Ski by Train

I have just launched a new web site – really an extension of my existing ski site www.swisswintersports.co.uk – that specifically focuses on Alpine resorts you can get to by train. The site is at www.snowandrail.com, and is based largely on my own experiences. The focus is still mainly Switzerland, just because the rail network is so much more extensive and efficient in Switzerland, but there are a number of Austrian resorts included and even three French resorts.
Snow and rail
The scope currently is only resorts with a railway station in the resort – or a cable car link from a railway station to the resort. In time I might extend or repackage the site to include places where there are scheduled bus services from a nearby railway station, or even (as is often the case in France) the need to take a taxi for the last leg.

If any readers of this blog have some experience of resorts that they got to be railway that are not covered in the site, or know of good accommodation near the station, please let me know.

In the meantime, I need to do more research! Where are those skis…

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Early Season Skiing in Austria

A number of friends have already hit the pistes and have generally given good feedback on snow conditions. There were some good early dumps and cold conditions, although by Christmas a warm front lifted the temperatures alarmingly. However few lift systems were fully open to take advantage of the fresh snow, but with Christmas that has all changed. Many resorts have switched to their peak season schedules since 22nd December and the Oatridge family had their first ski outing.

The venue was Austria, initially Pitztal (with a top run from 3440m) and then Kitzbühel.

Pitztal has its main installations at the head of the valley, with two main areas at Rifflsee and the Glacier which together offer 68km of pistes and 44km of trails. There is also a small beginners area a couple of hundred metres from the Rifflsee base station. Rifflsee is a pleasant area of runs that are largely of similar standard irrespective of colour and connects to the Glacier base station – although to get back to Rifflsee you need to take the bus. The Glacier area is reached by a train service at Mittelberg and, although there is a trail back down, there is currently no pistes back to the base station. However with runs between 2840 and 3440m, this is a great area for early and late season skiing. The valley also has some good cross-country trails.

We stayed in the Seppl Sport & Vital Hotel in Weisswald, just a short bus ride from the valley stations. The hotel is a family-run establishment with a spa, pool, sauna, bowling alley etc and would generally get top marks but for the relatively expensive extras which could significantly add to the hotel bill if you are not careful. It lies conveniently at the terminus of the most frequent bus service, and only a short walk from the main post bus stop.

To get there from Switzerland you need to take the outstanding Railjet from Zurich to Landeck, switch to a local train to Imst then get off smartly to take the post bus connection that runs up Pitztal to Mittelberg. The journey is spectacular although the section by bus takes around 50m and is quite windy.

Like Swiss Railways with Snow’n’Rail, their Austrian counterparts (ÖBB) run a Kombitickets Wintersport scheme. It is nowhere near as extensive as the Swiss scheme and has some strange omissions, but it does include Lech, Zurs, St Anton, Kitzbühel, Nassfeld, Schladming, St Johann, Gastein, Zell am See and a dozen or so other resorts. The Austrians are almost as efficient as the Swiss, so taking the train and bus makes a lot of sense.

Kitzbühel has a rail station with a direct service to Innsbruck, although switching to a local train at Wörgl enables you to get off at the Kitzbühel Hanhenkamm stop, right next to the main gondola lift. There is also a good bus service from the main rail station, which is inclusive of a lift pass.

Kitzbühel actually comprises four sections. The small unconnected Gaisberg area in Kirchberg, the larger unconnected Kitzbüheler Horn area, a large area above Jochberg and the main area between Kitzbühel and Kirchberg which takes in the Hahnenkamm and Pengelstein peaks. From Pengelstein a gondola runs to and from the Jochberg section, although it is not possible to ski or snowboard between them. Although the highest peak across the area covered by the lift pass is only 2004m, the slopes are largely North-facing and have a good snow record. I love the runs of and around Pengelstein, lots of nice cruisy runs with enough variety and challenge and off-piste variations to keep anyone happy.

And then, of course, there is the Hahnenkamm run itself. In practice it is not one run but a series of variations, enabling you to pick and choose whether to take steep or flatter sections. it has stunning views over Kitzbühel and the surrounding areas where the valleys of the Kitzbühler Ache and Inn converge. However, what makes this run so special is that you know that are taking the route of one of the greatest ski races in the world. Truly a unique experience, and definitely a candidate in the “ten runs you should do before you die”.

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