Ski Break has arrived and we are off like every other European family to ski the Alps....I still can't believe I'm actually saying that....ski the Alps...I never would have imagined that a year ago. As every busy mom of 3 (well 4 including dad) knows....the packing for this type of holiday takes days......but we were locked and loaded and ready to hit the Autobahn......
We also had a couple of sleds and helmets to add to the mix.....take note of the case of wine - we were well prepared. We pack our smiling children into the car (ain't no sport utility) - but we were ready for the adventure.
We drove as far as Munchen (Munich) the first night.....we had heard many a story of this 6 hour trip taking 11! We arrived in Munchen about 10PM - got a good night of sleep and were up for the 180km the next day. No Problem....well...think again......we did hit a bit of traffic on the good old Autobahn.....
There is usually a pretty steady stream of traffic along the route to Austria....so we were prepared with ample snacks...and limited elbowing or name-calling took place as we were all well entertained with what we saw along the way...note the bottom picture....there were several large buses taking groups.....and from time to time they would just stop - open the luggage cabin of the bus and pull out some 'brewski's' - and as you can imagine with all that beer they drank along the way there were many men jumping off at all times along the bumper to bumper traffic to go to the bathroom.....the hills weren't alive with the sound of music, but we had some entertainment nonetheless....never seen anything like it! But we made it..........safely......
We were staying just outside of Innsbruck...where two Olympic Games have been held over the years....just perfect for my skiing ability (no laughing, please). We got to our authentic Austrian Chalet.....checked in, unloaded...and headed to the mountain to get situated for the week!
Stubai Glacier here we come......can you believe it...skiing on a glacier!
We pulled in and what do my wandering eyes did appear.....no not 8 tiny reindeer...but the tallest, biggest most intimidating site I've ever seen......the Stubai Gondola......now for the record...I'm not the best with heights...but being the strong and able mother of 3 that I am......I hopped on without hesitation (well actually - I think they almost had to carry me.....and with a couple of nudges I made it on before the doors closed).......breathe, breathe........how long could this last? Can't be too bad.....I'll just close my eyes and picture the beach and the waves crashing in......and just at that moment we got to the station.....putting my feet on the ground and ready to hop off......one of the kids tugged on my hood and pulled me back in......that was just the mid-point! I thought seriously about becoming a Sherpa at this point and walking up the rest of the way....and I was the color of my jacket - green! I looked out and noticed we were above the tree line.....I figured that was a bonus with my skiing ability - nothing in the way.......this could turn out alright!
When we finally reached the top - 25 minutes later...reality set in....I have to go back down.....and we were here for 6 days....that's 12 trips......need I say more!
But all in all....it was absolutely breath-taking. The mountains looked like they were topped with powdered sugar.....the sun was shining bright and the sky just a perfect blue. We did notice as we were fitted for our equipment that being on top of a glacier.....does provide some wind.....so we look like a family of ninjas....but we were warm! Not to mention all of the signs were in German. The skiing was some of the best we have ever done.....incredible! I still pinch myself......
Of course I now am the weakest link of the Schmidt clan when it comes to skiing.....Tim and all the kiddos skiied from the top! I continue to picture it in my mind....as I made it about 3/4 of the way!
Caleb had a blast at ski school....and even though it was mainly taught in German - there was not much lost in translation....and he pulled off a Bode Miller impression by the end (see photo above) - He now wants to take up alpine - Austrian style!
As we left the mountain each day and took the trip down the gondola....we were exhausted and headed back to the chalet......every hotel looks just as you might imagine....wooden chalets! Lederhosen is the outfit of choice (not for our clan) but each night we sat down for a 4 course Austrian meal.....except the last night when veal knuckle and turkey stew....along with pickled beets just didn't cut it....so we headed out to a local pizzeria!
Since we have been watching the Olympics on a regular basis....we took a day to explore Innsbruck.....and were fascinated by the bobsled run and the ski-jumping stadium.....as you can imagine by this point in the week I have mastered my fear of heights as I stood atop the ski jump - not for the faint of heart!
The picture above was the real thing....I caught it just in the right time....may not be the quickest on the slopes....but my shutter speed ain't bad!
To reach the top of the ski jump you took a cable car up the side....then two elevators to reach the top......and as you stand at the top you peer over the city of Innsbruck......nerves of steel for sure!
Our holiday was complete with a sleigh ride.....and a hit with Hannah as you can imagine! Our driver was an Austrian man that had rigged his sleigh with a hydraulic system so we could be on wheels for the non-snowy parts....and with a little pumping action (actually a lot of pumping action) we were down on the skis as a sleigh.....we ventured through the forests and mountains and were joined by our friends from Australia......my feet were on the ground......and our week came to a close......something I'll never forget...and I will play the DVD in my mind over and over!
In summary - skiing and chalet lots of euros........last trip down the gondola, PRICELESS!
