Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
We are a mixed abilities group going to St. Anton first week in March. I'm a little bit concerned about one member of our group who has done some skiing, but never in the Alps. Any tips on where to start the week to ensure as soft as possible a landing for her? I know St. Anton isn't the easiest resort, so I just hope we haven't bitten off more than we can chew.
We are living closest to Galzigbahn and Rendlbahn, so starting from either of the two would be easiest.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bus over to Lech or Zurs and start her there
I assume she is having lessons, if so the instructor will take her to appropriate 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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kitenski,
Thank you! Duly noted. ...and if she doesn't fancy the ski bus to start with?
I actually don't know if she intends to have lessons. Her bf is taking her to a local resort tomorrow, partly to assess the need for lessons. I have recommended them to her, but I simply don't know her level. I think she is open to the idea.
I have repeatedly pointed out that St. Anton is not ideal for beginners, but she & bf seem to feel confident enough.
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SkiingDad, It's really hard to say to be honest, there are some blues off the top of the Rendlbahn, but I wouldn't take a complete beginner down them! I'd head to Nasserin where the beginners area is and see how she goes there for the first day.
but really I'd get her in lessons!!
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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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More than anything, encourage her to take a gondola back down at the end of the day. Some of the lower mountain runs become a sheet of polished ice after a full day's use. My wife regularly took the gondola down when we were there, and she's a very experienced skier who'll happily tackle gnarly off piste. St Anton's early evening skating rinks were too much for her, though.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Rendl is great for timid skiers. Quiet slopes, good grooming and option to gondola down the hill again if they don't fancy the red down.
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boabski wrote: |
Rendl is great for timid skiers. Quiet slopes, good grooming and option to gondola down the hill again if they don't fancy the red down. |
I agree good for timid skiers but maybe not for someone who
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has done some skiing, but never in the Alps |
Unfortunately we cannot tell if that means has never done more than a snowplough indoors or something more than that!!!
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kitenski,
Judging from what she has said, I think she's past the beginner slopes. It's definitely more than a snowplough indoors, but I don't know exactly how much. Of course, that doesn't mean she couldn't benefit from lessons. In any case, I'm not really taking responsibility for her, but I do want to be able to recommend where to start. As I've said, her boyfriend will have a better clue to her abilities. (after tomorrow, that is...)
Judging by the sound of it, Rendl should be best to start, then. Decent blues should be fine.
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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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Jonny Jones,
Yep, already mentioned that, simply because many of the lower runs are red.
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SkiingDad, send her up Rendl. If she can't deal with it, her problem, and she'll have to shell out for lessons.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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clarky999,
Indeed, I think that's fair enough.
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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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We took a one week skier up Rendl - straight up the 6 man chair to a red - she has never been the same since.......
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Nadenoodlee wrote: |
We took a one week skier up Rendl - straight up the 6 man chair to a red - she has never been the same since....... |
Okaaay... In a good or a bad way? ...or do I really want to know?
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You know it makes sense.
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In general slopes in both St Anton and Lech seem quite steep to me, in that there are some labelled blue which would be red elsewhere.
I'd second the idea of a bus to Lech to start - quieter, better groomed, wider, although some (such as blue 34) are still a bit steep in places. Blue 38 is easier. If she needs a nursery slope, the ones in Lech are very quiet, compared to the Nasserein one which is the end of a home run.
If you fancy a day out get the train to Langen (then bus/taxi) and ski in Sonnenkopf. It's included on the piste map/pass. Generally quiet with great snow, and most of the blues there are fairly straightforward, although many are served by T bars. I love the place.
I'd also recommend getting the gondola down at the end of the day any where in St Anton. Blue 4 and 1 are lovely at the start of the day, quite wide and fairly shallow most of the way, but can be a busy, icy, bumpy mess at the end. Blue 20 is fairly shallow, but a bit of a track in places.
Blue 8 down to St Christoph is fairly straighforward, and not as long as it looks on the map. The runs served by the T bar in St Christoph are a step up from a nursey slope, and usually very quiet. If need be, she could get the bus to them.
On Rendl R4 is nice, after a slightly steep bit which can get a bit bumpy and R11 is similar. The bunny run on Rendl, R3, is good for practicing, although the last few metres are steep were icy when we were there (bad snow).
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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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As others have said Rendl is the answer. There's a nursery slope near the snow park
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Poster: A snowHead
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The Osthang at the top of Galzig is actually ideal beginners terrain IMO.
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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 agree the blue number 5 from the top of Galzig is a nice steady run. Although it can get a little cut up in the afternoon.
The blue number 8 from Galzig to St Christoph is nice as well.
I remember the blue 24 from Gampen to Nasserein having its moments but on the whole ok.
Lech was a good day out and worth experiencing. The route from Lech to Zurs was fantastic and very beautiful.
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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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My comments are based on my own experiences of trying to learn in St Anton during a winter with particularly bad snow.
I can't comment on no.24 for example as the bottom bit was closed that year, so you had to do the red or black at the end, which I found very tough.
Personally, I loved no.5 once I got a bit better, but found it very tough at first. It was often busy and choppy when I skied it. I wouldn't take a beginner there, although it would be great for an improver. It depends on the standard of the OP's friend.
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janeed,
Very good to hear this from someone who learned to ski in St. Anton. Thanks for that. Based on observations done this weekend, it seems inevitable that she have lessons, so this will naturally shape her itinerary quite a bit. After the lessons, I'll be sure to forward your recommendations to her. After...
I'm actually glad that her need for lessons has been established, since this should eliminate the risk of us taking her to an "easy slope" which is a monster in her eyes, so definitely less nervous about giving a bad recommendation. ...since I'll not give any.
Thanks to all for your recommendations.
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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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SkiingDad, Osthang and Maas run on Rendl, St Christop #8, also Kapall - beyond that she'll likely struggle, not an ideal resort.....suggest Lech would be more suitable, post bus from bus station runs regularly.
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