Niederau Report '11

Got back on Saturday, with no sign of snow although it was raining in Saltzburg as we were leaving. Still, there was no need to worry about conditions as the pistes were pretty spot on every day.

On the first day on skiing we didn't get out until around 11:30, by the time we'd sorted BruvvaEvs and his girlfriend out with skis and skischule then got ourselves sorted with skis etc. Couldn't have asked for a better day though. The pistes were amazing. Lovely layer of chalky snow on top, and we soon figured out that there was no compacted layer lurking underneath. Brilliant start to my goal for the holiday which was to start building up confidence with more speed. This was the theme throughout the week, with only late in the day starting to show signs of compacted snow.

We then had three or four days of warm weather which was lovely to ski in, if a little warm occasionally (although that may have been because I was a little dehydrated!). It got surreal at times. Felt like we were walking off the gondola on to a white beach. I've had colder days abroad on summer holidays.

No snow during our stay, and I don't think there has been any for a few weeks now (much the same as elsewhere), although the pistes are in excellent condition.

BruvvaEvs and his girlfriend attended beginners skischule for the week, minus a couple of days due to catching a bug. Am dead proud of them both, and the progress they made. 'Girlfriend' was doing parallels by mid/end of the week on gentle slopes. BruvvaEvs had been for a week when he was 14 so picked it up even faster, and was showing some really nice edge control as well as parallel turns.

As for me - the highlight of my week was on the last day. Excellent snow conditions (perhaps a little heavy for some preferences), and a thumbs up piste condition report from MrEvs saw us both coming down the Lanerkopfl together. He had done it several times before but it was my first. I was absolutely over the moon, and my timing wasn't yawn worthy either :thumbup:

No lessons for me and MrEvs this time. Apart from having spent a fortune on private ones in Dec/Jan, I really wanted to start skiing 'independently' as perhaps was getting a little over reliant on the instructor for confidence. I also wanted to start relaxing more without concentrating too much on technique, which is inevitable when you have a lesson - that's what you pay them for. It worked a treat. MrEvs and I skied together for practically the whole holiday which is a first. We had a blast.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances we didn't get to try out the Hopfgarten bus on Thursday or Friday, and we didn't even make the trip to Auffach which we had planned on. Nonetheless we were happy as pigs getting a few runs in early each morning, then stopping for a drink and food while skischules were in full force, skis back on at 12 when the pistes were quiet (eerily so some days), leisurely break again during the 'rush', couple more runs then practice with Bruvva and Girlfriend at the end of the day.

All round it was a fab holiday and we have two new skiers in the family who are already thinking about next year's hol.:thumbup:

You're back then ........
:thumbup:

I'm glad you had an OK time, well as much as you could of had considering where you were, perhaps now you are ready for the big wide ski world :D

Ian !!!!!!
Gently, gently catchee monkey.
:roll:

OldAndy wrote:Ian !!!!!!
Gently, gently catchee monkey.
:roll:

Andy, sorry mate I struggle with Gently :lol:

:lol: Yes we're back and yes we will be exploring the wider world. Can't wait til the next hol now. Plus MrEvs is coming round to the idea of Hintertux instead of France. Woop woop!!! Gotta find some time to shop around for flights and accom now. :thumbup:

Ooh I forgot. Just remembered these photos on my phone.

We were sitting having a refreshment break when my eyes nearly popped out. I saw something I have never seen before in the Wildschonau - the lesser spotted well camouflaged romper. Obviously I approached from behind, stalking my prey expertly. Managed to get this shot in quickly. As you can see I did well to spot him as he does blend in surprisingly well...



Moments later, as I was about to start whistling and moving away I nearly peed my pants when two more turned up. I didn't actually see them arriving so was a little scared for a moment. You can see clearly that the one on the left was trying to protect her companion from my gaze, although I cunningly disguised it by moving my camera around as though taking photos of the scenery...



There must have been some communication between the herd, I imagine similar to dolphins as I didn't detect it, but then a fourth turned up. This one did not sport a romper so perhaps had been mistakenly recruited along the way. Like a cuckoo. Again it tried to shield one of the rompers from me and it looked like I wouldn't capture all three in the same frame...



Finally, after standing still for some time they appeared to forget I was there. I stole the opportunity, took the money shot and slunk off as inconspicuously as my ski booted legs would allow me.

They were probably confused by the weather patterns and took a slight left turn on their migration route .....