Bad Hofgastein in January 2013

The Angertal Snowman

On the Graukogel Mountain 11th January

Snuff Machine in Bad Gastein

The snuff machine is a 'must to avoid' in Austria. Firstly, you have to position your nostrils over the machine and then the operator of the machine sets it in motion. There is normally a loud bang at the moment when snuff is fired in a jet straight up into your sinuses. This is a particularly fine Schnupfmaschine at the Graukogel Middle Station.

A little hut on the Graukogel in Bad Gastein

Sunny Sunday in Gastein - 13th January

Looking down on Bad Hofgastein

New snow cannons above Bad Gastein

There was a time when the the first week in January was a quiet and cheap period to come skiing but that was before the Russian ban on Christmas was lifted. They work to the old Julian Calendar so their Christmas is 13 days late. This means there are three 'peak' weeks, Christmas, New Year and Orthodox Christmas. Happily the revellers have returned home. Today, the Austrians were out in force, recapturing their mountains, and there was a jolly atmosphere about the place. Mind you, it helps when the sun is shining and the ski conditions are excellent. One of this seasons innovations is the planting of Snow Cannons on the west facing slopes above Bad Gastein. In the summer we saw them constructing a huge reservoir and today that water has transformed the skiing on the sunny and exposed pistes. The steep reds test the technique and the cruising blues are good for the less confident. We may have the Swedes to thank for the improved conditions. They own a number of Hotels in Bad Gastein and it is a popular destination for Scandinavians. Allegedly the Hotel Owners complained about the snow conditions and threatened to sell up if they were not improved. Whatever the reason, we certainly have another decent area to ski in.