Sunday 30 March 2008

Skiing holiday to Soll

Well we took the plunge and booked a last minute 7 day skiing holiday to a resort called Soll in Austria. We were really looking forward to going back to Austria but weren't too sure about the skiing part of the holiday - were we going to like it, were we going to break an arm, was it going to even snow (given that it was the last week of the season). But all our worries were in vain cause it rocked and we had a great great time. Although our arms, legs, and backs (and okay, sometimes heads, what with all that jagermiester around!) didn't like it much, ouch!

When we arrived in Soll we were a little skeptical, there was no snow! But the following morning we woke up to a blanket of fluffy white as far as we could see and it was so beautiful. The first snow we've ever seen - we were so excited!! And it pretty much snowed (and got even close to a snow-storm!) the whole week.




Not knowing what to expect at the time of booking, we didn't book a full skiing package. However our advice to anyone reading this that may be considering a simlar holiday - book the full skiing package (hire, lessons, ski lift pass) as it really is cheaper as a package and not pay as you go. Also some other advice - definitely pay the extra dollar something to upgrade your skiing boots, omigosh does this make a massive difference. End of day one of ski school and Matt had to upgrade; and end of day two, I had to upgrade. And our feet and calves were much happier for it!



We started out in the nursery slopes and were being shown up by three year olds everywhere we turned! After a couple of days falling flat on our faces and trying to master the ski lifts (where you had to stick a pole between your legs and hold on for dear life) we finally graduated to the gondolas...ooo...aahhh... We then braved the 'easy' blue run and the 'hard' blue run and discovered that speed actually makes turns much easier as well as falling much easier! But we managed not to break an arm or a leg, although bruises are starting to show up now...



So definitely a highlight of our trip so far and we're now looking forward to going skiing when we get back home and possibly a trip out to NZ - we're definitely basic-intermediate skiers now, and can even dismount from the ski lift without poles! LOL ;)