 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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'My wife, who is a 3 year old novice,' 
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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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kiteman69, Is your '3 yr old wife' having lessons? Where are you staying in Ellmau? Depending on snow conditions, my children were taken either to an area in Ellmau (easily walkable) on the side of the village towards the Astberg lift, or alternatively at the top of the funicular (when snow in the village was poor). Others seem to have beginner lessons between the town centre and the funicular.
If taking lessons, we have been able to leve skis at the ski school / hire shop.
You wife may find it is not too bad at the top of the funicular, but my children did like the run down from the top of the Astberg chair, turning right (facing downhill) after only 20 or 30 yards and following a track for quite a way before turning left down a steeper (but blue-red) bit and then a nice coffee stop hut by the piste.
Lots of good runs around Ellmau. Like it. Kaiser ad was good too. Interesting water slides
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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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KAISER BAD
Bloody iPad
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I haven't been to the water slides at Les Arcs. The Kaiserbad is one of those Leisure Centres that the Austrians do so well. A 'fun pool' to swim in rather than a rectangular one. It is mostly indoors with a few 'features' like a waterfall, bubbles coming up from the floor, jacuzzi type thing etc You can swim brought a section which leads outside where there is a whirlpool type set up. Kids loved it. So do I  There are three water slides graded Blue Red and Black. If I said what they were like, it would spoil the fun. They aren't as big or serious as the bigger complex at Wörgl but the whole set up is fun. It's nice to swim in warm water, outside, surrounded by snow. Separate gym, squash, sauna (mixed, nude) and I can't remember what else. You do have to watch out for the length of time you spend in there as the tickets are timed and if you are late getting out, they will ask you to pay the extra. Your TO should give you a 'tourist card' called (I think) a 'Gästekarte' which gives you a small discount. When we first went to Ellmau the children appreciated a day away from skiing midweek so we always went there.
Not stayed at the Chalet Hartkaiser but I think it is midway between the town proper, and the funicular.
There are some beginners areas at the top of the funicular. Also two areas in town. One near where I think the Chalet Hartkaiser is. I think the ski school there is 'First' or something. Instructors wear blue. The other area is across town on the side near Going. We used he Hartkaiser Skischule over there (red uniforms) but its a few years ago now so wouldn't like to comment on current quality.
We really really liked Ellmau. I'm sure you will have a great time there.
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kiteman69, Sorry, got carried away with fond memories. To answer your questions (or not):
I don't know where to hire skis from. Sorry, took my own
Where to keep them? I would say the chalet / hotel. If Mrs K is having lessons, that could be in different areas on different days, dependent on snow condition, so better to keep the skis at hand. There is a good free skibus around the town.
And Eric at Margeiter Ski Hire in Niederau is great.
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I think we were there 3 New Years ago (maybe 4) and went with Crystal. Like JohnHSmith, Crystal used Hartkaiser Skischule who had their base at the nursery slopes towards the Going end of town. We organised the ski hire with Crystal too, they were provided by the ski school. We were all happy with our skis, I'd just gone with basic skis, the OH went the next level up and ended up with brand new skis. We found the ski school excellent too (Jnr was with them all week, a friend and I had an all day private lesson on our first day).
It was only mine and Jnr's second ski trip. I was up the funicular on my second day, I think Jnr was up there from his third day. You might find your wife is up there sooner than you think. As long as you avoid the run back to Ellmau from the top of the Hartkaiser I think most early skiers will cope fine. I managed to get down there, it's not a difficult run, I just found it difficult at the time as it often seemed to be ridiculously busy going down there.
Can't help with storage, and not sure where the Hartkaiser hotel is, but again agree with JohnHSmith, the ski bus service is excellent so you might not need to worry about lockers. We never felt we needed them.
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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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kiteman69 - I think Chalet Hartkaiser is at the Going end of the town. As hammerite says the main nursery slopes are at this end as well and a very easy walk away. We've used the Hartkaiser Ski school twice and had gear from there both times - good lessons, friendly and helpful, nice gear - you can leave your stuff with them each night and the bar a couple of shops down does great hot chocolates. Theres good skiing this end of town, particularly if you go towards Going and up the chair. The Hartkaiserbahn is right out the other side of town and is a bus ride away. The busses get busy, but are quite frequent. For yourself its also quite easy to ski across to the funicular via a couple of small lifts and a walk across a hotel car park - Getting back from the train is more fun - up a chair, then a fast reddish blue I think. You'll have a great time
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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kiteman69, I was working as a rep with a school group. They were hiring from Margreiter in Niederau. One kid had forgotten his salopettes. Eric managed to nip home and find an old pair that fitted. That attitude prevailed throughout the week. He was invariably helpful
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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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yes, that looks like them. Theres another school close by as well, but I dont remember the name. We were last there 2 years ago and then 2 years before that and both times they were ok.
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FAQ
