@MajorQ, Re travel, I mean on the Postbus not shuttle buses but you should get a free travel pass from your accommodation provider...ask them for it in advance so its valid on your arrival day
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
holidayloverxx wrote:
@MajorQ, make sure you claim your €15 discount on ski servicing. Be aware that bus drivers won't necessarily recognise it as a lift pass for free travel. I find..rubbish German.. es is ein skipass auch ...works
Who is the ski service discount with? Is it Intersport? Could do with dropping mine off on arrival for a quick edge sharpen and wax.
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?
I've done that thing that must annoy Hotel owners... have booked for the first week in March in both Obertauern and Schladming. The latter is a hotel at 1050m at Rohrmoos which should be near enough ski in - ski out. Pretty decent price - £1450 for a single room half board at a 4 star hotel (cheaper than anything I can find in S-H for example)
The choice is down to how the new knee goes at Obertauern in January (chosen for height and easy runs). But I may be wanting something more expansive and a bit more challenging in March.
As I understand much of Schladming is north facing so snow should still be reasonable. Also there's a new lift or two, but I guess getting to the two eastern mountains involves some queues as you have to go down to get up?
This is mostly me just chatting, but any thoughts on Schladming would be welcome. I am well used to skiing at the start of March in low Austrian resorts (S-H, Kitz, Mayrhofen, SkiWelt, ZamSee etc) so I know it's not going to be like Obergurgl or Ischgl for conditions, but flights are in an out of Salzburg and I've never skiied Schladming or Obertauern. Also hiring a car, so can go elsewhere in the Amade
Salzburg Airport Arrivals. I'm sure most folks are aware by now, but for those arriving at Salzburg Airport with Non-EU passports, you now have to go to one of the new ETIAS/Visa machines and get a ticket BEFORE proceeding to the immigration desk/line. There are airport staff on hand to help you. This doesn't apply to those with Austrian residency cards.
Thanks. How does that work if I've already been through the EES system this month at Vienna?
(It takes time as the process is a lot slower, though not nearly as slow as US entry - and I guess will take time as most of those in the queue will not have previously entered just yet)
(It's only EES at the moment, ETIAS visa waivers are down the line... which is like the US ESTA and the UK's ETA which is being rolled out as well. I understand the need for better border control, just that Brexit put us outside EES rather than inside...)
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@buchanan101, If you haven't left Austria then no need to do it again. If you leave (by Air or Via the tunnel), you're swiped out and then have to re-enter.
We arrive in Bad Gastein Saturday for our first Ski holiday.
Been very little natural snow so far this season it seems so the cannons will be working overtime.
Checking out which runs will be good for us to start with and B21 is looking the best but need the Angertalbahn lift to be working for us to ski that run.
Can't wait!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
If its your 1st ski holiday you should probably be looking for some ski lessons in the first few day's.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@buchanan101, Schladming will have good skiing early March. Hochwurzen, Reiteralm and Hauser Kaibling are all great mountains to ski, but Planai is crap. Obertauren is not on the Ski Amade Lift Pass so as you rightly said, you might be better off in Schladming. But, Schladming is at the Eastern end of the Ski Amade area and it's a bit of a schlep from there to Flachau (20 Mins by car), Hochkonig, (45 mins) or Bad Gastein (55 mins). You might want to consider being a bit more central if you have a car.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@buchanan101, If you haven't left Austria then no need to do it again. If you leave (by Air or Via the tunnel), you're swiped out and then have to re-enter.
Re-entering - but photo and fingerprints are first time only (and last for 2 or 3 years) - I guess it's same queue, but a quicker process
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@mdex, Welcome to Snowheads. No good news I'm afraid. Usually the lift is shut because the runs from that lift are not open for skiing, not the other way round. It MIGHT be that they have not opened it to preserve it for Christmas week though. If you're beginners, you should consider popping down the valley to Dorfgastein, which does have family runs open from top to bottom. As @Chicko, said, consider ski lessons (book today if you haven't already!), even if you don't book a course, a day with an instructor will orientate you to the slopes for the rest of the week.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Mon 15-12-25 13:50; edited 2 times in total
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@japes1275, yes, I
Intersport. Look under offers on the My Friends website
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.
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@buchanan101, Schladming will have good skiing early March. Hochwurzen, Reiteralm and Hauser Kaibling are all great mountains to ski, but Planai is crap. Obertauren is not on the Ski Amade Lift Pass so as you rightly said, you might be better off in Schladming. But, Schladming is at the Eastern end of the Ski Amade area and it's a bit of a schlep from there to Flachau (20 Mins by car), Hochkonig, (45 mins) or Bad Gastein (55 mins). You might want to consider being a bit more central if you have a car.
Why is Planai crap - it seems to have the most runs? I will be part way up Hochwurzen so have 2 mountains avoiding having to descend to Schladming. Not knowing the area at all and looking at a piste map they could do with a link higher up than via Schladming...
I usually don't use a car to change resorts, just of it's cheaper than a taxi. Will have a look at the others. I don't need HUGE areas, just thought Schladming a bit more to ski than Obertauern. I can cancel one of the hotels late Jan - my Obertauern visit is Mid Jan. I'm sure that the knee will be fine - after all I skied for 20 years on a knee with torn/stretched ACL&PCL..
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Chicko wrote:
If its your 1st ski holiday you should probably be looking for some ski lessons in the first few day's.
We can get down the slope and parralel ski so we're not complete novices, and we're only skiing for 2 days.
Did you say to take lessons because the mountain is that much different to artificial snow, or because you thought we'd never skied before?
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@buchanan101, "Why is Planai crap - it seems to have the most runs?" Other opinions are available but if I ski Schladming I try and avoid it. The World Cup run is OK but Planai tends to be the busiest of the 4 hills and there's no link to Hochwurzen except via the gondola. You can't ski (on piste) to the bottom of Hochwurzen from Planai. If you go the other way things are better, with the notable exception of "Andi's umbrella bar." Easily the most unfriendly, rubbish service and poor food in the whole of the Ski Amade area.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
mdex wrote:
Chicko wrote:
If its your 1st ski holiday you should probably be looking for some ski lessons in the first few day's.
We can get down the slope and parralel ski so we're not complete novices, and we're only skiing for 2 days.
Did you say to take lessons because the mountain is that much different to artificial snow, or because you thought we'd never skied before?
Now you've said only two days, definately get a guide for at least a morning and be honest about your level. They will take you to the most suitable spots and you won't waste too much time trying to find your way around. You'll be skiing on mostly artificial snow anyway but it is still very different to skiing in a fridge.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@buchanan101, "Why is Planai crap - it seems to have the most runs?" Other opinions are available but if I ski Schladming I try and avoid it. The World Cup run is OK but Planai tends to be the busiest of the 4 hills and there's no link to Hochwurzen except via the gondola. You can't ski (on piste) to the bottom of Hochwurzen from Planai. If you go the other way things are better, with the notable exception of "Andi's umbrella bar." Easily the most unfriendly, rubbish service and poor food in the whole of the Ski Amade area.
Yes I noticed the skiing to Planai is one way. Makes sense it's the busiest as it's the one directly above Schladming with two access lifts.
I will probably stick with Schladming as I rather like ski in/ski out these days and I've got a good price (for 4 star single rooms HB) that I can't match elsewhere you suggested.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Weather Update. Not looking great for Christmas week. You can all read the forecasts and the make your own judgment. But here in Snowspace Salzburg it has been a mixture of Sunshine, Dunkelflaute and Sud Stau, none of which are great for the snow conditions. The pistes are holding up reasonably well but mostly artificial snow on top of the early season base. There are no cross-country loipes open. Skiing off-piste is high risk (due to lack of snow depth) unless you earn your turns by touring higher up. Beginners and those taking ski lessons will be ok but expect crowded pistes. Early doors gives you the best conditions. For those with young families, you might want to look at a few non-skiing options for the little ones as the afternoon slopes can be quite challenging when the pistes get cut up. We haven't skied anywhere else this week but I'm sure the Radstadt crew can give an update on Schladming. Fingers crossed we get some snow before New Year.
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?
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@buchanan101, "Why is Planai crap - it seems to have the most runs?" Other opinions are available but if I ski Schladming I try and avoid it. The World Cup run is OK but Planai tends to be the busiest of the 4 hills and there's no link to Hochwurzen except via the gondola. You can't ski (on piste) to the bottom of Hochwurzen from Planai. If you go the other way things are better, with the notable exception of "Andi's umbrella bar." Easily the most unfriendly, rubbish service and poor food in the whole of the Ski Amade area.
Just noticed that the link to the RH mountain is... a 2 man chair. You'd only be doing it once a day, but that's going to be really busy. Timing I guess is what counts - first lift up from hotel at Rohrmoos and down to that 2 man as quick as possible if we want to ski that mountain? Decent first lift times (8:30) unlike some resorts
@buchanan101, "Why is Planai crap - it seems to have the most runs?" Other opinions are available but if I ski Schladming I try and avoid it. The World Cup run is OK but Planai tends to be the busiest of the 4 hills and there's no link to Hochwurzen except via the gondola. You can't ski (on piste) to the bottom of Hochwurzen from Planai. If you go the other way things are better, with the notable exception of "Andi's umbrella bar." Easily the most unfriendly, rubbish service and poor food in the whole of the Ski Amade area.
Have found an (effectively) ski in/ski out hotel in Flachau. Flachau seems quite interesting as you can "travel" there - Wagrain, Zauchensee, with it seems, usually up mountain links (apart from Zauchensee..)
Thoughts?
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
@buchanan101, which hotel?
Yes you can access wagrain by lift and Flachauwinkl which has a 30 second shuttle to the high port lift to Zauch
@buchanan101, it's a good area, and if you have accommodation which doesn't require the frequent ski buses then it's a good option. Even with them, it's on my favourites list and we visit every 2-3 years
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@buchanan101, Flachau is the best option for skiing the whole of "Snowspace Salzburg" and easy to get around. Flachau also has (IMHO) the best Apres spots (Lisa Alm, Hoffstadl and Dampfkassel) and more choice of restaurants for the odd meal out.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Off to Bad Hofgastein next month, but not terribly impressed with the usableness of the Ski Amadé app. Any local knowledge would be welcome.
We are staying in the Hotel Impuls Tirol and I'm keen to explore our route to the lifts (walk or bus, for example?) and recommendations for skiing elsewhere in the area rather than just Schlossalm (which would appear to be the local area).
Thanks in advance
CW
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
cardweg wrote:
Off to Bad Hofgastein next month, but not terribly impressed with the usableness of the Ski Amadé app. Any local knowledge would be welcome.
We are staying in the Hotel Impuls Tirol and I'm keen to explore our route to the lifts (walk or bus, for example?) and recommendations for skiing elsewhere in the area rather than just Schlossalm (which would appear to be the local area).
Thanks in advance
CW
CW, can’t really comment on the app, I sometimes use the interactive piste map which seems ok, like most ski resorts the actual paper piste map is largely a work of fiction! I’ve recently discovered Openskimap which gives a much better idea of the pistes and lifts with regards to the actual topography.
Getting to the slopes is easy enough, there is a ski bus stop about 50m from the hotel door which will take you to the main bus station at the main Schlossalm gondola. (Busses are every 20 mins or so at peak times) From there you can access all the slopes on the Schlossalm, ski down to Angertal and take the gondola up to the Stubnerkogel area above Bad Gastein. If you want to go further afield then after getting the bus to the main bus station (at the Schlossalm station) you can swap busses and go to Dorfgastein or up the valley to Sportgastein. You can also get the bus to Angertal which is the best place for beginners, ski lessons or perhaps for the first day if not skied for a while. The pistes from the top of Schlossalm are easy enough but there aren’t really any nursery slopes on that side.
I’d definitely recommend Dorfgastein for some nice skiing and for more extreme skiing then Sportgastein is about 20-30 mins on the bus. If you want any recommendations for specific ski areas, mountain restaurants or any information about the hotel then let me know.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Hi everyone
I’m spending this Chirstmas week in Schladming, staying up in Rohrmoos. I knew snow conditions weren’t exactly legendary at the moment… but I’ll admit I was still a bit surprised Hard snow, some small bumps, and quite a bit of artificial snow keeping us on our toes
We are also in the “getting our ski legs back” phase, though we usually ski in France and are comfortable on blues, reds, and blacks — just not big fans of moguls when they’re unavoidable.
Since I’m not very familiar with the resort and noticed most slopes are north-facing, I’d love some local wisdom:
- Which pistes tend to have the best snow right now?
- Any timing tips (early bird vs. late afternoon)?
- Worth driving somewhere else nearby for better conditions? We do have a car.
PS: If you have recommendations for a nice, not-too-expensive lunch spot (mountain hut or village), we’d be very grateful — skiing is always better when properly fed!
Thanks in advance and happy skiing! Merry Christmas!
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@buchanan101, Flachau is the best option for skiing the whole of "Snowspace Salzburg" and easy to get around. Flachau also has (IMHO) the best Apres spots (Lisa Alm, Hoffstadl and Dampfkassel) and more choice of restaurants for the odd meal out.
Cheaper option (to Flachau) found very close to the slopes in Wagrain - very near the Mozart lift - are the bubbles shaped like huge Mozart balls?
I've leaning towards either of those rather than Schladming as seems better linked between mountains
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.
calinca wrote:
Hi everyone
I’m spending this Chirstmas week in Schladming, staying up in Rohrmoos. I knew snow conditions weren’t exactly legendary at the moment… but I’ll admit I was still a bit surprised Hard snow, some small bumps, and quite a bit of artificial snow keeping us on our toes
Since I’m not very familiar with the resort and noticed most slopes are north-facing, I’d love some local wisdom:
- Which pistes tend to have the best snow right now?
Thanks in advance and happy skiing! Merry Christmas!
Not sure why you are surprised - the Ski Amade had a reasonable fall of snow, then fairly warm weather making snow making trickier (I've been keeping an eye as I'm off to nearby Obertauern in 3 weeks and although that's 700m higher village and 300m higher mountain top than Schladming it's only reporting 40cm at the top). Most of SkiAmade is similar height to Schladming, so unlikely to be much better - and you have the advantage of north facing slopes.
As for timing, surely as early as you can is best?
I guess this may be why Obertauern is not on the same pass as everyone would be up there with poorer snow lower down! (it's still saying "Good" for conditions). Day tickets 69 Euro...
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
buchanan101 wrote:
Cheaper option (to Flachau) found very close to the slopes in Wagrain - very near the Mozart lift - are the bubbles shaped like huge Mozart balls?
No.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@calinca, I was up in Zauchensee today. It's on your Ski Amade lift pass. Not great but the best snow I've found this week. Go early doors and knock it on the head around lunchtime. The Gamskogel Hutte is as good a place as any for lunch.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
buchanan101 wrote:
Cheaper option (to Flachau) found very close to the slopes in Wagrain - very near the Mozart lift - are the bubbles shaped like huge Mozart balls?
No.
Missed opportunity!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
RedandWhiteFlachau wrote:
@calinca, I was up in Zauchensee today. It's on your Ski Amade lift pass. Not great but the best snow I've found this week. Go early doors and knock it on the head around lunchtime. The Gamskogel Hutte is as good a place as any for lunch.
Thank you, Yesterday I was more on the reiteralm side and higher up is considerably better. Will try to get otganized to go to Zauchensee , thank you for the tip Have a great week/season!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
holidayloverxx wrote:
@buchanan101, which hotel?
Yes you can access wagrain by lift and Flachauwinkl which has a 30 second shuttle to the high port lift to Zauch
The one in Flachau was the Montanara. A touch expensive but looks classy.
Cancelled that and have Alpina Wagrain which seems pretty close to the lifts - or at least a very short walk to a T bar then ski down to the Mozart lift
We are two singles (rather not be sharing at my age -64 - with the father in law -77) - good prices can be had for single rooms in Austria but takes some looking
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?
@buchanan101, lovely hotel in a great location, but yes expensive. Look at rhe Bergdiamant another time
For those visting for New Year week, some of you may know that they always show "Dinner for one" on national TV at New Year. I have learned that the younger generation prefer to watch "Das Fest des Huhnes". "A 1992 mokumentary by Walter Wippersberg. A team of sub-saharan anthropologists lead an expedition and study the exotic culture of tribal Upper Austria."
@buchanan101, Schladming will have good skiing early March. Hochwurzen, Reiteralm and Hauser Kaibling are all great mountains to ski, but Planai is crap. Obertauren is not on the Ski Amade Lift Pass so as you rightly said, you might be better off in Schladming. But, Schladming is at the Eastern end of the Ski Amade area and it's a bit of a schlep from there to Flachau (20 Mins by car), Hochkonig, (45 mins) or Bad Gastein (55 mins). You might want to consider being a bit more central if you have a car.
Interesting your comment about Planai, the first non positive thing I can recall you posting about your region .
I concur totally. We stayed in Rohrmoos many times, I seldom enjoyed skiing Planai. Steep reds, by mid morning even in ‘quiet’ weeks all of which were churned up in heaps, a few tedious flats, packed narrow pistes getting back to Hochwurzen direction and [is it because it’s Schladming?] lots of 25 year olds skiing aggressively straight lining every piste.
Just going to pop a link here to the main thread. This treasure hunt has been going for a few years now, in Sallbach, Soll, Obergurgle, Andorra, and The Arlberg. In 2026 it's going to be in Ski Amade.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@MajorQ, Now that looks like fun. I can think of a few folks who will definately be up for a hunt.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Hi all, have a question. Visiting Schladming for the races - two middle age couples, me and my friend (both women) would like to have a lesson at the beginning of the week. Think we're similar standard (blues, mellower reds, usual dislike of ice) though she hasn't skied for a couple of years after getting a dose of the fear. I'm a bit slow and nervous, but also bashed up my knee a couple of years ago trying to keep up with a 20 year old instructor who was urging me to 'push' constantly. Wondering if anyone knows of a kind and calm instructor round Schladming who might be suited to our needs?
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.
@ElzP, You fit my demographic! Fancy a day in Flachau? We're on the same lift pass. DM me if you need help.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@RedandWhiteFlachau, I was half hoping you'd say that! Is there a bus/train combo that's easy? I love Flachau.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
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