 Poster: A snowHead
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| Cacciatore wrote: |
Correct on where he’s playing these days. A real shame he’s no longer at the Sport Hotel, IMV. |
Remember the glorious days when the sport hotel bar looked like this?, This last year the strass in particular appeared to have fallen up its own jacksie.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| boabski wrote: |
| @chrisbristol, the goaßtahl tends to be quite housey these days |
Which is probably why a drunk dutch guy was raving about it the other night in Fast Fürst to us.
Seems as though this week there's a pre Dutch week warm up, ahead of the main event in March.
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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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| swskier wrote: |
Seems as though this week there's a pre Dutch week warm up, ahead of the main event in March. |
There's a Dutch week in March? Is that Carnival or something else?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@tatmanstours, I dont like Im missing out on anything so I will keep an open mind on this
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This sounds amazing - I've got a beginner boarder with me so probably have no chance of grabbing any but she's up for trying her best to move quickly!!
| MajorQ wrote: |
I posted on here a while ago about doing a treasure hunt for people when I'm in resort. I've been a bit quiet since, but things are now organised, and I'm flying out tomorrow.
A little background: For those that used to listen to Simon Mayo’s Confessions, some time ago there was a confession from a Major Q (wonder who that was?), about a fictional artist called ‘Van Kleist’. Well, since then, people have been noticing ‘Van Kleist’s’ everywhere, and pre-pandemic there was even a treasure hunt, The Hunt For The Golden FOKERs (Friend Of Kleist, Evocative Recogniser). Six Golden FOKERs were hidden around the country, and by working out a fiendishly clever and complicated clue, they could be found (think a cross between geocaching and Kit Williams Masquerade). It was totally free, no subscriptions, no personal details needed, nothing. Just find it, and it was yours.
So, with that in mind, Van Kleist is setting a new treasure hunt, The Hunt For The Wild FOKERs. If you’re in Saalbach Hinterglemm and the surrounds from 21/01/23, and want to do something different on the slopes, then this could be for you. There are going to be four boxed Van Kleist creations, three Wild FOKERs, and a ‘Custard Cream of Excellence’, but which one will be in which box? There’s not going to be any complicated clues, just a ‘what3words’ reference on here, and a photo of the location on the Van Kleist facebook page. Find it, it’s yours!
The boxes will be attached using reusable zip ties, so when found please take everything with you. Just remember to post that it’s been found (or not, and let other poor souls search in vain, as you sit there in your glory!). Wear your FOKER with pride at apres ski and elsewhere, and you never know, Van Kleist might make a personal appearance!
Happy hunting!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p062v235 |
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| Gilly28 wrote: |
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All thoughts welcome  |
Pay the 120€ for the transfer.
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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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@swskier, Thanks - wasn't aware of that.
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| red 27 wrote: |
| Gilly28 wrote: |
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All thoughts welcome |
Pay the 120€ for the transfer. |
Lol you and my husband are in agreement, I just wanted to try out the public transport! Doing it on the way there I guess.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Gilly28 wrote: |
Lol you and my husband are in agreement, I just wanted to try out the public transport! Doing it on the way there I guess. |
Best way. That's what we do. On the outbound leg, adventurous public transport is all part of the fun and adds to the excitement
On the way home it's 'Beam me up Scotty, TAXI!!'
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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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Best way. That's what we do. On the outbound leg, adventurous public transport is all part of the fun and adds to the excitement
On the way home it's 'Beam me up Scotty, TAXI!!'
@red 27, I’m the opposite, early flight, taxi, in resort early (relatively given +1hour time difference) and hopefully get at least an hour on the slopes as nice little warm up. Can live with public or shared transfer on way home
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@ribblevalleyblue, I get that. Each to their own 
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You know it makes sense.
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| tatmanstours wrote: |
@chrisbristol, the only way to embrace the specific aspect of Austrian culture that is après-ski music is to suspend all expectations and banish all preconceptions of what “modern music” should sound like.
I know people who struggle with this and sit at après-ski parties wearing a pained expression on their faces, whilst others get into the spirit, and even dance on the tables.
For me, traditional Austrian après-ski songs (and there are many) are the best (rather than rehashed classic rock songs). They tend to have strong melodies - ear worms (“ Ohrwürmer”) and sometimes have very defined dance moves.
They also have the ability to get everyone, of all ages and nationalities, animated and grinning from ear to ear, no matter how many times a day they hear them. This is largely how Austrian après-ski has acquired its reputation for being a hundred times better than après-ski in other countries.
Compilations of classic Austrian après-ski songs are easily found online.
By contrast, whenever an Austrian après-ski bar tries to show that it’s “moving with the times”, and replaces its traditional music with a DJ playing that terrible, repetitive, monotonous dross that I understand is called “deep house”, or “trance”, you see a markedly different reaction from those in attendance. They talk amongst themselves, sip their drinks, occasionally sway a little, perhaps tap a foot… but gone is the joy, the celebratory party atmosphere, the singing in unison.
Traditional Austrian après-ski music is a celebration of skiing (and I suppose snowboarding) in Austria. You won’t hear it anywhere else, and it’s what people expect and look forward to when they come to Austria, even if they have a love/hate relationship with certain songs (like “Jonny Däpp”, and “Wie Heisst Die Mutter Von Nikki Lauder”). I’ve been hearing many of the same songs since I first skied in Austria in 1982. To be added to the playlist and earn a place as a “standard”, a song has to be rather special; one example I can think of is “Atemlos Durch Die Nacht” by Helene Fischer.
Now I’ll stand by for the inevitable discussion of Austrian après-ski music. |
did you just acknowledge snowboarding lol
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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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@red 27, absolutely, life would be boring otherwise
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Poster: A snowHead
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@kb36, I’m mellowing in my old age.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We had a fantastic trip, many thanks to everyone who contributed intel. We actually really enjoyed Goaßstall, for us it was the best apres session we had, the setting, the views, nutcases sledding down at the end. We spent the first couple of hours inside where unless I'm mistaken the music was more traditional apres cheese? Taverna also hit the spot for the extra big night out, the Dutch were great, very friendly and they certainly know how to party. Conditions were close to perfect for me, knee deep just of the sides almost every day, my skier buddies weren't so happy about the afternoon bumps but hey ho I think they just need to get better. Saalbach now joins the very short list of places we'd happily return to.
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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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What is better, cash or card?
Just noticed one of my travel cards expires mid trip, so need to make sure I have proper arrangements.
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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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There is no "better" - you will most likely need both, as paying for passes and/or kit hire and/or lessons by cash means a large wad of notes and multiple trips to the cash machine due to daily withdrawal limits, or using multiple cards each with charges.
Some alms and bars will be cash only. I carry €100 in cash to cover 2+ days just in case.
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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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| ousekjarr wrote: |
There is no "better" - you will most likely need both, as paying for passes and/or kit hire and/or lessons by cash means a large wad of notes and multiple trips to the cash machine due to daily withdrawal limits, or using multiple cards each with charges.
Some alms and bars will be cash only. I carry €100 in cash to cover 2+ days just in case. |
Thanks.
Its jus for food & drink really. I dont need lessons or hire & pass is already covered with accommodation booking.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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In that case, everywhere will take cash, and 75% will take cards for payments of > €10 - I'd still have both. Several alms now also have cash machines near the entrance, so those who turn up with only a card can be directed there instead.
It also depends on whether you are eating out in the evenings, or are in a hotel with an evening meal. Prices are noticeably higher this year for everything, and some places seem to be starting into rip off territory, so for example one of the restaurants in Hinterglemm was advertising a cheese and ham toastie at €18 while the cafe bar next door was knocking them out at €8. OK, the restaurant might be adding a side salad and maybe a portion of fries with it, but it didn't say that, and the cafe version also came with salad. One mountain alm was clearly milking the Dutch, as a schnitzel and fries was €14 while a plate of fries on its own was listed at €12...
For years, the price of a coffee or a beer has been around €4.50 or maybe €5 for something unusual or in one of the more expensive places. This year it seems everything is around €6, and soft drink prices have similarly leapt, including skiwasser at €5 - what exactly is it in 490ml of water with 10ml of raspberry cordial that justifies this price? Same with food - a burger and chips was around €12-14, but now ranges from €18-24. They've also moved into "gourmet" territory, which simply means more salad and sauces between the bun halves and maybe a slightly more expensive type of bread, but it's not worth a 50% price increase.
The range of beer available also seems to be decreasing - where previously it was possible to find a dunkel beer in most places, this year it seemed to be Stiegl, Gosser or Zipfer only in almost all places. Covid-related business optimization or impacts, or a change in the clientele? Either way, it was underwhelming to discover yet another place serving only tasteless fizz.
On the flip side, we ate in Der Jennerwein twice, having never been there before as a result of it looking like a wine bar from the outside. Great service, good range of drinks (including Franziskaner dunkel ), and excellent food. Reservations were essential last week, despite it usually being a relatively quiet period, and if you want to be able to talk during dinner then a table upstairs is recommended.
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@ousekjarr, Yes skiwasser has turned into a total wee wee take, I normally had this at lunch to reduce my total alcohol intake over the week but have now moved to shandy to feel less ripped off. 
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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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@ousekjarr, “soft drink prices have similarly leapt, including skiwasser at €5 - what exactly is it in 490ml of water with 10ml of raspberry cordial that justifies this price?”
You’re paying for the waitress’s dirndl or lederhosen
The Bergeralm has been serving me very acceptable Dunkelweissbier at a very unnoticeable price (probably around €3 per half litre at happy hour)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Anyone know how booked up the shared transfer bus gets or if I can book/walk up on the day?
I need a backup option the postbus!
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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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| Gored wrote: |
Anyone know how booked up the shared transfer bus gets or if I can book/walk up on the day?
I need a backup option the postbus! |
While I don’t know if we were just lucky, but last year we never booked anything. When we arrived we tried with Crystal and Inghams if they had anything, which they didn’t (well Inghams did but it wasn't for a few hours), so we just booked up with one of the transfers at the airport (there was a desk just before going out if I recall correctly. On the return we just booked a day or two before.
This year again we haven’t booked anything, we will try on arrival with the tour companies and failing that (or if it isnt cheap) will get the local bus. On way back I think we ate going to decide when there whether to get the local transport or a transfer.
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@Gilly28,
We got lots of time for the return journey.
Going out does not leave much wiggle room for public transport.
The shared transfer taxi/bus posted a few pages back would mean a longish wait at the airport if arrival is on time.
Incidentally, how is Salz. this season for arrival? How quick are people getting through immigration, baggage & out of the airport?
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You know it makes sense.
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@Gored, we got through Salz airport with luggage in about 20 minutes last week. Very surprised by the speed. This was for a midday arrival.
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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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Saturday 14th was 3 minutes from entering the terminal building to leaving it, but unfortunately although the baggage signs said that skis would be delivered to the coach park we waited for 15 minutes before discovering that EasyJet flights have them delivered to the baggage hall instead, which meant getting a Crystal rep to open the door and let us back in through the "one way" door despite us being nothing to do with them. January is relatively quiet - February can be manic in both directions.
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Poster: A snowHead
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As promised, the Treasure Hunt has started, with not one, but two prizes put out today. What 3 words directions are on here, pics of placement are on the Van Kleist Facebook page.
///desks.grain.uniquely
///concedes.bubble.agreeing
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@MajorQ, it’s very frustrating when I can see where they are, but I’m suffering from my second dose of man flu this month and don’t dare go skiing for fear of making it worse.
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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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| tatmanstours wrote: |
| @MajorQ, it’s very frustrating when I can see where they are, but I’m suffering from my second dose of man flu this month and don’t dare go skiing for fear of making it worse. |
Don't miss out, get someone to get it for you!
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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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@tatmanstours, if it makes you feel any better, I'm over near the hochalmbahn with a beginner in tow - I know I could nip over and get them but I don't think she'd make it!
Hoping I can sneak off for an hour or two and get one
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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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@MajorQ, desks.grain.uniquely is gone now
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Gow87, my sense of frustration at being unable to go out skiing on such a fine day has just been eclipsed by the mental agony of having this unique work of art snaffled from under my nose (as it were)!
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And long time lurker @marmot_on_skis has snaffled it from me for his fine art collection.... It will take pride of place next to the framed pictures of Michaela Shafer and The Hof!
We have kept all of the original packaging for the all important valuation on Antiques Roadshow many years from now ...... #artquest
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@tatmanstours, it's worse than that. The loop I've got planned takes me by the next one. Do you want one delivering? 
Edit: nevermind, I see someone beat me to it!
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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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Update on piste 168. The incomparable Hecherhütte reports that the piste is groomed as far as the Hecherhütte, but not from there down to the valley. The snow is still too thin, but the piste maintenance team are doing everything possible to be prepared for any further snowfall that might enable the piste to be opened.
If it had snow cannons (as it used to have before the environmental lobby protested about water being taken from natural water courses), it would have been open by now.
There is still the possibility of skiing to the Hecherhütte, having an après-ski party and dinner there, and getting a taxi down, either to Viehhofen or back to Saalbach.
The Hecherhütte used to have an arrangement with a local taxi firm, which charged €40 for an 8-seater taxi back to Saalbach. I’m assuming that the special deal still holds, but that the price may now have increased. Probably still worth considering though for a group.
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Well done on finding the first two, the third was placed today. Pic on the Van Kleist Facebook page as before:
///soundtracks.straddle.carnivores
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FAQ
I thought it might be helpful to write a quick trip report from a first time visitor to Austria (having only skied in France prior, primarily with the UCPA)
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