 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Haven't been there since about 1967, but I have warm memories of the place and its slopes. It's always enjoyed the exclusivity of having a ski shop called Strolz, famous for custom-making ski boots:
http://www.strolz.at/english/gesamt.htm
So, that shop's worth a visit! My Dad had a pair of Strolz custom leather ski boots at one time. I think they were the last he owned, before the revolution in plastics.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Love the place, that is how skiing should be done, Austria has it nailed IMO.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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And heated chairlifts 
Visited it for the day from St Anton and found it pleasant enough.
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Samerberg Sue, Thanks Sue. So would your vote be for ski-in ski-out Oberlech or for better connected Lech?
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prog99, Had heated chairs in St Johanne, and (from memory) at Wengen. Nice when it's very cold, but strange when it's not. 
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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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Axsman, Have been going to Arlberg since 2003 and rarely venture from it. Have stayed at Hotel Montana in Oberlech the last 2 years and we love the place. Oberlech has a really nice feel to it. Arrive at cable car and your luggage is taken from you and then trasported in underground tunnel system and arrives in your bedroom (skis in boot room) whilst you wander to your chosen hotel. The skiing is really nice cruisy blues and cracking snow record. Brilliant toboggan run from Oberlech to Lech which has its own snow cannons and piste basher. The place oozes quality, the staff are always really pleasant, helpfull and polite. Even the lift staff are pleasant and slow it down for kids etc. Most of the chairlifts are heated. The food is top notch and the food we had at Montana was best food I've ever had. So it is quite expensive to stay at hotels but surprisingly not dear once out on slopes - gulaschsuppe will set you back €4-6 and a beer €4. Samerberg Sue, is referring to the Montana and it's Patrick Ortlieb's family hotel. His parents run it and he wanders about overseeing things - more than happy to pose for a picture and sign autographs www.montanoberlech.com
We would go back in a minute to Montana and did want to go for our family trip again this year but my income down significantly so we're off to Stuben instead - just along the road. I would rather stay in Oberlech as you've got doorsetp skiing and the cable car runs till 1am anyway, so you can always venture down to Lech for a night out, although we've never done that. Usually go to St Anton with the boys and we go at least 2 times during the week to Lech.
I've never found any hooray Henry's. Generally well healed middle aged Germans and Dutch with a few more Russians coming - tend to keep themselves to themselves. Overall though the clientelle are very down to earth and chat away to you on chairlifts etc. You'll also find that something like 90% of the visitors that go there have been before.
The only downside is a lack of tree lined runs and (if you take Oberlech out of the equation) there is a lack of mountain restaurants - although the ones there are all excellent. I suppose there is a lack of shops although the big Strolz shop in the main street could keep you occupied for an hour or so - got a pair of Strolz boots made last year - fantatstic.
Can't recommend Lech/Oberlech enough
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boabski, Thanks that's great info. Looking at the hotel Petersboden at the moment, but will have a look at the Montana.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've just got back from another week in Lech, amazing snow!! I work for a ski company and always request to go back to work in Zurs/lech - that was my 6th week there.
I'd definitely recommend Lech, if you're wiling to pay a little more. It isn't as exclusive as you would think, yes it's a little more expensive than other resorts, but you get a lot more. The village itself is really pretty, there aren't any highrise buildings so its a picturesque austrian village. The ski hire as mentioned is fantastic. Our company gurantee guests lift queues no longer than ten minutes so you won't have to wait for ages! The skiing area is huge, with lech, zurs and st anton in your liftpass. They offer over 100km of powder runs - amazing! I obviously can't tell you what the snow will be like at easter, but last week they had to close all the roads in and out as it snowed so much (hasn't happened in at least 10 years apparently...) and xmas was their best snowfall in 26 years, easter last year there was plenty of snow, 4.5m at some point i recall.
In terms of getting between villages its pretty easy, during the day their are free buses running every 10 mins ish between lech and zurs, i think they are every half hour down from oberlech. You can also ski between lech and zurs quite easily. Getting to st anton - free bus from lech/zurs to a chairlift that will take you up the mountain allowing you to ski down to st anton. If you just want to get a bus there i think its about 5 euros and its fairly frequently, although the last bus is at 6.30pm, after that you need a taxi, which are reliable but a bit pricey.
Oberlech is great for ski in ski out. you will miss the initial busyness of lech when all the ski schools meet in the morning and jump on the same chairlift. buses stop gong back up there from lech at half 11, so oyu would need a taxi after that, although the oberlech cable car is free with a lift pass until 1am and that is just a short walk across the snow from oberlech village. lech would be much more convenient for bars/restaurants and cheaper options - defo recommend hotel elisabeth's bar downstairs for cheaper drinks. and Charly's for pizzas. if you did stay in lech though, anywheres only really a 2min walk to a chairlift in the end and you've got the convenience of all the shops.
any more questions give me a sohut but id def recommend it!!
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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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Axsman, Petersboden in equally as good position, if not better. www.oberlech.com is good for finding hotels and their positions. http://city.intermaps.com/oberlech/index_header.asp?mapart=_WIN&lang=en Seriously doubt that you would find bad accomodation in Oberlech whichever you choose. Hotels Ilga and Sporthotel Cresta are 3 star hotels in great positions too if you're wanting something a bit cheaper. What airport are you thinking of flying to. Innsbruck best - just over an hour away
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You know it makes sense.
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Lech is like a poorman's St Moritz.
It is really not that expensive.
Thanksfully, Lech's elite perception keeps out the pikeys.
Which means the town is civilized and the powder goes untouched for days.
Highly recommended.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Axsman, Friedrichshafen is a great wee airport - will take 10-15 mins to get your luggage. Take train to Langen then taxi - 5-10 mins away or Ryanair do a coach transfer at weekends, which waits on the Stanstead flight - no others. Hire car fine too. I've done coach and car to Lech and St Anton respectively and were OK but as travelling on Saturday we got caught up in big queues at tunnel at Austrian border. Have taken train from St Anton to Friedrichshafen and it's fine but you do need to change twice - but trains efficient as you would imagine. If travelling outwith peak weekends the road is probably quicker. St Anton website good for train times etc http://www.stantonamarlberg.com/winter/ViewPage.asp?Site=STANTON2-WINTER&PageID=206&lang=201
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Lech is a great place with a wonderful atmosphere - coming off the last run of the day to a bar in the high street with live music and dancing - well swaying - in ski boots! A few fur coated ladies with little matching dogs tucked under their arms - but generally very little posing and a very friendly feel. Our favourite lunch stop is the terrace of the Burgwald at Oberlech. Also recommend the Formarin on Blue 62. Bus service is frequent and reliable. Also flown into Friedrichshafen and agree with boabski.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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boabski, Thanks again - great info.
Janska, "coming off the last run of the day to a bar in the high street with live music and dancing - well swaying - in ski boots!" Sounds like Bliss - what AUSTRIA is all about!
Frosty the Snowman, Think I'll fit right in.  Got the trusty B2's out for a play in the powder at St Johann, week before last. They were GREAT!, performed well on the (beautifully groomed) pistes too. I have returned to the B2 fold, and am one happy bunny!
BTW - How did the mojo perform?
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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'm off there March 14th - thanks for all the info folks and Axsman for starting the thread. I'm B&B, anyone got any other restaurant recommendations in Lech?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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boabski, Thanks - all points noted, and enjoy. I'm off to Davos on Thurs, conditions look optimal and we are both forecast sunny skies 
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Restaurant-wise i can offer a few suggestions:
Oberlech:
Alter Goldenerberg - Michellin Star restaurant, only had fondue there, was amazing, really nice atmosphere, but very pricey!!
Hotel Montana also highly recommended, but still pricey - all hotels at oerlech are quite pricey to eat in - there is a self-service restaurant called Salome which is good to take kids to and more reasonably priced.
Lech:
Charlys - good pizzas and other things like ribs at reasonable prices
Enzos - good for pizzas, opposite oberlech cable car so good for lunches
Schneider - never been but we always recommend it to guests
Haus 8 - restaurant we always recommend for fondue but gets very busy
Balmalp (not sure if oyu spell it like this!) - its just down from the top of the Kriegeralp Chair lift and has amazing views from its terrace over to Madloch and down to Zug - had pizzas there last week, drinking wine and watching the avalanches across the valley. pizzas took less than 5 minutes to get there!
Zurs -
Hotel Arlberghaus - nice for lunches, 2 mins from chairlift
Flexenhaus - on run number 10
Thurners Milchbar - awesome milkshakes
St Anton/Christoph:
Hospiz Alms - amazing ribs! and a slide down to the toilets!
APRES SKI - woop woop - in Lech i would reccomend Hotel Krone and Pfeffers, which are both on the main street
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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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Axsman, We are in St Anton from 1st to 4th. If you are there then let me know. Lech is expensive! Skiing is awesome.
R
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Biggest problem with Oberlech is that you compare all other resorts to it, and few can compete. Highly recommend it, if you get a good package, my funds don't quite strech that far at the moment, but, like Arnie....i'll be back
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You know it makes sense.
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Can't Lech highly enough.... expensive, especially with the £ at the mo.... but will satisfy all your requirements and some...
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Enjoy my favorite lunch & sunbathing spot.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Axsman, Underground tunnel system so you'll be fine - taxi can come up. Are you getting the taxi all the way to airport? If so do not use local taxi companies - much more expensive. I was quoted over €120 more each way for this years trip. Try companies based nearer Friedrichshafen. Taxi Kroehlli? (based in Klosterle) are apparently cheaper. www.innsbruck-taxi.com may be useful too.
Word of warning about the snow report on the website - tourist office spin sometimes - although there is no question that there is tonnes of powder just now. The boys I normally go to St Anton with are there just now - snowed all the way from Saturday to Tuesday and snow conditions amazing. Lech was even cut off for a while Like Dublinfella, says, once you've been you'll be hard pushed to find somewhere better.
I'll do a wee report when I'm back from our trip.
This website is also handy for some background info http://www.st-antonamarlberg.co.uk/
Enjoy the trip
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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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boabski, Thanks. Booking is with Loakertours.at and cost is €185 from Lech to the airport. That looks identical to the innsbruck taxi link you posted so I assume it's about right?
They said they's pick us up at the post office in Lech which is 'next to' the gondola, but I have queried it since the gondola won't be open. If they can come up through the tunnels then so much the better 
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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nice one, hope you have an awesome holiday! went to friedrichshafen the other week, felt like i was in a bit of a shed when i arrived, but realised they were doing work and you will find your probably the only people there so no chance of lost luggage that end anyways, u made the right choice over flying to zurich which i usually do. got my fingers crossed my company are sending me back to zurs/lech around the 20th
x
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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gem_89, Cheers!
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the one in zurs is the only free one apart from one at the far end of lech which isnt right next to a lift, so id go for the one in zurs as its next door to the trittkopfbahn and lift pass office. feb ht they were parked along the road as it was so busy, id still get there early but should be ok at that time of march have a great time!
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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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Thanks for the info gem_89, really looking forward to it.
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It seems that the usual online ski hire companies don't operate in Lech - which makes me rather nervous as to the cost - can anyone shed any light? The one quote I got was an eye watering €165 for 6 days!
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FAQ
