Poster: A snowHead
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I've previously gone with my family to France (La Plagne, Alpe d'Huez and Serre Chevalier) and Italy (Selva Gardena).
This year we're going again, 11-25 Feb (I'll only be there for one week) and I'm thinking of Austria to reduce a little the half-term +French holiday madness. Specifically leaning towards St Anton (it was out of the running due to accommodation costs, but received a good offer recently).
Why St Anton? I know it and can show them around, it's snow-sure, and there's a chance some friends may be there at that time.
BUT: is it a good idea for the kids and family?
I've already asked here about how intermediates would enjoy the pistes and received encouraging responses. Now a good friend with kids of the same age as my son told me it's not the best place for kids in his view. On top of that, my dad doesn't drink so the whole apres ski thing will be lost on him - my parents tend to stay in for the evening. So I'm having second thoughts.
Obviously I've been there and know the place, but has anyone been with the family and enjoyed it or should I really go somewhere else such as Saalbach - Hinterglemm?
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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've taught a fair few kids groups in St Anton, they and their families all seemed to have a good time. Can't really comment beyond that, sorry.
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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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We took ours ( and a 1st week relucatant late 30's sister in law) to st anton
kids can learn there and have fun - you MAY have to go right to the top though to get a big flattish space.
we stayed at the Nasserein end which was quieter, and has some better slopes ,
from memory there was a good area behind the sports hall/pool complex that was good for beginners so i think you should be OK
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/snowandski/austria/st-anton/6728395/Ski-St-Anton-resort-guide.html
from the telegraph review of st anton
FOR FAMILIES
Nasserein ‘ideal’
The youth centre attached to the Arlberg school is excellent, and the special slopes both for toddlers (at the bottom) and bigger children (at Gampen) are well done. Children’s instruction is reportedly very good (‘Kids had a great week in the Arlberg school,’ says a 2010 reporter). At Nasserein there is a moving carpet on the baby slope. There’s also a good children’s area by the Gampen fast quad. Nasserein makes a good base. Family chalet specialists Esprit Ski have their own facilities here.
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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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horizon, How old are your kids/how much experience do they have? 2007 I took my family (kids would have been 4, 7 and 10 then) to Oberlech, and took them over to St Anton for the apres - which they loved. Followng year we based ourselves in Stuben and my youngest skied from Stuben to the Moos one day, but spent most of the time skiing around Stuben and Lech.
The last couple of years we've went to Kappl which in hindsight was a better choice than Stuben, in terms of cost and ski terrain (don't shoot me down as Stuben is ace, but mainly for off piste, which neither myself or kids are quite into yet).
I think that week MIGHT be Fasching, in which case St Anton will be mobbed. I think if your kids are competent skiers then St Anton is absolutely fine, plus it means you'll get to sample the apres
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My son is 10 and pretty good - last year in Serre Che the ski school moved him in the first day from Group 3 to Group 5 (their top group) and they did some light offpiste. He'll love the skiing, I'm sure. This is him in Serre Che last year:
My mother is a little afraid of red runs but it's more psychological than a technique deficiency. Father's ok on any piste.
Second week will indeed be Fasching...I guess on the piste it will be just as bad as Paris holiday week in large resorts in France, not much we can do about that. Apres will be crazy though...well my parents can stay in if they don't like it!
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In my season there I never found the queues in St Anton too bad, even at the busiest times. Avoid the Galzig mid-morning. The Zammermmoos can be a bit of a bottleneck too, probably the worst queue in the whole area.
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Quote: |
Second week will indeed be Fasching...I guess on the piste it will be just as bad as Paris holiday week in large resorts in France
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Not in my experience. Not even close. Thank God.
St Anton does get busy then and at other times of course, I was there at New Year a few years ago and that was pretty bad getting out of the village in the morning, but once past that it as no where as near as busy as a French half term hell week. Also, that was before the new Galzigbahn and Rendl lifts went in.
Cool picture by the way:-)
Some of the pistes in St Anton are tough, no doubt, but with a bit of planning I think you'll be able to find stuff for everyone. Don't forget there's Lech and Zurs too
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Thanks everyone, booked now!
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