Austria - Return to the sunshine

Normal service resumed in 2014

Lunchtime Parking Place for skiers in Bad Hofgastein

After a wet and windy Christmas break we have made a welcome return to the Austrian sunshine in January 2014. The hard work of the piste bashers has maintained the superb snow conditions that started with the big dump in November. The Christmas and New Year crowds have departed and we now have near empty slopes. No queuing for lifts or lunch at the moment. The home run maybe just a 'white snake' in the otherwise brown and green fields but it is very much open for ski business. With new snow forecast, later in the week, we are currently making the most of the great visibility to ski and capture the stunning scenery. The Daily Telegraph reckons we are suffering due to mild air and low snowfall, not sure that suffering is the correct term. I think enjoying the mild air and superb piste conditions would be far more accurate.

The summer Stubneralm relaxes in the winter sun

On the run

Helmets hang over lunch at the Weitmoser Schlossalm

TW and AG heading up to the Hohe Scharte

Spot the skiers

Still corduroy at lunchtime

Heading off after a good lunch in the sun at the Haitzingalm