 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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| snowskii wrote: |
| I did ski every year from 4-18 though. I am hoping it’s like riding a bike and it comes back quickly? |
To a large extent. That muscle memory will be in there.
| snowskii wrote: |
| Maybe we could end up in the same lower intermediate group?! |
I wouldn't think about that. And in some ways it may be better if it doesn't happen.
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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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@snowskii, back to your original question, what airport you flying to? If you've decided?
Short transfer are important for short trips ...
La Clusaz f'r instance is very sweet but has little to no transfer infrastructure, so you'd need to rent a car.
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@under a new name, not true about La Clusaz transfers.
Aravis shuttle for example offer multiple transfers each day for €40 each way.
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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've never skied in La Clusaz but driven through it a few times. Or "past it" might be more accurate. The altitude of the village is quite low and it's quite often the case that there's no snow at that level (or only piles of grey stuff in shady spots) when snow at higher altitudes is OK. This might or might not be important but if taking someone for their first ever ski holiday I'd be looking for a location where the local ambiance was "snowy". Just looking at the geography, a lot of the accommodation will be some distance from some of the lifts. If you are going there at a quiet time, when parking won't be too difficult, a car would be an asset and it's certainly a very easy drive from Geneva.
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I am quite keen of the Zeel am option as there’s a really nice spa in hotel and we can make the most of this without kids. But worried the nursery slopes are going to be really chopped up at that time of year. But if we can get him up to a decent standard there is Saalbach just down the road included in the passes.
I have explained snow might now be perfect if we are going for blue sky skiing but that’s part of European skiing and I suppose is part of learning to ski different conditions?
If we are finishing lessons by midday latest; does anyone know if there will there be enough time to get over to Saalbach to enjoy some alternative cruises blues? Although we need to factor lunch in too. To come back down the mountain to go back up might be demoralising to a tired beginner. Maybe we should look at a bigger linked ski zone.[/quote]
@snowskii
There is also the glacier at Kaprun included on the lift pass with easy access by local bus from Zell am See. Virtually guaranteed good snow at that time of year and plenty of easy runs if needed.
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@Alastair Pink, huh, that's new I think, nice find.
But still not a patch on availability to e.g. Chamonix. Not that Cham's an ideal choice for the OP...
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never any guarantee of that!
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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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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
@snowskii, welcome to snowHeads. 
As you're only doing 4 nights presumably you'll be making all the travel and accommodation arrangements yourself as tour operators are usually on a week's booking arrangement? If you're travelling from the UK then budget airlines fly to quite a few suitable airports, but I'd just suggest these three for a quick transfer from the airport to ski resort. Firstly for France the resort of La Clusaz is only about an hour's transfer from Geneva airport. Secondly for Austria one of the many resorts in the Ski Amadé area would be suitable as the area isn't far from Salzburg airport. Finally also for Austria you could fly into Innsbruck and ski at one of the many resorts in the Tyrol, for a resort good for a beginner I'd suggest either Alpbach (voted prettiest Austrian village by the Austrians themselves) or Westendorf. |
As Alastair suggests, flight into Innsbruck and a short transfer to Alpbach or Westendorf would be easy. I usually book a return taxi in Austria which often is cheaper than the hassle of a hire car.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| snowskii wrote: |
Thanks everyone, so the reason we want to limit the nights is because we have two preschoolers. They will be going with grandparents and will have the best time but we want to limit time away.
The idea is to test it out for my husband, give him a head start and then next year oldest will be old enough to start ski school and youngest old enough for ski crèche (might even bring non skier grandparents along). But the cost side of that is too much gamble for not knowing whether he will like it. Hence doing a short solo trip.
I am quite keen of the Zeel am option as there’s a really nice spa in hotel and we can make the most of this without kids. But worried the nursery slopes are going to be really chopped up at that time of year. But if we can get him up to a decent standard there is Saalbach just down the road included in the passes.
I have explained snow might now be perfect if we are going for blue sky skiing but that’s part of European skiing and I suppose is part of learning to ski different conditions?
If we are finishing lessons by midday latest; does anyone know if there will there be enough time to get over to Saalbach to enjoy some alternative cruises blues? Although we need to factor lunch in too. To come back down the mountain to go back up might be demoralising to a tired beginner. Maybe we should look at a bigger linked ski zone. |
Rest assured the nursery slopes will be piste bashed each evening.
If you are going for 3 or 4 days from a complete beginner you aren't going to be worried about how big an area you are going to or what its linked to. Any resort is going to have a nursery slope/ beginners teaching area and some suitable blue slopes to progress onto, and some reasonable skiing for you to test you old ski legs out on whilst Hubby is in beginner lessons.
If anything your better off looking a smaller area so you aren't paying extra for a big ski area lift pass you wont be using.
Are you American? - you refer to going down the mountain for lunch? That's generally not how its done in Europe: In France you squish a baguette down your salopettes and eat it on a chair lift as the restaurants on the slopes are ruinously expensive, and concentrate on eating proper food in the evening. In Italy Austria Switzerland excellent / hearty / acceptable eating opportunities await piste side at very reasonable / acceptable prices.
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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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Are you American? - you refer to going down the mountain for lunch? That's generally not how its done in Europe: In France you squish a baguette down your salopettes and eat it on a chair lift as the restaurants on the slopes are ruinously expensive, and concentrate on eating proper food in the evening. In Italy Austria Switzerland excellent / hearty / acceptable eating opportunities await piste side at very reasonable / acceptable prices.[/quote]
No apologies. That’s unclear. British. I meant if we come down to go on a bus over to a bigger ski zone.
So I have spent many nights musing. It’s practically been keeping me awake actually!
I haven’t made a final choice but I have narrowed it down to La Clusaz and Geilo.
Zeel am see had the nicest hotel (irresistible spa) and great views but the way the lifts work I think is going to be hard work.
La Clusaz is the traditional choice. It’s the kind of place I am used to. Probably most romantic and also has apres I found the trappers teepee which could be a finishing touch. So this is in the running.
But the more I think about the more I am being drawn back to Geilo. I have never been here before. From what I am reading it’s like skiing I have probably never known. Actual snowpiles, powder, deserted slopes, no ques. The ski school is so small that if you choose group there’s high chance you might be the only members. I think from a learning to ski point this probably actually is the best. Loads of soft blues, I assume less ice, less moguls. It’s going to hurt less to fall? He has a good chance to progress fast here and there is night skiing in the weekdays so we can take lots of breaks with ski in ski out and he can keep going if he’s not tired.
It’s quite boring from an apres point of view but it’s authentic and he would rather quietness over poser apres any day. There’s also a wilderness sauna/ ice bath experience which could be wild.
Will Geilo be inspiring enough or will he think it cold and boring?
Gosh it’s a lot of pressure lol!
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Is there any guarantee of "powder" (as opposed to snow.....) in Geilo? I wouldn't have thought so. And powder often means bad weather, not the best learning conditions. I learnt to ski there on a school trip over half a century ago, on skis as high as we could stretch an arm. So my own memories of the skiing (which I loved) will be irrelevant. But the scenery is, well, fairly ordinary compared to the Alps. I don't see how Geilo is any more "authentic" than La Clusaz - and the drinks will definitely be more expensive.
It is silly to argue that lunch on the mountain in France is unaffordable. There are often restaurants with a good value "plat du jour" which, with a glass of house wine, is perfectly affordable. Best to seek local knowledge for that, once you know where you are going.
Is there much in the way of ski in/out accommodation in either resort?
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You know it makes sense.
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I have no idea! It’s a long time since I have been skiing, and never to Norwegian snow. But my memories range of European skiing range from perfect to wet slushy, to hard or crunchy, to moguly, to ice sheets.
I am just going by pictures here for Geilo!
La Clusaz option is not ski in ski out as spa is a must. The Geilo option is directly on the bottom of the nursery slope ski in ski out.
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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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Ah yes, the pictures always have loads of snow......that Geilo option should be good, if spas are a vital part of the equation. I can't stand them!! On our school trip to Geilo we stayed in a dorm at the youth hostel. So no spas - but I remember discovering for the first time, and falling in love with, duvets! And eating whale. The train trip up was nice, with little painted houses.
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Poster: A snowHead
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snowskii,
If hubby progresses well in a snowdome and gets the ski bug while he is learning there, a series of regular snowdome lessons followed by regular practice (once he can snowplough turn) without lessons would mean that he could manage abroad without lessons and ski with you. It's possible to reach a very good standard in a snowdome if he is committed to learning, goes regularly and enjoys it. 
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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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but I remember discovering for the first time, and falling in love with, duvets! And eating whale.
@origen - I don’t know how to quote sorry!
This requires further investigation?! Where do they not have duvets?! And what is whale like!!!! I was looking at the food. Didn’t see any whales but they did have some incredible looking meat dishes.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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[quote="luigi"]@snowskii, wrote,
“Should give a good idea of the lie of the land and a few mountain eateries, the Pinzgauer Hutte looks fun with the skidoo tow back! 
There is a full-on apres scene round in Saalbach/Hinterglemm, we had a memorable gluhwein fuelled ski boot bop at the Goaßstall “
Yes, the Pinzgauer Hütte is certainly worth doing for lunch - great views/location, and the skidoo tow is a novel, memorable experience.
For the après-ski scene in Saalbach, there’s no need to go all the way to Hinterglemm. You have some of the best après spots in Saalbach itself: the Soul House, the Hinterhag Alm, the Spitzbub, the Off-Piste Bar, Burgi’s Bar, Bauers Schialm.
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| Quote: |
Where do they not have duvets?!
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The question should be - where DID they not have duvets in the early 1960s? And the answer is - the UK. Fitted sheets are recent too. Flat sheets were the norm and in thrifty households, when the middle area was worn thin, you turned and hems sides to middle. Good for another decade at least. 
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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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If you are looking for a relaxing spa, the Tauern spa in Kaprun is only a very short bus ride from Zell, can’t recall exactly the bus number (might be 660) but it leaves from the main stop just by the lifts in Zell and drops you at the front doors of the spa, hope you both enjoy your trip, Zell is lovely
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Fri 13-02-26 12:48; edited 1 time in total
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@snowskii, Though a small area (compared with the Ski Circus, with which it shares its lift pass), the Zell am See ski area is very scenic and always seems bigger than the km of piste would suggest.
I was over there a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. I would recommend a couple of mountain restaurants for lunch: Blaickner’s Sonnenalm, and the Pinzgauer Hütte.
Unless you’re up for a challenging red, take the Zell am See Xpress gondola all the way down from the top station (if visiting the Ski Circus). The ski bus from the bottom to Saalbach’s Schönleitenbahn lift station takes only 7 minutes and runs every 10 minutes.
From the top of the Schönleitenbahn, you can either turn left and ski all the way down to Saalbach via blue pistes 166 and 152, or turn right and go to Leogang via blue piste 162, then the Polten 8er chairlift, followed by the Asitzmüldenbahn chairlift. There are numerous good restaurants in either direction.
Remember that the local number 680 bus service which runs between Saalbach and Zell am See is free for anyone in ski gear. The times can be checked on www.oebb.at - but it’s of course easy to ski back to Zell via the Zell am See Xpress (the return to which involves skiing down Saalbach’s pistes 161a (red but easy), or 2a (blue, 7km, and can get mogully in the afternoon), and then the ski bus from the Schönleitenbahn (can take 9 minutes, as it takes a loop through the centre of Viehhofen village).
Any questions, I would be more than happy to help. Enjoy!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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This is all super helpful Tatsman. I saw you on some other posts about Saalbach. You are local I believe? How wonderful! Very jealous 
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Hi everyone, thought I would update!
We just got back from Zell am see. Was glorious weather! And such a pretty town. Unfortunately that meant the slopes were super slushy and poor hubby really struggled on these.
Was a bit annoyed at the ski instructor in hindsight. Paid for a 3 hour lesson first morning and unfortunately had an 18 yr old who didn’t have great emotional intelligence. First chair up quotes include ‘a man died here 2 weeks ago’ and half way through whilst hubby was taking quite a battering being taken down slushy reds (so bad the ski instructor themselves fell!) he asked ‘are you not scared?’. So annoying! We weren’t lightheartedly laughed our way through it and had high spirits but I think it set a seed of doubt and hubby (even I) went quite backwards with our confidence. We then went up to the summit panorama point and the snow up there was absolutely fine! So really annoying actually. I think the instructor couldn’t be bothered to go up because that would mean he would have to come down again.
So after that we were quite put off Zell am see. Spent the other two days going to the glacier - which was glorious weather, perfect snow and really great conditions. Having taken a bit of a battering day one both our confidence was quite sketchy and the long travel time meant we only had 3/4 hours a day on the slopes. So some but not much progress was made.
We still enjoyed ourselves though. Hubby really loved the cruisy flatter parts and there was a really funny incident at the end where we missed the last chair and hubby had to power down a very challenging busy mogully red. We just straight line snow ploughed down the centre of the whole thing and honestly I wish I had recorded that because it was one of the funniest thing I have ever seen amidst the chaos of hundreds of people descending this chaotic slope. By this point his ego was devoid of being hung up about doing an ‘embarrassing’ plough descent and he was absolutely chuffed that he did it.
So we are looking forward to planning another trip already! I think potentially les arcs with the variety of blues and the piou piou school for the kiddos.
It was good for me also. I realise I do still have some of my skills but there’s some gaps there - hoping some of the gaps will be easy wins to get to a higher level as never learnt some of them whilst a kid (ie. Skiing backwards/ some of the drills).
Will probably look for ski lessons again. I think we were just unlucky - probably shorter though, maybe 1 and a half hours each morning or join a group and really research well the instructors.
So mixed success. Town stunning, hotel amazing. Bad snow lower down. Mixed success on ski progress. Kaprun incredible but busy and long transfers. So 6/7 out of ten. And Heidi was amazing - everything seamless from operator/ transfer point of view.
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You know it makes sense.
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@snowskii, thanks for reporting back.
Bit unlucky with the conditions and instructor.
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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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Yes a bit! But a good lesson to learn! Dont gamble and go high!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@snowskii, yes, thanks for your report. Well done on making the most of it. Sounds like you had a crap instructor - that was bad luck. Sounds like he was some way off being properly qualified (even if you were exaggerating a bit about his being 18!).
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For anyone else contemplating ski lessons in Zell am See, go to Outdo Ski School and ask for Peter Lawson or Joe Pester - excellent, experienced, British ski instructors.
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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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| Origen wrote: |
| @snowskii, yes, thanks for your report. Well done on making the most of it. Sounds like you had a crap instructor - that was bad luck. Sounds like he was some way off being properly qualified (even if you were exaggerating a bit about his being 18!). |
No genuinely! He said 18! Which is fine and he was a nice lad - we had some fun in the lesson but in hindsight was quite counterproductive! Which for £300 is unacceptable, and when I realised the snow was good at the top I was pretty annoyed!
Really wish I had asked tatsman and gone with outdo!
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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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Yes, there's no substitute for local knowledge!
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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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There's no substitute for an instructor who might just be able to empathise with his nervous adult learners. Really annoys me to read about this sort of thing.
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How can an 18 year old be properly qualified to be sent on an adult private lesson?
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| Origen wrote: |
| How can an 18 year old be properly qualified to be sent on an adult private lesson? |
I don’t know much about what qualifications a ski instructor is supposed to have. God it’s going to annoy me more thinking about that now. I probably don’t want to know.
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| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
| There's no substitute for an instructor who might just be able to empathise with his nervous adult learners. Really annoys me to read about this sort of thing. |
And that’s the thing! Neither of us were nervous at all! He literally made us nervous. So annoying in hindsight. Feel bad that I am pretty much slagging it off as he was a nice kid but it was really really poor in hindsight.
Fingers crossed for next time!
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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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A good few years ago (before Brexit made it harder to work in mainland Europe), a young family member in his late teens or very early twenties came stay with me whilst looking for seasonal work in Saalbach. I got chatting to the boss of a reputable local ski school and mentioned his situation. He immediately offered to employ him as a ski instructor - no qualifications or training, just took him out once to ensure that he was a competent skier. The following week he was put in charge of a class of British half term schoolkids - just a nice young guy in a red uniform. Mind you, it inspired him to get qualified; within a year he’d taken and passed both Anwärter and Ländes 1 courses.
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FAQ
