Scheffau, Austria

Pepperell Mark from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Having just returned from spending xmas in Sceffau, I can talk about several aspects of the vilage.

first the skiing,
we have a good dump of snow just before we got there and more during our stay so it was perfect, what impressed me most was the way that they prepared the pistes overnight, so that whatever we had, sun, or snow, it was always in top class condition in the morning.they also kept certain runs loose for the powder nuts and only pisted them after they ahd had a days fun.
I noticed that they also seemed deliberatly to hold certain lifts/runs closed, so that even after hard sking, there were always new fresh runs being opened, seems like a good idea
as only an internediate skier, I felt that there was more than enough to keep me going for two weeks if I had the money to keep my family out there!
I am not too sure whther the black aces would have managed to stay entertained though for more than a week if that!


They have a kindergarten ski centre right at the very top where the advantages are two fold, one it is right at the top of the gondola and by the resteraunt so as you finish skieing etc you can just slide by and grab 'em, and the other advantage is that being at the top there is almost guaranteed snow, my two girsls were froloicking in two foot of powder in safe conditions with excellent attendents and they kept their skis on almost all the time, invaluable if they are to take proper ski lessons next time

the ski shop in the village has several English guys and an Aussie, so they could not be more UK friendly and v efficient with fitting, although it really is a good idea to try and get there Sat afternoon to get fitted out as it took over an hour and a half to get all sorted on Sunday morning!!

the village in general? lovley people with strange opening times!! check out the times of opening, and the Spar shop has the cheapest booze anywhere in Austria I think, especially if you want to bring back some special liquers, they are less than half the price of the gift shop!

The Hotel Alpin, where we stayed, served the best food I have ever eaten in Austria and as much and more than you could ever eat, Say hello to Rebecca and/or Lucia, great girls who served us well all week

Underneath the hotel, (the Alpin is in two sites so I am talking about the one behind the ski shop) is the best kept secret in the valley, they have an amazing health centre with several steam rooms, saunas, massages and solariams etc not to metion a nice pool.

if you want livley night life go to Soll or even Ellmeau, but if you have a family and enjoy quitet drinking in good company where the kids can be stowed away in a terrific children's room then Scheffeau is spot on

we will return next year, but I am led to believe that we were lucky to have so much snow at xmas, probably better bet in early Feb.


anyway enjoy the trip

anything else I can advise on I will be happy to, especially regarding the two main tour companies there, Crystal and Esprite. One was excellent the other>>>>> well I do not want any libal charges!!

2004-01-02

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