what a difference...

...a day can make

Day 2 was still cold, but with a light dusting of snow, the ski-area magically transformed into something utterly amazing...

the whole area becomes a playground, with off-piste (ie: next to the run) powder the reward for a little extra work.

It started snowing on monday, and continued through tuesday; So wednesday (26th) had what could only be described as the best snow conditions I've ever experienced.

At times I was floating through powder up to my hip, with most runs still covered in the freshly packed light stuff.

Sure, there were still the occasional patches of ice, but nowhere near as bad as the past two days.

Thursdays adventures centered around a 45min bus trip to the local area Lech (leck) which is also skiiable on our passes.

Apres ski is quite litterally a sport over here; most evenings revolve around heavy drinking, and partying... makes it a little more difficult to get the group together in the mornings, but things usually sort themselves out by lunch.

Thursday night was toboganing (ultra-dangerous-fun-times).

Friday was cold, windy and icy.

Katharina damaged her knee mid-morning, Russell was still dealing with his dodgy neck from the last few days.

I was feeling sick at lunch, and decided to call it quits while still in one piece. I straped on the head-cam, and shot some video on the last few runs - then headed down to meet the group for some apres at the moosewirt.

after a few drinks, I still had to return my ski-gear, refund my pass, and grab some dinner.

I managed 2 of those 3 things.

It's "traditional" in Austria to take a shot of some VERY strange and potent liquer when returning your skis... combined with the apres, it did not sit well with me, and from what I've been told; things got a little weird.

To those who were woken up at ridiculous hours of the morning, to check on my sanity and health... all is good, and I can't thank you enough.


Lots-o-Photos


looking back at st antons from the galzig gondola



australia-day celebrations at the KRAZY KANGARUH




lifts crossing over each other on st antons




kevin has a koffee




looking at the rendl gondola while waiting for a bus to lech




apparently busses have coffee breaks




heli-ski-tracks
(don't worry B, I didn't go heli-skiing, this is just what i could see from the bus)




helicopter making it's run




picking up the high-flyers




awesome birdy




just flying around




and landing




pretty




village of Leck/Lech




is it gliding/parasailing? whatever it is, it looks fun




sarah skis




the alexander sisters carving up the heavy-powder




wanna drive down?




Lech Lift




another lift at Lech




sun sets, directly behind a mountain - making it EVEN colder




Halina, Ollie and Sarah on the chair




these massive steel structures are all over the mountains... basically they retain the snow on the hill, preventing avalanches closing the roads underneath




Pretty #1




pretty #2




pretty #3




pretty #4




another self portrait




pretty #5




on the bus again




lift-shot




view from restaurant at the top of Galzig gondola




Russell on the run




closer




vicky boarding




now that's what I call a gondola




sarah carving up the lumpy powder




weird statue 2/3rds the way up a chairlift (when covered with snow, and in low visibility it actually looks like a stranded person from a distance)




looking into the village




MOOSEWIRT! (apres-ski-place...)




main street St Antons am arlberg




details of the lights in the main street



And now for a few photos from Russell



sarah's going to lead us WHERE?




chairlift posing




waiting at base




chillin' in the gondola




the group


updated 29th Jan 1430
Currently on a train to Wien (vienna) for a few days.

Not much else to add to the above posting, other than to say that I am indeed safe and not injured as might have been thought for a little while there... Very strange evening on 28th, not something I'm looking to talk about, but all is well.