Skiing experience - Skifoar'n

My Skiing experience or patience is virtue ….

Several years back I made the mistake to promise my now husband that if our (by that time unborn) child will learn how to ski – I will too. I managed to get out of this promise for about 5 years now. Now my time has come. For those of you who do not know I am not a big fan of winter and snow and I are not the best friends. Looks nice but simply too cold.

Normally I have enough of it by the time I realize that I cannot move in all that winter cloth which normally happens at a supermarket cashier, trying to reach my purse and not having enough hands for scarf, hat, gloves etc. I always feel sorry for the lady sitting there as she stares in a strange way at me while I mumble swearing words in any language that come to my mind. So I had enough by the time I put on my skiing boots already … But I reach ahead.

First of all I did not know that you have to get up so early for skiing. Our daughter thought 04:30 would be the right time … I didn’t agree. I was allowed to lie in bed for a while but then we really had to hurry. 09:45 sounded great but we were hunting for a skiing suit for Allegra as she grew out of her old one. But we found the perfect one – pink of course. Daddy found new matching gloves and quickly were forgotten the tears she cried the night before.

Ok, boots, skies, sticks, jacket, scarf, hat (of course my famous one from Norway), gloves all check and off we go to Kurt. Kurt is my skiing instructor. He seems to be far beyond 60 but those are the best teachers I always hear. Kurt does not speak very much or fast – which could be either because of his age or because he is an Austrian skiing instructor and has been doing this for quite some tourists over the years. I am in a group with 3 others but they have 1 day head start. Courses normally start on Sundays and we only arrived on Sunday.

So for me that meant I had to learn faster to keep up. I am used being pushed in the cold water as we say in German but cold snow … I think I forgot to mention that we started our day with -18 C !!! MINUS in case you did not read it thoroughly. Fantastic blue sky, no cloud, sunshine to die for (which apparently is the best ski weather I can dream of) but still freaking cold. By lunch it was warm with -8 C !!! Once your chin is numb by the way, it does not matter anymore. Though I have to say I was not cold. My layers and layers of things I put on in the morning helped. And skiing or at least learning to ski is quite an exercise. No time to be bored and no time to think.

I started with what I call Sasquatch march. Trying to march up the hill with long boards attached to your way to heavy boots sideways. I felt comfortable. No we go down ! Okay ! Where are the breaks ??? Getting speed no problem but Kurt has a solution.: Pflug ! Later I found out that Allegra has been taught a much cooler word ‘Pizzaschnitte’ (pizza slice). Which is also more self-explanatory. Just put your feet in a triangle and eventually you will stop (insha - allah as I will find out).

First couple of times you are allowed to turn around walking – best would be without sliding back. Not what I did ! I am pretty good by now going downhill backwards … Simply missing the strength in my arms to hold me or push in the right direction.

Next step is ‘Bogen’ which could be translated as curve (I have no idea about the English translation for skiing expressions. In case someone does please help or google them for me). The idea would be you to ski in nice curves or slalom downhill and enjoy. Oh I enjoyed … not so sure if I did it the correct way though …

Left turn easy peasy lemon squeezy as Allegra would say but right hand side is not working for me. My skies go everywhere but not where they are supposed to go. So I find my way down with left turns only …. Marching up and Pizzaschnitte down.

Now Kurt thinks it is time for me to use the lift, which normally is introduced on the second day only. Let’s put it this way … interesting experience. A more or less friendly man hands you something that looks like a hook and you just lean against it. No sitting. It will pull you up automatically. All things by the way they only tell you later … Seems to be more fun this way. This thing does not stop obviously but I have Kurt. Somewhere on the road he gives me a push and says, see you down there … And pretty dam sure he comes back and off we go again. The others are going up all the way and it seems to be impossible to ever do that but funnily I am excited when Kurt says to me ‘Tomorrow we go all the way’.

 Time flies by and I have survived my first day of skiing. 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon after a way too short break. Everybody asks how my legs are doing. They are fine! My Yoga and Pilates seem to have worked out for me. But my shoulder and back are killing me! I am afraid I will not get out of bed the next morning. Not only because of the cold !

The most amazing feeling is the moment you put on your regular boots again. They are so heavy normally and make a quite big footed step coming from bare feet or maximum light weight Flip Flops. But now they feel like wings. I am not touching the ground and flying or hovering over it. I am okay with doing this again.

Allegra had as well 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. Her face is red and she has frozen ears but she is so happy! Smiles and shows me Spaghetti and Pizzaschnitte. (Spaghetti are straight noodles, right?). I think Roman had the worse day of the 3 of us as he knows how to ski and loves it but has no equipment yet and runs between his 2 ladies to check if everything is ok. I feel for him! Now it is his turn and while Allegra takes a late afternoon sleep in my arms he gets a new outfit as well. Not purple as Allegra had wished for but stylish red and black. Hills here we come … What’s that song from Sound of music?

Day 2

Dear lord, it is still cold! I do not want to get out of bed and again I had it for the day after putting on my boots. Why do they have so many sips and clicks and Velcro thingies ???

Anyway, Kurt waits for me and today we are just 3 of us. By now I do not feel that the others have a day of advantage as I now stay with them and see they are also not as good as they look from the far distance.

The word of the day is ‘Rutschen’ – sliding. Oh man I am goooooooooood in sliding. Who needs to break anyway? NO FEAR is my motto of the day and of we go. I am getting better in right turns and going backwards is fun! The best feeling though is when I do my left turn and slide towards the group. Kurt sees me coming and jumps away – afraid I will crash and I stop with just a smile a millimeter before him. Like in the movies I have to say … Right side … hmh still tricky and I do 2 left turns for every one right turn.

Lift taking by myself ? Well I tried and an unspoken agreement with Kurt and me has been done to NOT do that again. Off I go half way as we did so many times and find myself confidently sliding down the hill … backwards!!!!   NO FEAR So I stick with Kurt.

Next exciting step is going up the hill more and more with the lift until I finally reach the top !!! King of the world … on my bump I go ! Nothing broken so off we go sliding, curving and whatever other expressions you have !! Weather is not bad, no sun but less cold. Still below 0 C but okay. I still believe the most exhausting thing for me is the constantly blowing my nose action. Without that I would have had enough time to learn the right turn as well. But tomorrow there is another day … (Don’t tell my legs as I start to feel them. Not so much if I do not move but enough to be ready for a nice warm shower)

Day 3

We decided that Allegra will have a break today and only goes skiing in the afternoon. Morning was entertainment program with Daddy while mom goes back on her skies.

At least she tried. I felt every muscle and bone in my body. Muscles I did not even know I had. I was happy not knowing them if I may add. Nevertheless new day and no pain no gain.

New day meant as well new teacher. Brueno or something from Norway. A bit younger and more my type in the sense that he talked more with jokes etc. He did not think much about my unspoken agreement of not taking the lift by myself. ‘Off you go’ and so I did. He was the one who changed my motto from NO FEAR to NO MERCY. He was brutal – good but no mercy what so ever. Just slide down the steepest hill and do a short curve (turn). Over and over again. He did explain much more than the other teacher but when your ski does not want to do what he says … what can I do ?

By now it was only two of us left and while my ski buddy from Holland is sliding and driving away I am busier collecting my skies or myself of the ground or out of the deep snow. Damn this sport is difficult. My legs won’t do what I tell them even if I bend and lean and whatever Brueno suggested. I am not Pamela. Brueno tries to explain that you have to look up and face the valley. Open your breast and show them to the valley (imagine Pamela Anderson). All clear but when you do not have anything to show there is nothing to do. So I try my best and lean in the valley, put my skies in an angle, look up and of course smile and enjoy. Let’s put it this way: Not there yet !

By the end of the two hours I am exhausted, shaking and in tears. I had enough for the day and quit. Taking of my boots seemed like Mission Impossible. For a moment I thought seriously about going to bed with them just to not have to take them off.

While I try to convince Allegra to ski in the afternoon, Roman is off and I hope he enjoys. It has by now about -5 C and the sun is out. Blue sky just postcard picture perfect.

Instead of sitting in the corner and mumbling not to be said words in front of a child I decide to get my frustrations out by throwing snow balls at the parking lot of Kempinski Hotel.

I call a friend and she suggests having a nice Cappuccino. Even the thought of lifting a cup is painful.

I feel a bit better and take a stroll left and right until Allegra is done with her two hours private lesson. In the afternoon she is alone with the teacher and laughs and smiles. No tears and she shows me how is speeds downhill.

I am looking desperately for a Red Cappuccino (as it is Wednesday) and that would lift my spirits. At least I find a nice spot outside and have a cup of green tea (which is cold after half the cup) to keep me going.

Allegra and I pick up Roman and according to the pictures he took he must have had a much better day then me. Back in the house I take a bath which I normally do not like but warm water seems to be a good recipe for aching muscles. A shower just won’t do today. There I realize that part of the pain comes from the blue mark on my leg in the size of Texas. Swollen and changing color – a bit in the shape of Africa. I hope and believe in the magic of Arnica – nothing else I can do!

By now I have not even told you about the house we are staying in. And the fact that we stay in one of the most prestige skiing resorts in Austria – Kitzbuehel. We stay in a small village and have the most amazing house you can dream of. Indescribable and out of this world. The house is out of wood and original from 1860 … For more details I will have to show the pictures but they won’t do justice.

While I type this I realize that I just finished half my course. Oh lord ! Tomorrow more of this ? Well if I don’t do it I will never go back on the skies and that might be a shame. I will let you know !  

Day 4
Still cold!! I wake up in the morning and my hot water bottle has no heating strength left. I carefully open one eye – snow still there. The mountain in the far back looks hazy and right I am - it is snowing. At least that explains my headache. A look on the thermometer and to my surprise the temperature is coming closer to 0 C, which of course means that the snow from the mountain comes down with us as rain.
Surprisingly enough I am able to get out of bed. I wouldn’t say nothing hurts but what was excruciating pain yesterday (bending down to dress Allegra) is manageable today. Even going up or down the stairs in the house does not feel any more like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
The only thing is that thought of going back up that hill. For a moment I consider that it would be quite pleasant to take a bike trip from Windhoek to Swakopmund instead of going skiing. But by the time I argue with the pros and cons I am already dressed in my gear. Even putting on my boots did not take that long anymore. Am I getting in the routine?

Then I see my skiing instructor with his big mean smile. Correction by the way here, his name is not Brueno but Roener (same difference to me) and he is 63 of which he has skied about 61 …
I am able to convince Roener to start slowly by getting off half way (at least me) and I am proud of myself for not sliding back downhill for a change. Now Roener has a new way of teaching us to face the valley. Hold your sticks like a tray in your hands and slide down. ‘Yeah sure’ is my first thought. ‘Should I tap dance for you as well ?‘  But my continuously mantra ‘no fear(including making the right eyes), face the valley, lean’ helps and it goes surprisingly well. Even my right turn seems to come along. Once in a while at least.
I am growing in confidence I believe and even think that this might be the day without falling. Well NO! But only twice and I am so good now that I can get up myself. Roener just laughs at me. He also explains to me that my legs are too long. Hardly ever had a man complaining about this. But it makes sense. He is a head shorter than me and for him the distance to the ground is shorter. Leaning forward is easier for him. All in the physics ….
So while sliding and leaning and bending and and and I take the decision to stick to my initial thought of this morning this will be my last skiing lesson of the year. Suddenly I am gliding and having fun. I have to admit once you overcome that pressurizing feeling it is a quite enjoyable sport. You don’t feel the pain while doing it and bruises are forgotten. I know now what my husband talks about when he says he went downhill yodeling. (You know what I mean ‘Jolaadiiiooooohhhh’ Austrian style). For a split second I want to give the mountain my best shot but don’t want to read about this experience the next day in the paper … (Funny German lady caught yodeling). So we go up and down and I really enjoy myself on the last downhill curving, turning, bending, leaning etc and YES it is time for lunch. I pick up Allegra who was supposed to go on my part of the hill today as well but the teacher realized quickly that it is too early. So she enjoyed her penguin hill. There are penguins as decoration which I find so perfect for her considering her school is called Little Penguins.

I return my skies and even if I break now the heart of my husband (and my Austrian family) I have to say: skiing is not my sport and never will be. With the happy ending of today I might consider in a year or two (after a couple of beach vacations) to try it again. I am glad I did it but can live happily ever after without it. Sorry !!

After an afternoon nap (what a luxury not having to rush back) we take a small stroll and Allegra is sliding down the small hill in front of our house on her butt with her dad – both sitting on a plastic bag. What joyous moments. Of course I have to try as well and the ground gives a nice massage to my butt cheeks. We also have a small snowball fight but I have to get better conditions for that tomorrow – it was getting dark already.

For tomorrow morning Allegra goes skiing and I will … Well stay tuned to read more

Day 5

Call the police! Someone stole the mountains! It is snowing so heavenly heavy that you can’t see far. According to the skiing instructor of Allegra between 07:30 and 10:00 there was 15 cm new snow!! And it is heavy wet snow. That means it is very difficult to walk and the skiing instructors for the kids have to prepare the slope all over new again. Hard work and Monika (Allegras skiing instructor) isn’t so pleased that Allegra shows up I have the feeling. The other kids stayed home due to the weather. I am sinking in the snow and believe that I will get pretty soon a call to fetch Allegra as she is fed up. But I drive back - or at least try. I haven’t been driving on snow in ages and the roads are slippery like hell. It does not help that you don’t see squad but what I can do on skies I just transfer to the car. I slide and smile ! Meanwhile it started snowing horizontal …It is so bad that they cancel one of the big skiing events which was supposed to take place today in Kitzbuehel. This weekend there is the famous Hahnenkamm Rennen – one of THE skiing events and the steepest downhill. You have Super G on Friday, Abfahrt (downhill) on Saturday and Sunday Slalom. The passages or slopes are already closed off for public. You just see the red fences from everywhere which looks quite impressive. Kitzbuehel is full and you only see Audi, BMW and Porsche as they are sponsoring the event. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. 

There comes no call and when we pick up Allegra after two hours she is wearing very stylish skiing glasses. She continues to go up and down her little hill (racing I would call it), moving gently through arches they set up and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the snow. I think I took the right decision to stay home today as I cannot even see the top where I normally get out of the lift to start. They even stopped one off the lifts. While trying to film her, my hands are frozen but Allegra just enjoys. Isn’t that beautiful?
We have lunch and when coming home Allegra and I have another round of snow fun! Snow angels I have to teach my little one. And what better way than to do it yourself! For those who don’t know what I am talking about: throw yourself in the snow laying on your back and spread your arms. Wiggle them so it looks like wings of an angel. Sooooooo much fun ! Allegra also enjoys the deep snow. When I walk I sink in until my knees minimum -sometimes even half my thigh is gone. Yeah I need the exercise by now ;-) Movement is good! The pain and aches are there but today it feels more like a healthy exercise hangover. My back and shoulders are much better and now it is my legs and knees. But according to Röner that means I did something right! Yeah baby!
By now it is winter wonderland here. No sound to hear as the snow swallows everything and if I wouldn’t have so much snow in by boots I would stay longer outside.

I hope tomorrow we can build a snowman with Allegra and maybe take a lift up the mountain and show her the view what she saw so far only on pictures.

Day 6 and 7
 And it snows and snows and snows … 07:30 am we wake up by the by now familiar sound of the next door neighbor – the farmer coming with his excavator / caterpillar and clearing our drive way. Kind of cool service I think. Of course this makes going to the car downhill more like ice skating but nothing against a little sports in the morning.

We are on our way to the Hahnenkamm Rennen – as I mentioned the event of the season. The parking situation is impossible so we park a bit outside and take Allegra on a slide (sledge?) that we bought and Romans pulls her through the town. It snows like crazy and the roads are slippery as hell. But by now I am used to just glide through the day, right?

We fight our way through until the finish line of the downhill race. As we set up camp or better find a position to stand without sliding away, the race has started and it is kind of interesting. You can’t see where the racers start but can follow this on a big screen. At a certain point we take off our eyes of the giant TV and see a little dot racing or speeding down the slope. It is difficult to see as the snow is irritating but they are anyway so fast that you have to hurry up to follow them. 60 athletes start that day and we managed to see about 50 or 55 of them as we came a bit late. At least we saw the winner of the day – 5^th time in a row the same Swiss guy wins. Sorry Austria - but the atmosphere is good. Anyway they only sell beer, Gluehwein, coke or Red Bull. One Gluehwein and I am gone. But I am also not cold …Partially that could be as well because of the cool toe warmers my father gave me and I am wearing. It is all a matter of gadgets, am I right?         

We stay until the end and crawl back to our car. Totally wet from the snow fall and with a lot of fresh air in our lungs to make us tired. Just Allegra seems to recuperate and recharge her batteries magically in a 10 min car ride and does not even think about giving us a rest. 

Today we actually realize that we were standing just next to the VIP stage and did not even bother to look at any one sitting there. All of Austria’s High Society was there including Arnold Schwarzenegger – at least that is what we read today in the paper. We also did not go to any of the after parties but also with this I can live very well.

The snow has turned into rain today and it is not tempting to go outside. At least this gives me time to do some yoga. My back and left leg are hurting badly but nothing what a little yoga can’t stretch away. And suddenly I see something like a little sunshine. We pack our things and get dressed (quicker every day or I am just getting used to 30 min approx.?) and head for a mountain lift so Roman can go skiing. Allegra and I tag along and enjoy the view from Horn Bahn Gondel (a cabin lift). We see all of Kitzbuehel and have the perfect view of both famous slopes (today is the Slalom as you might remember). As soon as we are on the top – the view disappears – fog! Nothing to see for quite a while but Allegra and I play anyway in the snow. It doesn’t matter if we are on 900m above sea level or like now above 1600 m. Snow is snow … The only thing is that they use one of these little machines to clear there sun terrace (haha) which blows the snow away – right towards us … 

We enjoy a typical Huettenschmaus (lunch) in form of a Germknoedel which is basically a yeast dumpling without taste filled with plum jam and covered in vanilla sauce and sprinkled with poppy seeds and icing sugar. Each bite about a thousand calories – just divine!

Now it is time to show Allegra what ‘Rodeln’ is – speeding downhill on a slide/sledge. Of course for that you have to get up the hill somehow. Exercise is good and what does Allegra always say when climbing stairs? Strong legs !! So we pull Allegra up MY mountain. Fair enough it is a hill but for me as being a Flachland Tiroler (someone how did not grow up in the mountains) any raise in the landscape is a mountain. Be sure my legs but also Roman legs agree on the top (2/3 to be fair) that this is indeed a mountain.

All three of us hop on and down we go. Poor Allegra is covered in snow within seconds as Roman tries to steer and stop our descent with his feet. And she sits in front. But she wants to go again. Off we go one more time ! But now it is time to get home. My trousers are filled with snow from below but not as much as they will be when I finished my daily evening exercise. The owner of the house asked me to feed the birds … little did I know when I agreed that I had to walk to the bird house through - by now 1 m - snow to reach there. So I walk like a stork every evening with some bird food and try to step on the way back in the footstep I made before. I still sink up to my thighs in the snow. The hope of getting strong legs helps … and the birds are happy.

In case you thought we got stuck or snowed in – I just wanted to let you know about our last couple of days.

Day 8
Still snowing! Not tempting to go out at all. So we decide to have a Spa Day. We went to Arosa Hotel and had a fantastic Hamman experience. Finally – after 45 min on a hot stone being massaged by a good looking gentleman – I was warm. For once in the last couple of weeks – until my daughter decides to go swimming again. Well, what the heck. Water is good for you and cold water keeps you fresh and young right? And I have to admit it is kind of cool to have a connecting indoor / outdoor pool with heated water and you can swim in the snow (I mean while snowing). No wonder Arnie had chosen the hotel but no sight of him anywhere.  

Day 9
After packing and before heading to Vienna I want to build a snowman. Need to convince my family a bit but at the end I was very proud of us. A bit crooked but I think for Allegra’s first snowman ever very nice. Picture proof attached.

I have to admit I was sad to leave the nice house and my fairy wonderland. But any vacation has to come to an end. Even when it is cold or specially then ?

The drive to Vienna is longer than expected due to still heavy snowfall but in the end we make it. And another first time of the day. Allegra got her first Happy Meal at McDonald’s. Yum!

Day 10 (+11)

For those of you who don’t know Vienna – it is always windy. Which does not really help with feeling welcome and pleasant in winter around 0C. Nevertheless we behave like tourists and take a ‘Fiaker’ ride. Horses and a carriage through the beautiful downtown of Austria’s capital. Allegra is not as impressed as she would be in a couple of years but I enjoy. To get warm (for a change) we have tea and coffee at Do & Co over the roof tops of Vienna opposite the famous Stephan’s Dom (church). The rest of day and the next day we spent with family and enjoy freezing our butts off on several playgrounds.

Day 12

There are good days, bad days and then comes a day like this Friday. Ok getting up at 6:00 is not my favorite thing but I survive.  Then Allegra throws a fit at security check at the airport because the lady working there re arranges her favorite toy - which is also manageable. Now the plane is delayed for 1 hour … Okay ! But driving in the airport bus to the plane being accompanied by singing and totally drunken Austrians (inappropriate songs by the way)while trying to hold on to the hand rails can get to you. Of course it does not surprise one that 10 minutes later the police comes in the plane and escorts these fine young gentlemen out of the plan for misbehaving. But my luck does not end ! While starting our descent to Hannover the pilot pulls up again and we cruise for a while… After that it feels like Murphys law that there is only 1 toilet for what feels like a gazillion people at the luggage belt. Luckily our suitcases arrive and spin around slowly on the luggage belt on the by now totally deserted airport. I need a trolley but why should I have the luck to be in possession of the right coin ???

I think the guy at the Sixt rent a car counter thought what strange woman is coming there as I told him I do not care what kind of car he has. I need  4 wheels to take me home … The rest of the day was better …  

Now I am back with my parents and started packing. In 24 hours our plane takes off and I hope to see some sunshine for a change. I am happy to fly back but I do not look forward putting on my flying stockings as my black mark from my skiing adventure is still with me … My leg has gone through all colors of the rainbow and find its way down to nearly my ankle now … The compression will help the healing I hope – haha.