 Poster: A snowHead
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...or should I switch my booking to St Anton, which is pretty much the same price.
So, background:
I went to St Anton with my son this year. Unbelievably I'd never made it there before, no idea why.
This year it's my daughter's turn. She's never skied in Austria, but speaks very good German, and would like to put it to some use. Going back to St Anton would be an obvious choice, as I felt I'd barely scratched the surface of the bonkers amount of terrain on offer. However, it is extremely, almost comically, English - even people who spoke native German spoke in English (presumably for dialect reasons???) so I didn't think it would be a very good place for her to practise her German. Also, being spoiled by much skiing in France, I found the plod to the gondola and back each day extremely tedious.
So, I started looking, and found Soelden (Hochsoelden to be precise). It seemed perfect, being ski in/out and situated up nice and high with two glaciers, making me comfortable enough to book it right now for a January holiday. The Ski Club GB website says nice things about it, so I booked it.
Then, in the normal way of seeking justification and to avoid buyer's remorse, I browse Snowheads for opinions, only to find they are very negative: boring skiing with an illogical layout, horrible town etc.
I don't care what the town is like, but I do care enormously about the skiing. My daughter has been skiing since she was 5 and is very good. We both like the feeling of covering ground in a day on the slopes, and also a wide mix of slopes, from the easy to the extremely hard, so we can pick our poison depending on how we feel.
So, are we going to be frustrated or disappointed, and should I switch to St Anton? Or indeed another 'more German' Austrian resort if it can match the apparent snow-suredness of Solden?
Please help! I'm sweating already. I so look forward to my skiing each year the thought that it might not be good really bothers me!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@greengriff, the Arlberg is the best (and usually snowiest) skiing area in the eastern alps, same level as Verbier & Val d'Isere, yes its expensive, can be crowded, there are drunk scandies / dutch / brits still wobbling down the piste from the Moose come 8 o'clock and its not like it was 20 years ago (generally a good thing in my opinion) but the skiing is just better than elsewhere. That is not to say you cant have a perfectly good time in other places such as Sölden its just that the skiing isnt at the same high level. As to speaking German, native German speakers form the largest group of visitors to the Tirol however practically every "German" I know speaks well nigh perfect English and has no issue speaking in English (perhaps somewhat different to say France). In tourist orientated places folk will simply switch to English as that's easier. Also bear in mind that most season workers will not be native German speakers anyway so will often prefer to speak in English.
If you want to help your daughter practice her German language skills then a ski holiday is probably not ideal.
I would say stick with the best skiing. Book a locker at Jennewein Sports (or one of the other sports shops) next to the lifts to avoid the plod around the village with kit and enjoy the skiing the Arlberg has to offer!
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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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Dunno. Sölden's where I mostly end up when I'm in Austria, although I've also ridden Iscghl and Goldeck for my sins. I usually go there for the end of season party thing - it's not that I like parties, can't stand them, but Sölden has the latest season going and a couple of decent hotels and a glacier, and the German snowboarding crew tend to there. You can see other nearby places also working quite late in the season, across the valley.
| greengriff wrote: |
...or should I switch my booking to St Anton, which is pretty much the same price.
... I browse Snowheads for opinions, only to find they are very negative: boring skiing with an illogical layout, horrible town etc.
... So, are we going to be frustrated or disappointed, and should I switch to St Anton? Or indeed another 'more German' Austrian resort if it can match the apparent snow-suredness of Solden?
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Um, I guess I don't really understand the question. I really like Sölden. Haven't been to St Anton, I'm sure it's not dissimilar and I'd that like it too.
"boring skiing / an illogical layout /horrible"? Well different people like different things.
Some people have favourites to support, too. That's not really my approach.
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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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I've been to both Solden and St Anton, but not recently. I did not speak any German, and did not find that people wanted to speak German with me anyway. Obviously, I can manage to buy a beer bitte, and thank people for it.
Not many females in Solden and St Anton when I went, but it was early season (pre season in Solden)
I think you should stick to HochSolden, and if you are bored with the skiing, you can try Solden which is more extensive skiing. I would think most of the staff in HochSolden will speak English and German.
I liked Solden when I was there, but it is not quite the same as St Anton. A bit more motorway pistes...
A lot of Swiss Germans travel to St Anton, Solden is a bit further and the train does not stop there! That could be the reason for funny Swiss German accents in St Anton?
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Firstly your daughters language practice, while everyone in ski resorts tends to speak a certain amount of English, it shouldn't stop your daughter practicing her German. She can order meals in German in mountain restaurants, the hotel staff will gladly speak in German also. I love practicing my very rusty (basic) German while in Austria and find it is appreciated by hotel staff.
Hochsoelden, a great skiing in/out. However, the two runs down from Giggijoch are a black which funnels at the end, and a red which can be a bit scrappy. To ski to the first lift (a gondola) its a red/black but not difficult, BUT, ski access to the lift station is to the left of it, if you go to the right, you either have to walk back up or ski down to Soelden. Not every hotel has direct access to the slopes (ski from the door). The Hotel Alpenfriede does, I stayed there last March and will be next March. If you dont have direct access its generally an uphill walk through a short tunnel to a gondola up to Giggijoch, the main access point to the whole ski area. You can ski that area for free on a Saturday afternoon, its a nice bowl with blues and one black run. They are currently regrading certain points of a blue run to make it less steep. Also they are upgrading two lifts from Giggijoch to access the glacier "quicker", the second lift was a bottle neck, not helped by one person being allowed on a four person chair with a large queue waiting, after that its two gondolas to the top glacier.
I wasnt convinced about the skiing in Soelden, however that was probably as I had an "off week" with my skiing 
There is some good skiing to be had though.
Hochsoelden is a collection of hotels and pensions with a few ski shops. The nightlife is all hotel based. Getting down to/from Soelden on an evening is by taxi, approx E30.00 each way. During the day there is a taxi bus that only runs three times a day "BUSLINIE HOCHSÖLDEN" for the timetable. You'll be taken up to Hochsoelden by taxi on arrival
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| munich_irish wrote: |
@greengriff, the Arlberg is the best (and usually snowiest) skiing area in the eastern alps, same level as Verbier & Val d'Isere, yes its expensive, can be crowded, there are drunk scandies / dutch / brits still wobbling down the piste from the Moose come 8 o'clock and its not like it was 20 years ago (generally a good thing in my opinion) but the skiing is just better than elsewhere. That is not to say you cant have a perfectly good time in other places such as Sölden its just that the skiing isnt at the same high level. As to speaking German, native German speakers form the largest group of visitors to the Tirol however practically every "German" I know speaks well nigh perfect English and has no issue speaking in English (perhaps somewhat different to say France). In tourist orientated places folk will simply switch to English as that's easier. Also bear in mind that most season workers will not be native German speakers anyway so will often prefer to speak in English.
If you want to help your daughter practice her German language skills then a ski holiday is probably not ideal.
I would say stick with the best skiing. Book a locker at Jennewein Sports (or one of the other sports shops) next to the lifts to avoid the plod around the village with kit and enjoy the skiing the Arlberg has to offer! |
Thank you. Out of curiosity, have you skied in Soelden? If so, how would you compare it to th Arlberg? 70% as good? 50%? Less?
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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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| Bigtipper wrote: |
I've been to both Solden and St Anton, but not recently. I did not speak any German, and did not find that people wanted to speak German with me anyway. Obviously, I can manage to buy a beer bitte, and thank people for it.
Not many females in Solden and St Anton when I went, but it was early season (pre season in Solden)
I think you should stick to HochSolden, and if you are bored with the skiing, you can try Solden which is more extensive skiing. I would think most of the staff in HochSolden will speak English and German.
I liked Solden when I was there, but it is not quite the same as St Anton. A bit more motorway pistes...
A lot of Swiss Germans travel to St Anton, Solden is a bit further and the train does not stop there! That could be the reason for funny Swiss German accents in St Anton? |
I don't know if it's just your turn of phrase, but you make it sound like Hochsoelden and Soelden are not parts of the same (lift-linked) ski area! Is that the case?
I don't mind a bit more 'motorway skiing', but is there plenty of terrain that would keep mile-hungry advanced skiers happy for a week? Also how did you find the layout? A previous reviewer described it as 'lots of dead ends where you have to work back on yourself'.
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| skitech wrote: |
Firstly your daughters language practice, while everyone in ski resorts tends to speak a certain amount of English, it shouldn't stop your daughter practicing her German. She can order meals in German in mountain restaurants, the hotel staff will gladly speak in German also. I love practicing my very rusty (basic) German while in Austria and find it is appreciated by hotel staff.
Hochsoelden, a great skiing in/out. However, the two runs down from Giggijoch are a black which funnels at the end, and a red which can be a bit scrappy. To ski to the first lift (a gondola) its a red/black but not difficult, BUT, ski access to the lift station is to the left of it, if you go to the right, you either have to walk back up or ski down to Soelden. Not every hotel has direct access to the slopes (ski from the door). The Hotel Alpenfriede does, I stayed there last March and will be next March. If you dont have direct access its generally an uphill walk through a short tunnel to a gondola up to Giggijoch, the main access point to the whole ski area. You can ski that area for free on a Saturday afternoon, its a nice bowl with blues and one black run. They are currently regrading certain points of a blue run to make it less steep. Also they are upgrading two lifts from Giggijoch to access the glacier "quicker", the second lift was a bottle neck, not helped by one person being allowed on a four person chair with a large queue waiting, after that its two gondolas to the top glacier.
I wasnt convinced about the skiing in Soelden, however that was probably as I had an "off week" with my skiing
There is some good skiing to be had though.
Hochsoelden is a collection of hotels and pensions with a few ski shops. The nightlife is all hotel based. Getting down to/from Soelden on an evening is by taxi, approx E30.00 each way. During the day there is a taxi bus that only runs three times a day "BUSLINIE HOCHSÖLDEN" for the timetable. You'll be taken up to Hochsoelden by taxi on arrival |
Thank you, this is very useful. It's actually the Alpenfriede I've booked for us. When you leave the hotel do you have to ski down and join the queues at the base gondola with everyone else, or are you able to stay in the ski area and catch higher lifts?
When you say you 'weren't convinced' about the skiing, can you elaborate? The quality? The quantity? The variety? Something else? Cheers.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| greengriff wrote: |
| skitech wrote: |
Firstly your daughters language practice, while everyone in ski resorts tends to speak a certain amount of English, it shouldn't stop your daughter practicing her German. She can order meals in German in mountain restaurants, the hotel staff will gladly speak in German also. I love practicing my very rusty (basic) German while in Austria and find it is appreciated by hotel staff.
Hochsoelden, a great skiing in/out. However, the two runs down from Giggijoch are a black which funnels at the end, and a red which can be a bit scrappy. To ski to the first lift (a gondola) its a red/black but not difficult, BUT, ski access to the lift station is to the left of it, if you go to the right, you either have to walk back up or ski down to Soelden. Not every hotel has direct access to the slopes (ski from the door). The Hotel Alpenfriede does, I stayed there last March and will be next March. If you dont have direct access its generally an uphill walk through a short tunnel to a gondola up to Giggijoch, the main access point to the whole ski area. You can ski that area for free on a Saturday afternoon, its a nice bowl with blues and one black run. They are currently regrading certain points of a blue run to make it less steep. Also they are upgrading two lifts from Giggijoch to access the glacier "quicker", the second lift was a bottle neck, not helped by one person being allowed on a four person chair with a large queue waiting, after that its two gondolas to the top glacier.
I wasnt convinced about the skiing in Soelden, however that was probably as I had an "off week" with my skiing
There is some good skiing to be had though.
Hochsoelden is a collection of hotels and pensions with a few ski shops. The nightlife is all hotel based. Getting down to/from Soelden on an evening is by taxi, approx E30.00 each way. During the day there is a taxi bus that only runs three times a day "BUSLINIE HOCHSÖLDEN" for the timetable. You'll be taken up to Hochsoelden by taxi on arrival |
Thank you, this is very useful. It's actually the Alpenfriede I've booked for us. When you leave the hotel do you have to ski down and join the queues at the base gondola with everyone else, or are you able to stay in the ski area and catch higher lifts?
When you say you 'weren't convinced' about the skiing, can you elaborate? The quality? The quantity? The variety? Something else? Cheers. |
Not being convinced about the ski area was more to do with my own skiing if Im honest with myself. I had new boots which I had issues with and hire skis I didn't like (sunup ski hire has a very limited choice, they had the Crystal contract). There is a good variety of slopes, but I didnt think it was as extensive as Ischgl, where Id skied the previous three seasons. However Ill probably have a better time next March. The runs I really enjoyed where the ones I felt I skied OK, the glacier has a lovely motorway blue run, superb for cruising big arcs, but I couldn't string three together. Injuring my ribs didn't help either. My wife and friend loved the skiing.
The Alpenfriede is a superb hotel. The food is fantastic. The breakfast buffet is out of this world, there is a chef cooking omelettes to order, breakfast is from 0800, the dining room doors aren't unlocked a minute earlier. On arrival a member of staff shows you around the hotel. The hotel has a large friendly dog. The hotel is ski in/out. There is an Interski ski hire shop directly opposite the hotel
A gondola runs past the dining room windows (10EUB Hochsolden-Rotkogel), that starts just below the hotel and is the one to aim for, it takes you to the Giggjoch area, its never busy. Or you can ski past to head down to Solden.
The Falcon restaurant on one of the pistes/lift stations has a system where you order and scan your lift pass, and then pay on the way out by scanning your pass and then paying at a "pay station" not a cash desk.
https://www.soelden.com/en/activities/winter/skiing-snowboarding/ski-area-information/ski-area-map-lifts-slopes
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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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Admittedly it was years ago, when people in Austria didn't speak as much English as they now do, but when I went there (several holidays, winter and summer), only speaking O level German, I very much enjoyed practising my German because German-speakers were so very nice and polite and complimentary about it. And more recently, in a campsite in Switzerland (Jungfrau area) the proprietors spoke NO English at all and I had to rake up a bit of half-century old German.
Yes, there are better ways of practising German than to go on a ski holiday to a very cosmopolitan resort, but as you're going skiing anyway, why not?
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You know it makes sense.
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| skitech wrote: |
Not being convinced about the ski area was more to do with my own skiing if Im honest with myself. I had new boots which I had issues with and hire skis I didn't like (sunup ski hire has a very limited choice, they had the Crystal contract). There is a good variety of slopes, but I didnt think it was as extensive as Ischgl, where Id skied the previous three seasons. However Ill probably have a better time next March. The runs I really enjoyed where the ones I felt I skied OK, the glacier has a lovely motorway blue run, superb for cruising big arcs, but I couldn't string three together. Injuring my ribs didn't help either. My wife and friend loved the skiing.
The Alpenfriede is a superb hotel. The food is fantastic. The breakfast buffet is out of this world, there is a chef cooking omelettes to order, breakfast is from 0800, the dining room doors aren't unlocked a minute earlier. On arrival a member of staff shows you around the hotel. The hotel has a large friendly dog. The hotel is ski in/out. There is an Interski ski hire shop directly opposite the hotel
A gondola runs past the dining room windows (10EUB Hochsolden-Rotkogel), that starts just below the hotel and is the one to aim for, it takes you to the Giggjoch area, its never busy. Or you can ski past to head down to Solden.
The Falcon restaurant on one of the pistes/lift stations has a system where you order and scan your lift pass, and then pay on the way out by scanning your pass and then paying at a "pay station" not a cash desk.
https://www.soelden.com/en/activities/winter/skiing-snowboarding/ski-area-information/ski-area-map-lifts-slopes |
That's very reassuring. Thank you very much indeed.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
Admittedly it was years ago, when people in Austria didn't speak as much English as they now do, but when I went there (several holidays, winter and summer), only speaking O level German, I very much enjoyed practising my German because German-speakers were so very nice and polite and complimentary about it. And more recently, in a campsite in Switzerland (Jungfrau area) the proprietors spoke NO English at all and I had to rake up a bit of half-century old German.
Yes, there are better ways of practising German than to go on a ski holiday to a very cosmopolitan resort, but as you're going skiing anyway, why not? |
Exactly!
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Poster: A snowHead
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I've been to both, more than once.
Apples and oranges.
Sölden and Obergurgl should be on the same skipass, there's a free and rather frequent skibass connecting them.
Solden is excellent for beginners and early intermediates, wide blue pistes with perfect visibility. We went DIY late Nov because it has decent piste conditions that early in the season.
Obergurl was (Christmas week with Crystal) a tad more challenging regarding gradients and visibility/shade but nothing serious, especially compared to Arlberg.
From the way you described your daughter's skills, IMHO you should switch to Arlberg or Ischgl (Several times done both on DIY, use the local accom. website)
Way more serious skiing. More mileage.
More diversity and more challenging.
For German practice, consider Obertauern (too small by itself, buy the Tyrol skipass) or Ski Amade (stay in Flachau).
Those places forced me to pay for Duolingo subscription year after year but you'll need to drive more than twice that week
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| drporat wrote: |
I've been to both, more than once.
Apples and oranges.
Sölden and Obergurgl should be on the same skipass, there's a free and rather frequent skibass connecting them.
Solden is excellent for beginners and early intermediates, wide blue pistes with perfect visibility. We went DIY late Nov because it has decent piste conditions that early in the season.
Obergurl was (Christmas week with Crystal) a tad more challenging regarding gradients and visibility/shade but nothing serious, especially compared to Arlberg.
From the way you described your daughter's skills, IMHO you should switch to Arlberg or Ischgl (Several times done both on DIY, use the local accom. website)
Way more serious skiing. More mileage.
More diversity and more challenging.
For German practice, consider Obertauern (too small by itself, buy the Tyrol skipass) or Ski Amade (stay in Flachau).
Those places forced me to pay for Duolingo subscription year after year but you'll need to drive more than twice that week |
Oh man, you've really thrown a cat amongst the pigeons now! I'm starting to get paralysis by analysis. I don't fancy doing any driving or taking any buses during my holiday, so that rules a chunk of it out, but Ischgl sounds awesome. Are the slopes in Soelden really only testing for early intermediates? If that's the case I've got to change the holiday.
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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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If the skiing you are looking for is purely on piste, you will likely be disappointed in Soelden. Most of it is fairly easy, and isn't laid out in a manner that lets you "cover miles". If you are going to ski off piste, there are tons of amazing lines that get very little action as most people stick to the groomers.
But for on piste, there are much better choices of places. Ischgl, Saalbach, Kitzbuhel, Ski Welt, even St.Anton (which is also more an off piste place to me) etc
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@TOLOCOMAN, agree. Some brilliant off piste in Sölden. On piste is ok... but the same can be said for St. Anton, which I have found to be overcrowded and overly British in recent years.
The ride from Ulmer Hütte to Alpe Rauz was downright dangerous on my last visit, and as for Happy Valley/Steissbachtal ... just insane!
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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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| greengriff wrote: |
| Bigtipper wrote: |
I've been to both Solden and St Anton, but not recently. I did not speak any German, and did not find that people wanted to speak German with me anyway. Obviously, I can manage to buy a beer bitte, and thank people for it.
Not many females in Solden and St Anton when I went, but it was early season (pre season in Solden)
I think you should stick to HochSolden, and if you are bored with the skiing, you can try Solden which is more extensive skiing. I would think most of the staff in HochSolden will speak English and German.
I liked Solden when I was there, but it is not quite the same as St Anton. A bit more motorway pistes...
A lot of Swiss Germans travel to St Anton, Solden is a bit further and the train does not stop there! That could be the reason for funny Swiss German accents in St Anton? |
I don't know if it's just your turn of phrase, but you make it sound like Hochsoelden and Soelden are not parts of the same (lift-linked) ski area! Is that the case?
I don't mind a bit more 'motorway skiing', but is there plenty of terrain that would keep mile-hungry advanced skiers happy for a week? Also how did you find the layout? A previous reviewer described it as 'lots of dead ends where you have to work back on yourself'. |
I think it is so long ago that they were not linked when I went! I found the skiing in Solden area fairly connected. I do not remember finding any dead ends. Perhaps it was because there was lots of snow when I was there.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| greengriff wrote: |
| drporat wrote: |
I've been to both, more than once.
Apples and oranges.
Sölden and Obergurgl should be on the same skipass, there's a free and rather frequent skibass connecting them.
Solden is excellent for beginners and early intermediates, wide blue pistes with perfect visibility. We went DIY late Nov because it has decent piste conditions that early in the season.
Obergurl was (Christmas week with Crystal) a tad more challenging regarding gradients and visibility/shade but nothing serious, especially compared to Arlberg.
From the way you described your daughter's skills, IMHO you should switch to Arlberg or Ischgl (Several times done both on DIY, use the local accom. website)
Way more serious skiing. More mileage.
More diversity and more challenging.
For German practice, consider Obertauern (too small by itself, buy the Tyrol skipass) or Ski Amade (stay in Flachau).
Those places forced me to pay for Duolingo subscription year after year but you'll need to drive more than twice that week |
Oh man, you've really thrown a cat amongst the pigeons now! I'm starting to get paralysis by analysis. I don't fancy doing any driving or taking any buses during my holiday, so that rules a chunk of it out, but Ischgl sounds awesome. Are the slopes in Soelden really only testing for early intermediates? If that's the case I've got to change the holiday. |
Ischgl is superb for skiing, and everywhere links very well. That doesnt mean the skiing in the Soelden arena isnt, its all relative. Any run can be challenging, depending on the conditions. The blues at Giggijoch have some relatively steep sections (hence some sections curently being regraded). Some days I just want to cruise others I want to be challenged, youll always find what you want.
For reference I love Ischgl and Kitzbuhel for skiing, but really disliked Obergurgl and Mayrhofen. Solden, my wife has convinced me to be open minded as I had an off week.
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| TOLOCOMAN wrote: |
If the skiing you are looking for is purely on piste, you will likely be disappointed in Soelden. Most of it is fairly easy, and isn't laid out in a manner that lets you "cover miles". If you are going to ski off piste, there are tons of amazing lines that get very little action as most people stick to the groomers.
But for on piste, there are much better choices of places. Ischgl, Saalbach, Kitzbuhel, Ski Welt, even St.Anton (which is also more an off piste place to me) etc |
Whether we venture off-piste will depend on the conditions, but I always try to book places where - if we're restricted to piste-skiing only - we'd be perfectly happy for a week of tooling around on the piste. So it does sound increasingly like I've booked the 'wrong' place
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| skitech wrote: |
Ischgl is superb for skiing, and everywhere links very well. That doesnt mean the skiing in the Soelden arena isnt, its all relative. Any run can be challenging, depending on the conditions. The blues at Giggijoch have some relatively steep sections (hence some sections curently being regraded). Some days I just want to cruise others I want to be challenged, youll always find what you want.
For reference I love Ischgl and Kitzbuhel for skiing, but really disliked Obergurgl and Mayrhofen. Solden, my wife has convinced me to be open minded as I had an off week. |
Interesting, as an aside I wasn't blown away by Mayrhofen either (I liked it but would not be in a rush to go back unless there was a really good deal). Why did you dislike it?
So, if you could pay the same money for a week's half board in Ischgl, or a week's half board in Soelden, would it be a toss-up? Or is Ischgl a clear winner? Also in Ischgl you can ski over into Switzerland right? Getting some Swiss skiing without paying Swiss prices appeals to the tight-ass in me!
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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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Having had a look at the latest piste map, I would think the reason I thought they were not connected was because in early season the bubble car (Giggijoch) was not running and a bus would take you from Solden to somewhere nowhere near HochSolden. (probably Gaislachkogl)
I did drive up to HochSolden, and thought about skiing there but instead went to St Anton.
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@greengriff,
It's been a while since I last skied Sölden, but I really enjoyed it.
I don't remember it being particularly haphazard, nor boring, and I believe the lift pass still covers a day at Obergurgl. For what it’s worth, my experience of the snow cover has been good. There might be the odd bar where you wouldn’t want to take your daughter, but frankly it wouldn’t take you long to spot them.
Hands up, I’m not a fan of St Anton. I find it a bit tacky and, imho, the slopes are getting to the stage of being dangerously overcrowded.
Apologies for throwing a spanner in the works, but if you want to ski the Arlberg, have you considered Lech? As a base it makes it pretty easy to get around the whole area; and as I discovered last year, it can be done on a mere mortal’s budget: wine/beer are no more expensive than elsewhere provided you avoid the obvious spots.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Bigtipper, this is correct for late November.
The glacier part and the limited short piates are all that is available that early and you need to get there by driving or bus.
That road gets closed later on, in December and the only access is by gondolas
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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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@drporat, it was December 5/6, but I had fun. I did find the skiing in St Anton a bit more challenging, but the weather was great and lots of snow.
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@greengriff, have a look at the other side of Arlberg: Lech/Oberlech. Much better for a great father/daughter week! More quality, better hotels, prettier, better connections all around. And more German on top of that.
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You know it makes sense.
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| greengriff wrote: |
| skitech wrote: |
Ischgl is superb for skiing, and everywhere links very well. That doesnt mean the skiing in the Soelden arena isnt, its all relative. Any run can be challenging, depending on the conditions. The blues at Giggijoch have some relatively steep sections (hence some sections curently being regraded). Some days I just want to cruise others I want to be challenged, youll always find what you want.
For reference I love Ischgl and Kitzbuhel for skiing, but really disliked Obergurgl and Mayrhofen. Solden, my wife has convinced me to be open minded as I had an off week. |
Interesting, as an aside I wasn't blown away by Mayrhofen either (I liked it but would not be in a rush to go back unless there was a really good deal). Why did you dislike it?
So, if you could pay the same money for a week's half board in Ischgl, or a week's half board in Soelden, would it be a toss-up? Or is Ischgl a clear winner? Also in Ischgl you can ski over into Switzerland right? Getting some Swiss skiing without paying Swiss prices appeals to the tight-ass in me! |
For the type of skiing you have described, at the same price, Ischgl hands down in my opinion. Not even close.
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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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Think you are over complicating things.Just stick with Hochsolden! Add in a couple of day trips to Obergurgl and you can't go wrong.All of the resorts you mention are world class, try another one on your next trip!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@greengriff, Long time since I skied in Sölden so cant really compare it to the Arlberg. I have avoided it since partly because there was no compelling reason to go back and partly because the "village" is not that nice (been in summer a number of times). As various people have said above the Arlberg just has the best overall skiing certainly for competent skiers, Ischgl possibly has better piste skiing but I really dont like the place.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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OTH life is long and the kids are rather young.
You can always keep your existing booking for Solden for the next January, do Obergurgl as well and in the next 2 winters take them to Ischgl and Arlberg.
Skiing in Austria is an acquired taste.
You'll probably wish to go to Kitz and to Ski Amade afterwards
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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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| mozwold wrote: |
@greengriff,
It's been a while since I last skied Sölden, but I really enjoyed it.
I don't remember it being particularly haphazard, nor boring, and I believe the lift pass still covers a day at Obergurgl. For what it’s worth, my experience of the snow cover has been good. There might be the odd bar where you wouldn’t want to take your daughter, but frankly it wouldn’t take you long to spot them.
Hands up, I’m not a fan of St Anton. I find it a bit tacky and, imho, the slopes are getting to the stage of being dangerously overcrowded.
Apologies for throwing a spanner in the works, but if you want to ski the Arlberg, have you considered Lech? As a base it makes it pretty easy to get around the whole area; and as I discovered last year, it can be done on a mere mortal’s budget: wine/beer are no more expensive than elsewhere provided you avoid the obvious spots. |
Thank you. I must say, given the way that Ski Arlberg is laid out (like a giant 'C'), staying in Zurs or Lech would make a lot of sense. We never got anywhere near Warth, and I'd feel safer having a punt at getting there and exploring if I only had to get back to Lech rather than St Anton.
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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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| harvey13 wrote: |
| Think you are over complicating things.Just stick with Hochsolden! Add in a couple of day trips to Obergurgl and you can't go wrong.All of the resorts you mention are world class, try another one on your next trip! |
I've got to say, I like the idea of going to somewhere I haven't been to previously. I definitely don't want to do day trips to other resorts though, as the travelling eats into my skiing time. So I guess it comes down to the question of 'is there enough good piste skiing in the Soelden area to keep me interested for a week?' Any off-piste is then a massive bonus.
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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 wrote: |
| @greengriff, I have avoided it since partly because there was no compelling reason to go back... |
Could you elaborate please? Not enough skiing? Not interesting enough?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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From other perspective, if you already been to St Anton, why not to explore and see whats the Solden is yourself. May be also visit Aqua Dome and James Bond exhibition.
Its very hard to compare as we all have personal preferences. I really like WorldCup piste and glacier runs, this is something the St Anton lacking.
St Anton is best for offpiste in right condition, also St Anton is much larger area than Solden.
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@greengriff, It was around 20 years ago. I did a day in Sölden and a day in Obergurgl. From what I can remember the skiing was OK but never felt compelled to go back, it is a fair journey and there were plenty more interesting places to ski. For about the past 10 years I have settled on St Anton / Arlberg, the skiing is simply better than elsewhere and everywhere else pales in comparison. I have been to the Ötztal more in summer (driving though Sölden), the small village of Vent at the end of the valley is a really nice spot with some first class mountain walking, long drive though.
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I rode in Sölden in winter on five trips between 2008 and 2018. I started going to Iceland late season after that, although not this year as the snow was bad.
Here's one of the glacier slopes from May 2018.
With "off piste", it depends what you mean. There are mellower bits of mountain with multiple runs on them, and riding between those runs is generally common after a dump because the runs themselves have to be protected. There are other well known runs you will be able to see from the lift - eg down the Rettenbach Tal. The glaciers themselves have plenty of off-piste potential, and associated risks for the unwary. That's the same anywhere with big mountains.
If the OP was looking specifically for "itineraries" - they were not - then Sölden doesn't have those.
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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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If you like wide slopes perfect groomed go to sölden
If you want definitely off Piste go to arlberg. Not because sölden does nor has, but the chances to have fresh snow in arlberg are far away compared with sölden
I like sölden. Ok the town is nothing, is a little bit expensive but the slopes are exactly my Taste.
If you are in hochsölden i wouldnt bother for obergurgl. But a visit to Aqua Dome worths every penny
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FAQ
Possibly not quite what the OP had in mind though 
