Since the university term is finally over, we can take some time off for spring skiing. We got a cheap package deal (Richard’s first package holiday ever) to Hinterglemm in Austria. Rachel has insisted that I act as ski instructor again, so it’s another week of shouting for me, and disobeying instructions for her!

Only small alps, so we skiied them twice!

During the first two days the weather has been very warm, with bright sunshine every day. The runs have been nice in the morning, but have got softer and softer in the afternoon. It doesn’t really feel like skiing weather at all.

Rachel has been improving fast. Despite Pete and Tish attempting to scare her away from red runs forever with a traumatic experience at Chamonix, she’s braved the red runs and the bumps, and by and large survived intact. She does have very sore thumbs though. Nobody can quite figure out why!

Rachel shows off her new and improved skiing style.

Today we took a day off from skiing to explore the valley. We had a very nice walk as far up the valley as we could get without floundering through the snow. There were a couple of nice looking ice climbs at the far end of the valley for all you mad types, but somehow we managed to resist the urge to explore them ourselves. We finished our easy day off with hot chocolate and cake in Hinterglemm. It wouldn’t be Austria without cake!

Even wooden mascots need relief sometimes!

Mmmm.... Cake!