National 18 Plus Skiing Holiday
(11th - 18th January 2003)
(OR - memories of some not-so-snowy times.)

Keeping it down to non-epic proportions, the highlights of the trip started at Salzburg Airport's bus terminal. Due to delays, the party from Gatwick joined the party from Manchester to near monopolise the transfer coach and give the new (that week) to the job Rep a really hard time, with all the swapped-around ski pack deals that we had organised.

It had finally snowed (hooray!) such that the mountains were no longer green. It was decided to pile into the ski shop for a late-night fitting rather than go extra-early the next morning. This was followed by the Welcome Meeting where the Reps showed a Power Point representation of the area and its varied activities - one question they were loudly asked was to explain what all the white stuff in the photos was!

Rather disappointingly, a certain member of the party has now actually learned to ski, which meant they could no longer be seen hurtling down the 'Green' runs out of control, providing much entertainment that way. So, this was substituted by; first, their rather inventive use for a shower, second, outdoing this with a public sink (getting the idea?), and finally topping this by the fastest means ever found of clearing a bar table (followed by having to walk back in squelching shoes having not vacated the table fast enough).

While not stopping the skiing this year, the snow conditions were admittedly barely adequate, so the good skiers in the group investigated nearby Gossau for the day. This cost more, but with artificial snow piled high (as opposed to the lumps of green stuff the instructors insisted were 'AstroSnow!) much better skiing was available. The ski bus left 30 minutes earlier than normal and the journey is 30 minutes longer but the runs are much better and longer and all the lifts were of the chair variety.

For event organiser Adrian Barnard, it was the day he realised there was a good reason for wearing red - it is so much more stylish when hurtling down the slopes head first, skis over the head, poles clear, while ingesting the odd snowball - via the nose!

Strangely, this method seemed to work, as he got down faster than anyone in the party and nearly as fast as the nutters doing their impersonation of 'Ski Sunday'.

Not to be outdone, at least in action, another member of the party managed to misjudge both their speed AND their ability to handle it - by the time the others reached the bottom, the two parallel lines straight across the slow down area, THROUGH the Booking Hall and out the other side were all too evident. They departed the ground a mere eight feet from the main road, which he unfortunately didn't quite manage to clear (although his skis did). You'll be please to know he bounced!

Another fond memory was the constant criticism that one member of the party leveled at the food on offer, although they managed to do this between mouthfuls…and mouthfuls…and seconds… It seems some people put on SIX Pounds during the week! Perhaps they should have stuck a bit more to the great idea someone had of a Schnapps diet (for local Schnapps, read high-octane petrol), although the down side was some of those had trouble sticking to the diet, as they had immense trouble keeping the Schnapps down.

There was also Husky Racing on show - if anyone visiting the resort spots a Husky wearing some cool shades please let Adrian know, as a member of the party lost theirs while watching the sleds depart.

Unfortunately, the Operetta was on the same night as the Bowling AND the Curling, so that was all the best events in an evening gone! This did leave the chance for a Sleigh Ride - did you know horses still smell at -10C, and flies still enjoy it!

It was also fun for the non-skiers, with mountain walks and 'langlaufer' available (walking with tennis racquets on your feet). There's also an evening candlelight walk around the village, tobogganing and a trip to Salzburg available.

Next year's trip is taking place; deposits of £10 are being taken until the end of Brean. The package includes transfers, half board, ski/boot hire, tuition, passes and insurance. Total price - about £520 (give or take a bit).

Extract from Plus News - Summer 2003