Obergurgl Skiing

[Dog]

Hello, I am looking at going skiing for the first time ever, and I would like some opinions on this resort. I am planning on going in early April and I think this is the only resort that guarantees snow.

Does anyone have any good websites for cheap deals and would I be able to cope without having lessons?

Will I need special equipment? I have a fleece & some moon boots and a pair of motocross goggles.

 

Thanks

[ericofarabia]

1/ You'll be very very very lucky to find anywhere cheap over The Easter Holidays .... or should I say resorts that are likely to have good snow in April. Not been to Obergurghl for over 20 years, but it is just about the highest in Austria, so if anybody has snow in that region they should. I guess it is still a very quaint, picturesque village, but not a hotbed of nightlife should you have any energy left!! Depending on whether you smoke or not, Austria last season had not imposed no smoking in bars, not sure how it will be in the coming season. Just about as snow sure as you can get are The French resorts Val Thorens / Tignes ? Val D"ísere but Easter prices will make your eyes water!! I think Cervinnia in Italy is quite high and maybe better priced. Good source of Resort info is www.skiclub.co.uk

 

2/ Don't even think for a minute that you'd be able to ski in a fleece and pair of jeans.... your little winkle will drop of with frostbite!!

 

3/ Ski lessons are a must either there or before you go, unless you are going with some very patient skiers who feel like teaching you the basics instead of having the time of their lives up on the slopes.

 

It is not a cheap holiday, and extras like ski hire / boot hire, Ski Pass for using chair lifts etc, suitable clothing etc can all add up very quickly .. be prepared!!

[JonnyLove]

Go to these guys http://www.burasnow.com

 

They will be able to sort you out nicely and you can pay in instalments. Their a great bunch and will always ensure you have a great time. Snow there is always good as well.

[eurosaint]

Went there a number of years ago and loved it !

There are slopes for all different levels of skiing ability and the place was great (the bar half way up the mountain was a real highlight with people regularly dancing on the tables etc.. brill !).

http://obergurgl.com/main/EN/GG/WI/index.html

I couldn't find/remember the hotel we stayed in but it was right in the centre of the village very close to the ski lifts !

I only have positive memories of the holiday and reckon that it was the best resort we went to (been to quite a few in total !).

HTH.

[Dog]

Go to these guys http://www.burasnow.com

 

They will be able to sort you out nicely and you can pay in instalments. Their a great bunch and will always ensure you have a great time. Snow there is always good as well.

 

 

Thanks Jonny, but I am looking for half-board hotel, as I don't want to share my food with anyone and can't interact with people I don't know before 11.00am.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Hello, I am looking at going skiing for the first time ever, and I would like some opinions on this resort. I am planning on going in early April and I think this is the only resort that guarantees snow.

Does anyone have any good websites for cheap deals and would I be able to cope without having lessons?

Will I need special equipment? I have a fleece & some moon boots and a pair of motocross goggles.

 

Thanks

 

Obergurgl is nice but by no means the only resort to have guaranteed snow at that time of year - in fact there are quite a few other spots in Austria let alone the rest of the Alps - Solden, Kaprun, Stubai and Maryhofen spring to mind. All of the resorts have their pluses and minuses, I suggest you put in the research to find one that fits your ticklist.

 

You will need lessons at least at the start of the week. You will need special equipment. While it can be warm at the time of year it can equally get well below freezing. You don't need to spend 'that' much, you can get pretty good gear at TK Max for example, I always try to 'layer up' and have never been too cold.

[stkev7]

I work in Austria all year round including the ski season. Obergurgl is a very expensive place but you are guaranteed fantastic snow as the village and the slopes are so high up for Austrian standards. The ski area is excellent and you also have nearby Solden as well. If you're after apres ski the only place you will find it is at the Nederhutte, I had a day skiing in Obergurgl last winter and the Nederhutte was fantastic. More family orientated as opposed to the widespread drunken carnage you would find in other resorts known for apres ski. The village is nice but very quiet, Obergurgl has always been known as more of a family resort. The quality of the ski schools is great and it would be worth prebooking a package before you go out.

 

My personal favourite is Mayrhofen, you get about 650km of piste on your lift pass. Most slopes go up to 2500m and you always have the Hintertux Glacier 30 minutes away on the free ski bus which guarantees snow 365 days of the year. Great area to learn to ski and the apres ski and nightlife is superb. Make sure you visit the Ice Bar next to the Penken lift when you head back into the village.

[suewhistle]

I live in the area that contains Cervinia and would say it's the best bet for that time of year from all my local resorts, although I've skied at a number of others locally depending on the snow during a particular season.

 

April can be quite warm but at the altitude you're talking about it doesn't pay to take the mountain casually/ ASIS is right about layering, which can mean getting stuff you can use in other circumstances: a bitterly cold night watching Saints at Middlesborough or the like. TKMaxx is a good call, and I've bought decent stuff at Lidl and Aldi (goggles,gloves, sunnies, jacket). Decent proper ski socks are a must.

 

Take some lessons or you'll be floundering. Before I ever went skiing (many years ago) I did a dry ski slope course which saved me learning the basics at resort prices and meant I joined people who'd already been a week, and thus had much more fun.

 

Be careful: it's addictive. I now live in the mountains [and have a season pass for the whole area], not co-incidentally because I'm a skier!

[suewhistle]

Incidentally cervinia starts at 2000m+ and goes up to 3500m and normally starts in November (this year 29th October).

 

I keep an eye on snow conditions from the beginning of October:

http://www.cervinia.it/pages/WEBCAM_e_en/575

[dune]

Get some lessons on a dry slope before you go or you'll look like a spastic.

[FloridaMarlin]

I would concur with most of this. Most of my European ski-ing has been in Austria, although France is a good bet at Easter.

 

Time was, when ski-ing at Easter was very hit and miss. Any resort worth its salt will now have snow-making facilities which keep the slopes topped up, although these obviously only work under certain conditions.

 

I once went to the SportWelt Amade, which is Austria's equivalent of the Trois Vallees in France, at Easter, and they closed most of the lifts one day because it was so cold and snowed so hard. On another occasion I went to Kaprun - which has a glacier - at Easter and had to steer between the patches of bare grass and bare rock.

 

Les Deux Alpes in France has good snow conditions right through the season, but I never liked French resorts. They tend to be soulless and purpose-built, whereas Austrian ski-ing is based in actual villages, which means they have a life of their own.

 

For SportWelt Amade, you could base yourself in somewhere like Sankt Johan im Pongau, or Wagrain, or in the next valley, Bad Hofgastein is a fantastic all-round resort.

 

The ski-ing will be good for somebody of a beginner standard, and off the slopes there is plenty to do, including a fantastic public spa.

 

I totally agree with those who advise having lessons on a dry slope before you go. You'll learn basic techniques and turns, so that when you hit the proper slopes, you won't be in with the numpties. If you start from scratch, you'll spend a fair amount of the first weeek on the nursery slopes. If you've got the basic technique before you go, chances are you'll be put in a class where you'll soon be off and away, using the lift system and actually going somewhere, as opposed to spending your time on one slope.

 

If you could push the boat out a little, the best place to ski at Easter is the US. Mammoth Mountain in California had more than 10 feet of snow at Easter, and they were still skiing there in June this year. Elsewhere in the Rockies, Aspen, Breckenridge and best of all, Jackson's Hole in Wyoming are at their best at Easter. It can be just too cold in January and February, but come March, the temperatures start to rise, and the snow is still great.

 

But you are also talking a big dent in your wallet from the UK.

[dune]

Just to add i've never learnt how to stop properly so usually end up cartwheeling because i don't go in for girly snowploughing. Just put the skis straight and bomb down the hill like Eddy the eagle. I'd recomend getting hammered before hitting the slopes - great fun!

Edited 30 August, 2011 by dune

[Dog]

I would concur with most of this. Most of my European ski-ing has been in Austria, although France is a good bet at Easter.

 

Time was, when ski-ing at Easter was very hit and miss. Any resort worth its salt will now have snow-making facilities which keep the slopes topped up, although these obviously only work under certain conditions.

 

I once went to the SportWelt Amade, which is Austria's equivalent of the Trois Vallees in France, at Easter, and they closed most of the lifts one day because it was so cold and snowed so hard. On another occasion I went to Kaprun - which has a glacier - at Easter and had to steer between the patches of bare grass and bare rock.

 

Les Deux Alpes in France has good snow conditions right through the season, but I never liked French resorts. They tend to be soulless and purpose-built, whereas Austrian ski-ing is based in actual villages, which means they have a life of their own.

 

For SportWelt Amade, you could base yourself in somewhere like Sankt Johan im Pongau, or Wagrain, or in the next valley, Bad Hofgastein is a fantastic all-round resort.

 

The ski-ing will be good for somebody of a beginner standard, and off the slopes there is plenty to do, including a fantastic public spa.

 

I totally agree with those who advise having lessons on a dry slope before you go. You'll learn basic techniques and turns, so that when you hit the proper slopes, you won't be in with the numpties. If you start from scratch, you'll spend a fair amount of the first weeek on the nursery slopes. If you've got the basic technique before you go, chances are you'll be put in a class where you'll soon be off and away, using the lift system and actually going somewhere, as opposed to spending your time on one slope.

 

If you could push the boat out a little, the best place to ski at Easter is the US. Mammoth Mountain in California had more than 10 feet of snow at Easter, and they were still skiing there in June this year. Elsewhere in the Rockies, Aspen, Breckenridge and best of all, Jackson's Hole in Wyoming are at their best at Easter. It can be just too cold in January and February, but come March, the temperatures start to rise, and the snow is still great.

 

But you are also talking a big dent in your wallet from the UK.

 

[Dog]

Get some lessons on a dry slope before you go or you'll look like a spastic.

 

I did try a bit last year with the snow we had, and I was really good. I was bombing down the road on my cut-off skirting board. I did have problems stopping too though, so I just sat down in the road.

[eurosaint]

Surprised you haven't heard from Alpine_Saint, mind you, perhaps he doesn't go skiing like he doesn't go to the football :)

[ericofarabia]

If you get a chance, instead of a Dry Slope get yourself off to a Snow Dome. Double up that with a trip to Coventry City and go to the SnowDome aa well!!

 

Word of warning, avoid dry slopes in the few weeks before going on holiday - seen quite a few people sat in bars at ski resorts with broken thumbs / wrists which they got on a dry slope the week before their holiday!!

[Dog]

OK, change of plan. I am now going to go skiing on 7th January 2012.

 

I have never been skiing before so I would like to know where the best places to go please?

 

Not that bothered about nightlife, just want loads of great skiing for beginners & nice scenery.

 

I will take 2 lessons on a dry slope before I go as I don't want to be in a lesson when I get there.

[Saint-scooby]

OK, change of plan. I am now going to go skiing on 7th January 2012.

 

I have never been skiing before so I would like to know where the best places to go please?

 

Not that bothered about nightlife, just want loads of great skiing for beginners & nice scenery.

 

I will take 2 lessons on a dry slope before I go as I don't want to be in a lesson when I get there.

 

It may take you 2 lessons just to stand up with ski's on.

Dry slopes are ok but nothing like real snow, there is a indoor place near Brum or Manchester ?

As a rule lower down the mountain the cheaper the holiday, but the snow is normally at the top..

[stkev7]

OK, change of plan. I am now going to go skiing on 7th January 2012.

 

I have never been skiing before so I would like to know where the best places to go please?

 

Not that bothered about nightlife, just want loads of great skiing for beginners & nice scenery.

 

I will take 2 lessons on a dry slope before I go as I don't want to be in a lesson when I get there.

 

From an Austrian perspective I would pick Mayrhofen. Plenty of cheap accommodation and packages available, has a great beginners area and decent ski schools, loads of varied skiing for all abilities and finally if you fancy a drink the nightlife is class as well.

[Dog]

From an Austrian perspective I would pick Mayrhofen. Plenty of cheap accommodation and packages available, has a great beginners area and decent ski schools, loads of varied skiing for all abilities and finally if you fancy a drink the nightlife is class as well.

 

Thank you, that will do. Went there as a kid in the summer and loved it.

[stkev7]

Thank you, that will do. Went there as a kid in the summer and loved it.

 

I spent a year working there and loved both seasons, fantastic place.

[Dog]

I stayed at the Neuhaus hotel in the centre, it was a great place. Used to go and watch the local football team in their stadium. I remember they all had handlebar moustaches and slapped their thighs when they got a corner.

[The Kraken]

Thank you, that will do. Went there as a kid in the summer and loved it.

 

Depending when you go, you might time it be there when Snowbombing festival is in town. It's a music festival that pretty much takes over the whole resort, it's a heavy bias on dance music though 2 or 3 years ago they had Madness headlining the main event. All the clubs open up until 5 or 6 in the morning, the best thing about which is if you just fancy going for the skiing, the slopes are pretty much empty in the mornings.

 

Its a brilliant festival and you'll be sure to see many famous faces around town as it's really starting to gain some mainstream popularity now. But it does make trying to go for a quiet beer after a hard day on teh slopes a practical impossibility as the bars around resort get packed from 3 or 4 onwards, so it's not exactly your typical skiing experience.

 

Edit: completely ignore that, just saw you're going in January.....

[suewhistle]

OK, change of plan. I am now going to go skiing on 7th January 2012..

 

Good idea! I tended to go then when I lived in the UK as it's cheaper and the snow tends to be Ok. Even if the natural snow hasn't been too good at least in January they can use the snow-making blowers, unlike late season. Some people complain about the shorter days, but they tended to be those who didn't actually ski much. If you ski hard you'll still feel tired by the end of the day and that first post-ski drink is wooonderful!

 

January can be cold though, so listen to people's advice, and you've now got a ready made Christmas list! Remember layers work, and things like long johns, base layers and fleeces can all be used in other circumstances. Don't worry about all the top brands: there's so much more decent stuff around these days. After the zip went on my best jacket last season I'm till wearing my spare cheapo Aldi one bought many years ago in the UK, and I have to say I've been impressed.

 

As for where - well, as you'd expect I'm biased but on my side of the border we are cheaper than France.. can't comment on Austria these days. You'd have a good time at any of Pila, La Thuile, Courmayeur, Cervinia/Valtournanche, Champoluc and the Gressoneys. Good skiing and the scenery cannot be beaten, and the food is Italian with a robust mountain influence. Local wine, a couple of local breweries too and try the Genepy!

 

Unfortunately we're on our football winter break then, so no footie to watch down in the valley.:-)

 

Yep, and 4 lessons instead of two would really help...

[stkev7]

I stayed at the Neuhaus hotel in the centre, it was a great place. Used to go and watch the local football team in their stadium. I remember they all had handlebar moustaches and slapped their thighs when they got a corner.

 

The Neuhaus is decent and near the skibus terminal and train station but I'd stay in the Kramerwirt given the choice, not too far away from the Neuhaus and close to all the main bars. Superb traditional hotel with great food and the staff are great. If you're after all the facilities, a lot less character, at an extra cost but slap bang in the middle of all the action then choose the Strass next to the Penken Gondola. The only problem is that you'll be on the High Street meaning drunken idiots like me stagger past singing Saints songs at silly o'clock.

 

I used to go and watch SVG Mayrhofen regularly, cracking little ground surrounded by stunning scenery.

[stkev7]

Depending when you go, you might time it be there when Snowbombing festival is in town. It's a music festival that pretty much takes over the whole resort, it's a heavy bias on dance music though 2 or 3 years ago they had Madness headlining the main event. All the clubs open up until 5 or 6 in the morning, the best thing about which is if you just fancy going for the skiing, the slopes are pretty much empty in the mornings.

 

Its a brilliant festival and you'll be sure to see many famous faces around town as it's really starting to gain some mainstream popularity now. But it does make trying to go for a quiet beer after a hard day on teh slopes a practical impossibility as the bars around resort get packed from 3 or 4 onwards, so it's not exactly your typical skiing experience.

 

Edit: completely ignore that, just saw you're going in January.....

 

Was just going to say that Snowbombing is at the start of April and to be totally honest the snow has been shocking the last two years during the festival. I missed it last year but worked for the organisers in 2010. After Glastonbury I would say it's the best festival I have been to, such a different vibe about it.

[FloridaMarlin]

Have they replaced that bloody cable car up to the Penken yet?

 

I remember queueing for more than an hour to get up on the slopes. Just as bad, as there was no way to ski back down, you had to queue for an hour to get back down.

[stkev7]

Have they replaced that bloody cable car up to the Penken yet?

 

I remember queueing for more than an hour to get up on the slopes. Just as bad, as there was no way to ski back down, you had to queue for an hour to get back down.

 

Sadly not, it's still about 14 crammed into a gondola and very busy on Sundays but the talk is that they plan to either add a new gondola or seriously update the current lift. The sensible option is to get the skibus to the Horbergbahn in Schwendau, only 10 minutes away and hardly any queues.

[The Kraken]

The run down from the top of the Ahorn into resort is an absolute beauty; a proper leg-burner, but makes you earn your beer in the umbrella bar at the bottom.

 

In fact, with the 8 man lift and huge wide open piste, the top of the Ahorn is a perfect place for a beginner to get going and build up confidence. I also went up there for the Snowbombing Arctic Disco, a party in igloos at night; fantastic evening.

[stkev7]

The run down from the top of the Ahorn into resort is an absolute beauty; a proper leg-burner, but makes you earn your beer in the umbrella bar at the bottom.

 

In fact, with the 8 man lift and huge wide open piste, the top of the Ahorn is a perfect place for a beginner to get going and build up confidence. I also went up there for the Snowbombing Arctic Disco, a party in igloos at night; fantastic evening.

 

The Ahorn is a superb area for beginners or people getting their ski legs back. You're right, the home run is emotional, think it's run 8 but I may be wrong. It's never too crowded up there and it's accessed by Austria's largest cable car. They do the Arctic Discos throughout the season usually on Tuesdays. They are epic nights up at 2000m, great DJ, beer in hand and going mental in the White Lounge.

 

I miss Mayrhofen!

[The Kraken]

[alpine_saint]

Surprised you haven't heard from Alpine_Saint, mind you, perhaps he doesn't go skiing like he doesn't go to the football :)

 

Perhaps because living here I dont feel the need to go away on package trips with accomodation, with Austria being so small you can reach most places in a couple of hours ?

 

Use your noddle. If he wants a personal recommendation from me, I would suggest Obertauern.

 

I like to avoid all the drunken English and Dutch tw*ts that cant ski and go to Tyrol.

Edited 15 September, 2011 by alpine_saint

[Dog]

What about Igls ?

[stkev7]

I'll be there this winter, Jerome's Pub a la Pub is the best local on the planet.

 

In all seriousness the skiing is limited to 12km on the Patscherkofel mountain but there are a couple of free buses taking you to the Stubai Glacier and Schlick 2000 each week which are good areas.

[stkev7]

Perhaps because living here I dont feel the need to go away on package trips with accomodation, with Austria being so small you can reach most places in a couple of hours ?

 

Use your noddle. If he wants a personal recommendation from me, I would suggest Obertauern.

 

I like to avoid all the drunken English and Dutch tw*ts that cant ski and go to Tyrol.

 

The Dutch are definitely worse than us English when it comes to acting like d**kheads in the Tyrol.

[Dog]

**** the Dutch!

 

Anyway, I've just booked to go to Seefeld 'Hotel Bergland'

 

Any reviews on Seefeld?

[stkev7]

I worked in Seefeld last winter. For a beginner it's ideal but if you were an experienced skier it would be terrible, only 28km of piste. The beginners area is called the Geigenbühel and it absolutely perfect for those who are new to skiing. Apres-ski is almost non-existent in Seefeld as it attracts a more family orientated crowd. It's the best area in Austria for cross country skiing so if you're shocking at downhill give it a try. Some decent bars in the village and one amusing nightclub.

 

The Bergland is pretty decent, all inclusive and in a decent location but a good 10 minutes walk from the Geigenbühel. Skibus stop almost outside but from where you'll be it's more hassle to use it and I'd just walk if I was you.

 

I know the resort quite well so feel free to ask me anything about the place.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Perhaps because living here I dont feel the need to go away on package trips with accomodation, with Austria being so small you can reach most places in a couple of hours ?

 

Use your noddle. If he wants a personal recommendation from me, I would suggest Obertauern.

 

I like to avoid all the drunken English and Dutch tw*ts that cant ski and go to Tyrol.

 

Funny that, I'm considering Obertauern for a family skiing holiday this Feb/Easter. Other places I was thinking of were Kuhtai and Serfaus - any views on these? Have been to Solden, Stubai and Kaprun before but was looking for something more family friendly.

[stkev7]

Funny that, I'm considering Obertauern for a family skiing holiday this Feb/Easter. Other places I was thinking of were Kuhtai and Serfaus - any views on these? Have been to Solden, Stubai and Kaprun before but was looking for something more family friendly.

 

Kuhtai is still quite undiscovered however people expect it to be huge in years to come, certainly a snow sure resort as it's high up. Apart from the skiing there isn't a great deal to do though. Pretty close to Innsbruck so the transfer is simple and straight forward.

[alpine_saint]

Funny that, I'm considering Obertauern for a family skiing holiday this Feb/Easter. Other places I was thinking of were Kuhtai and Serfaus - any views on these? Have been to Solden, Stubai and Kaprun before but was looking for something more family friendly.

 

Not been to those, in fairness.

 

I also like Flachau-Winkel in Salzburg.

[Dog]

Right, I've just got back from travel agents and Seefeld is fully booked for the week I'm looking for. So we have booked Scheffau instead Alpen hotel. Any feedback on this resort? All booked up and paid for.

[stkev7]

You'll be in the Ski Welt area, Austria's largest connected area. I know the area really well in the summer but less so for the winter. Scheffau as a village is pretty dead, you'll need to go to nearby Söll if you fancy a decent night out. It's a well known resort for lads on the p*ss. Scheffau is more of a family resort and very quiet of an evening apart from a few bars.

 

Despite it being part of the Ski Welt area the skiing is very low lying so let's just hope for decent winter this time around. You'll be skiing on the Brandstadl to start off with which is nearest to Scheffau. About 90 minutes transfer from either Innsbruck or Salzburg.

[stkev7]

Well it's smashing it down with snow at present here in Austria, all the makings of a cracking winter and the lifts don't open for another 2 and half months.

[Dog]

Well it's smashing it down with snow at present here in Austria, all the makings of a cracking winter and the lifts don't open for another 2 and half months.

 

Can you post a picture of the snow coming down please?

[stkev7]

I have no idea how to upload a photo onto here. Needless to say that we've had a sh*tload, it's stopped in the valley now (700m) but still going on the mountain.

 

Here is a link for Scheffau where you'll be skiing:

 

http://www.bergfex.at/scheffau/webcams/c114/

 

You can also see what it was like on Friday to show the total difference.

Edited 19 September, 2011 by stkev7

[suewhistle]

Lucky you! Here the weather took a turn over the weekend but still pretty warm apart from a chilly breeze. Here's to the new season and hope I get more work soon as I need to buy my season pass before the end of October to get a 40% resident's discount.

 

Web cam are great, aren't they? You can track weather systems right across Europe these days.

[Dog]

Thanks Kev, keep me posted on the slopes.

[stkev7]

I'll be back home for Derby away so I doubt we'll get anymore snow before then. The reports will be back from early December when I'll be back out for the winter.

[Dog]

I'll be back home for Derby away so I doubt we'll get anymore snow before then. The reports will be back from early December when I'll be back out for the winter.

 

Are you a part time eidelweiss picker?

[stkev7]

Yes, you'll be able to spot me at Pride Park. I'll be the d*ckhead wearing a lederhosen and an edelweiss in my shirt pocket.