Didn't realize how much I have missed Austria!

Gaz how did you find the reds? was the run down to Ellmau steep? I realy only like cruising and nothing too taxing or difficult. Did you find on the whole there wasnt much difference between red and blue?

The red (80a?) that runs under the funicular down to Ellmau is a pussycat -) . It does have a couple of steeper pitches but it is lovely and wide there, so you have all the time in the world to commit to making your turn. Moreover, it criss-crosses with the blue (80?) several times so you have quite a few opportunities to bale out if you're not feeling too confident.

There is a long red off the top of the Hohe Salve above Soll that ends up under the red gondola (can't remember the number ) that was noticeably steeper and faster than the rest, but again, it was nice and wide. The reds at Westendorf are lovely for cruising. That's a good day out and not as far as it appears on the map. The reds between Scheffau and Brixen aren't too demanding either. On the whole, I would say the reds have some steeper sections but they are nice and wide so are often no more difficult than the blues. Nothing to worry about :) .

P.S. Just checked on the map. I think the steep red above Soll is numbered 43 and 44 on the map. Hope this helps.

Wanderer wrote:

I have been to the Skiwelt for 4 or 5 years now - its a great option for a long weekend flying into Munich. We have had all sorts of conditions but the skiing has always been good if not great. Yes, it is very low down but they know that and work very hard at preparing and maintaining the snow using very sophisticated snow-making equipment. I've skied down perfect pistes while the grass had already started to grow just a few feet off the piste :lol:

Dead right. The entire local economy revolves around ski tourism in winter, so the pisteurs use every trick in the book to augment and make the best of the existing snow.

Apologies for not getting round to answering your 2nd p.m. re Moena and the Dolomites yet :oops: . Been a bit busy with work, Christmas and holidays :D, although I have also been spending too much time on this site since we returned. Not long till Feb. now -) . Have a good one.

Gaz. You are right about the Red run off the top of the Hohe Salve - it can, depending on conditions, be pretty demanding. Not as bad as the black down the other side which is horrendous - steep, bumpy, quite narrow and usually full of people who should not be on it who are paralysed with fear :oops: It is definitely one to avoid :evil:

Other than that, most of the Reds in the Skiwelt are absolutely fine. Although, depending on conditions, the runs to the valley can sometimes turn nasty with patches of ice or deep slush especially late in the day when they are busy. They are usually wonderful, empty runs earlier in the day as people tend to stay high :mrgreen:

Really looking forward to my trip to the Dolomites now - only a little over 3 weeks to go :lol: Thanks for all the detailed information you pm'ed me. It really helped to put the area in context for me. I have since found some helpful piste maps, websites, etc and now have a better sense of the place. The Lusia area seems bigger than I had thought at first and should offer plenty for a good days skiing. The San Pelligrino area looks more entensive and should comfortably occupy another couple of days while there are obviously endless options if we want to stray further afield 8)

Conditions are good at the momement so it all looks good :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Gaz great report I really enjoyed ski welt but had to resort go to higher levels for snow conditions stayed in Soll

Gary Waters wrote:Gaz great report I really enjoyed ski welt but had to resort go to higher levels for snow conditions stayed in Soll

Yes, what a difference a year makes!!!!!

Only ever skied Austria and Italy. Love Austria, reasonable prices (in most resorts), good quality accom, fantastic Apre, great atmosphere. Typical German organisation, everything works exactly like it should. Very friendly and no scroats.
Italy, nice, a bit more expensive, but my girlfriend did not like those squat toilets.
Might go to France one day when I save enough pennies and can squeeze bedding and towels into the luggage allowance! Or forgo 2 Austrian trips so I can afford half board in a decent French Hotel.

"Italy, nice, a bit more expensive, but my girlfriend did not like those squat toilets."

Remember those toilets from many years ago,although not sure what resort or country. Haven't seen/experienced them when skiing in Italy,at least in the past 6 years. It's been very high class, at least in the Alto Adige/South Tyrol, in one of the mountain stops they had ladies toilets kitted out with Villeroy and Boch - a far cry from squatting :)