Family trip 1st week in Jan. Not really looking to break the bank this year and have found hotels with pools all for around the same price and in decent enough locations. Saalbach and Scheffau are package deals and Gerlos independent (not a problem as we have historically gone independent anyway) Kids will be 6 9 and 12 and have been on 4 ski holidays already with the youngest only skiing for 2 of them (100% time in ski school). The older two ski with us.
Not really looking far vast terrain as I've tended to find that the kids get to like a few runs and generally stick with them, plus I'm off to St Anton with boys in March so I don't need to get loads of miles under my belt. Would ideally like something where you can go toboganning too at night.
My gut feeling is Saalbach but the hotel website (Hotel Kristall) looks like something out of a 70's porn movie (not that I've watched any ). Visisted Saalbach a couple of times when we were in Kaprun (summertime) 2 years ago and really liked it.
Scheffau is the best value plus the ski school offer half days which appeals to me as it will allow my youngest to ski with us in the afternoons. Have read good reviews about the hotel (Land Alpin) too.
Gerlos is a bit of an unknown to me although we did drive through same year as Kaprun on way to Mayrhofen for the day via Krimml (great drive by the way if a little scary at times). Have heard good things about Gerlos/Konigsleiten. Hotel Ive found looked pretty decent (Hotel Grubachhof).
Basically I'm looking for hotel with pool, half board flying from Glasgow/Edinburgh for under £3k inclusive of flights transfers etc. Ideally Austria but would consider Dolomites or Switzerland
Any hints tips and advice welcome.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
boabski I concur with your gut instinct about Saalbach, but then I'm biased, since I have a couple of apartments there. However, the reason I bought in Saalbach is because, after 26 years of travelling the Alps (Italy, France,Switzerland, Spain), I found it was the resort that most comprehensively ticked all the boxes - ski area, apres-ski, skiing convenience, fun factor, village charm, friendliness, scenery, etc. Added to which we always had more fun there than anywhere else. See www.saalbach.com and my own website (below) for more info.
I have stayed at the Panther Hotel, which sounds what you are looking for. The Hotel Eva is also reckoned to be great. The Alpenhotel is also popular. The Hotel Kohlmais is next door to my apartments and we use their facilities. All are 4 star and conveniently positioned for the skiing. There are many other excellent hotels in the village, such as the Berger, the Kendler, the Neuhaus and Berger's Sporthotel. You are unlikely to go wrong. I would be surprised if See www.transferservice.at for airport transfers.
Let me know if you need any futher advice. I could also send you an information pack.
The Hotel Kristall appears to be in Schulstrasse, which is central and handy for the Schattberg cable car. It gets one slightly unfavourable review on www.tripadviser.co.uk - maybe they just didn't get on with the staff!
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?
Please ignore the words, "I would be surprised if..." (It's getting late!)
Gerlos looked a lovely village. very German, I suspect, but for a cruisy week I reckon there'd be a lot of ski fun to be had
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Thanks guys. Did price Hotel Kohlmais a few months back and did work out quite a bit more than Kristall. All the other hotels quoted are quite a bit more so off the radar this year. If we booked your flat Tatman's Tours how much does it cost to use the Kohlmais facilities?
I've skied for weekends in Gerlos with some friends from Munich. A great intermediate resort, and with the Zillertal pass you can travel around a bit in the week too, but as gortonator says, very German. I booked a half day lesson and my friend had to translate every word as out instructor only spoke German and Dutch.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
how much does it cost to use the Kohlmais facilities?
Personally I've never bothered to use them. I'm happy to make my own breakfast or head up ther mountain for an early goulaschsoup. As for the ubiquitous "Wellness Suite", people who have stayed with me have been in there for a sauna etc, but I don't know how much it's cost them - I would guess maybe 10 euros but that is only a guess. You could of course ring or e-mail the hotel and ask - they're friendly and helpful - even did my Ryanair check-in for me when I was last there. I will certainly do some research next time I'm there - may even be able to get discounted rates.
When I stayed at the Panther, I thought the Wellness facilities there were great but there was always so much apres-ski going on, I only got to use them once or twice. We tend to go in for a lot of tea-dance partying from 4pm to 7pm in both Saalbach (Hinterhagalm) and Hinterglemm (Goasstall), so whilst others may have been chilling out, we were often dancing on the tables!
I should mention that I have no availability in the first week of Jan - not until 7th onwards and, in the case of my 2 bedroomed apartment 10th Jan onwards.
I'm not surprised you've found the hotels to be expensive - they seem to be able to pack 'em in despite the high prices. The Austrian lady who rents most of the apartments in our house (www.lhu.at) told us at Christmas last year that she was already fully booked throughout the whole season! I think it's Saalbach's reputation for being a party resort, as well as the extent and quality of the skiing that makes it so popular. Having said that, try www.saalbach.com and search for what accommodation you're looking for - very easy and user-friendly I've found. Let me know if you need any more help. (Ryanair flights currently £1 on many dates, but no doubt not during school hols).
After all it is free
After all it is free
Quote:
early goulaschsoup
Hmmmmmm
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.
Quote:
Hmmmmmm
Was that a dubious "Hmmmmmm" or an appreciative (even longing) "Hmmmmmm"? (Silly question - it must surely have been the latter!)
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Tatman's Tours, I have tried to email you off your website but it has failed twice now. What have you got to offer me for DEc, Jan or March mate?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Tatman's Tours
I e-mailed around a week ago too from your website but no reply, im sorted now but something you need to look at...
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.
Quote:
I e-mailed around a week ago too from your website but no reply, im sorted now but something you need to look at...
Sorry romeowner - can't understand why it failed and that I missed the opportunity of helping you out. I've been having other enquiries properly directed to me from the website, so it's a mystery. Next time maybe. (Could even swap you for a week in Rome!)
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
Quote:
I have tried to email you off your website but it has failed twice now. What have you got to offer me for DEc, Jan or March mate?
northantsred - At present I have availability for all three of the months mentioned in one or other of the apartments, except around New Year and a few days in early March. I would need to know how many in your party. Rather than discuss it on this forum, I suggest that you send me a personal message or try again the e-mail address on the first page of my site or give me a ring. If you give me your e-mail I can send you info.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
boabski, Stayed in the Bergers Sporthotel last Feb with a couple of mates. Nice hotel, good food, central location, bit of a trek to the lifts but no worse than a lot of other places. Saalbach was great. Good choice for intermediate skiing, apres and all-round entertainment IMHO. Not as expensive as the mega French resorts (or Ischgl for that matter) HTH
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Despite realising all the merits of Saalbach looks like I'll be plonking for Gerlos - partially enticed by this http://www.gerlos.at/arenatv.php?flv=/flv/ArenaCoster.flv&thema=Arena Coaster which my kids will absolutely love (and me ), and by the fact that the hotel looked better than the one within price range in Saalbach. Plus the hotel can do less than a week, which will probably suit me this year. Axsman, Is Bergers the place with the mirrors in the ceiling in the bar area, red leather booths (all very dodgy sounding ) - sure we went there for lunch in summer an looked like the place would rock in winter, but was deserted in summer.
All I need now is for Mrs boabski to say Ja
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
boabski, Yep that's the place. Played a lot of dodgy Austrian and 70/80's pop there too (at least they did once they let me connnect my iPhone to their amp )
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
boabski, You do realise that the Arena Coaster is at the Zell am Ziller end of the Zillertal Arena, not the Gerlos end?
I didn't actually go on it when I was there, but it has a separate lift starting next to the main gondola out of Zell, and the coaster ends near that lift.
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?
alex_heney, Yeah, I am aware of that and it will probably cost me the equivelant of several beers at the Mooserwirt but what the hay, you only live once. And Axsman, what is wrong with dodgy Austrian music - I have a playlist of 20 or so songs on my iPhone dedicated to cheesy apres ski musik (Even going to buy Singstar Apres Ski for the playstation )
boabski, Singstar apres ski !!!! sounds like a must have purchase.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
boabski, dammit, its PS2 only. How could Sony have left it off the list for PS3? It's a gem! just look at this song-list:
BANAROO - Dubi Dam Dam
BELLAMY BROTHERS - Let Your Love Flow - COLLAGE
DE RANDFICHTEN - Dr Holzmichl
DJ BOBO - Chihuahua
DJ ÖTZI & NIK P. - Ein Stern (Der Deinen Namen Trägt)
EAV - Ding Dong
FRITZ & THE DOWNHILL GANG - Genie Auf Die Ski
GUILDO HORN - Guildo Hat Euch Lieb
HERMES HOUSE BAND - Country Roads
HÖHNER - Viva Colognia
HÖHNER - Wenn Nicht Jetzt, Wann Dann
JUMPY & MUNGO JERRY - In Der Winterzeit
K 2 - Der Berg Ruft
KRÜMEL - Zieh Dich Aus, Wir Müssen Reden
LOLLIES - Wenn Du Denkst Du Denkst
MICKIE KRAUSE - Laudato Si
MICKIE KRAUSE - Finger Im Po
NENA - Irgendwie, Irgendwo, Irgendwann
OLAF HENNING - Cowboy Und Indianer
OLIVER POCHER - Schwarz & Weiss
PETER WACKEL - Ladioo
PETER WACKEL - Ü 30
PS ALEX - Eine Frau Die Mich Nach Hause Trägt
RABAUE - Was Kann Ich Denn Dafür (Dass Ich Schön Bin)
REDNEX - Cotton Eye Joe
RHEINLÄNDER - Wir Alle Wollen Immer Nur Das Eine
RIGHT SAID FRED - You're My Mate
RÜHMANNS SCHERBEN - Ein Freund, Ein Ganzer Freund
WOLFGANG PETRY - Wahnsinn
YOOMII - A Kiss Is All I Miss
Axsman, and here am I egging my 12 year old on to buy a second hand PS2 on ebay just so I can buy this - feel a bit guily as I made him sell his PS2 a couple of years ago when we got the wii. There are a few songs missing from the line up though (IMO) - 20 Zentimeter, Anton aus Tirol, Ab auf die Piste, Joana and of course Wir wolln die Eisbaern sehen
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Quote:
There are a few songs missing from the line up though
Like "Du hast mich tausendmal gelogen" and anything by the Zillertaler Schurzenjager!
(Francophiles - please bear with us).
After all it is free
After all it is free
boabski, 20 Zentimeter - a timeless 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.
Now I really do feel I'm amongst friends - I thought I was the only Brit to like this stuff!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Axsman, and Tatman's Tours - son inherited PS2 at weekend so will be buying Singstar Apres Ski any day now Just need to organise an apres ski party for the house now - Gulaschsuppe, fondue, gluhwein, heisse witwe and lashings of Zipfer to get everyone in the mood
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Quote:
Du hast mich tausendmal gelogen
I have often wondered what that song was - needless to say now downloaded from iTunes Listen to it in background of this classic clip from youtube http://youtube.com/v/mYjO1Vvoa5E some German dude with a few too many Jagertees down his throat
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.
boabski, Skiing while pissed is a dumb thing to do, but fortunately there comes a point where it is self limiting. I don't believe he was capable of causing any damge to anyone including himself (apart from liver damage) since he looked like he was never going to travel more than three feet, on one ski, before collapsing
Hope you appreciated the background music to the last 1 minute?
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
Boabski, Thanks for the clip - simultaneously hilarious and nostalgic. I hope that the invitees to your apres-ski party are all Austrophile skiers/boarders. In a surfeit of enthusiasm, I once played an album by the Zillertaler Schurzenjager at a skittles evening I'd organised. No one came to the next one!
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
boabski, Hi, Please could you say which hotel you stayed in while in Gerlos and what did you think of it and the location/resort? Looking for somewhere for feb half term. Many thanks.
Alternatively you could try getting in touch with Matt Brown on http://www.skiingaustria.co.uk/ He has been loads of times to Gerlos and surrounding area. He is a fellow but I've not seen him on here for a while now
Can't remember the place we had looked at
Hope this helps
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
I think for skiers without a car Saalbach is the biggest as it is fully linked with Leogang and Hinterglemm.
Gerlo is in the middle of Zillertal Arena with Zell at the front and Krimml at the rear end. It is smaller but crucially it is also a narrow area. The distance between Gerlo and Zell is a single lift arrangement all the way. Going to Krimml/Konigsleiten als requires skiing down a black run which is the only route. With a car skiers staying in Gerlo can ski the other 6 unlinked areas of the Zillertal Valley on the same pass. Gerlo, with Zell and Krimml together is comparable in size to Mayrhofen which is most popular and has a better variety of terrain in the same valley.
Scheffau is of course part of the Ski Welt which is among the largest in Austria. Being on the main road it is however less snow sure than Gerlo and Saalbach. Saalbach is deep into a dead end valley while Gerlo is quite deserted on a minor road.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
boabski, i've got an old PS2 in the loft if you're ever anywhere near the midlands...
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?
MoodyFFS, thanks for the offer but we got one around a year ago. Think it was Axsman, that was looking for one?? Have had many drunken nights singing along to Hermes House Band und alles
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
). Visisted Saalbach a couple of times when we were in Kaprun (summertime) 2 years ago and really liked it.
)
