im planning to go to Austria around christmas time to do some snowboarding. im a beginner so hoping to find something that isnt too difficult for my level. Curious if anyone has any tips or anyone else is planning to go around this time.
Id like to snowboard for a few days and also visit some cities to take in the culture during this holiday time.
Skiing is still very much the king in Austria, but you see some boarders on the pistes. Here's where I've skied in Austria:
Lech am Arlberg: Isolated and rather expensive but very nice resort in the far west of the country. It's at a fairly high altitude and it tends to open slightly earlier than other resorts. There aren't really any major cities nearby. Closest is either Innsbruck or maybe even Zürich. I don't think it has a terrain park.
Kitzbühl: One of the largest winter resorts in Europe, with plenty of slopes for all levels. Lower in altitude, so it may open a bit later and generally closes earlier. Lots of good nightlife, but bring some nice clothes. Münich, Salzburg and Innsbruck aren't too far away.
Obertauern: High altitude purpose-built ski resort, as opposed to a pre-existing town that evolved into a ski-mecca. Cheaper than the two other options I've listed. Closest to Salzburg and Klagenfurt.
If the early winter is especially warm or dry and the resorts are having trouble accumulating enough snow, look into Ischgl and Hintertux. I have not visited either of these resorts, but the upper slopes are permanent glaciers. At least one year that I lived here, Hintertux opened for the season as early as late September.
Be aware that Christmas to New Years will be the priciest time of the year for lodgings at the resorts.
The Ski Amade region might be a good fit. Easy rail connections to many of the ski areas and buses to the others. Also a direct rail link to Salzburg and Munich.
http://www.skiamade.com/en/services/arrival
great tips so far guys!
im already expecting to spend a couple of thousand for this trip so its not too shocking. i have been to europe a few times before so i'm somewhat aware of the costs but just have never visited during Christmas time. I am hoping to take the train to other cities within Austria as well as neighboring countries.
The j2ski website is a useful screening tool:
https://www.j2ski.com/ski_resorts/Austria/
I'm a skier (as in cross country) and no longer Alpine skiing, Last January we arrived in the PillerseeTal with only a couple of cm of natural snow cover. The ski venue was making snow and carting snow from sheltered areas to the ski course. All changed overnight with 2 or 3 days of heavy snow.
Without debating climate change, snow cover and quality are no longer a sure thing. December skiing could be problematic at low elevation areas. Look for higher base elevation resorts with snow guns. You should also be prepared to change plans if you have the flexibility. One valley could be in the middle of a snow drought while the next is digging out.
