IF you were in Salzburg the last days of November with 13yo and 15yo boys who are thrilled by snow but rarely see it where they live in Atlanta, and IF you had a free day when you could make an impromptu train trip to find some, where would you go? (I know you can't forecast the weather, and I can make a last minute call on this one, but what are your thoughts?)
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34109 posts
Go to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and go up the Zugspitze. There is a German side and an Austrian side. Guar. snow...
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
1001 posts
Nigel,
That was my first thought! We were supposed to do this trip last year (until the Bavarian markets closed) and I had a couple of nights booked in Mittenwald expressly to do the Zugspitze, which I love. I dropped Mittenwald this year to simplify changing locations and to avoid needing a car. Was considering a day trip there from Munich later in the trip, but thought it might take too long. Will check out the trains to the Austrian side. I've only gone up from the German side. Thanks for your idea!
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
1001 posts
Getting to the Zugspitze looks like a looong train day. Renting a car could definitely be faster, but kind of a pain for one day. Now thinking car rental + four day tickets for the Zugspitze = a pricy expedition for two boys who could be made happy by one field of snow to stomp around in. Please send me more ideas!
Posted by
Paris
7314 posts
The Dachstein cable car (south side) could work. You'll need to check opening dates carefully, but it looks OK in early December at a glance. You can get there by train to Schladming followed by bus, or rent a car, it is quite close to Salzburg.
The landscape up there is quite dramatic, with a scary-looking "stairway into the void", among other things.
Posted by
2280 posts
There is no need to go so far from Salzburg city. This is the list of the snowiest areas in the State of Salzburg.
https://www.snow-online.com/snowiest_ski-resorts/salzburg
Posted by
Munich
222 posts
For sure you would find snow on Kitzsteinhorn.
www.kitzsteinhorn.at/en/gipfelwelt-3000
It's about 2,5 hours train and bus ride from Salzburg.
https://fahrplan.oebb.at/webapp/?context=TP&SID=A%3D1%40O%3DSalzburg%20Hbf%40X%3D13045559%40Y%3D47812824%40U%3D81%40L%3D8100002%40B%3D1%40p%3D1659356158%40&ZID=A%3D1%40O%3DKitzsteinhorn%20Alpincenter%40X%3D12726613%40Y%3D47229568%40U%3D81%40L%3D596075%40B%3D1%40p%3D1659356158%40&date=29.11.2022&time=09:00:00&timeSel=1&returnTimeSel=1&journeyProducts=7167&start=1&#!P|TP!histId|1!histKey|H516511
Please check the website before you go as somewhen between summer and winter season cable cars will close for maintenance.
Posted by
Paris
7314 posts
Kitzsteinhorn is a glacier skiing area so it should be open in early Dec; sounds like a good call too!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1402 posts
I think the Kitzsteinhorn is a good bet. Hot and dry weather and Sahara dust on the snow has caused a lot of melting this year. Half the snow as last year left. The glacier has shrunk by two thirds in the last 70 years. In 30 years the glacier gone? Probably man made snow (Kunstschnee) there too in December for skiing. When I was on the Pitztaler Gletscher in mid March, the snow was orange from the Sahara dust.
Posted by
2280 posts
If I understood the OP correctly, their sons want to experience snow, not necessarily by skiing.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
1001 posts
Yes, we can ski in the US, but taking gear to Europe for a day of skiing doesn't make sense for us. They will be happy clobbering each other with some snowballs!
Thank you all for your ideas! I have something to work with now, and who knows, maybe Salzburg will get a big snow while we're there.