On the train home after the weekend in St Anton. Sadly, almost certainly the last one until December. It has been quiet, especially today, but seems to be lots of locals visiting, the car parks at Zürs and Rauz were full this morning and the train is busy with folk on their way back to Innsbruck.
Generally decent / good spring skiing. Yesterday was a bit gloomy especially on the Vorarlberg side but today was perfect blue skies in Zürs. The snow conditions are officially described as "griffig" which I would translate as "grippy" which seems fair for a good deal of the area. In both Zürs & St Anton (more in St Anton) the conditions can change suddenly from the grippy nice snow to soft refrozen slush. There can be patches of the refrozen slush and back to nice snow. In St Anton I would say everything below 1850m (height of Gampen) is dubious but everything above 2200m is good the in between areas dependent on aspect. I didnt go over to Rendl so that might be different and for the east facing runs in Zürs everything above 1700m is good.
A word of warning, yesterday afternoon I foolishly decided to ski down the home run from Zammermoos (piste 50), it is awful. Piles of chopped up sugar. In itself that is just a bit of a pain but it is far too crowded. The best way to deal with the conditions is to keep up a decent speed to cut through the snow but the combination of fast skiers and floundering intermediates (hopefully any beginners had taken a lift down) was rather insane. The chances of an accident seemed to be way too high. A perfect example as to why simply looking for blue lines on a piste map can lead you seriously astray. Today after a final run down Schindler I got the lift down from Galzig, did not want to risk an injury, though to be fair from the lift the run looked far quieter today.
Given that winter is forecast to return from mid week there could be some very decent Easter skiing though that is likely to bring out hordes of locals so Easter weekend could be pretty packed.
Only a couple of snaps
Looking up to Madlochjoch with the snow covered Zürsersee below
Looking down to the Flexenpass from Täli, Zürs on the left, the schuss at the end is visible next to the road
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Winter is Back (Did it ever start)
On Wednesday afternoon within 12hours the temperature will drop by 10 degrees .. It will start in the Southern Alps and then extend to Austria
North Westerly inbound system (The best)
It will start snowing on Wednesday afternoon/ evening and all day Thursday up to the weekend in town and down valley
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?
How busy is kappl in general btw? Ischgl was heaving, but See was nice and quiet when I went. I assume kappl will be an in-between level?
Also any idea how Zams is while I'm checking out quieter easier resorts?
@badatbetting, If you want quiet check out St Anton There were zero queues and very few on the pistes at 14:00 yesterday afternoon admittedly the snow was rubbish lower down
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Yeh last week was the quietest I can remember. Somehow today is busier again, and I just like checking out new resorts if it's worth it
Hi folks, seen a very cheap deal for St Anton arriving the 28th. How is the Arlberg area for a nervous intermediate? And how's conditions at the moment for what she could ski? My son would be happy on any slopes so hopeful it could be a good choice as I can't go due to work.
From the quick googling I've done it's not looking ideal but worth the ask, it's that cheap
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Im off to See next Wed for 4 days. Plan is 2 days skiing in See and 2 days in Kappl. More than enough skiing and guessing much less busy than Ischgl.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@damanpunk, Firstly check out the various posts above, there is one from me with conditions this past weekend. Lots more further up which would give more info. Not surprised there are cheap deals going as the place is pretty empty. Conditions are likely to be excellent next week as there is significant snow forecast for the next few days and cooler temperatures thereafter. I would check the location of the accommodation as some places listed as "St Anton" can be a fair way from the centre though the ski bus service is excellent (at least until 6th April).
As to whether it would suit your partner, impossible to answer without knowing a lot more about her skiing abilities. The Arlberg is not a dense network of largely easy skiing like some of the French places. In St Anton itself there is a certain amount of straight forward skiing especially at Rendl though, as above, in spring conditions the main home run past the apres spots is best avoided in the afternoons. There is a very long run from the top of the Schindlerbahn which is mostly easy. Further over in Zürs there is some excellent piste skiing for all levels, plenty more in Lech too though the same issue with the home runs in spring conditions apply.
I would be inclined to suggest taking the very cheap deal (subject to checking where it is) as the words "cheap accommodation" & "St Anton" are rarely found together! Maybe use the money saved to get her a bit of private tuition, the is an excellent Brit instructor, Kev Robinson who works at Arlberg Classic.
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.
Weather
Change in forecast for Austria
The inbound Nordstau is not going to hang around to deliver days of snow for Austria
Snow only on Thursday, clearing up Friday morning.
Thursday significant snow will fall on the entire north ridge of the Alps: from the French Alps via Switzerland to deep into Austria and into the valleys 1000 Metre Freeze Level
((Switzerland will get the most 50-100cms)
We were expecting (hoping) a tail end of the Noerstau for Austria this weekend which is now not going to happen, its going to bypass and head south to the Balkans .
This means that the snowfall in Austria only until Friday, but the Arlberg we should get 30 to 50 centimeters
The wind is going to be strong,
High Level Avalanche Danger will be back
The Weekend promises very cold Winter Nights -9 to -12C in town !!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@stanton, as ever making bold pronouncements about the weather is unhelpful. Yes there has been (as ever) a bit of a change in the weather forecast but it depends on which model you follow, it seems likely that there will be more snow east of Innsbruck than west of Innsbruck. There is a suggestion of more snow early next week. As we know predicting snowfall amounts is very difficult, a few weeks back far more snow fell in the Arlberg than forecast which had some fairly serious results. The tourist office forecast tends to be very conservative with forecast snow amounts whereas other places (eg Wepowder automatic forecast) tend to go the other way.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@munich_irish, thank you! Really appreciate that info.
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.
damanpunk wrote:
Hi folks, seen a very cheap deal for St Anton arriving the 28th. How is the Arlberg area for a nervous intermediate? And how's conditions at the moment for what she could ski? My son would be happy on any slopes so hopeful it could be a good choice as I can't go due to work.
From the quick googling I've done it's not looking ideal but worth the ask, it's that cheap
Would I be right in thinking you've snapped up one of the sub-£500 deals from Edinburgh that were still showing on Crystal's system this morning and no longer are?!
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
Latest weather suggestions is that there will be plenty until Friday lunchtime but not as much further east as anticipated. See https://wepowder.com/en/weblog/2026/03/24/pa12-update-great-nordstau-but-less-snow-on-friday for details, Dutch guy based in Innsbruck. He does say that there is still a fair amount of uncertainty as to how much snow. Seen suggestions of more light snow Sunday & Monday but getting less cold towards mid week, sort of typical April temperatures
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
munich_irish wrote:
@stanton, as ever making bold pronouncements about the weather is unhelpful.
Again !! Please stop bitching with your teenager jibes
You have basically repeated what I said was going to change in the weather. situation..
Just accept my post was correct ....
munich_irish wrote:
Dutch guy based in Innsbruck. He does say that there is still a fair amount of uncertainty as to how much snow. Seen suggestions of more light snow Sunday & Monday but getting less cold towards mid week, sort of typical April temperatures
Innsbruck
This Dutch (me) guy is based during the winter in a Landeck Municipality (more then 30 years) From here I can smell snow in Arlberg
This is the latest (This morning)
Which is in line with what I said previously, just one small change . After the tomorrow/early Friday Dump no snow more is expected until at least Monday when the freeze level will rise to 1200M
Will be the warmest Day of the Year so far In Austria 20C but all change tomorrow..
Anyway, its March/April .. Typical weather for this time... It is the best time (also early season) to Slide ..Tourists have mainly gone (there be back for Easter weekend) its not mass tourism time....just day trippers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland .
Standby for Ski Lift developments
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@stanton, I suspect your fellow countryman (assuming you are actually Dutch not Nigel from Nottingham as some on here claim) knows a lot more about weather forecasting than you do. He does more than copy and paste from elsewhere. I thought you now claimed to live in Basel?
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Currently enjoying our week in Lech! We have had beautiful sunshine in three out of the last four days. The clouds have moved in mid-day today and excited to see snow in the forecast. I am thinking of hiring a ski guide for some powder hunting or joining a group if I can find one. Any recommendations? Edit: just booked a group off-piste lesson with Skischule Lech for Friday. Hope that will be a good choice.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@munich_irish, I think there should be a snowheads petition to strip stanton of his username. He's not from here, he doesn't live here or in the valley. He's too busy earning his turns to use the lifts. Doesn't appreciate the hard work that goes into preparing the pistes. Doesn't post anything that is not available from other sources. Continues in his patronising tone to belittle others. Not to mention being down a creavasse....
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?
@Ld, There was an attempt a few years back to have non @stanton Arlberg thread but it petered out. He does seem to have a fairly thin skin, doesnt like folk pointing out when he posts nonsense.
I would love Stanton to be called NottinghamNige. To be honest after a couple years living here I'd say bergfex is the best for predicting snow in the short term, and opensnow/snow forecast are semi decent for the mid term.
Also good news is it looks beautiful here today, back to Avy risk 4 however
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@badatbetting, looks more like a duvet day to me, though perhaps getting old means less inclined to go out unless the sun is shining!
It’s coming down hard. Did laps on Schlosskopf for last two hours. Slow lift but better visibility and little traffic. Shin deep to knee deep in sections. Waist deep just off piste. Snowing so hard that it keeps filling everything back in. Seems to be getting a little lighter as I have my coffee. Tomorrow should be amazing.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I was in Innsbruck this morning and it was dumping down there all the way back up to Landeck There are some delays going on at the Airport
@Ld, @munich_irish, Be nice.. stop whinging ... I am here
Home is Switzerland, Basel as you rightly point out but I also have a winter place near Landeck.
I had to look up Nottingham as I was not exactly sure where it was, I thought it may of been in Ireland or Scotland , I definitely got that wrong
Anyway, my only two visits to the UK was once with a school trip in the 70's London & somewhere near the sea on our way home to NL then again around year 2000 on a business trip to London & also to a large Messe somewhere north of London, took around 2 hours in a Taxi ..
I am dreading how busy Saturday will be, likely the best conditions of the season
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.
badatbetting wrote:
I am dreading how busy Saturday will be, likely the best conditions of the season
Yep, frustratingly, after the dross in Jan and Feb. But looking great for all the Easter folk.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Not weather related, and sorry if this is the wrong thread.
Heading to St Anton with Mr ‘Noceros arriving Sat 4th April on a B&B deal. Obviously will need to eat dinner on Sun 5th (Easter Sunday).
Will lots of places be closed? Should we be aiming to book somewhere or are we likely to be able to just turn up?
Also, dining recommendations gratefully received.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@KNoceros, No not the wrong thread, hopefully not too much nonsense! It should not be a big deal finding somewhere to eat. I suspect given the snow (and more due in a couple of days) there will be a lot of local folk from Innsbruck etc coming for days over Easter weekend but not so many folk actually staying in the village. What sort of food are you looking for?
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.
Relieved that probably won’t need to book.
If there is such a thing in the town would love a recommendation for somewhere that does local / Tirolean type food though.
Otherwise most things would work (I’m allergic to shellfish but that’s easy enough to avoid).
Places that would accept smart casual clothing - I’m not planning on packing a “posh” outfit.
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
@KNoceros, Not many places that you would need posh clothes, sports clothing is pretty much universal though ski boots are generally banned. If you want fairly high end there is the restaurant in the museum, you might have to book there. The big hotels all have places. There is the Fahrner Stube at the bottom of the Alte Arlbergstrasse, might have to book there as it is part of a hotel which offers half board so not so many tables for dinners, the next door Schindler hotel is owned by the same people not sure if they have a seperate restaurant but it will be similar. Lots of places along the Dorfstrasse pretty much all offering variations on "steak". Further down just past Spar is the Maximillian (Austrian / Italian) and opposite the Fuhrmannstube which is walk in only and cheapish Tirolean fare. For something different there is Skiing Buddha next to the station, popular with Brits as it is a Thai so you can get a curry!, maybe sensible to book but probably not. Best Italian spot is the San Antonio but a bit away from the centre in Nasserein. There is now a coffee and cake place right in the middle of the village, daytime but does booze too so ideal if one wants beer and the other wants a coffee.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@KNoceros, from experience, I think that you should book where you can. Most do 'walk ins' but get full in the evenings after 7pm. There are several restaurants on Dorfstrasse, the main street between Galzig and the Spar. Dorfstubn and Grieswirt both do Austrian menus, there is tapas at Bodega, steak restaurants at Sport Hotel and Antony's, which also has a pizzeria/pasta cafe. Aquila, opposite Schwarzer Adler hotel, for fusion dishes. For pizzarias there is also Pommodoro, but that might be closed for the season. Light meals at Galzig Bar. All reasonably priced. Up Alte Arlbergstrasse away from Galzig is Pizzeria Florianis, popular, 'walk ins' only.
There are several places along Dorfstrasse. I would plan your dining and book ahead for each evening. In the past I spent many a night trooping from place to place looking for a table. If all else fails, try Cafe Sailer at Galzig.
@munich_irish recommendations are good and quite central. Fuhrmannstube had a good recommendation, under new ownership now I think.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I love this site! There’s such a wealth of knowledge here.
Thank you so much both. Looks like we’ll be spoilt for choice! Will definitely try either Maximilian or (and?) Fuhrmannstuve as the sound to be right on our doorstep.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Since the takeover a few seasons ago the Führmannstube quality has gone way down hill ..There always used to be lines to get into the place. No Reservations are excepted you have to share tables gemuchlikeit is the only thing still good about the place..
Checkout the RendlHof Hotel opposite the Church .. They do the best freshly prepared (Danish Chef) dinner incredible value 3 course €27 in St Anton
What was another pretty bad winter the end of the season is delivering with two Nordstau
The next Nordstau is approaching
The first Nordstau delivered around 77cm mid mountain over the Arlberg
Monday, the NW wind will increase a new system will swing in our direction during the day. heavy clouds, the precipitation will increase intensity towards the evening and the Freeze line will drop well below 1000m.
Further snow showers down way down the valley will follow on Tuesday, a few sunny clearings.
Wednesday will continue to be windy, cloudy and cold
THINK POW
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@KNoceros, definitely make a booking for Tuesday 7th as its the annual workers race day at Taps. Many places in town will be closed.
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?
Folks
It is currently snowing ..
Tuesday to Wednesday expect rain ...
Rest of the week Changeable
Karfreitag (Good Friday)
Lots of sun, but still cool temperatures for the time being +5C at noon then back to freeze 0C by 18:00hours
Watch out for Glatteis (Black Ice) on the streets
Sonnenkopft now possible to ski to the valley .. Just 12 days left over there till the winddown & switch off the Lifts
Some interesting stats published by Vorarlberg Tourism
Significant increase in overnight stays in winter
From November to the end of February, around 3.7 million overnight stays were counted in Vorarlberg. This corresponds to an increase of more than four percent compared to the previous year.
Arlberg & Bregenzerwald particularly in demand
Demand in classic ski regions developed at an above-average rate.
On the Arlberg, the number of overnight stays rose by around six percent
32-year-old off-piste skier was in the "Ochsengümple" area when he triggered a small snow slab.
He was swept away by the avalanche and finally came to a standstill uninjured on the surface of the snow masses.
He was in a group of six. However, the other members of this group decided not to continue skiing on the slope after the incident. instead, they alerted the emergency services. They were all rescued by the Police helicopter - All group members were equipped
The folks at Wepowder are suggesting waist deep powder for 1st April https://wepowder.com/en/weblog/2026/03/29/waist-deep-powder-on-april-1st this is not the automatic model but the human written forecast. Lots of variables, not least temperature, so the actual amount for a particular location is very difficult to forecast but seems likely that there will be excellent conditions for Easter. Sadly not able to be there Warm spring back next week!
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Back on the other side of the Atlantic (in Canada) after a great week in the Arlberg last week. Sharing a great experience that I had on Friday which was an epic Pow day after constant heavy snow Wed night through Thursday and overnight into Friday. I joined a group off-piste lesson via Skischule Lech on Friday. Cost was 110 euros plus I had to rent avalanche pack and pieps. There were 5 of us in the group and it was definitely more of a tour vs a lesson. We had an amazing day covering a great deal of ground off of Kriegerhorn, Steinmahder, Rotschrofen, Hasensprung and an epic last run down to Zug. Powder was very deep as higher alpine was not open the day before and winds filled in some places with even more snow. This turned out to be a very cost efficient way to secure a guide or join a group. Apparently not too many ski schule do this so if ever interested please keep this in mind. Overall our week was excellent with some amazing sunshine and spring skiing, apres in St Anton and epic powder to cap it off. Looks like more snow has found its way there yesterday/today. Have a great rest of the season!
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
There were zero queues and very few on the pistes at 14:00 yesterday afternoon admittedly the snow was rubbish lower down
Warm spring back next week!
