Speed Guns

Hi,

Last year I went to Obertauern where I discovered a few runs that had speed guns on them.
I thought they were a great idea and as it was my first trip to Austria I was hoping that many other resorts in Austria would have them.
Unfortunately they don't appear to be as wide spread as I'd hoped.
Since my first Austria trip (and falling in love with the place) I've skied St Johann, Kitzbuhel (1 day), Fieberbrunn (1 day) and Mayrhofen.
I've not come across anymore speed guns although I think I'd found one at Fieberbrunn but it was at the end of the day and I had to head down another run to the next valley/area.

What I'd like to know is has anyone else come across resorts with speed guns on their slopes.
I'm off to Saalbach next year and I wondered whether there was any there although looking at the piste map there may not be :(

I have to say I was fairly tentative when I went down the red run in Obertauern and I fell the first time, probably due to being pretty scared.
The fact I wasn't hurt, and nicely surprised by that, I went down again but this time did a few turns at the start to slow down.
I managed to get up to 84.2 kmph (around 52 mph.

I was hoping to try again after maybe having a jagermeister for courage.
Maybe I could hit 90+ or maybe faster. :shock:

Only another 6 months until my holiday :(

Never seen any, but then I wouldn't because I ski so fast :lol:

There's one in Grindelwald on the Oberjoch blue run. Didn't try it because it was in a very short track off to one side of the run and I was worried I'd not be able to stop in time after passing through!

There is one in Verbier at the bottom of the Attelas lift.

The one in Niederau is in the Race n Board arena at the bottom of Tennladen. The main issue with these is that the calibration is kept up to date. Because Niederau is used by various national teams for Hannemkahm Downhill and Slalom training, the calibration is good. (At least in January.) The Herminator has trained there!

So my two sons both think they are quicker than me. Well down the mountain, I am king, whereas on the speed gun, they are. Younger son clocked 97kph. Was close behind him, and quickly reminded him of my aged skis. Of course my aged body was never mentioned!

Hammy, instructor with Disability Snowsports, clocked 105kph!

The N speed track allows you to pick up speed quite quickly, but uniformly, until, 100 metres from the bottom, there is a steepish drop, just prior to a flattenning out at the end. Yeah! You read your speed as you exit.

Once you get on the track, you have to remain strong, there is no bailing out, else you have a chance of hurting yourself. It is quite common for the base runout to turn at an angle, and maybe back again. You should be wearing a helmet. (Says he, with the Dave Mac woolly hat, 8))

You really should not go onto the track if you have to turn, because you mess up the tracks for those that follow. Every night, the piste machine cleans the tracks but they do deteriorate during the day.

Fastest times? Haven't done it, but first run of the day might be productive.

Thanks for the info guys.

Hopefully I'll find something at Saalbach.
I was hoping to go a lot faster next time I do it as I won't turn at all.
Now I know Dave's sons have almost hit 100 it shows me that it is possible although I'm sure I won't be as fearless as them!

Was it marked with a color Dave for the difficulty?
They had 3 at Obertauern, 2 blue and 1 red.

I'll have to look to see where Niederau is in relation to Saalbach to see if I can get there in a day :)

fantasticlee wrote:
I'll have to look to see where Niederau is in relation to Saalbach to see if I can get there in a day :)

Get there for 11, you'll have skied it by lunch )

There is one on a red near the top of the mountain in Lech but every time I passed it I was either doing about 20kmh or 100kmh and even though I felt like I was going fast even I will admit it wasnt near 100kmh!
I do really like the idea of a Gps for the week skiing that wil tel you how far and how fast.