 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi everyone,
congratulations on this C-O-O-L forum!
I'm writing to ask for some advice. I've never skied in Austria so far (I usually go to France), and it's about time I try it out 
I've already booked a week in Mayrhofen from 26 Feb to 5 March with a friend; I'd like to add another week (alone) to that, from 5 to 12 March, and I need to pick the right place for it. A couple of questions:
- Which place would you suggest? My priorities: snow conditions this year, Kms of slopes (I prefer a bigger resort, since I don't have a car and wouldn't want to spend all my time on skibuses between one tiny resort and the other), level of the slopes (i'm higher intermediate, red and black are my favourites but I generally avoid off-piste), reasonable prices. e.g., I've looked to Ischgl, St. Anton, Kitzbuhel-Skiwelt (too low for that time of year, I'm afraid), but I'd like to hear YOUR suggestions, especially based on snow conditions this year. If necessary, I could also move from Tyrol to another austrian region.
- If you can advise a nice place to stay in the resort/s you propose, it'd be great! My priorities: next to the slopes/skibus, studio with kitchen or hotel room with breakfast or half-board, and i absolutely need an Internet connection in the room (I'm a translator, so i ski during the day and work in the evenings). Afterski priority level = zero!
- I'm aware that 5-12 March it's going to be Carnival week in Austria. How packed is it, in your experience? If it's really unbearable I could change to 12-19 March, but it'd be complicated for me... plus I'm worried about snow conditions, considering how the season's been going so far.
Thanks a lot for your help,
I'll be around!
Ciao,
Matteo
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm going to Kitzbuhel that week. Certainly not too low. Yes the snow has been patchy recently, but so far the low Austrian resorts have done a bit better than many of the higher western Alps resorts. I'm keeping the faith that there might be more snow between now and then and even if there isn't, the pistes will be well maintained with artificial snow.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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nobrainbcn, you have it right with Ischgl. I stayed in the Feriengluck - perfect location, but not 100% if they have www in the rooms
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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why are you looking at probably the 3 most expensive resorts in Austria then (aprt from Lech/Zurs). Might be better looking at resorts close to those mentioned. eg Stuben for St Anton - very queit and great piste access, and amazing off piste if that's your thing, Kappl for Ischgl - we stayed here this year http://www.alpenfrieden-kappl.at/ and really was excellent. WILAN in rooms and computer room to use - right on piste, excellent food and all for €48 a night db&b.
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Ski Welt definitely isn't too low, weather works differently in the east than in the more temperate western alps. Besides march is hardly late in the season, I've always found it's the best month for reliable snow.
Ischgl or Saalbach (^ the best in Austria is slightly ott though) sound perfect for you. boabski's idea of staying in the quiet resorts linked in to the biggies is a good way to go if you're on a budget, although not so great for apres.
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Thanks for all your advice!
I'll consider staying in a smaller resort linked to a large one, then, but the main doubt for me remains: Ischgl, St. Anton, Kitzbuhel-Skiwelt or Saalbach? As I said, I'm higher intermediate (not much offpiste, though) and prefer red and black slopes.
Since I'm used to skiing in France, in 400Km+ resorts, Ischgl and Saalbach seem a bit small for a whole week; for St. Anton or Kitz-Skiwelt, instead, I wonder if on-piste links are good enough that I may explore the resort conveniently without spending too much time on skibuses, considering I don't have a car.
Last but not least, I wonder if that particular week (Carnival, 5-12 March) all of those resorts will be overpacked or if Austrian skiers tend to converge to some areas more than others.
Let's see if someone is inspired to give further advice, thanks a lot
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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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nobrainbcn, ive been to the Arlberg around 8/9 times and still not fed up. Do not look too much into number of km's. As an example Kappl only has 40km but when we're there with the kids we very more than happy to ski most of week. Ischgl has loads of skiing.
FYI I've been to Val d'Isre, La Plagne and Morzine - ie resorts with huge amounts of skiing and I would return to Austria every time over France
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Go for Ischgl then. It has much better psite skiing than Anton, and more challenging pistes than Saalbach, which is generally cruisy fun. Don't worry about the size, there's plenty to do.
If it's Fasching, most places are likely to be busy, but all the three areas mentioned have good up-to-date lift systems so it's rarely an issue - just either get your first uplift late or early to beat the initial crowds.
If you do go to Ischgl, the 'smugglers run,' the red down to Samnaun in Switzerland is very nice, with an excellent restaurant near the bottom.
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