Well, it's definitely safe to say that I won't be snowboarding again anytime soon!! I think it's a little too taxing on my already klutzy self! However, I do 'love' the Après Ski part of skiing (the equivalent of the 19th hole of golf). It seems that for the Austrians, having fun while skiing is just as fun as what you do after skiing - and they do both extremely and equally well! The Après Ski places went 'off' every afternoon with accordion playing, live singing and a LOT of Austrian dancing!! They sure know how to have a good time...
Towards the end of 2010, I had a couple of fairly serious ankle injuries, which in turn led a number of people (including my physio) to convince me to choose snowboarding over skiing (even though I have skied multiple times before). They suggested that 'locking' my weakened ankles onto a snowboard would secure them better than skis. So I heeded their advice and I soon discovered the truth in their wisdom as for the entire week I did manage to save my ankles from further injury, but other parts of me weren't so lucky! But let me take you back to the beginning of this boarding adventure...
"Prost!"
"Cheers" in German
Towards the end of 2010, I had a couple of fairly serious ankle injuries, which in turn led a number of people (including my physio) to convince me to choose snowboarding over skiing (even though I have skied multiple times before). They suggested that 'locking' my weakened ankles onto a snowboard would secure them better than skis. So I heeded their advice and I soon discovered the truth in their wisdom as for the entire week I did manage to save my ankles from further injury, but other parts of me weren't so lucky! But let me take you back to the beginning of this boarding adventure...
"Goodbye London" and "Servus Osterreich"
On the Spring mid-term break (mid February), I set off on a Contiki tour to Austria!! It was a place that had always interested me (mostly because of The Sound of Music) plus I could ski - one of my most enjoyable hobbies! I departed London via coach on the Friday evening straight after school... along with everyone else in London it seemed. Due to the high density of traffic on the roads, the original expected journey time of 20 hours from London to Austria jumped to almost 24 hours! Yuck! It was only once on the coach that we were told that this is the break where all locals AND tourists descend onto the slopes for the last decent ski of the season!
Fortunately, we eventually arrived in Hopfgarten (a small marketing town in the area of Tyrol) at dusk. Our first stop before going to the Contiki Haus Schöneck was to go to the base of the mountain to be fitted with our snow gear. After about 45 minutes, my injury prone body was ready to start my snowboarding escapades with a new pair of wrist guards, a helmet and two very carefully strapped ankles!!
On the road to Hopfgarten
Hopfgarten
Day 1 - Learning to snowboard is H-A-R-D
I awoke quite eager to hit the snowy slopes (my 'eager' approach didn't change until a few days later...) Although the slopes were fairly icy (when we arrived the last snowfall was three weeks earlier), we had a fabulous snowboarding instructor named Alex who helped us learn the basics even on the slippery snow! (He actually had quite a thick Spanish accent and sounded very similar to King Julian XIII from Madagascar!) He explained things very well and I always felt like I understood why he was telling me how to change my technique, even if I couldn't follow through and actually do it! Within the first five minutes of my lesson, I realised I was trying to snowboard 'goofy' when I'm a 'natural' (I wish that this could have been my excuse of my being so ordinary!!) However, I persisted for the rest of the day with the awkward footing.
After a couple hours in a lesson, my new boarding buddies and I stopped in at the café for an early introduction to the Après Ski culture. I ordered a delicious 'heiße chocolat mit rum' (hot chocolate with rum). Now THAT warmed me up! That night we returned our tired bodies to Haus Schöneck for the evening's activities with "Schnappy Hour"!! The real excitement of the evening, however was when it began to snow!! We were all so thankful as we knew that there would be beautiful fresh powder for the morning! And it snowed and snowed and snowed... (all night!)
Me in the snow
Outside Haus Schöneck
Day 2 - Fresh Powder
I have been blessed to see snow many times in my life... but I cannot describe how excited I was on my second day in Austria to see snow EVERYWHERE!! When you compare the vast differences in the two photos below... maybe you'll understand why I was so excited.
Day 1 - View out of my window
Day 2 - View out of my window
The snow continued to fall all day. There were some snowflakes the size of my thumb!! They were so gorgeous and magical to watch just floating to the ground. And it was brilliant for another reason - all this snow had helped to create a softer landing for my falls - of which, on this day I had my first serious stack (and smack to my head) after trying to learn the 'toe side' technique on the snowboard (where you go down backwards and look up the mountain). Although I had some initial troubles, I was getting some skills and beginning to enjoy myself. And Alex (in his accent) went on to say "Good, excellent, here we go!"
And for the record... despite what 'they' say... snowboarding is NOTHING like surfing!
Sky filled with heavy snowfall
Me finally standing (and about to go down the mountain)
Beginner slopes at Hopfgarten
Day 3 - Boarding, Baroque and Bobsledding
With snow still falling, we went up to the 'real' mountain for our last snowboarding lesson with Alex, to test the skills we had learnt. Aaaaahh! There were so many more snowboarders and skiers everywhere! I finally got the courage to turn properly (in an 's' shape rather than zig-zagging from side to side) which was rather cool. Unfortunately at midday we said goodbye to "Mr Alex" and were then left to our own devices!! We took it rather slowly but we all did one more major run of the day and then hit up the Après Ski Café for some 'spiced' hot chocolate.
'Mr Alex' (Instructor), Bec, Graham, Michelle, me, Alex, 'S', Umesh
Boarding buddies
That afternoon I went for a little walk into the town to see the Hopfgarten church. I had wanted to see inside it but had missed my chance on Sunday because of my first snowboarding lesson. My curiosity got the better of me and I went exploring around the perimeter of the church, wanting to see it from all sides. Then as I listened carefully, I could hear the pipe organs! I found a side door entrance and tried to open it - it was unlocked... So I snuck in and very cautiously stepped into the church, passed through a thick and heavy drape and took in the wondrous sights and sounds. I stayed for about five minutes, listening to the organist practise the hymns for the next Sunday's service - it was so majestic!
Baroque parish church
Inside the church
"Feel the rhythm, feel the ride, get on up... it's bobsled time... COOL RUNNINGS!"
That evening, we travelled about an hour to Innsbruck where we had a 'cool' experience in bobsledding! It was the track that had been used in the Munich Winter Olympics all those years ago. It was such an adrenaline rush to actually feel every turn that the sled made. The sleds have been adjusted for commercial use (including professional drivers.) Our team completed the course in a time of 46.23 seconds.
Greg, me, Bec, Melissa, Mark
One of the final bends of the course
With a clear day dawning, it was the perfect day to take the gondolas up the mountain without a snowboard and with a camera. I rode the gondola to the peak of Hohe Salve... and was amazed at the pristine beauty of fresh snow glistening in the sunlight. I'll let the photos speak for themselves...
Looking towards Scheffau
The peaks of Brandstadl (1650m) and Zinsberg (1674m)
Looking towards Brixen im Thale
Then at 1 o'clock in the afternoon, I was due back at the top of the mountain for PARAGLIDING! I have always wanted to skydive but I have not yet done it. So when there was a chance to paraglide over the Austrian Alps - I could not let the opportunity pass me by!! With my fearless buddy, Christoph, perfect conditions and the best seat in the area - I soaked up the view!
To finish off an amazing day of snowboarding (with only one good smack to my backside) the girls and I had a bier in true Après Ski style.
Teagan, Brooke, Loren and me
Tenner Stadl for Après Ski biers
On my final day of snowboarding, I got a little daring and decided to move off onto some blue runs (easy difficulty) that were a little farther than the Hopfgarten slopes. I trekked off with my new friend Teagan to meet up with some other boarders. However, to get to the blue runs, I had to go down some red runs (medium difficulty). I was very hesitant at first but with a little coaxing, I gave it a go. I was so glad I did as although I was very slow, I made it to the bottom, with no real problems. The problem came when I was on the flat part - gliding into the lobby of the next gondola. I saw some obstacles and it ended that "being cautious" was my downfall - literally! I smacked down on the hard and icy snow, right on my coccyx. Despite the immense pain, I continued with the group, not wanting to miss out on the views. And they were amazing!!
Sun-soaking: me, Teagan and Wade
Hochbrixen
At the peak of Zinsberg
Yet, a couple more good smacks (to both my head and butt) and a few tears later, I realised that no snowboarding experience or view was worth risking further injury than I had already endured. I took the 'slow' way down by walking (though that was still hard!) and much to my shame and disappointment rode the gondola down... thus... safe to say I won't be doing snowboarding again anytime soon!
Halfway down back at the Hochbrixen slopes, we saw an igloo village where people can actually stay and sleep! There was also an igloo ice bar!
Me and Teagan
'Iceland' Ice Bar
'Iceland' Hotel
Day 6 - Singing in Salzburg
A brilliant beginning to our trip in Salzburg was breaking into song on the coach ride there! But not just any... The Hills Are Alive and Do-Re-Mi topped the list!! I was so excited to be going to the city from where The Sound of Music came! With everyone in good spirits we disembarked the coach and walked through some back streets and stumbled across an entrance to the Mirabell Gardens (used in The Sound of Music).
Weaving our way through the many horse-drawn carts spread throughout the city, we made our way past the Mozart Museum (actually the building where he was born), to the Dom - the main cathedral of the city. This is also the cathedral where Mozart was baptised. This cathedral was so beautiful and so intricately decorated that it was difficult to leave!
The Dom
The castle
After trekking up a steep hill and about what I estimated to be about one million stairs, we made it to the castle which, besides having a rich history of the country, had a spectacular view of the city! Salzburg means 'Salt Castle' - there were many salt mines earlier that helped to establish the city. Salt was very valuable and in those days, people were paid in salt. Personally, I'm pleased that the way of trading has changed!
View from the castle
Salzburg
After all the exploring throughout the castle, we came down to the rest of the city ready for some lunch... and what better to have than some traditional Austrian food. So with Schnitzel, schnapps and strudel - we were all set! Once we had filled up on delicious foods, we walked through rows of local markets and back towards the centre of the city to head home. However, before we did, we warmed up our singing voices and filled the air with tunes from The Sound of Music in front of the gates at Mirabell Gardens!
The best apfel strudel I have EVER eaten!
Me, Loren and Teagan striking our 'Do-Re-Mi' poses
Mirabell Gardens
Day 7 - Homeward bound to London
And on the seventh day... we rested. Well, kind of... we were up at 4 o'clock in the morning for our departure back to London. Fortunately the roads were relatively clear and I made it home before midnight to crawl into my bed for a decent sleep.
Although I was there for a week, I did not have enough time in Austria. I would like to return and see and experience a little more. I am aiming to return in the summer months when my parents come over to visit me - and I am definitely not done with 'appreciating' authentic Apfel Strudels!
But until next time... Prost!
To see more photos from my time in Austria, click here
Austria
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Did the ski instructor say, "Save the King! The others are optional."?!
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