Take a hat

Skiing the two faces of Dienten, five villages - 89.7km - March 2011 Hochkonig (High King) 2941m The Hochkonig peak itself is more of a ridge than a mountain and gives its name to the ski area about 45 mins. from Bad Hofgastein. Its a prominent landmark on the horizon when we look northwards from Bad Hofgastein as it dominates the surrounding lower hills. The Hochkonig ski area has attracted massive investment in lifts in recent years and we decided to take a day trip over there in March to check it out. Dienten in the centre, Maria Alm on the left, Muhlbach to the right We headed off down, and out, of the Gastein valley through Lend and then up a fairly steep road to the pretty mountain village of Dienten where we planned to start our tour. Parking was not a problem -although that might be different in High Season. The Dienten lifts start from the main street and we put ski’s to snow on what Berwyn reckons is the longest T-bar in the world with a length of 1730m and a heigh

When it's good, its very good! High and Wide in Sportgastein Down in the valley At the head of the Gastein Valley, nestled in the Hohe Tauern Mountains is the Sportgastein Ski Area. With the top station at 2,686m and the valley station at 1,590m it is pretty snow-sure. When the sun is shining and the wind has passed its a wonderful place to ski. Typically, the warm-up run will be a long blue down to the middle-station. Then we work our way anti-clockwise around the mountain, up in the gondola and then down undulating red runs. Its easy to be caught out by the sudden drops. Breaks are taken at the Restaurants at Gondola Middle-Station with its sunny terrace, the Bottom Station or at my favourite the Valerie Haus a short walk away.. The Black run to the bottom is a bit of a challenge. It is what the Austrians call a steilhang and we'd call a gully. Got to be done though! At the end of the day we fight for a seat on the bus home, hot, tired and usually a just a bit

Looking south from Dorfgastein  - towards Bad Hofgastein Cold nights mean that the piste bashers can do their work and give us good corduroy first thing in the morning. But, by lunchtime the warm sun has brought a melt and we are back to skiing in sorbet. Blue skies in Dorfgastein Empty pistes on the Schlossalm Inside the Hamburger Alm for lunch The pistes are really quiet at the moment, the crowds have departed and we can ski till we drop. Well, drop into a nice Alm that is. We eat inside to get a bit of respite from the bright sun. There are people who don't come skiing because it's too cold! What a thermal they would get this week. Horse power in Bad Hofgastein. Walking down from the Annen Cafe New snow is forecast for the weekend so we are making the most of the lovely weather. After the heavy run back to the village there is not better place to relax than on our sunny balcony. Cup of tea Sir?

Looking Up - towards Sportgastein and the Kreuzkogel It's late afternoon and up on the Kreuzkogel the snow is still deep and the skiers are contemplating their final runs of the day. On the way down from the Annen Cafe on Monday   Looking Down the Valley - to Bad Hofgastein from the Kreuzkogel Looking down on Tuesday Somewhere down there on the right side of the valley is a little wooden hut in the middle of a field. Above it is the Annen cafe where walkers will be sitting out on the sunny terrace enjoying a cold beer. The cows are still in their barns but it will not be long before the grass has grown sufficiently and they will be out in the warm sunshine.

Behind You! TBIL has been in town for Jacqui's birthday and, of course, a lot of skiing. He has recently been appearing in an Amateur Pantomime! I think perhaps he is in danger of getting typecast as he is seen sneaking up on his little Sister - behind you! High on the Kreuzkogel - up here at 2700m it is still seems like winter The boys on skis in Spring Hot, bright and very,very dry! Truly wonderful ski conditions in the second half of March. We tested a series of beautifully groomed pistes at Sportgastein before heading down to the bottom station (abt. 1500m) and short walk to the Valeriehaus for lunch. The sun was really fierce as we sat and enjoyed our soups and salads and, of course, a cold Austrian Beer. TW joined us after circuiting the local Langlauf loops.  Need to keep a hat on up here, now where is my cap!

Skiing in Sorbet Heading Up on the sixer Not complaining but it’s pretty warm here. Let’s face it, what has happened in Christchurch and now Japan has put everything in perspective. I will not be moaning even if it rains, well not much anyway. The snow is plentiful but soft, particularly later in the day. There are not too many people to share the slopes with so life on skis is very good. After a five week gap it took a few runs to get my ski form back but really enjoyed it today. In the soft snow it’s nice to have a bit of space and be able to pick your own line and that’s how it was today. Had a nice lunch with TW in the Haitzingalm on the Schlossalm.. The absence of ice suits her ski temperament so she was out to play today. Embarrassingly she fell asleep on a chair at the top of the mountain. Sometimes I wonder if she takes skiing seriously enough! Is that GB up in the clouds?

Circular route through the Chilterns Dodging the potholes is becoming even more tricky. Quite a hilly route today. The Phoenix Trail from Princes Risborough to Thame was the easy bit. Its a re-purposed railway line and is straight and flat. I didn't even mind the cold head wind. I was definitely spurred on by the fact that lunch was to be in Thame. The group know a nice tea rooms that serves traditional food. Lots of pies and old fashioned dishes like Liver and Bacon. I had an all day breakfast to fuel me up for the ride up the Chiltern escarpment which is a long old haul on the bike. I expect I will feel the benefit of all this aerobic exercise when I return to the snow.

A sunny Sunday ride - 6th March Headed out over Winter Hill on Sunday morning to join up with the group at Jenners Cafe by the river at Maidenhead. I was a tad late so no coffee or cake for me. Set off through Bray towards Holyport and Fifield. Familiar territory flashed by as we headed for Bracknell and Wokingham. By then I felt I had earned my coffee and cake at the local garden centre. The Sunday riders seemed to go a bit quicker than the Wednesday crowd! The roads were quite busy until we headed off through forest tracks and then turned for home towards Arborfield Cross. Lunch, at another Garden Centre, was limited to a packet of crisps and a sandwich. The cafe was being overhauled so the menu was limited. I was hungry as a horse so was looking forward to the nose bag when I got home. The home run seemed easier, maybe the wind was behind us. The stretch through Winnersh was dangerous but we were soon back on the byways for a lovely ride towards Shurlock Row and Waltham St Lawrence