Hello

I apologise as I’m sure this has been covered before but I was hoping I could get a few recommendations for a skiing holiday in late January or early February. The group size is expected to be 6 - 8 mainly made up of beginners both male & female. I was hoping to go to Austria and have short listed Kitzbuhel, Saalbach or Ischgl,  we would like to go somewhere that offers great scenery, good slopes and a good nightlife but as we are working professionals in our mid/late 20’s are by no means looking for a Magaluf on ice

any other recommendations would be appreciated, we live in London so flights to any resort should not be an issue, with that statement it would be good to go to a resort which is not overwhelmed by Brits as I have read at sometimes of year this can be the case at certain resorts.

thanks

Three great choices and you would not be disappointed in any of them.
Arguably Ischgl has the better skiing of the three - although the beginners may struggle with the runs back to village (can get gondola down anyway). I personally felt that Ischgl lacked a bit of character when we were there for the day this year (stayed in Kappl) - I felt it was too manicured and too many folk parading in their bling (it was Russian new year if that helps).
Saalbach is a really nice setting and skiing excellent. Apres bouyant and up there with the best in Austria.
I’ve only visited Kitzbuhel in summer but by sister has been going regularly with the family for past 3 seasons. From other reports I’ve read, the apres can be a hit or miss.
Personally I would head to Saalbach, despite the attributes of the other resorts

thanks for the reply boabski, Saalbach was kind of the way we were leaning. do you have any recommendations for ski hire or accommodation.

Madison,

I’ve never done Kitzbuhel, but I have been to Ischgl (once) and Saalbach (twice). I would basically endorse what boabski is saying. Ischgl’s skiing is great once you’re on the mountain (unless the weather closes in at the top, when it becomes bleak) but the home runs are tricky and daunting. The town is quite expensive and geared around it’s apres-ski and nightlife (which is active) and high-end sports and clothes shops.

Saalbach-Hinterglemm is lovely (see attached picture taken in January this year) - there are tons of mixed runs, an entire circuit of the valley,  nice easy runs down into the village (on the South side anyway) and the lift system is very efficient. The resorts of Saalbach and Hinterglemm are linked but most of the ‘action’ takes place in Saalbach. It’s typically Austrian, with the focus on early-evening apres-ski but without the rowdiness associated with some other lively resorts.

Another big plus is that it’s only an hour or so from Salzburg, so handy to get to. It’s certainly a favourite of mine - as long as there is snow - it’s relatively low altitude so there’s always the risk. That said, the only problem I encoutered was late in the season when the sunny lower slopes got slushy - go in Jan or Feb and you should have no problems.

We stayed twice at the Hotel Karlshof, which is a short (10 min) walk from the town centre (which mkes it nice and quiet in the evenings) - basic, reasonably-priced half board accommodation with good food. Run by an English company (can’t remember the name) and managed by an Italian-French couple (Alex and Florence), it’s a very friendly place. It gets my recommendation, though look elsewhere if you are after luxury or haute cuisine…

Have a good one

Hugh

Stayed in Saalbach in early January, a few years ago (5ish). As Hugh P says it is low, and we had no snow in the village, in fact one evening the thermometer on the outside wall registered +6C at 11pm! Pistes were slushy and brown and we had to download in the evening. It did snow at the end of the week, but wet grass takes a lot of snowfall to make a piste! Night life pretty standard Austrian - loud music and lots of beer / shots!
Only been to Kitzbuhel in summer, but friends had the same problem as above in a different January - they are both too low to be safe in January.
I’ve stayed in Ischgl three times now 2 in January 1 in March, and it is all as stated above, by others. A proper town, with loads of bling, Russian hook*rs, titty bars, loud music and as above. Also classy hotels, good restaurants and bars and quite pricy - like most of Europe. Sking is high altitude and first class. Quieter and smaller Glatur and Keppl are a short taxi trip away. You are only in your 20’s - enjoy the Ischgl experience!!!!