 Poster: A snowHead
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Found a cracking H/B deal to Zell at the end of this month.
What's it like in the summer? Is skiing still possible at Kaprun?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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johnboy, I have been there in August a few times, last time being last summer. I have no idea how the Kitzsteinhorn is doing this summer but it didn't look too healthy last August or 2 years previous. Whatever, it is "a long ride for a short slide" and there are plenty better things to be doing out there at this time of year. Biking opportunities are huge, hiking even huger (if there is such a word). Try biking up the Grossglockner Strasse or taking a hike in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Ice cave at Werfen is a must. Take the train into Salzburg for a bit of culture. Or just chill out round the lake and swim, sail, whatever. If you play golf you'll like the course.
ZamZ is pretty busy in August and plenty going on at night (unlike most ski resorts). You might be surprised by the sheer quantity of middle eastern folks. It has become a "Mecca" ('scuse the pun) for them each summer. There's a love/hate thing going on with the locals but I'm not exactly sure why - no alcohol being purchased probably. A bit odd seeing fully veiled ladies in the alps but they are very pleasant even if they did scare the kids! Their men folk have never heard of queueing but otherwise just fine.
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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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Bode Swiller,
Cheers, Wouldn't be going for the skiing anyway. As you say more to chill out, walk, cycle, sail etc. Skied there once and it is a beautiful place.
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johnboy, good place to learn to rock climb.... if you fancy something more intense than hiking
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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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Yeah, the climbing round there is particularly good and quite accessable. I have the guide book so can give more info if you want it.
I was in ZAS last year and as Bode Swiller says, there's plenty of people there. Try the white water rafting at Taxenbach too. The rafting is far from scary but it's a good laugh.
Have fun
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Hi,
Have also seen good deal for end of August. Can't decide between Zell or Kaprun. What to do lots of activities during day and also enjoy nights out. What is the social life like in both resorts? Any advice? How far is the glacier from the village of Kaprun? Clare
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CKskier,
I have been there in the winter. The Glacier is a short bus ride from Kaprun, but not much further from Zell. I think Zell would be a better place to stay on the lake
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| johnboy wrote: |
CKskier,
I think Zell would be a better place to stay on the lake |
I agree, particularly so as a summer destination
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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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| Bode Swiller wrote: |
| ZamZ is pretty busy in August and plenty going on at night (unlike most ski resorts). You might be surprised by the sheer quantity of middle eastern folks. It has become a "Mecca" ('scuse the pun) for them each summer. There's a love/hate thing going on with the locals but I'm not exactly sure why - no alcohol being purchased probably. A bit odd seeing fully veiled ladies in the alps but they are very pleasant even if they did scare the kids! Their men folk have never heard of queueing but otherwise just fine. |
I have recently returned from a week's walking based in Zell am Zee myself and I noticed your post just before I left.
I have to admit that I did find the middle eastern presence a bit disconcerting, but at least I was prepared for it.
The feeling to me was that the Europeans and Arabs were just not mixing at all. We were in a group of about 30 staying in a four star hotel just outside Zell and as far as I could see the rest of the guests were all middle eastern. It was little things I eventually noticed. The hotel restaurant always laid out an extensive buffet breakfast and a buffet course in the evening. On any other trip I have been on, I find that after a few days you tend to make just a little small talk at least with one or two familiar faces when helping yourself to salads or whatever. With this lot however there was nothing at all yet I know some of them spoke good English because I had heard them in reception making various arrangements. Obviously you dare not even look at the women let alone try and catch their eye.
Their relationship with the staff was the same. With us the staff were soon in the habit of asking how our day went or what we were about to do during the day ahead, whilst with the Arabs the staff simply took their orders. So I would agree that there is a love/hate thing going on with the locals. The locals I am sure just want them for the money and although they do not use the bar, they all looked pretty well heeled and probably all stayed in quality accommodation.
Well the weather was pretty awful but the walking was good in the circumstances. We also used buses, trains and taxis to go walking in Kaprun, Saalbach and Bad Gastein so Zell is a good base. The town is surprisingly noisy at night so I would be careful where you stay.
On the one free day we had, some took the train to Salsburg, whilst three of us went to the Eagles's Nest, the mountain top retreat built for Hitler's fiftieth birthday located above Berchtesgaden. Now that was a different day out.
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I wouldn't worry about the middle eastern presence, they are like every other group, some nice some not so nice. They only stay in certain hotels and allegedly some of the hotels will not take them in. They do keep to themselves and have generally always been very pleasant to me.
I have heard stories that there have been problems with rooms booked for 2 people filled with whole families and the hotel staff being kept out the room for the duration. The main problem with the locals is that they like to sit for ages at the outdoor tables of bars/cafes in large groups but will only order a couple of coffees amongst their group which is not exactly profitable for the establishments.
One of the funniest sights I have ever seen was in September a couple of years ago, on a coolish early autumn morning. Cue middle eastern chap and wife leaving hotel, he dressed in leather, sheepskin lined full length trench coat, flying boots and flying helmet, she in full length fur coat and fur hat! the entire street stopped and stared and in some cases openly laughed. Have never seen any Arabs in the winter for some reason 
I would stay in Zell in the summer, definitely visit Kaprun, but Zell, with the lake, has more to offer and better public transport links. As Bode Swiller said above- go up the Glacier to see the view, but unless you are desparate to ski or just want to be able to say you skied in August, its a long way up. You also have to be early as the snow is too soft by late morning, don't go on a cloudy day just to ski, its not worth it in summer if you can't see the view.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I was told that the Zell area target all their advertising at the Arab countries.....hence the big influx.
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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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We had been to Zell this year and we had a blast. I like going to Europe for my skiing holidays. Last year we had been in Germany with some friends and it the weather was was great. We didn't have to pay for the accomodation because they own some property in Germany which came in quite handy.
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You know it makes sense.
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Just come back from 3 weeks in Zell. We had a great time with the weather on the whole very good. There is so much to do as has been previously posted. We found the Austrian hosts to be warm and friendly with nothing too much trouble.
The arabs tend to stay close to the centre of Zell town for some reason. Although I must admit it is quite strange to see so many women covered head to toe when you are not used to it. Have to say it tickled me when I saw them eat though!!!
Overall it was a fantastic place with beautiful scenery, a real must for a summer and winter holiday.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I wonder if the influx of Arabs is a new thing? I did a very rainy week in Zell in summer 2001 and can't remember seeing any. Having said that it did pelt it down the whole time (we even got a bit of snow atop the Krimml waterfalls) so they probably kept indoors.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Sideshow_Bob, We have an annual influx of religious jews in August!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Sideshow_Bob, it's been a feature for about the past 4 or 5 years in Zell, but not before that really, that I remember at least. The local tourist office are still doing seminars for property owners and those working in tourism with things like 'how to do business with our middle eastern guests' so it sounds like it is not something that has been going on for many years!
D
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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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According to the Austrian press the number of the Arab turists increased by 4 times in the past 5 years in Austria.
Interesting that last year altogether 280,000 Arabs came to Austria, and half of them spend their holiday at Zell am see.
They love the lake, the mountains, and are happy to touch the snow on the glacier.
Since the Ramadan month is earlier and earlier in the following years, their numbers will decrease in the near future.
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| Sideshow_Bob wrote: |
| I wonder if the influx of Arabs is a new thing? I did a very rainy week in Zell in summer 2001 and can't remember seeing any. Having said that it did pelt it down the whole time (we even got a bit of snow atop the Krimml waterfalls) so they probably kept indoors. |
Sounds like a gap in the market for goretex burqas!!
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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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Spent 2 weeks in Kaprun last summer. The weather is not good on the whole. Everyone I know that has gone in Summer has had pretty crap weather. Agree with other comments on the Arabs. One of them decided to take a swipe at my 9 year old son up on the glacier - not a pleasant experience and spoiled what up to that point had been a great day.
If you're going skiing I would not expect too much. It took us 2 hours to get to glacier (from base station) and 2 back.
There are much nicer places to stay in Austria. For example Saalbach just up the road is stunning and great for walking/cycling. If you're looking to go skiing would probably suggest Saas Fee or some other glacial resort, as Kaprun is not that great. Mayrhofen could also be good. Spent a couple os summer holidays there and loved it. Did not ski in those days so could not comment on the Hintertux glacier.
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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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boabski, "The 2 hours was casued by the middle section (cable car) on the way up and the finicular on the way down"
FYI everyone else -good news is the funicular and the middle cable car have now been replaced by new gondolas, the only cable car remaining is from the Alpincenter at 2500m up to the Bergstation at 3000m. This work was done in 2002 following the tragic fire on the funicular in 2001.
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| easiski wrote: |
| Sideshow_Bob, We have an annual influx of religious jews in August! |
A few years ago in Klosters/Davos in summer we kept crossing paths with a large group of English orthodox Jews of all shapes, sizes and ages wandering around the mountains. They were all wholly inappropriately dressed, a cross between the Sound of Music and Stamford Hill, but they seemed to be having a jolly time. Apparently a group goes there every year. I don't know why I found it a bit odd and amusing, but I did.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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boabski, You would not want to generalise on the weather in Austria would you? I have been many times and more often than not have on the whole had very good weather. 3 weeks this summer and 17 days of fantastic sunshine .....The other days were rainy, but I will take this every time as without rainy days you would not get the greenery, just take a look at Spain.. Or have you had crap weather there too? 
Give your experience by all means but just stop generalising...
By the way Saalbach although a fantastic Ski area is as a village no where near as nice as Kaprun IMHO.
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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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dk100 - where were you in Austria just out of interest? I check the webcams pretty much daily (sad I know) and looking at St Anton, Saalbach and Serfaus it was cloudy/rainy I reckon about 70% of the time throughout the summer. I obvioulsy do not get the Kaprun thing. Nice village etc but felt that for the size of it, it lacked something - can't quite put my finger on it. I was seriously thinking of buying a flat there as you would get winter and summer rentals etc but was disappointed in the place ultimately. Must have been that I felt it was nowhere near as nice as the Arlberg region as I just love St Anton and Lech - now if I could afford something there, that would be excellent, but highly unlikely unfortunately
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boabski, As per my previous posts we were in Zell am See and have been there many times. The weather tends to be pretty good, which goes against your experiences I know. 17 sunny days with temps up to 37c in the sun this time around! Maybe you were just unlucky? Fair enough about Kaprun that is your opinion although Zell is much nicer than both Kaprun and Saalbach IMO. Would be tricky buying in the Tyrol region even if you did have the cash as local rules tend not to want foreigners buying property there. Salzburgerland on the other hand has a much more open policy.
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