Early start on snowboarding

Does anybody know of a ski/snowboarding resort that's open early in the season in Bavaria? Preferably one that's accessible by train (I'd have to hire a car and I'd rather make use of the cheaper Bayern-Ticket option).

I'm only in Germany for one winter, and I want to get a head-start on learning snowboarding! And, since I'm learning, the slope need not be that interesting...yet!

Thanks for the great forum!

Only one I know of is Zugspitze near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The ski season opens Friday there. You can take a train pretty easily. Not the best...but it's in Bavaria and accessible by train. Apparently its a good area to learn snowboarding.

Zugspitze

If you want better conditions...head to Hintertux or Stubai in Austria. Both are glaciers and have decent snow conditions and terrain now.

Does anybody know how much it would cost to rent a snowboard? I was just given a couple sets of skis, boots and poles by a colleague and plan to finally ski this year. My husband has only been skiing once (didn't particularly like it) and would rather go snowboarding. I know in California, it's always cheaper to rent in town rather than the ski resort. I've heard that's not true here, and I believe that looking at how the Germans don't seem to have learned how to rip off a captive audience yet (i.e. reasonably priced food at the airport, etc.). Have I heard right?

Zugspitze is definitely the closest with guaranteed snow. Its great for learning to board, with some nice easy runs to get you going.

Only down side are the T-bars all over the place, not a problem for skiers. Also the cost of the lift pass is a few euros more compared to other resorts.
There is a 6 man lift at the top which was installed 2 years ago which is allot better.
They also have a snowboard park with a half pipe.

We usually go to Zugspitze at the beginning and end of the season and go to Kitzbuhel, Söll, Scheffau mid season. These places are all within reach of Munich in 1.5 hours if your driving.

Another thing to remember about Zugspitze is that its a 3 hour trek from Munich to the top of the slope if you use public transport. (Add on another 45 mins if you miss the cog-train, which is easy to do in the mad rush of people from the train)

There are also lots of 1 day bus tours that take you right to the slopes (not necessarily in Germany) and usually take less time than that.

I am not sure when they start up though, you can check in Sport Scheck for their broschures.

Saying that, I went to Zugspitze almost every week a few years back (before I discovered the coach trips).

Of course, if you are driving, then that opens up a whole load more that I know nothing about.

There are a few small hills which can be easily reached with the BOB (Bayerishes Ober Bahn or similar). I don't know exactly where, but I think Bayrischeszell and Lengrieß are two possibilities.

not really but sort of on topic.
aldi are selling ski and snowboard wear on the 18th of november. i dont know how thick and padded they are, but the trousers will onlx cost 19 euro and the jackets 25 euros. the quality is usualy very good and the designs seem pretty restrained. i also think they're selling snowboards but haen't got the price in my memory.

Sweet dude!

[img]http://cams.tux.at/hintertux3.jpg[/img]

Powder...Sweet!! I wish I was there right now. This pic updates every few minutes...

I WANT! I WANT!

Hi
Tchibo is also doing skiwear and has free home delivery for existing newsletter customers for orders until 15th Nov. PM me if you want the special code.
The trousers are pretty great because you can match them up to a better looking jacket. Those Aldi thermals are fantastic btw (not that I actually ski of course, it is for sledging and drinking Glühwein natch )
Katrina

ssshhhh! Don't tell everyone! They'll all be wearing the same cheapy jacket as me!

We love snowboarding, and this is our first winter here. How can we figure out the weather, to board in powder? Is there a snow phone or something(english)? I know a lot of people like only sunny days but we like good powder, and don't mind it snowing to get it.

What is a good place for steep and deep?

What is a good place for no car and only public transpo?

What is a good place with a car?

Ah, I'm kicking myself!! Should have went skiing today! Would have been a perfect day!! Sunny, no wind and a 1m base.

If only i didnt have to work

@Julie: My fav resort is Lech/Zürs/St. Anton. You need a car but they've got perfect terrain...Its truly heaven...with powder!! Hochfügen (in Zillertal) is also a mecca for snowboarders...lots of powder apparently. I've never been there yet...that will change soon however.

@ Bean I've posted this elsewhere. But I and 2 other would love to learn how to snowboard. So if you want to learn with a bunch of people just let us know.

well if anyone wants t come, I have posted 2 threads for ski/board weekends on 27th Nov and 3rd December...

If anyone's interested in buying a new Snowboard then Sports Experts at the OEZ have some great deals on Snowboard/Binding sets at the moment.

Some examples I've seen are Burton Freeride 'CLASH' board & Burton bindings for 300 Euros or Burton Freeride 'BULLET' board for 250 Euros.
There are also great deals on other boards/boots/bindings that would suit beginners & intermediates.
Cheapest was 170Eur for a board/boot/binding set that would suit a beginner.

For powder/snow info use the powder alert on:

Powderhausen.com

The best website on everything concerning snow in Europe.

And please:
Stop buying cheap shit "snow wear" - it's not worth saving money in this department. Unless you do something in the mountains that I would not consider "snowboarding".

srange request that, if your budget doesn't stretch to 350 euros for a good jacket then why not buy something cheaper? for 85% of people here, aldi/tschibo+thermals+fasserpelz will be more than enough for the 20 days of sking done. lets not get all german about our sports equipment here. oh but do buy a good warm hat, 30% of your body heat is lost through your noggin, and warm sock s and gloves are a yes yes.

right i'm off to check the tschibo web site; before i go to aldi on thursday...

Your choice. I am just a firm believer in quality goods when it matters. (food for example: I don't care)

But quality outdoor wear - I am sure some of you will agree - is just worth every single cent you spend when the going gets a bit more rough. I am trying to generalize here. When it comes to skiing/snowboarding that means going through deep powder, having to adjust something under extreme conditions, needing that extra waterproof material, having gloves that are easy to take off, having attached gloves to your jacket, making taking off gloves even easier, having goggles that don't get foggy, etc etc.

Of course, it all depends on what your goal in the snow is.

agree with you wear your personal saftey is involved pay fotr the best (not necessarily the most expensive thou, look at bogners prices), but as i said 85 percent of people dont go off piste so their demand is well covered by tchibo etc. mustn't forget that snow sports have a broad appeal in this area and that is eflected in the availability of good non-extreme (if i may phrase it so) winter sports wear. whatever, each to his own needs and budget - peace and happy snow fun for all mankind.

Actually, come to think of it, nothing is worse than those spoiled brats wearing top of the notch Oakley (name your cool brand here) stuff that they need to collect out of the snow every few meters because they don't know jack about snowboarding.

dont forget some people buy top notch stuff because it looks cool, not because they will use it for its designed abilities... and i personaly have nothing against people wearing bogner and looking like their going to the opera, but dont expect me not to laugh when they ski like a blind grandma with a cactus up their arse...

aldi starts selling the stuff tomorrow morning.
so get up early and into the queue before the germans do...

Yeah I am not convinced that 'cos you spend more you get better kit. I reckon its often just the usual brand name ripoff.

Only downside with the really dodgy stuff is that it might not be 100% waterproof, and you can get dye leaking on you - but my guess is that Aldi and Tschibo being in Germany won't get away with the kinda tat that C&A in the UK sold 20 years ago. Tchibo stuff looks cool in the brochure I got here - just avoid the naffo jumper on page 25!

We bought my 4 year old nipper a snowsuit last week - 100% pucker gear - for 9.99 Euros in Aldi/Lidl. You can get some amazing bargains in this country sometimes.

I spent more on me gloves than me jacket last year! Just the way it works sometimes.