Post Christmas Ski

The freezers got stuffed full and we used ALL the tupperware boxes, and we went off for a couple of days skiing.  Bit silly going to a hotel really as we still have so much food but it was all a bit last minute and all that I could get.  It all worked out ok, even though I was sure I had booked a place in Kirchberg, but when I checked the night before we went I noticed it was Kirchbichl - a totally different place but so different it made a huge difference - still mostly the same ski area.

Anyhow, the beginning of December the snow was looking quite good but now there is not much at all.  It has been too dry and sunny which is no bad thing but it could do with snowing a bit.  And Christmas week was so mild in the day that so much has gone.  Fortunately it has been cold at night so the cannons have been able to run.

So, we headed down on Saturday morning and it was fairly busy.  We went to Westendorf and spent a happy afternoon playing on the nursery slope at the bottom.  It was a good starter for Alex.

At Westendorf at the bottom of the run

He has the stamina

and the orange ears!

He just wants to go fast!

 

 

 

 

FASTER!!!

heading to the lift

Saturday night it snowed. Well actually it was rain until about half way up the mountain.  We decided to park at the bottom of the "End of the Line" lift at Westendorf.  It was nice and quiet - the reason being, the home run wasn't open.  Oops!  Oh well, we got to eh top and the snow was lovely, but not the best kinder friendly skiing.  They both did really well though.  We got down the steep bit to the chair lift, did a couple of runs and played in the deep snow.  Had lunch and then Matt took Alex back down the gondola to the car and Katie and I skied down to the bottom on the other side while Matt drove round to pick us up.  She really wanted to ski top to bottom and was quite amazed at how many runs and lifts there were on the mountain.  I was amazed at how well she did as it was hard going. There was a lot of new snow and on the steeper bits it was all getting pushed off and exposed the ice.  She's a very controlled skier - just carefully going down. I never worry that she's going to crash.  Alex on the other hand…

She was so pleased when we got to the bottom even though it had been hard going.  My legs ache from snow ploughing too much.

Lots of snow

mountaineering

playing

monkey!

Today we went up to Scheffau where we came out of the cloud near the top into beautiful sunshine… and a million people!  Oh well.  Matt went off and did a small trip Katie and I struggled with Alex who was being a bit rubbish.  We met up and then skied together for a bit before lunch and then headed down again.  Katie skied from top to bottom again and Alex skied the lower half.  Poor Matt's bent legs holding him on the icy bits.  And all Alex wanted to do was to go faster.  He needs some proper lessons as he is not listening to us.  Not interested in stopping and turning - just going fast!  Had reins on him thank goodness - he's a liability.

In the gondola

Katie zooming

So our first weekend as a ski family!  It works OK.  There is no rush to be on the first lift as we are at kinder pace.  It's all pretty relaxed really and as long as there is chocolate.  We are lucky that they both really love it and are not put off by anything.