This post is presented in co-operation with Lion Alpin
We are going skiing in the Alps! Wehooo! This will be something completely new for us, and it will be soooo exciting. We have skied before, but it's been a long time, and never in the Alps. In January it's time, and then it's off to Austria.
Not the first time on skis
We have been skiing before. I (Helena) learned to ski when I was 4 years old, and I spent a week every year growing up. Together with my family I went to the Swedish mountains and also once to Trysil in Norway and once to Harz in Germany.
"I thought it was a lot of fun, but as I got older, other interests took over. Peter did some skiing on the slopes around Stockholm when he was younger, but almost only trick skiing (short skis).
We have skied together once too! In the winter of 2008 we went to Sälen together with everyone at Peter and his brother's company, and their families. Great fun! And good with a little rehearsal of course. But since then we have not been on any skis ...
Skiing in the Alps
Now, for the first time, we will be skiing in the Alps, and it will be in the Austria. We understand that it will be different from the Swedish mountains and we look forward to long slopes, beautiful views and hopefully a lovely climate.
Personally, I'm a bit worried about the lifts. I'm used to button lifts and anchor lifts, but I realise that it's more likely to be cabin lifts. It feels a little scary when you are afraid of heights, but it's okay!
Thinking about a skiing holiday this year? Why not join us? Go on a winter holiday to the Alps and get a real winter experience! And, if you've been on a skiing holiday in the Alps - give us all your best tips! What should we pack? What should we think about?
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Camilla says:
Sounds wonderful! I have never skied in the Alps, but when we are done with the move to Sälen, the sale of the house, etc. we thought we would eventually reward ourselves with a ski trip there..... The question is only where in the Alps.... 🙂
08 December 2016 - 6:57
Lena - good for the soul says:
Haha, how cute you were in that white outfit! A little half-hearted to be completely white in the hill only, when you have to try to find each other 😉.
Skiing in the Alps sounds wonderful.
Hug Lena
08 December 2016 - 7:17
Lennart says:
Then you have to be careful!
08 December 2016 - 7:21
admin says:
Camilla, how nice that you are also planning a trip to the Alps! Exactly where you should go, we can't advise on unfortunately ...
Lena, yes haha. Peter will probably not be white because he has lime green ski trousers. But I will probably be quite white actually ... )
Lennart, that's probably true!
08 December 2016 - 7:32
Anette says:
As fun as it sounds, skiing in the Alps is actually quite different from skiing in Sälen. Make sure to train your leg muscles properly so you can handle the long slopes. 😉
08 December 2016 - 8:05
Mrs M says:
Oh how wonderful to go to the Alps! I have been to the French and Italian Alps. However, Austria is still on my list of places I want to go to. The cable cars are a bit scary if you're afraid of heights (I'm in that group) but remember to look far away to the horizon and not straight down. The good thing about cable cars is that they take you high up quickly and you don't have to take a lift very often. Have a great trip!
08 December 2016 - 8:13
LinizTravel says:
I love the Alps! However, have only been to Verbier, Livigno and St Moritz when I worked in the Alps! So actually crazy hungry for it this winter! Comfortable ski clothes & wool underwear then it's great to just slide around 😉 hugs
08 December 2016 - 8:24
Lisa & life on the bright side says:
Work hard on your leg training in the last month so you can go the distance.
You will have a great time - the Alps are amazing.
08 December 2016 - 8:27
Anette Åhnbrink says:
What fun to go skiing! Have skied a lot, but only in the Swedish mountains, it will be fun to follow you, where are you going by the way?
08 December 2016 - 8:31
admin says:
Anette, yes, I can imagine that it is different. Ok, time to get started with the leg training then! ;
Liniztravel, it wasn't just that! We'll keep good clothes in mind, thanks!
Lisa, aaah the thing with leg training, we have to work hard on that! 🙂 Thanks for the tips!
Anette Åhnbrink, we fly to Innsbruck if I remember correctly and then there is a ski resort called Skijuwel.
08 December 2016 - 8:33
Lanclin-Linnea says:
Now we are probably really more bare ground people when it comes to the Alps, but we actually have a small thought of driving down during the day this winter for the children to try a little 🙂 .
08 December 2016 - 8:34
anita wåg agrimanaki says:
It will be exciting to follow you! Just take it easy on the slopes! I myself have not been on skis for 25 years. When I was smaller, I mostly went cross-country skiing but a little downhill too (some reasonably large slopes are in Hälsingland)
08 December 2016 - 8:34
snort says:
How marvellous! I have skied a lot but only in our Swedish mountains. So for skiing abroad I have no direct tips other than to use your head and wear a helmet 😉.
08 December 2016 - 8:51
Mr Steve says:
I grew up skiing both cross-country and downhill, but there was never any skiing in the Alps. It will be fun to follow your Alpine adventures.
08 December 2016 - 9:01
Marina says:
Oh so wonderful! A little jealous actually, but you may not be able to get everything...;) It will certainly be fantastically wonderful!!!
08 December 2016 - 9:18
Cattis says:
How exciting!:D I myself haven't stood on a pair of skis since a confirmation camp when I was in the 8th grade...since then I have successfully managed to avoid most winter sports!:P However, it would certainly be a pretty cool experience to ski in the Alps...but I would probably also pack my tail for some variety on the slopes!;)
08 December 2016 - 9:23
Seija Viitamäki-Carlsson says:
We are an alpine family, spending a lot of time and money on the slopes. Good skis and boots are a must and good company is an absolute must. Sun and good surface in the slopes and check the best après-ski and food places. Nice with a motorhome too. Travelled one spring winter in Badgastein on the way down to Italy and ended the trip with a week in Verbier on the way home. Very heavy motorhome then. Nice trip and looking forward to new exciting blog.
08 December 2016 - 9:29
Lena says:
Wow, it will be fun, you don't have to ski in the highest places, because there are so many cosy things to do in the ski resorts ?? Good luck ???
08 December 2016 - 9:39
Ditte says:
How nice for you with the Alps and Austria.
I have visited the Alps many times and in the past it was often Austria, with Ischgel, St Anton, Bad Gastein, Zell am See, Kaprum and others.
However, France and Italy have gradually come into the picture because there are usually no gondolas to get up the slopes and it's ski in, ski out.
And this is where real skiing comes in. It might be good to have a ski school to practise your turns. Extra leg training is also good here at home. Leg strength is needed in the kilometre-long descents.
Because skiing is fun!
08 December 2016 - 9:42
Goatfish says:
The Alps sound fun! I would rather walk on bare ground with a backpack on a sunny day 😀.
I've only done cross-country skiing, which I stopped doing a few years ago when my back gave out.
But I am happy to travel in my imagination with you! ♥
08 December 2016 - 9:47
GlobetrotterElisa says:
Ohhhh.... Austria is my favourite ski destination! I have been to Gerlos, St Anton, Saalbach, Bad Gastein and Schladming! It's actually been a few years since I've been to the Alps now. I think I was there 8 years in a row, but then I gave up snowboarding... I feel like I really want to go back soon! Have fun and enjoy the Alps. Don't worry about the ski lifts, you'll be fine!
08 December 2016 - 11:30
Elin is travelling says:
I love the Alps! I have not been to the Austrian Alps but I have been to the French Alps a few times.
The biggest difference I think is the length of the hills, it feels in the legs.
Then it's nice to take a breather in the cable cars. If it blows a lot, they can sway a lot. I'm not afraid of heights but got a little nauseous from the rocking 🙂.
Have a nice trip!
08 December 2016 - 12:06
Cat's Considerations says:
We did Austria in the month of January, we drove a car between several different lift systems. However, we flew to Munich. Uffe has been skiing every winter for a few weeks and then the camper van worked as a valabod. After the Asia trip, we go to Switzerland at the end of December for skiing.
08 December 2016 - 13:41
Lina - The world according to AdrenaLina says:
Love skiing in the Alps, what fun for you! Have been to Livigno in Italy and Wagrain in Austria. As many people have already mentioned, the slopes are much longer than in the Swedish mountains, which is wonderful, but if you need to rest your legs from time to time, I recommend a backpack with some nice drinks in it that can be consumed at the side of the slope (hot minttu/oboy can be recommended, if you want to consume alcohol)... and dress in layers, because it can get really hot in the sun! Can also recommend having heating pads in your boots if you have frozen toes!
08 December 2016 - 13:47
Åsa says:
It was about time! Love the Alps!
08 December 2016 - 15:16
Husis blog says:
It has been a long time since my owners stood on a pair of skis. They travelled a lot in the past, according to their own statement, but only in the Swedish mountains. But sunny skies, crunching snow, no wind. It's actually almost as good as a warm summer day, the owners claim.
08 December 2016 - 17:04
BP says:
It's great that you are going to try skiing in the Alps. I don't know the particular area you are going to end up in. I have only skied in St Anton and, as I said, in France and Italy.
Anyway, if you multiply the largest area you've been to so far by about 50, you can roughly calculate the size of what the Alps look like. Hope you have a chance to check out Innsbruck. An incredibly charming "alpine village".
PS. Take extra travel insurance with you just in case you collide with someone;-) DS.
08 December 2016 - 17:19
admin says:
Linnea, glad that you are also thinking about trying it! 🙂
Anita, yes, it's best to take it carefully. It is important to realise that you are not 25 😉.
Znogge, great tips! 🙂
Steve, glad you're "coming along"! This really feels like an adventure for us!
Marina, we hope so! In any case, it will be very exciting and fun!
Kattis, haha, if it's difficult with skis, we'll see if we can get a tail patch 😉.
Seija, it sounds nice with a motorhome, but it won't be this time. However, we have managed to lure friends, so it will be nice! We expect to rent skis and ski boots, but luckily we have ski clothes in the wardrobe ... 😉.
Lena, if it feels too high, we can try those round-ikring things 😉.
Ditte, we know you have a lot of experience from the Alps! Leg training seems good (many people have mentioned it!), it's just a matter of finding the time ... 😉.
Geddfish, nice that you join us in the fantasy! 🙂
Globetrotterelisa, glad to hear that you like Austria! Snowboarding looks cool, but given my limited experience with skis and the fact that we have quite a few days, we'll probably stick to the skis 😉.
Elin is travelling, many have written that it feels in the legs! I now realise that you need to exercise, but we do not have much time 😉 I have to try to think of the cable cars as rest and not as a fear of heights, haha.
Katta, it will be a real contrast - from Asia to the ski slope! 🙂
Lina, oh what very good tips! Thank you!!! 🙂
Åsa, haha, maybe it was about time 😉 In any case, it will be very fun!
Husisblogg, well if it's sunny and nice it can be fantastic in the Swedish mountains. And we guess it can be in the Alps too!
BP, oh help it sounds great! And help yes, insurance can probably be good! 😉
08 December 2016 - 19:10
Matts Torebring says:
I love Austria and the ski slopes. Unfortunately, I can't go alone. I have no one else to go with. We ourselves lived in the small village of Itter, which is a few kilometres from the big resort of Kitzbühel. We were there in the Easter holidays 2007. It was +17 degrees, sunny and 2 metres of deep snow. Absolutely marvellous! Good luck to you!
08 December 2016 - 19:49
Across the board says:
Once "in my green youth" I went to Chamonix. It was great fun and I even went black mogul skiing before that week was over! Would never do it again though.... I rented equipment on site, drank elephant beer and had terrible fun - the rest is censored and statute of limitations 😉.
08 December 2016 - 19:50
Ann-Charlotte says:
Austria is cosy but I've spent more weeks in the French Alps and the rocky mountains of Canada. These days it's Dalarna. This season we plan to go to Kläppen twice. The packing is not so different, I think. I'm sure you will have great fun! ☺
08 December 2016 - 22:42
Rantamor on the retina says:
Will enjoy accompanying you both...
The twin from Rantamor who has never been to the Alps and barely knows where it is even...
08 December 2016 - 22:57
admin says:
Matts, +17 degrees and deep snow sounds fantastic! In January it is of course colder, but we hope for sunshine anyway!
Criss-cross, haha "censored and time-barred", it sounds like you had fun! 😉
Ann-Charlotte, Canada sounds awesome! But even Dalarna is cosy of course! No perhaps not so different packing, and we have received some good tips here too!
Rantamor, glad you're "keeping up"! 🙂
09 December 2016 - 7:56
Christine - 29°. says:
Exciting! A little extra leg training until then is probably not bad I would guess. 🙂
09 December 2016 - 9:32
Dryden - Traveller's Edition says:
Leg training is key! Hope you have a good trip there! Longing for the real ski season here in Jämtland. 🙂
09 December 2016 - 11:16
admin says:
Christine, yes everyone is writing this about leg training so I'm starting to realise that it's a good idea... 😉.
Dryden, will try to catch up with that training 😉 Thank you! And you will surely have a real ski season soon 🙂
09 December 2016 - 14:48
Inga Magnusson says:
Austria is a beautiful country! I have been there on two occasions in my life, a long time ago, but it is mostly the same with high mountains, small nice deep lakes and nice people. Surely it will be a cable car you will ride. I, being afraid of heights, think it is easier than other types of lifts because in it you can always close your eyes when it goes high up. But as I said, my experience is limited. Was in Zell am See on a summer holiday and the sun rose very quickly in the mountains where the snow was, so it might be something to think about with good sun protection. You don't feel the sun when the snow around you cools down. But that's basic knowledge for you who flatten and travel. ;- )) Have a nice trip, when it happens.
09 December 2016 - 16:46
Monica says:
Exciting:-), was a bit younger then but Italy, Switzerland, Austria, everything is just as nice. German is good to know, more fun to get around and you are well treated. Skied in Kandersteg, Lauchernalp, Grindelwald, Wengen, Zermatt, Zell am See, Kaprun, Söll, Brixen, probably more. Had my own equipment sometimes, rented other times. There I have a memory when my best friend and I were going to return the skis to the rental company and she made a mistake, a couple of scabby things, well she didn't have the best control and I thought that it can't be like that. Fortunately, with my tremendous charm and German, I was able to get her out of this without a mark or whatever it was, they were terribly angry at first and said that they would cost her dearly. I got incredibly involved and was completely exhausted afterwards. I don't even think she said thank you, she was just angry that I had been a bit tough, she thought she should explain herself first, yes you have to be that way sometimes. And ski training is important, always went on it before the trips and then I went both downhill and a little calmer:-), once jumped from a chairlift that I did not get off, I became famous for that later and besides that, I was always taken for a Norwegian when I was accompanied by some running skier who wanted to go in the same lift. Yes, a few memories, it will be fun to hear which ones you get:-)
09 December 2016 - 20:09
Eva - People in the Street says:
But oh how cute you are 🙂 I have been to the Alps but not actually skiing there strangely enough. It has become rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking instead. But a tip is to have some colour so you can be seen if you fall in the deep snow.
10 December 2016 - 8:07
admin says:
Inga, thanks for the great tips on both sun protection and closing your eyes!!!! I may need to practice the latter, I feel 😉
Monica, of course it's always good to know languages, but I don't have time to learn German in a few weeks, so I'll have to go with English 😉 Interesting to hear about your memories and experiences, thanks for that! 🙂
Eva, thanks for the tips! I have white ski clothes, but may have to add a colourful hat or helmet 😉.
11 December 2016 - 7:08
Elisabeth says:
The ski season is over for me, but it was fun while it lasted! You will have a great time!
14 December 2016 - 20:27