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Ski resorts by train in the Alps (Austria/Switzerland)

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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
Blah blah regionals blah blah I know.. thought this would see more traffic here.

It turns out I can get round trip plane tickets to Europe late February and am trying to work a few days of skiing into the itinerary. Tentative plans are to fly in to Munich (or Geneva/Zurich/???) for tourist shit, catch a train to a ski area for a few days, then move on to Venice or somewhere else cool for more tourist shit and then fly home.

We're leaning towards going somewhere in Austria or Switzerland (have not ruled out other countries yet). My research this far is minimal, but some of the places on the short (long) list are:

Arlberg, Austria
Innsbruck, Austria
Ischgl, Austria
Kitzbuhel, Austria
Söll, Austria
St Anton, Austria
Saas Fee, Switzerland
St Moritz, Switzerland
Zermatt, Switzerland

What I'm looking for is primarily intermediate/advanced terrain. I'll be travelling with the girlfriend so probably won't be doing super extreme backcountry skiing or park shredding so keep that in mind with your suggestions. Needs to be somewhere accessible by train or public transportation. Preferably an area with plenty of lodging options. Give me ideas! I know some of you live in the places or have traveled there in the past. Tell me whats good or what to avoid.

Sidenote but I've heard that some places charge extra for optional insurance when you buy your lift ticket? Otherwise ski patrol won't help you? Sounded weird to me any additional info would be great




TL;DR - Austria/Switzerland in February, where to go? Intermediate/Advanced terrain preferred. Travel by train. Relatively cheap
Dec 11 2012 11:17PM
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DrewEire
Posts: 20 - Karma: 13
I can only speak for the St. Anton area as its the only place I have experience with. The terrain is sick. Your lift ticket for here allows you access to St. Anton, Zürs, Lech, Oberlech, Sonnenkopt, St. Christoph and Stuben. You'll not be stuck for challenging terrain.

I don't really know that much about the accommodation but i've heard the tourist information is really helpful in terms of helping to find somewhere to stay... IRC they have a list of what information is available etc through out the season. They could probably help you with other information too.

Tourist Information - Head Office
Dorfstraße 8
A-6580 St. Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg
Phone: +43 (0) 5446 22690
Fax: +43 (0) 5446 2532
info@stantonamarlberg.com

The train station goes right to the town.
Dec 12 2012 7:45AM
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yippie
Posts: 268 - Karma: 91
Laax, can get there by bus. Has a big park if you want 1 or 2 laps in it. Laax has 235km of pistes, so you won't get bored easily there.

For lodging: close to the mountain it's not cheap but if you go more down valley and take the bus ride to the gondola it's not that expensive.

There is a nightlife, if you and your girlfriend want to have some fun after a day of skiing.


Dec 12 2012 9:07AM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
I'd call Arlberg or Innsbruck.

Arlberg is better accessed from Zurich, Innsbruck is more easily accessed from Munich.

One ski pass will cover St. Anton, Lech, Zuers, etc (Arlberggebiet). Innsbruck has slightly fewer options, but there's a ski bus that will take you to Stubai and Axamer Lizum, and the Nordkette funicular is right in town. There's also more in terms of cultural sights, architecture, shopping in Innsbruck, it's a regular town with a university and lots to do (and the Burton Store, if you like that sort of stuff).

Arlberg- huge huge huge huge huge area, there's everything, literally. I normally spend my time between Zuers and Lech, you can do a day-long loop, with a stop for lunch. Lodging options are on the slightly pricey side, especially Lech, which is like St. Moritz or Aspen. St. Anton is slightly cheaper, especially if you stay away from the center.

Happy to provide more info if you wish.


Dec 12 2012 12:02PM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Let me add that train fares in Europe are expensive. If you're only traveling to/from a resort, then the rail pass may not be good value. You best bet, if you're starting in Munich and spending a few days there first, is to buy a ticket when you arrive, you may be able to get a bit of a discount (e.g. Sparpreis 25) on the fare. Ask at the Munich main station for more details.


Dec 12 2012 12:59PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Haute Nendaz, awesome not well known ski town linked to the same ski area as verbier (but we get to the highest point quicker on a powder day)

2 hours on the train from geneva followed by a 20 minute bus ride, 50CHF each way is not bad either.
Dec 12 2012 1:39PM
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future
Posts: 29 - Karma: 14
another vote for st anton, can get a train into resort basically and really good terrain for intermediates and up, also pretty good park!
Dec 12 2012 4:50PM
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Joonas
Posts: 568 - Karma: 230
Verbier and laax are nice, but Switzerland is way too expensive at the moment. Saas fee isnt too good in the winter, you cant go off piste too much because of the glacier and crevasses.
I'd give my vote to St.anton, a lot of piste to ride, and the lift ticket gives you a wide access.
Dec 12 2012 5:02PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
Thanks everyone for the replies so far, all very much appreciated.

For those of you who know Innsbruck do you think the terrain will be enough to keep our interest? I've read it's smaller compared to other areas and does not get as much snow. Does anybody know what US areas it might be comparable to?

I'm going to do some more research and find a realistic budget for this. Will report back later in case anyone else is interested.
Dec 12 2012 7:22PM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Innsbruck- Axamer has plenty of terrain, Nordkette is either the park, or the descent from the top station (very difficult, very steep, but the views are fantastic), Stubai is a glacier, you know what that means in terms of slopes.

Also keep in mind that you going to be hauling your gear around, best to stay close to a train station, and try not to cover too much ground. Even the transfers in the large railway stations involve walking 300 m + in some cases.



Dec 12 2012 7:57PM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Couple more things from your original post:

late Feb. - early March = school holidays = crowds = expensive. Well, more like the end of the school holidays, but it can be a crunch and the lift lines can be long. Bottlenecks are usually the gondolas, and don't expect queuing in lift lines or lifties pointing you in the right direction. Just push your way.

Zermatt- it's a lot of trouble getting there, you're looking at 4-4.5 hours from Zurich, same from Geneva or Milan. It was the first place I went to skiing (snowboarding in my case) in Europe, and while the slopes range from thrilling to meh, there really is no place quite like it. Disneyland it ain't. But well worth it for overall experience.

Bring cash- by and large Europe is not that big on credit cards, many of the cheaper places prefer cash.

Have a BofA or Scotiabank account? The Deutsche Bank ATMs can be used without fees.

But double-check all this, I'm pretty confident in the info, but some of it might be wrong.




Dec 12 2012 8:03PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
As much as I don't like it I will probably be getting rental gear when I arrive wherever. Since skiing isn't the primary focus of the trip I think it will be too much a hassle to haul everything around with me the whole time. Hopefully we'll be able to stay somewhere close enough to transit if we need to catch a shuttle or bus to the slopes.

The late Feb timing is really just because that's when my airline miles let me book the trip for about half the rewards points (or the only time I can afford the ticket). Already have a trip booked to Utah the last week of January so I need to give some time in between the trips. Not much I can do about that but great info.

Good point about the cash- BoA definitely works with the Deutsche Bank ATMS without fees and its true credit cards (minus a few exceptions) generally suck for fees on conversions.

Thanks again
Dec 12 2012 8:57PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4797 - Karma: -697
I dunno if you can travel light but to cut down on the transport you can just ski from village to village and stay at different ones. Obviously this means don't bring much excess bagage since you need to ski with it but Austria especially the lifts are interconnected.

I'd go Feb/March just because the snow can suck serious balls in the Alps its a fact that doesn't get mentioned much.
Dec 12 2012 9:04PM
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sheephead
Posts: 93 - Karma: 339
Think about Mayrhofen dude. Im heading by train late Feb and staying at Gasthof Zillertal. Has some cheap rooms.

Train from Munich - Jenbach - Mayrhofen only like 2 hours.


Dec 13 2012 3:47AM
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lostheels
Posts: 371 - Karma: 746
Ischgl is wrong!! Iam from there and we have no train!!
Dec 13 2012 7:18AM
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Plod
Posts: 142 - Karma: 6
Having previously done a season there I'm a little biased, but I'd recommend St Anton as the train station there is right in the resort centre. A Brilliant design if I say so myself. I've previously gone there for the weekend, flying into Germany and getting a 3 hour train straight to the slopes, in time to get up the hill for midday.
Dec 13 2012 8:09AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
I'm going toss in a vote for St. Anton or Innsbruck. Like others have mentioned, Innsbruck is a great little town that you'll enjoy aside from the skiing itself if you're also looking to do a bit of tourist stuff.

Switzerland is quite a bit more expensive than Austria. I spent a season in Laax and had an amazing time, but my bank account wishes I went to Austria instead.
Dec 13 2012 10:41AM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
I went to LAAX last year. You go by train then take an hour bus ride that takes you right to the resort its real easy.

As for lodging, go to Hostelworld.com and search for Laax. There is a hostel right at the base of one of the peaks and its about only $40/night or so, probably cheaper if you're booking in advance. The hostel is super chill with good breakfast, nice bar, and fun people.

Nearby is a nice training facility too with tramps, skatepark and even a foampit for skis, snowboards, skating, skateboarding etc.

Pretty dope.
Dec 13 2012 1:26PM
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skiingonskis
Posts: 2076 - Karma: 262
Another vote for Arlberg, seeing as they are getting fuckin puked on right now..
Also, generally speaking, lift tickets/accomodations are chaper (and shittier) in the alps than in the US.  can speak for train fares though
Dec 13 2012 1:48PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
An hour? Laax is only a 30 minute bus ride from Chur, the closest train station.

The hostel is called "Rider's Palace" and it truly is amazing.
Dec 13 2012 2:34PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
Any opinions out there on the Davos Klosters mountains area? 

I don't think a hostel is going to be an option, but I will run it by the gf..  Part of whats making this difficult is trying to find lodging for 3 nights midweek where lots of places want you to do 1 week minimum (i.e. Saturday to Saturday).  It seems like it can be done but a little more limiting.
Dec 13 2012 4:57PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Saas Fee = Popcorn shop/bar/club, Hot bitches willing to fuck everywhere.

You will drown in fucking pussy.
Dec 13 2012 5:05PM
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mozzy
Posts: 1034 - Karma: 60
Davos / Klosters is sick. The village / base area is 1960s purpose built and on the ugly side, and it takes a change of trains at Chur to get there. But the terrain is awesome, and it's generally pretty reliable in terms of snow. When I went I booked this "Snow 'n Rail" package that was train fare to/from Zurich + 2-day lift ticket (I think). It's about midway between Zurich and the Arlberg region.

Expensive, though, this is a fairly upper crust resort area, as you know the World Economic Forum meets here annually.

Arosa is also nearby as the crow flies, but I haven't been there.

Dec 13 2012 5:46PM
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Smuffy
Posts: 4686 - Karma: 3,408
My knowledge is a bit limited, as I spent a season in the Bavarian Alps. However, I did do a bit of travelling, and I my vote would be for Innsbruck. Right by the city there are tons of options, nowhere near what you could experience on a single trip. I can't speak for the transportation, but the Austrian trains are decent from what I know.

I personally love Switzerland, it's one the coolest places I've been. The reason I recommend Austria is simply because it's way cheaper. Switzerland is crazy, I visited Laax, which is sick, but you will spend a shitload of $$$. I can say one thing for Laax though, you can get there by train/bus, so it works for you in that sense. Anyway, cheers, the Alps are fuckin awesome, enjoy yourself my friend. You're in for a treat
Dec 13 2012 8:40PM
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Silence
Posts: 16030 - Karma: 150
Was in Davos last year
Switzerland is amazing however mighty expensive.

Can recommend Kitzbühel
Dec 14 2012 4:00AM
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popadonna
Posts: 212 - Karma: 1,770
hey man... all this advice is very good! i currently live in innsbruck and can tell you that it is way cheaper here than in CH. they have more snow at the moment, but all of austria is getting a great base down now, plus you are coming in feb, so snow should be epic! instead of innsbruck, munich is more touristy, but then you should either head to st anton and the arlberg region, or straight to mayrhofen. both a very easy and accesible by train. anton/arlberg (you will want the freedom with the region pass to hit christoph, lech, and my favorite, stuben) is a bit more expensive, larger, but harder to find rooms, and more packed. mayrhofen has everything, just not nearly as big, but with only three days, you have plenty there. both have lift access from town, so no need of any transport once you are there. side note, you can find cheaper places to stay outside anton (petneau), but will need to take shuttles into anton, and the nightlife is dead outside of anton as well. have a great trip! hope that helps a bit...
Dec 14 2012 4:45AM
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KLovelace
Posts: 2118 - Karma: 289
I haven't been to austria yet.. but i've been a lot of places in CH.. and I live in Europe for awhile now and in a few places.. my main recommendation is this:

if money is no object.. go to switzerland. (i'm biased.. I love the swiss.. and i've skied there, lived thre, and loved it), you can easily access awesome resorts in davos/klosters, laax/flims, st moritz, etc. Actually.. more ore less anywhere is accessible by public transport.. but be aware train prices are exorbitant in switzerland.. they are insane everywhere in western europe.. but switzerland.. well.. its crazy expensive.

if you want to spend less go to austria. although I haven't skied there yet (going this winter) I know for a fact transport, lift and accommodation is significantly cheaper there.. especially considering the exchange rates (euro compared with CHF, usd, etc). And i've only heard awesome things about the skiing/terrain/parks, etc from my friends who have been there or lived there.

good luck deciding... and enjoy!

Dec 14 2012 5:42AM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
karmas all around, thanks everyone

I think we've got it narrowed down to st anton or innsbruck now.  got more of the travel itinerary worked out last night so there might be less trains involved.  due to frequent flier rewards and flight times i have to fly in to either London or Frankfurt.  I know from London we can direct flight to Innsbruck and either stay there or catch a train to St Anton.  From there train to the next destination. 


Dec 14 2012 9:37AM
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SuwakaFlocka
Posts: 447 - Karma: 1,472
Jungfrau region in Switzerland. Its 30 min from Bern by train above the town of Interlaken. Huge three mountain boundary, Grindelwald, Schilthorn, Murren. Bomb pow if it snows when youre there and noone skis off trail. Highly recommend it.
Dec 14 2012 10:01AM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Am I the only one that does not understand this whole "switzerland is super expensive" deal... Like seriously, it all depends where you go, sure verbier/davos/zermatt/laax are super expensive cause they are so popular but that's no difference to the rest of europes popular resorts.

So far found switzerland cheaper than when i lived in canada.
Dec 14 2012 10:46AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
You're going to have an amazing trip! I'm jealous.
Dec 14 2012 11:32AM
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KLovelace
Posts: 2118 - Karma: 289
switz is really expensive because of the ridiculous exchange rates... i lived in CH in 2005-06 and i paid 1usd and got 1.20chf (approximately). It wasn't so bad then. now (at least when i was there 4 months ago) when you go to switz and pay 1 usd you get less than 80chf cents. that's why... sure certain resorts are cheaper... but comparatively.. and in combination with things like public transport, accommodation and food, it is out of control.
Dec 14 2012 5:27PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Switzerland is all in all expensive, but the locals also earn more, it's just the tourists that feel robbed.

A Big Mac in Swiss will cost you 6.50 CHF. Which is about $ 7,07 US Dollars.

The last time I was in the US a Big Mac cost me $ 4,00 dollars.
Dec 14 2012 6:12PM
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popadonna
Posts: 212 - Karma: 1,770
you can fly into innsbruck direct from frankfort as well. the train to anton (2 of them) costs about ten euros to st anton. big recomendation, book your room ahead of time. anton and the area around is very hard to just find a place when you get in, especially if you are only staying for three, or four days. check all the guesthouse listings, but make sure you find where it is on a map. some cheaper places can be up to 45 mins away, with not very good bus access, because most of their tourists are driving in from germany, or switzerland. and head over to st christoph, its a very cool place, and not super tourist packed like anton. have fun!
Dec 15 2012 2:29AM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Yer but then you go to a kebab shop and pay like 5chf.... and is considered "healthy" mcdonalds is for sure a rip off... actually cheaper to eat at a chinese here than mcdonalds (for a meal)
Dec 15 2012 3:29PM
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967
Fly in to Zurich. Putz around the city there for a couple days. It's awesome.

Then, hop on a train to the St. Moritz area. Don't stay in San Moritz proper, look at samaden.

There is this sick hostel that used to be there like 40 swiss francs a night including breakfast.

From there, you can hop on a bus to Celerina, where you should start your skiing. Mellow, long, awesome groomers with insane views. From Celerina, you can cross over to the St. Moritz Side, but realistically, Celerina is more fun. At the end of the day, you can ski back to Samaden and skip public transit.

Day two, head to La Galb. Sick shit over there. I think that's where the night skiing is? super fun. Tram laps, beer, and cheap food at night. Wild.

Day three, head to corvatsch if the weather is nice. There's fun ass shit there, and mellow groomers as well.

Day four, hop on the train again, shoot down to Milan. Amazing city. Head to venice afterwards?

Dec 15 2012 9:36PM
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Powdered_Donuts
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 187
threads
Dec 16 2012 10:38AM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
great read. thanks for the tips guys...especially the banks/lodging/nightlife parts
Dec 16 2012 1:30PM
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+Tahoe_Shredder+
Posts: 189 - Karma: 124
consider Davos or St. Moritz i think they are only an hour and a half away from Innsbruck
Dec 16 2012 4:03PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Maybe in the city you can find those prices. The cheapest place to get a kebab in the Laax area is in Flims Wildhaus and it was 10chf in 2008.
Dec 16 2012 10:36PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
As for being more expensive, it is more expensive to buy the same general things in Switzerland, than it would be in other countries in Europe or North America. If you live in Switzerland, you get to enjoy high wages and it isn't noticeable unless you travel to those other places with your currency. I have to say, some things are much cheaper. It is cheaper to buy beer in a bar and especially in a grocery store, than it is to do that in Canada. It's cheaper to buy yoghurt, emmental, chocolate, salami, and quality bread. So, those things made up a huge portion of my diet!

But, to buy a cocktail, it was about 3x more expensive. Restaurants were 2 - 3x expensive than in Whistler, and in my opinion, worse.

The Euro is quite weak right now, where the CHF is strong.
Dec 16 2012 10:43PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
I wouldn't say the Euro is weak, it's at 1,31 is dollars. It's been higher in the past but on the climb for the last few months. The Swiss Franc is strong, and would have been insanely strong if they didn't cap it at 1,20 franc per euro.
They did that to protect the economy, bold move and after initial negative reaction s it seems to work, it even works as a boost for the Euro against the dollar, thus increasing both.
Dec 17 2012 6:21AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Well, that's because the American dollar is also quite weak right now.

But, this really isn't a thread to discuss global economics.
Dec 17 2012 7:38AM
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Jooky
Posts: 1239 - Karma: 37
Threads
Dec 17 2012 11:30AM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
Aha, Na I live in Nendaz, tiny resort just up from Sion in Valais.

But you're right about cocktails and restaurants :P although here we pay 8CHF for a cocktail... but in Verbier and stuff it's 15CHF.

Fully see where your coming from. Just if I compare it to the few days i go across to france skiing (normally go Val Tho or Chamonix) it is super expensive in comparison to here.
Dec 17 2012 5:02PM
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cornholio
Posts: 3952 - Karma: 3,057
1 week to st anton
Feb 13 2013 11:22PM
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accualyisdolan
Posts: 3295 - Karma: -192
Fly into Geneva. Train to zermatt. Awesome
Feb 14 2013 3:42AM
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-wakes-
Posts: 358 - Karma: 201
I was in St. Anton in 6th grade. Obviously im not the ideal testimony, but I still remember the versatile terrain and access to other resorts. My family had a guide to take us from resort to resort and I really dont think anything is off limits. The area boundaries offer a wide variety of terrain and there is so much accessible terrain around that id properly trained/ equipped you will enjoy yourself.
Feb 14 2013 3:48AM
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Tacocat
Posts: 658 - Karma: 356
I've never been to any of the resort exept Ischgl. I didn't like it because I'm not into Aprés Ski at all. Also there are complete Gapers everywhere who get drunk. It ain't that great to ride but it's pretty big.

Personally I'd fly to Munich and then go to Innsbruck for tourists stuff and after that to St. Anton. You need about one hour from Innsbruck to St. Anton. Switzerland is pretty expensive.
Feb 14 2013 4:22AM
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jibmunk
Posts: 32 - Karma: 18
GO LAAX
Feb 14 2013 8:11AM
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