J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by SkiGirl

Walking the dogs, walking the dogs and walking the dogs (4 of). Oh, I also have horse riding lessons twice a week and go to an aerobics class twice a week. All of these are year-round though. Sometimes I make half-assed attempts at riding my bicycle and jogging (aka shuffling) :)

Hi Ruby1

Bear in mind that when you take ski lessons it is most likely that the adults and kids will be separated. The norm is to meet up for lunch and then at the ski school meeting place at the end of the day. Can recommend the 1st Wildschonau Ski School in Niederau, Austria for lessons. :-)

Mike

If I'm thinking of the right place in Howard Street, right in the city centre, it's no longer called Shenanigans, now called Skye. They still do very good food downstairs. Have had lunch in it a few times. :D

Hi AJ

So you've been to Ballymena? Most people can't pronounce it, never mind having heard of it :) Where did you stay, did you go anywhere nice?

Helen

PS - all now "No Smoking" in Northern and Southern Ireland of course.

RJS

Definately the Hotel Austria in the middle of the village - it's just so close to everything and they've got a really nice restaurant. We love it and have stayed there 3 times now and will be going back for a 4th time. Several people we've met at this hotel are regulars. The Sonnschien also is a good hotel, just a couple of mins more walk to the centre. The Harfenwirt is another popular hotel but a little bit further out. Hotel Vicky is also in the centre, English run and seems to be popular with families - however it doesn't get great reviews and you will pay the same as a much better quality hotel. The Schneeberger is another central hotel, I think.

Might be a bit more expensive to go the week you are thinking of because it runs over the New Year. We are off to Niederau 10th Jan next year. Snow should be ok but better qualified to advise you on this would be Jan at the Auhof.

Hi Mike

Ballymena in Co Antrim, about 30 miles from the coast, 25 from Belfast. Glad you enjoyed visiting here - you got to see a lot. Yes, the North Antrim coastline and glens are very beautiful. If you visit again, other places that spring to mind that are probably worth a visit are are Dunluce Castle in Portrush, Mourne Mountains in Co Down, around Strangford Lough, Lough Neagh and Shane's Castle grounds, Slemish mountain near Broughshane in Co Antrim, Marble Arch caves, Co Fermanagh lakes ... I could go on! 8)

Just thought of something else - I was speaking to my cousin today who would love to try skiing (she's nearly 40) - she and her hubby love Bulgaria as a summer holiday but I've told her to check the reviews and not go there for a ski holiday - Austria has some of the best ski schools in the world.

RJS

Just one more thing - I talked for about 10 years "I would love to have a go at skiing" - oh how I wish I started 20 years ago! And hubby as well - when I booked our first skiing holiday he was like "oh I'll just go to amuse her indoors because I'm not all that sporty/keen/like summer hols/sun/heat etc... etc...." When we left Niederau after our first experience of skiing I swear he had the "ski blues" for about a month afterwards! :-) Much worse than I was! Please consider Niederau in Austria - it really is a lovely place to learn to ski. You can ski quite happily down the ski slopes in the village before and after your ski lessons without going near the gondola.

Another thing - the Inghams ski reps are really helpful - the first two years we went to Niederau we had the same rep and then this year in Niederau we had a rep who lived nearby (who spoke German) and when we went to Mayrhofen the Inghams rep lived there and also spoke German - makes a difference I think.

Helen