Sat March 19 - Hauser Kaibling
First ski day of the trip and first for over 2 years so I was certainly looking forward to this but at the same time quite cautious. Fine, sunny day temps around 3C. Took it very carefully to start with, almost pinching myself that I was actually doing this again. First time I have had a 2 year gap of no skiing for over 40 years. Got dropped off at the gondola by the apartment owner. Being a Saturday it was quite busy but the crowds dissipated reasonably quickly, the Ski huts were already being well occupied by 10am.
Stayed on Hauser Kaibling the whole time, got to the cross over point to the Planai, but opted to leave that for another day. Pistes were generally pretty firm, softening up lower down later in the day, but all in good coverage all the way to the valley. The apartment is a shorter walk to the old Tauern gondola. It had occurred to me that I had never used this one on previous trips. I went down to check it out and then understood why. It is an ancient 2 stage cable car that only takes a max of 6 people standing, and you need transfer to another halfway up. And worse, it is in a crap location, there is no direct run to it. There is a trail (1B) from just above the newer gondola, but from the end of that you have another walk uphill to get to it.
Stopped off for a nice Backhendlsalat and a beer for lunch. Then back out into it. The legs were starting to feel it - lacking a fair bit of ski condition. A bit later was also feeling rather sleepy - the jetlag was kicking in. Had a couple more runs then took the 1B trails down again to Haus village and a 5-10 min walk back home.
And Covid rules? What Covid? I only saw a handful of mask wearers all day, none at all in the gondola. Although I hear that it will be made mandatory in gondolas again later this week due to increasing numbers.
Registered my skipass in skiline as usual. Summary for today:
7,424 vert.m., 35 downhill distance, 17 lifts, 333 minutes fun
Shower and quick lie down, woke up 2 hours later.