Day 3 - Cough. Far cough.

14:45
Utterly bored of cough now. Woke me up multiple times through the night, and was awake for a couple of hours between about 02:00 and 04:00. Bored bored bored. I’m almost out of medication for it, so will top up later.

On the up side, VIKES WIN, VIKES WIN! Sounds like it woulda been a fun game to stay up for, and given I’ve had a wretched sleep, I probably should have done.

I’m out the door by 09:00. The Penken lift is barely 10m from my hotel. The incredibly short commute is a real treat. The sun’s trying to shine, though there’s still snow forecast later. At the top of the mountain, conditions are beautiful. The snowfall yesterday and overnight have left incredible powder conditions - just a joy to ski on. My new boots are working out well. Everything suddenly clicks. It usually takes me about a day to get my mojo back, and given yesterday was a truncated day, I guess the timing is about right. It’s difficult to describe the difference. It’s as much about confidence as technique, and I find myself relaxing into turns, where before I’d been tense. It makes the whole process of skiing a massively more enjoyable one.

Around 10:30, I stop for a coffee. I’ve again not bothered with breakfast, and could do with the caffeine hit. I’m slope side, about 2000m up. It’s crisp, but clear. Opposite me, a young couple sit down, and order an Aperol Spritz each. Well played. Definitely a little early for me. Sadly, he knocks her drink over, and in doing so, covers her with sugary Spritz. They have, if not quite a full on row, then at least a moderate altercation. He’s trying to blame her (I think - they’re speaking in some kind of Baltic language), and she’s not having it. From my vantage point, he’s demonstrably the guilty party. I choose not to weigh in.

Back on the slopes, I zig-zag across various of the Zillertal valleys. I don’t have a set route in mind - I’m just meandering as the mood takes me. The slopes are busy. I can’t remember the last time I skied during a school holiday, but some of the pistes are strewn with ski school groups of kids.

After another hour, I’m starting to feel the effort. I stop at the top of Moslbahn at a beautiful sun terrace, and grab a beer. It hits several spots. The sun has properly come out, and the views across the valley are mesmerising. Somewhere in the background, there’s a cool deep-house soundtrack to my beer. It’s an addictive way to spend some time.

I could happily settle in for another beer, but I know I’ll regret it if i don’t make the most of the weather today. I hit maybe 4 more runs, gradually working my way back over to the Penken slopes, and jump on a lift back down to the town centre. I stop in at one of the high street bars for a quick beer, and then pop into Spar to grab some supplies. I’m minded to spend a chunk of time in the spa this afternoon. It’s rapidly clouding over, and snow is starting to fall. Ooh, or maybe a nap. Of such difficult decisions will my afternoon be formed…

22:45
I manage a banging nap. About 90 minutes, uninterrupted by coughs. This is progress. Significant progress. To celebrate, I have a sensational bath, and a glass of wine. Snow’s falling pretty heavily out. I briefly consider a stroll before dinner, but decide a drink in the bar is a better bet. Dinner is once again excellent, and I chat away happily to my table-mates. Dave, it transpires, is about 19 months into the estate administration and probate process for his father’s affairs. We compare notes, and have many of the same complaints about the archaic and inefficient nature of HMRC’s working practices. It’s strangely heartwarming to hear someone else’s similar experiences.

I’m feeling pretty jaded. In place of a walk and a beer, I head back to my room to chill out and watch a movie. Bisto…Leer más