Grüss Gott. Been out of touch for a while. Been catching up with relatives in Graz for the last week or so which was great with as you could imagine plenty of eating and a bit of drinking. Had a really nice day trip down to Slovenia and even found a pub showing the cricket.
Last 3 days though have been here in Tirol getting my first skiing days of 2007. Weather though has been insane. Last couple of days have seen temps in certain parts of Austria up to 27C which is unheard of in early April. In Sölden (1370m) it is apparently 17C although it seems like more. It was 12C at Gigijoch which is aroyund 2200m and even 8C at the base of Rettenbach glacier at 2670m, which is just ridiculous. The sun feels quite intense. Skiing on the glaciers has been still very good, but lower down in the Winter areas of Giggijoch and Gaislachkogel it turns to mush pretty early. With these temps have been limited to the pistes, although in good conditions there are heaps of good hiking and touring possibilties here. The pistes on the Rettenbach glacier are firm and a bit softer on the Tiefenbach glacier.
By around 3pm though it is pretty hard to find a reason not to call it a day and head for an apres ski beer or two (it is Austria after all). Have just had a couple and feeling pretty relaxed.
Last night they had an amazing play on the Rettenbach glacier with the story of Hannibal. It involved helicopters, jets, parachutists, hangliders, skiers, pisten bullys (as the elephants), motocross bikes, avalanches, flares etc. and fireworks to finish off. Amazing show. Apparently they do this every year, so if you are ever in Tirol during April check it out.
Sölden is very international - there are plenty of Germans which I expected, also quite a few Dutch as I was made aware of, also noticed quite a few Italians, Swiss and eastern Europeans )mostly Poles from the car number plates. Have encountered relatively few Austrians and hardly any native english speakers. Ive noticed that local staff will tend to greet you with a Hallo rather than a Grüss Gott unless they know you.
Last 3 days though have been here in Tirol getting my first skiing days of 2007. Weather though has been insane. Last couple of days have seen temps in certain parts of Austria up to 27C which is unheard of in early April. In Sölden (1370m) it is apparently 17C although it seems like more. It was 12C at Gigijoch which is aroyund 2200m and even 8C at the base of Rettenbach glacier at 2670m, which is just ridiculous. The sun feels quite intense. Skiing on the glaciers has been still very good, but lower down in the Winter areas of Giggijoch and Gaislachkogel it turns to mush pretty early. With these temps have been limited to the pistes, although in good conditions there are heaps of good hiking and touring possibilties here. The pistes on the Rettenbach glacier are firm and a bit softer on the Tiefenbach glacier.
By around 3pm though it is pretty hard to find a reason not to call it a day and head for an apres ski beer or two (it is Austria after all). Have just had a couple and feeling pretty relaxed.
Last night they had an amazing play on the Rettenbach glacier with the story of Hannibal. It involved helicopters, jets, parachutists, hangliders, skiers, pisten bullys (as the elephants), motocross bikes, avalanches, flares etc. and fireworks to finish off. Amazing show. Apparently they do this every year, so if you are ever in Tirol during April check it out.
Sölden is very international - there are plenty of Germans which I expected, also quite a few Dutch as I was made aware of, also noticed quite a few Italians, Swiss and eastern Europeans )mostly Poles from the car number plates. Have encountered relatively few Austrians and hardly any native english speakers. Ive noticed that local staff will tend to greet you with a Hallo rather than a Grüss Gott unless they know you.
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