Poster: A snowHead
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Dear fellow heads of snow.
I'm planning a little safari trip for Jan and hoping to take in some resorts with open-air spas. It seems there are quite a few in the Alps (maybe 10-20). I'm trying to work out which are the best ones to visit, i.e. which have the most dramatic settings, and are relatively easy to get to from the resort centre (plus the quality of the actual facilities themselves). It seems that some of the spas are some distance from the actual resort making an apres-ski visit a bit trickier to sort.
A quick Google suggests that Leukerbad might be one of the most spectacular. Others I've heard of (but know little about) include Bad Ragaz, Bad Gastein/Hofgastein, Scuol and Ovronnaz.
Any info much appreciated.
Thanks.
Neil Neige
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Thanks for the recommendation, Bode. That looks like a cool place (I'd never heard of it). Might be heading out in that direction anyway (in late Feb).
One further complication is that I'd be doing it by train so shortish bus transfers from stations would be handy. Looks like Bad Kleinkircheim is 30kms from nearest station so not too far.
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They were building a big new one in kaprun a few years back
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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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I'm told there's a good one somewhere in Oetztal, no experience of it personally though.
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sev112 wrote: |
They were building a big new one in kaprun a few years back |
I popped in there last year. Really nice and do-able by train... http://www.tauernspakaprun.com/en
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Neil Neige, du Therme / Pre St Didier, stay there or 5/10 mins from la Thuile/Courmayeur. All day for 40eu
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The Alpentherme spa in Bad Hofgastein is worth a visit (www.alpentherme.com). There's a lovely big natural spring water spa, with a fairly large outdoor section, where you can relax whilst watching the piste bashers do their stuff up on the mountains. There's also a large "sauna world", but beware, as I believe is normal in Austria, it's a mixed facility with no swimwear allowed!
The skiing is pretty good too, although a bit low and split into 4(?) areas. If you do go, it's worth popping over to the Graukogel area, as although it's small, there's some lovely runs, including an old world cup run.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I forgot to mention that the Alpentherme is very near the bottom of the lifts.
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Bormio has some great spas.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Neil Neige, i'm bias but +1 for the spas in Gastein .... and sugarmoma666 is right, now swimwear in Sauna World or the other saunas in the valley. To be honest, you get used to it after about 10 mins.
Both the Alpentherme (Bad Hofgastein) and Felsentherme (Bad Gastein) are right in the centre and close to the lifts. The Felsentherme has recently been done up too, both great places to go after a day on the piste.
I woudn't say the resort is low - in the Eastern Alps, good conditions can be found at much lower altitudes than their western counterparts. Bad Gastein and the rest of Ski Amade has a really good snow record.
For more info about the valley, click through to my website in the tag below. Loads of links to the spas, lifts, etc. etc.
Cheers
Kersh
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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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Thanks for all these extra replies. Bad Hofgastein sounds great - perhaps they need to rebrand to attract more Brits. Good Hofgastein?
As for the sauna swimwear policies - I've never been one for saunas so thankfully (for me and, especially, for any onlookers) that won't be an issue!
The Kaprun spa looks nice too.
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When I've been in Austrian sauna/spas, most people have been wrapped up in towels until they actually get into the pools or saunas. No obligation to put yourself on show!
If you are doing a safari. consider Altenmarkt near to Gastein and on the Ski Amade pass. Spa there was good, including the clothed section!
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You know it makes sense.
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The Oetztal Therme is in Langenfeld and is one of the best I have ever used. The stacked outdoor pools are fantastic and incredibly relaxing after a long day on the pistes. The uppermost one uses changing lights and relaxing music to lull you to sleep almost. Amazing on a clear night to lie in the warm water and watch for shooting stars.
I agree with the others about the swimwear ban in Saunas, after a few minutes you've seen it all and some and forget any self-consciousness. Wearing a large towel or bathrobe covers most of your blushes when not actually in the saunas or steam baths. It is certainly healthier to be in there naked as opposed to locked into not so hygienic swimwear, especially if it is made from artificial fibre of some sort or another. Be careful to make sure you sit or lie on a towel in the saunas or the hygiene police will be after you!
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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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Neil Neige, there's also Monetier-les-Bains in the French Alps (Serre Chevalier ), Brides-les-Bains (3 Valleys), St Gervais,
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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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Another +1 for Bad Hofgastein, Bad Gastein went there a couple of years ago and it was very nice. Though I'd prefer it if they didn't rebrand to attract more brits, I personally prefer the resorts without the Brits on tour. We certainly didn't hear much English walking around or on the slopes.
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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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Any of these spa resorts high up? I`d guess they tend not to be and I would therefore wonder about snow reliability? I went to one in Bavaria 30 odd years ago, I wish I could remember where, and there was something really decadent about swimming in warm water surrounded by snow.
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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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Interesting observation on the local climate and snow thank you. You make me really want to visit Therme Amande, having indulged in mud at the Dead Sea I well remember how wonderful it leaves your skin and I just love spas and hot baths in general
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd recommend the outdoor 3 hr spa circuit at Saint Gervais. Have only tried it in the summer but imagine it is fun in winter too. The ski resort looks nice from what we could tell in summer.
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Samerberg Sue wrote: |
I can add another one having indulged myself a wee bit this week - the Therme Amadé in Altenmarkt. |
Sue, on my list of places to visit for sure!!!
Cheers
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