Last-minute ski trip advise?

Hello, I will be taking a last-minute ski trip this weekend with my husband (4 days), and we%26#39;re trying to narrow down choices in Austria. I am a beginner and we would also like to try cross-country skiing. I looked at other posts and it seems like Saalbach and Ischgl have got the best reviews. Any thoughts on how appropriate they are for a beginner and also possibility for cross-country skiing? (Or other suggestions welcome)

We are not too concerned about apres-ski/nightlife.

Thank you!

|||

Do you know the town Seefeld?

www.seefeld.at

Easy access from Germany- some of the best cross- country trails in Europe- down hill skiing good for beginners.

Ischgl and Saalbach are both great places but have limited cross country possibilities.More intermediate ski terrain but OK for beginners with good ski schools.

|||

Saalbach (also some nice easy slopes) seems better than Ischgl for you. Seefeld is excellent for cross-country skiing, but little alpine skiing there. I would recommend Schladming/Ramsau which combines both perfectly. Ramsau is a picturesque high plateau, and a quiet place, with excellent cross country skiing opportunities; alpine skiing (and nightlife) in nearby Schladming is close at hand. http://www.ramsau.com/Englisch/winter.htm

Easily accessible by car, mostly motorway, and some more km on major road.

|||

Do you know about the very long traffic stalls that occur about every weekend on roads ( autobahn munich - Salzburg especially) where skiers are traveling. Take this into consideration no matter where you go.

This can quickly turn a %26quot; Fun %26quot; weekend into a %26quot;nightmare%26quot;

|||

Thanks much for the input, I will check out the websites for Seefeld and Ramsau.

Vertical, thanks also for the %26quot;stau%26quot; advise-- we have never driven to Austria and were not aware of the traffic hassles. We hope to leave Friday morning and return Monday evening, perhaps we would miss the worst of it. Driving there was already a concern for us due to weather/roads (do we need snow chains? I know they are required in some parts of the Alps) and we were considering the train, but it is quite expensive, and a much longer trip.

Thanks again,

Jess

|||

Friday and Monday are good for travel- Saturday and Sunday are the problem.Many hotels only book for a change of guests on these days.

The situation becomes worse during school holiday time- ( not yet)

You should have snow tires. Chains - depends on the weather, but generally not needed. Weather prognosis does not look too bad in coming days.

The places you look at are easy to reach via main highways and are normally well- maintained.

Have fun!

|||

Friday and Monday are good for travel- Saturday and Sunday are the problem.Many hotels only book for a change of guests on these days.

The situation becomes worse during school holiday time- ( not yet)

You should have snow tires. Chains - depends on the weather, but generally not needed. Weather prognosis does not look too bad in coming days.

The places you look at are easy to reach via main highways and are normally well- maintained.

Have fun!

|||

Thanks again for your help vertical. Unfortunately, our plans fell through (that%26#39;s what happens at the last-minute I guess). But we will definitely file your advise for a future trip.

We%26#39;re planning a spring trip to Vienna, so I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ll be needing your help again soon. :)

Cheers,

Jess

|||

Sorry to learn yo can not visit this weekend.

Weather looks cold but otherwise OK.

A visit to Vienna in the Spring is very nice.

Post anytime for information- easy train connections and frequently cheap flights too.