Day 5 - Dreaming of a White Christmas...

16:00

I sleep through the night. Finally feel like this bastard cough is on its way out. Sounds like so many are suffering with it. Most recent victim is Vicki’s Mum and Step-Dad, who now won’t be joining the fam Xmas in Guildford as they’re struck down.

I’m out early doors. I want to make the very most of what I think are going to be great conditions today. The snow kept up until late into the evening, but today will be bright and sunny. Banging combo. I've definitely seen snow on Christmas Day before. I think a couple of times my life. A touch of snowfall though, and not a wintry wonderland. I have SO been looking forward to this. The lifts are fairly quiet. I’d wondered if some might skip skiing today - in favour of what, I’m not sure. I’ll take it though. The views from the top of the mountain are staggering. Incredibly beautiful and serene. I ski for around an hour, before stopping for my now customary mid-morning coffee.

Around 11:00, I’m due another rest. I’ve ended up in a corner of the mountain with which I’m unfamiliar. I ski past a mountain bar called Panorama. Their balcony hangs over the side of the mountain, and has the most incredible views. A beer fairly quickly becomes two. The terrace is filling up. Some German kids (early 20s maybe?) ask if they can share my table, and I agree. We chat away for a while. They buy me a schnapps. They have names, but I don't remember any of them. They ask If want to ski with them for a while, and again I agree.

Around 12:30, they’re ready for lunch, so we go our separate ways. I’m loving slope time today, so push onwards. The snow conditions are fantastic. With sun forecast for the next few days, the slopes will likely get icier and bumpier. By Friday, they’ll be tricky at best. Today, though, they’re in sensational condition. Finally, around 14:00, I decide I should eat. I stop at one of the big, canteen style restaurants at the top of the mountain. My Christmas lunch is a turkey schnitzel, with potato salad and cranberries. Delicious. And filling. Much needed, in fact.

I ski for maybe another hour, but I can feel my legs starting to suffer. I’ve managed to ski more than I thought I would on this trip. WAY more in fact. At the start of the week, I found myself wondering how I’d fill the time when I wasn’t up to skiing. Now, I’m unsure whether I’ll have any time to do anything BUT ski, as I’m enjoying it so much, and my body’s allowing me to do pretty much as much of it as I want.

I’m back in Mayrhofen town centre by 16:00, and it’s quite the joy to take my ski boots off. The only recourse is to treat myself to a beer at my favourite downtown bar. There’s definitely some rest and relaxation in my immediate future, but I’m in no urgent rush to get there…

22:30
My aching body demands the jacuzzi, and who am I to deny it what it needs? I spend a wonderful hour in the spa flitting between the sauna and the jacuzzi. Much needed, much deserved. Dressed, I head out for a wander. The town is busy - busier than I think I’d expected. In my mind, I’d half expected most of the hospitality businesses to be closed this afternoon. A few are, but the majority are open, and doing a roaring trade. I head to Mo’s, which is rapidly becoming my regular haunt. There’s a DJ playing some half decent indie stuff. Couple of grosse Weissbiers suitably oil the skids.

Dinner is a suitably festive affair. A very tasty, rolled turkey breast, some Christmas hats, and a cracker. I’m unsure how many of these are traditional Austrian items, and how many are designed to cater to the visiting British contingent.

Rod and I grab a drink in the bar after dinner. He’s a cool character. Late 50s, raised in Glasgow. He made it to the afternoon rave at the White Lodge this afternoon, and says it was great fun. We exchange stories for an hour or so, but I’m knackered, and he’s increasingly refreshed. By 22:00, we’re both ready to call it a night. It’s been a brilliant Christmas day. Very different, but brilliant…Läs mer