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Great skiing in the Alps

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Yesterday we experienced our very first day of skiing in the Alps. ever. Wow, what an experience! We've seen the amazing view from one of the peaks, got sunburnt, got a workout, eaten goulash soup and drank beer in the sun - and I've challenged my fear of riding a cable car!

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A cautious start

Do you dare to venture into the Alps when you haven't stood on a pair of slalom skis for eight years? I used to ski quite a lot when I was younger, but that was a long time ago, and Peter has almost only done short trick skiing. Our friends Lennart and Beata haven't skied in a while either. Lennart has done a lot of skiing in the past - but Beata has hardly stood on a pair of skis at all!

We decided to start the first day on the very nearest slopes here in Neudorf in Reith. From our hotel Pirchner Hof it is an 800 metre walk to the first lift system, where there is also a nice family slope. When you want top-notch skiing, take a 15-minute bus ride to Alpbachtal instead - and that's what we plan to do today!

Kyrka Österrike
Nice walk to the lift system
Barer Österrike
On the way through the village you pass several bars - this one with a, hmmm, well-equipped guard.

Long and short skis

So how did this small group of "semi-experienced" skiers fare? Lennart and I rented regular skis, and Peter and Beata rented short trick skis - which are a bit quicker to learn to ski on.

If you really want to learn how to ski, you should of course invest in real skis, but if you only have three days and want to enjoy yourself a bit too, this could be a solution. Otherwise, the point of these short skis is to be able to do various playful tricks on the ski slope.

Then we simply started with the button lift up the family hill. Nice start for me (who is nervous about seat and cabin lifts haha) and for Beata, who has hardly skied before.

Trickskidor
My skis (left) and Peter's skis (right)
Hyra skidor
Peter gets help trying on the right size of ski boots

Up to the top - with a cabin lift

When we did a few warm-up rounds in the family slope, we naturally wanted to get to the top! At least me, Peter and Lennart - Beata chose to continue practising in the family hill. I am really afraid of heights, but I knew it's just a matter of biting the bullet. I can't say that I like riding a bit above the ground, but I must admit that it was both comfortable and easy to get on and off.

And then we were finally at the top! Wow! We really understand why people think the Alps are amazing. Sun, wonderful views and a long, long slope down in softly packed snow. Both Peter and I were completely exhausted, but apart from that, it was absolutely fantastic.

Kabinlift
I am not entirely comfortable with high altitudes ...
Äntligen uppe på toppen! Redo för härlig skidåkning i Alperna!
Finally at the top! Ready for great skiing in the Alps!
Österrike, Alpachtal

Skiing in the Alps and fun in the sun

After a few runs on the slopes, you deserve a beer and a goulash soup in the sun. Even though it's cold, you don't freeze and it's great to sit outside like this. We must say that we are very happy with our first day of skiing in the Alps. Today we will take the bus to the bigger lift systems and slopes in Alpbachtal. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Alperna Österrike
Nothing wrong with a beer in the sun!
All our top tips for Austria. Click on the image!

Parts of this trip were part of a press trip. The texts, images and opinions are, as usual, our own.

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