to 2 hours by bus/train, and which has lockers at the lifts.
If buses are not for you, that eliminates maybe 80% of all Austrian resorts, as they're old farming communities which have developed skiing offerings rather than a brutalist custom-built French monstrosity, so all of the lifts were placed to avoid demolishing the town and therefore are not central. And many are small villages, so extensive shops, an ice rink, public swimming pool, etc are out of the question and that leads you more to the larger towns which can sustain those year-round.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
brutalist custom-built French monstrosity
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A description which applies to a rather small proportion of the hundreds of ski resorts in France. 
As others have said, you have picked the busiest time of the year and you are looking for a non-standard period of accommodation. I agree with @munich_irish that in many ways the Dolomites would suit you, but you criterion of no more than an hour's transfer from airport is a tough one. I guess your next step in this quest is to prioritise the criteria you have listed and decide which one you're willing to drop.
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I think Saalbach probably fits the bill quite well
- 1h 20m from Salzburg
- pleasant small town with loads of bars and restaurants.
- can explore pretty much the whole resort by blue slopes
- most accommodation are close to lifts/slopes and plenty of ski depots around
Zell am See could be another great option.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Origen wrote: |
| Quote: |
brutalist custom-built French monstrosity
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A description which applies to a rather small proportion of the hundreds of ski resorts in France.
As others have said, you have picked the busiest time of the year and you are looking for a non-standard period of accommodation. I agree with @munich_irish that in many ways the Dolomites would suit you, but you criterion of no more than an hour's transfer from airport is a tough one. I guess your next step in this quest is to prioritise the criteria you have listed and decide which one you're willing to drop. |
I'm not looking for a non-standard period of accommodation - I'm aware we'll have to rent an apartment for a week, but we can't stay for a week so will just have to accept paying for days we won't use.
I'm also aware it's a busy time. But we can afford it so can't see what that's an issue. We can pay for more exclusive resorts. We went to Megeve last year and it wasn't particularly busy in February holidays.
If something had to slip it'd be the travel time, but 1.5 hours would be the max. We will have a car so we don't need to worry about transfers.
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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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Rauris: Schönblick apartments. Austria.
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No used them so not recommending them but take a look at Heidi.com who allow you to pick and choose arrival/departure days outside of the standard 7 days and have several suggestions for places within an hour of an airport such as Leysin in Switzerland or Soll or Saalbach in Austria.
Good luck.
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You know it makes sense.
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Since you mentioned Megeve, I repeat my recommendation for Zermatt.
So much to do and see beside plain skiing.
The train ride will take more than 1.5 hrs but you will enjoy looking out the windows.
Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be perfect.
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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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As @ousekjarr mentions, have a look at Mayrhofen. I’d also recommend looking at Saalbach Hinterglemm.
Both offer the kind of skiing you’re looking for and have towns that should cater to your needs.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Flipjango, You seem to be looking for the perfect spot which probably doesnt exist. If budget is not an issue and you are happy to do a hire car from the airport then look at Lech from Zürich. It is one of the best resorts in the alps and would give you everything you are looking for though you might find the drive from Zürich a bit long (its not but you want short). Innsbruck is possibly a bit closer but not many flights. If none of these appeals what about Verbier it is a fairly short drive from Geneva.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Flipjango, Have a look at Serfaus. Meets many of your requirements. It's car free (ish) and there is an underground train which goes through (under) the village to the lift departure point.
When we went we booked via the tourist office https://www.serfaus-fiss-ladis.at/en/Accommodation-list
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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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A few more out of Innsbruck to consider (none are perfect but might be an option):
Kuhtai, enough interesting intermediate runs, short drive from Innsbruck, slope side accommodation, very good snow record (was fine last season), not that much of a town though. 20min bus to Hochoetz for a bit more tree skiing in bad weather.
Stubai Glacier, loads of good intermediate runs, as close to guaranteed snow as you'll get, quite close to Innsbruck, a 4* hotel close to the lifts https://www.mutterberg.at/en/ which will do 4 night bookings in Feb 25, no town at all though. Risk of closure of resort in high winds in that case the standard approach is to drive half an hour down the road to somewhere like Schlick 2000. If you are adventurous you could also book a night up the mountain here: https://www.dresdnerhuette.at/en/
Ischgl, massive amount of intermediate runs, top notch lift system, very good snow record, pre bookable ski lockers next to main lift, large ski town with plenty going on, probably at the limit of your transfer distance from Innsbruck. Really good hotels if you want a bit of luxury. I have a feeling you'd be able to find a 4* hotel for less than a week (especially if you are happy going Monday to Friday)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Flipjango, which exact week are you looking for?
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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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@Flipjango, which exact week are you looking for? (I have no idea why this comment was added twice, and why I can’t delete this duplicate)
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 2-10-24 6:49; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| tatmanstours wrote: |
| @Flipjango, which exact week are you looking for? (I have no idea why this comment was added twice, and why I can’t delete this duplicate) |
It'd be the week starting Saturday 15th February.
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In many ways St Anton would be ideal, easy 1 hour drive from Innsbruck airport, reasonable sized though compact village with lots to do including a very well equipped swimming pool and also a sports centre, plenty of ski lockers directly adjacent to the main lifts (most accommodation includes a deal with one of the sports shops), its not cheap but that doesnt appear to be an issue, the issue is the skiing which is probably too much for what you want its always busy too. If you want some suggestions then maybe look at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/advice/10-best-ski-resorts-austria/ (I believe you can sign up for free access) which would give you more detail (and less of folk's favourite area) than here.
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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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The correct answer is Schladming.
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We found Kappl a great area when the kids were younger. Stayed http://www.alpenfrieden-kappl.at/ a couple of times and was such a great position piste side. Food good too. Just up the road from Ischgl if you want more terrain and pumping apres. Serfaus is supposed to be great for families but yet to go. Saalbach is another great ski area worth considering
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| munich_irish wrote: |
| In many ways St Anton would be ideal, easy 1 hour drive from Innsbruck airport, reasonable sized though compact village with lots to do including a very well equipped swimming pool and also a sports centre, plenty of ski lockers directly adjacent to the main lifts (most accommodation includes a deal with one of the sports shops), its not cheap but that doesnt appear to be an issue, the issue is the skiing which is probably too much for what you want its always busy too. If you want some suggestions then maybe look at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/advice/10-best-ski-resorts-austria/ (I believe you can sign up for free access) which would give you more detail (and less of folk's favourite area) than here. |
I love St Anton myself, but the party are looking for plenty of easy runs. I’ve been to St Anton with modestly confident skiers who hated most pistes and the crowded pistes. [I realise you know it inside out].
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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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@Snow&skifan, wrote:
“I love St Anton myself, but the party are looking for plenty of easy runs. I’ve been to St Anton with modestly confident skiers who hated most pistes and the crowded pistes. [I realise you know it inside out].”
Horses for courses no doubt. A ski instructor friend once described it as “steep, narrow, mogully runs”. Not therefore a resort for unconfident intermediates, or those who like leisurely, long-distance cruising.
When I was there I liked the White Circle itinerary - Stuben/Lech/Zurs, but disliked the busy, unpleasant final run home (Happy Valley?). I get the impression from previous discussions that the off-piste is its strong point.
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We’re off to Schladming for a second time this year and it could fit the bill. Lockers are right at the bottom of the lift (at the hire shop) and although the town isn’t high, the majors of slopes are. If snow is amazing you can ski down to the town and if not, gondola from the middle station, above which is pretty high.
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You know it makes sense.
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Kirchberg or Soll.
If you want lessons (even private ones) in half term week book now!
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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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@Flipjango, have a look at Kronplatz in Italy; it's around a 90 minute drive from Innsbruck (although I've only done it by coach transfer, rather than car), has a load of gentle blue runs and a few more challenging reds (and blacks), with fab lift infrastructure (almost entirely gondolas or high speed chairs) and excellent snowmaking. My family group is pretty much the same mix as you've described (minus the snowboarder) and Kronplatz catered for all of our needs. If you fancied going a little further afield, connections to Alta Badia and Drei Zinnen are readily available.
We stayed in San Vigilio - it's pretty quiet, but had enough restaurants, bars and shops to keep us happy for a week, and everything is walkable. We used the lockers at the bottom of the Miara lift, which is the main lift station, so we could leave our gear there at the end of the day and then wander back to our accommodation via a bar or two.
If you wanted a broader range of restaurants and bars, Riscone is a larger town on the other side of the mountain, and probably has a greater range of accommodation (I travelled there by bus from San Vigilio to get a new pair of boots fitted at Fede Bootfitting, and also skied there from San Vigilio later in the week for an adjustment to the boots, but I don't have much other insight to impart other than "it's bigger").
My daughter is a relatively picky eater, and she had no issues with any of the lunch or dinner options either in the town or on the mountain. We've booked to go back in February 2024.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'll revise my earlier suggestions based on the importance of a larger town. I think Kitzbühel (as suggested by @drporat) ticks most boxes:
- Close to Salzburg airport - just over 1 hour transfer time
- plenty of blue runs (102 km of blue slopes) - and you can ski almost the whole resort one blues alone
- picturesque medieval town with shops, bars and restaurants - many high end shops and an ice rink
The main compromise here is the town itself is relatively low at 800m, so snow quality on the lower slopes can suffer if conditions aren't great. But the higher levels of the ski resort should be fine. And it being mid-Feb, the provability of decent conditions should be fairly high.
One thing I would also advise when going to Austria, in particular on a larger budget, is to consider hotels. Many 4* and 5* hotels have amazing spa facilities, with heated outdoor pools, saunas and plenty more, which is the perfect way to unwind after a day on the slopes.
The other suggestion would still be Zell am See, which is a lovely town right on a lake.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Rogerdodger wrote: |
| Rauris: Schönblick apartments. Austria. |
I was coming on to suggest Rauris. However as you have a healthy budget, I would suggest the Carpe Solem Resort. No need for ski lockers, the boot room is a thirty second walk from the main gondola. There are heated boot racks and space aplenty for your things. There's a pool, restaurant, and kids room on site, and the top floor has a 16+ spa with floor to ceiling windows. We stayed there for Christmas 2022 and it was divine. We stayed in the Schonblick Apartments on our previous visit. They were nice and we were initially planning to return, but opted to treat ourselves and stay at the Carpe Solem instead. Absolutely no regrets, it was incredible. Our apartment was huge, so we had spacious apartment living with the benefits of a hotel stay.
We got the train from Salzburg, plus a taxi from the train station. I think both the train and car are around 90 minutes from the airport. It's a small, sweet town with lovely restaurants both on the mountain and in the village. If you're staying for less than a week, I think that between the hotel amenities, skiing, and a wander round the village, you'll not be bored. There are some nice kids activities on some days, too, like the horse drawn carriage ride around the town on one day, or the giant toboggan ride on a Thursday with a huge owl mascot. No additional charge for these, nor do you have to have paid for ski school. There's also a 3km long toboggan run from Kreuzbodenhütte if that's yours (or the kids) thing.
https://alps-resorts.com/holiday-resorts/details/carpe-solem-rauris
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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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Solden would be good. My daughter on day one said 'Will we get to be the first person to make some tracks in the snow?'
Early the next morning, we had 2 ft of snow on lovely blue runs..... she giggled for hours!
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FAQ
