Take a hat

Bad Hofgastein to Flachau - March 2010 Heading for home - above Alpendorf - downhill to the bus stop The Ski Amade lift pass that we buy for the Gastein Valley also covers a large slice of this region of Austria. Today’s tour took us over to Flachau, home village of the Herminator, Hermann Maier. Leaving the Gastein Valley at Dorfgastein we took the lift and skied down to Grossarl. From there the local bus took us on a 15 minute trip down the Grossarl valley to Alpendorf, an alpine village above St. Johann in Pongau. A succession of lifts and ski runs took us over the Gernkogel, Sonntagskogel and Grafenberg summits and down into Wagrain. At Wagrain it was a short shuttle bus ride, soon to be a lift, across town to the Flying Mozart lift and onwards up to the Griessenkareck summit above Flachau. Time out for lunch in the Waldgasthof then down the Hermann Maier World Cup run to Flachau valley station. Have to say I liked the look of Flachau. From what I saw it has wide open sl...

As the weather has been so good it had to be lunch on the balcony after our cross-country expedition to Sportgastein. I had a nice nap and then we headed for the Palace Hotel and the swimming pool. Doing OK in the pool, managed to do 20 lengths in one stint. Never thought in my life I would ever wear swimming goggles though! Now I’m in the pool for longer I found my eyes were getting really sore. At twelve euros they seem to be a very good investment. Still finding the goose grease a bit difficult to put on. Across the valley from the skiing area is the Annen Cafe, a favourite watering hole. Put the shorts on and TW led me up there for a walk on Wednesday. It’s on the eastern side of the valley where there is no skiing, just farms and forest. We walked up to about 1300m and then back to the Annen Cafe for lunch. Very nice beer and a salad. Then it was back to our balcony and a good book. Just like a summers day! View across the valley, this is where we ski

It was 13 celsius at noon - 1600m.   No black today Springtime in the Alps continued with a trip to Sportgastein for cross-country skiing. The Black loop was closed because of the Avalanche danger. We were perfectly safe but we heard, and saw, quite a few slips down the surrounding mountains. They say you never hear the shot that kills you, imagine it’s the same with avalanches. You see them long before the sound reaches your ears. We really enjoyed our circuits in the spring sunshine. The snow was a lot softer than I have been used to so am not sure how well the tracks would hold the skis on a fast downhill! Probably just as well the Black was closed!. The downhill skiers looked to be really struggling in the heat with all their helmets and heavy ski's. For us it was just a walk in the park.

Back to the Chairlifts - skiing is not cold TW and TBIL on the piste A tadpole TBIL on H1 - favourite piste Our 8 person Gondolas are probably the fastest way to get to the top of the mountains. In the current spell of weather they are also the hottest mode of transport. Picture yourself sitting in a moving greenhouse on heated seats, dressed up like a tadpole in helmet and ski gear. It still beats the M4 on a Monday morning by a mile though. So today we are taking the chair-lifts whenever possible and staying in the sunshine and the fresh mountain air. When you get to the top there is still plenty of snow and some of the runs are still in remarkably good condition. The piste-bashers do a fantastic job overnight. There's just a bit of an end of season feel about the place now. The snow cannons are being removed so we will rely on the natural stuff and whatever has already been laid down. I expect the Easter skiers are starting to worry but, then again, could all change...

The birthday girl hit the slopes (not literally) resplendent in her new ski jacket. Mother Nature laid on a hot sunny day for her birthday skiing with big brother. Lunch was taken at the Barstein Alm where TW was given a very special schnapps! It looked more like an Irish Coffee! She is a non-drinker but managed to 'force' it down with a smile. That was the end of her ski operations for the day! The snow conditions were excellent up high but it was like skiing in sorbet near the bottom Bit of a celebration in Bad Hofgastein in the evening. Not just for TW. Bernie Gruber from the village won a Vancouver Gold in the Nordic Combined.  That's the event where they Ski Jump then Langlauf (cross-country ski). A really big crowd was out to celebrate. Two town bands marched around town as well as school kids with flags they had made. Youngsters from the ski clubs carried their jumping skis. Bernie seemed an unassuming sort of chap and look pleased with...

Gastein in Mid-March Jungerlift - springtime in Gastein Spring has come to the  Salzburg Alps. Plenty of snow still on the ground but it is best to start 'work' early. The Stubnerkogel slopes are out of the sun in the morning and tend to be cooler.This chair can be really cold when the wind is up but on a beautiful day like today it's just the ticket. TW has a birthday tomorrow and her big brother is arriving tonight.

There’s a mountain in Gastein called Graukogel (2492m). It has old fashioned skiing with no snow-making. A leisurely two stage chairlift takes you up to around 2000m and from there you can take black, red or blue to the middle station. The runs are lovely as they are through the trees and it’s just so very, very quiet! It doesn’t link directly to any other area so it’s a standalone recreation area only a 10 minute bus ride from the bustle of Bad Gastein. It’s popular area with Alpine Touring skiers. They forgo the lifts and walk on their skis to the top. They put seal skins on the bottom of their skis so that they ‘get a grip’ on the way up. Once at the top they stop at Toni’s restaurant (which is excellent) and then, with skins removed and bindings reset, they whizz down. Not sure how the resort gets revenue though because no lift pass is required?  When the moon is full the Tourers have a race where the participants go up and down solidly for 24 hours. It’s a massive test of en...

Sportgastein is the highest ski area in the Valley, it goes up to about 2700m Mix of weather at Sportgastein Sportgastein - take it from the top The fast Gondola whisks you up to the top where the views are stunning. If it’s a bright sunny day then its certainly a great place to be. Undulating Reds and a Blue take you back to the middle station and its Red and Black down to the base station. The black is a bit hairy and scary when its icy. Today’s weather was a bit mixed so lunch took a bit longer than usual. We went to the Valerie Haus which is next to the cross-country at 1600m. The food is fine but the service is slow which is a bit unusual in this part of the world. I think the Valerie Haus was originally a shelter for people climbing in the area and was named after Marie Valerie, the youngest daughter of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth (Sissi). On the black in Sportgastein  15th March 2010 Falling snow and high winds cur...

We have had a youngster over for a week. At the ripe old age of 58 and three-quarters, it was time to give GDC some preparation for Retirement day. Just as youngsters get the opportunity to experience and endure the disciplines of the work-place for short periods prior to leaving full-time education its equally important that those nearing the end of their working life get an insight into what is in store for them. End of visit report on GDC. Fitness. The individual is not adequately prepared for the rigours of retirement. He was under the impression that he was going to get a week’s holiday from the basic tasks of earning a crust and taxiing the family. In reality of course the regular and extended hours of physical exercise and the disciplines required were difficult for GDC to come to terms with. For example, walking for a meal to Schmaranz a mere 40 minutes away prompted cries of ‘why can’t we take a taxi’. Answer: you won’t be able to afford it and it’s only about 5km. ‘Bu...

Over the mountain from Dorfgastein is the small village of Grossarl. Take the gondola up to Fulseck. Once you are over in Grossarl the skiing is fairly easy. In the main, the pistes are wide and not too steep. Sadly it is not easy for a beginner to get over there as the upper runs are knee tremblers for a novice. It gets the sun in the morning so we followed the sun and skied Grossarl before the beering hour and Dorfgastein in the afternoon. There are two gondolas up from the valley and also a fast chair that gives access to some good runs. Lunch was taken in the Jagerhutte. There is a separate smoking and ‘kids’ area. Small goats have an area of their own! The Goat herd GDC tried to stop anyone getting out!

Pretty on the blue TW was out on her downhill ski’s today. As I was the instructor I also had to hit the blue runs. She did very well. Just needs to build confidence in her ability to stop.  Mind you, one of the blue runs seems to be uphill so really good for pole practice. A welcome dose of new snow overnight. Nice to see the snow on the trees.

Sunny day in March on H1. New snow on nice cruising section. Off to the left is a favourite summer walk. Hut for rent, this hut is on piste H1/H2. Long way from the pub but no ski buses are required. Getting ready for the 'off'. At the top of the new Stubnerkogel lift from Bad Gastein. Apres Ski - Down on the Farm Schmaranz Our idea of Apres Ski is not that conventional! After ski today we went on bit of a circular walking tour. We walked down the valley and stopped at a favourite watering hole - Schmaranz. It’s a farm where they brew, very tasty, bio beer. The restaurant is well worth a visit, very atmospheric and rustic setting. We always enjoy the food. If you sit inside in winter you can watch it cooking. Had a very nice beer, you can see it brewing through the window. We reserved a table to eat there next week when GDC is over from UK. Can't wait! You need to book a Table in advance and Ruhetag is Sunday. Snow starts to fall On the w...

Bit of a Rest Day (Ruhetag) today.  Cycling up the Ache towards Bad Gastein On the bike route down the valley We took the opportunity of this current spell of milder weather to take a short bike ride up the valley to Bad Bruck. Nice and flat along the Ache; which is how TW likes it. Great things bikes, you don’t use them for months but then you just dust them off, put some air in the tyres, and off you go. Langlauf loipe in the Kur Park It’s due to get colder again tomorrow so I put my best downhill skis in for a service. I have something called a Gastein Card and it gives me a third off. That makes it 16€ which is a pretty keen price for a full service. TW is making her first carrot cake in Austria. It’s one of her specialities, just hope the ingredients have been translated correctly. Haven’t heard any bangs from the kitchen yet but Zimt and Backpulver sound pretty explosive to me! Could be fireworks later! As you can see the snow in...