 Poster: A snowHead
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Our only ski trip 2012/2013 is going to be at our kids 1/2 term, notably mid Feb 2013.
Just as a precaution, we have booked a ferry crossing Hull-Rotterdam and intend to drive to somewhere in a day from the 9am disembarkation.
Anyone got any suggestions, for a nice family friendly, not too difficult resort, within a long single days drive from Rotterdam?
Austria preferably as their half term is the week before, but also other places, but not to pricey.
Looking into Bregenzerwald/Soll/Montafon but also any other northern resorts, French Alps too.
Would appreciate any input
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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10-12 hours should get you to the Austrian resorts south of Munich and into Salzburgerland and East Tyrol - Ski Amade resorts / Kitzbuhel / Zell am See / Saalbach-Hinterglemm - any of which would be good if you want 'family friendly'.
Exactly which week are you going? The impact of the Austrian half-term is largely irrelevent for many resorts; their main customer base in February is Scandinavians and Dutch. Week 7 (w/c 9th Feb) is Danish half-term, so Saalbach/Wagrain/Zell am See/Flachau will be packed with Danish families. Week 8 is more Danes, Swedes, UK and some areas of the Netherlands. Week 9 is the main Dutch week, so Hinterglemm will be heaving.
If you cannot find accommodation in the main resorts, try some of the excellent smaller ones. Personal favourites are Maria Alm (with access to the rest of Hochkonig part of Ski Amade) or Leogang, which is part of the Saalbach-Hinterglemm Ski Circus and directly linked to Saalbach.
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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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If you've got a car, then Montafon is a good option. The ski areas aren't all linked but you can easily do a couple of days in each.
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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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We're going the week 16th - 23rd Feb. So far looking into places like Bregenzerwald and Montafon, which seem to be some of the closest.
Would welcome any more suggestions, but I'll look into some of those already suggested too.
Cheers
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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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la Giettaz: me, SWMBO and 3 kids. Trip advisor gives rave reviews and its a snowheads chalet.
Can't wait.
Strax
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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From Rotterdam a day's drive, say 12 hours including 2 to 3 stops for fuel, lunch and dinner, should get you easily to the two ends of Austria via Munich or Bregenz. The Bregenz includes St Anton and Ischgl too should you be interested beside Montafon.
The road to Munich side is faster from experience and you can do Tirol side (Ski Welt, Kitzbuhel, Zillertal Valley (Mayrhofen) or go straight to Ski Amade of Salzburg.
I do this route regularly from Amsterdam, on average twice every 3 years. Forward journey always in one day travelling 580 to 680 miles.
Swiss resorts are closer but are more expensive on accommodation, meals and ski passes. It might be a good idea to stop over for a couple of nights and try out the Swiss resorts first before going to Austria, Italy or France.
Austrian resorts are designed for visitors with car as space is always available and free. Austria is probably the best value for money and the cheapest too for the DIY skiers while their facilities are among the best in the Alps.
I agree with others that Feb mid term holidays mean little in Austria.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 27-09-12 8:36; edited 1 time in total
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1. Lech;
2. Kitzbuehel;
3. Zell am See.
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Sollophonic, have you literally already booked the ferry? I ask as I have twice now tried and been told they couldn't take 2013 bookings yet. This happens to me every year.
If you have booked I shall try again and refuse to come off the phone until it's done.
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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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PS a days drive from Rotterdam gets you to just about anywhere in Austria, Switzerland & France.
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PPS If I didn't have a place in France I would avoid it at half term, so I would echo the Austria suggestion.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sollophonic, I can certainly help you as I specialise in self drive deals to the French Alps. If you'd like to PM me, I can put a lift pass/accommodation package together for you. Thanks.
(Note to admin: this is acceptable, right? Do not want to breach terms/step on toes)
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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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Sollophonic, do you have winter tyres fitted? It's not atopic that comes up very often here, but someone might be able to fill you in with the finer details of the regulations in each country. 
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| boarder2012 wrote: |
Sollophonic, I can certainly help you as I specialise in self drive deals to the French Alps. If you'd like to PM me, I can put a lift pass/accommodation package together for you. Thanks.
(Note to admin: this is acceptable, right? Do not want to breach terms/step on toes) |
The whole idea of self drive etc is to do it cheap, it isn't hard to roll up at the lift desk and buy a pass, neither is finding a place to stay direct from the owner.
Why pay an intermediary?
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You know it makes sense.
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| Jonny Jones wrote: |
| Sollophonic, do you have winter tyres fitted? It's not a topic that comes up very often here, but someone might be able to fill you in with the finer details of the regulations in each country. |
Yep, I have a set of winter tyres that are going on at the next service in Oct. Driven on them for three trips so far, this will be the 4th.
Currently looking at Kaltenbach and Ellmau.
Snowtrex have some good deals.
Just hmmmming and haaaaing over how far some of these places are from the runs. Kaltenbach for example has one run down to the village and one run that stops half way down;-(
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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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| Quote: |
Just hmmmming and haaaaing over how far some of these places are from the runs. Kaltenbach for example has one run down to the village and one run that stops half way down
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I'm not sure I understand this statement. Are you questioning how far the village is from the lifts, or, how many valley runs Kaltenbach has, or... ?
The Kaltenbach gondola is on the edge of Kaltenbach village. There are two gondolas that run side by side and go to the same place. This reduces queues first thing during busy weeks. It takes about 10/15 minutes to go up in the gondola. From there you have access to 188kms of piste. There's one valley run that goes to Kaltenbach, that you have already spotted. There is another valley run that goes to Aschau, which is usually quieter with better snow, though it is steeper and narrower. At the bottom of the run is a free shuttle bus that goes back to the gondola station in Kaltenbach.
As you have a car, then in my opinion, Kaltenbach would be a good choice. It's easy to get to (no windy mountain roads, for example). Plenty of people stay in Kaltenbach/Hochzillertal for a week at a time, but if you want a change of ski area, then Zell am Ziller is 15 minutes up the road, Mayrhofen is about 20 minutes. It's also possible to use the trains for free, though if you have a car then I'm sure you would find that more convenient.
If you want to know more about Hochzillertal or maybe location of accommodation, give me a shout, I know the area pretty well.
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