With the season closing in Schladming in just 9 days we have had a big rush of people trying to squeeze in a second weeks skiing or just a weekend away, we are now manic with at least one or two airport transfers every day and loads of late bookings we have found accommodation for- between this, the kids and the property management my ski time has really suffered!

The snow is still plentiful on the north slopes and looks set to last even with the predicted 20 degrees this weekend.

We went night sledging last night on the Hochwurzen with my cousin and the kids, the conditions were perfect with cold clear skies and a quick icy track- after a couple of Schnaps in the Kleiner Hochwurzen it was really exciting. We finished with a great meal in the Tauernalm (pictured!!).

One of the Irish guests said he had seen on you tube a guy racing from top to bottom on the Planai in just 11 minutes with a camera so I have been fiinishing each ski time with a top to bottom blast- best time between 4.3 and 5 minutes (sorry my watch is a bit crap). Not sure my ankles will last another 9 days

Photos, the cow on the Larchkogel , the night skiing and sledge trackon the Hochwurzen and my dinner!!

Now with three days of constant snow the conditions are brilliant, Easter morning and again Easter Monday we hit the slopes early on the first bus to get some fresh tracks before the crowds arrived.  Up to 11 the slopes were deserted with 15 cm of fresh powder and great skiing on and off piste.  By 11 the temperature was up to plus two and the crowds gathering- so back home for a swim!

I emptied our hot tub to mark the coming of spring only to find 5cm of snow in the garden this morning- I should have left it another week!

Pictures Hannah (my daughter) in the woods at the back of  the Alm lift,  tree in the valley (700 meters) full of snow.

After a restless night dreaming about the powder in the woods I caught the 8.00 bus to the Planai and got the first lift up to find some fresh snow. With minus 4 at the bottom and light snow I seemed to be the only person skiing.

The ski route from yesterday was tracked out and no fun, the woods were also well trodden so I followed a snowboarder who ducked the rope, and skied a steep couloir heading off from the top of Planai towards Mitterhaus, I knew this connected back with the mitterhaus lift but assumed there was either a cliff or rocks and no way through- how wrong I was, what a great ride in open airy woods with rolling hills and virtually no tracks,  I even managed to land a big drop (well it felt big).

The first lift is the way ahead cant wait for tomorrow! Photos- lots of tracks in the woods.

We woke up this morning to 15cm of snow in the valley and freezing temperatures of -7 at the top at 8 am although a little windy the conditions were great with snow up to my knees in the woods.

Some guests from last year were staying up the road and offered great company (and an excuse to go out)  for a days skiing,  all the usual haunts lived up to expectations especially the back fields off Mitterhaus offering the best snow I have seen this season.  Late afternoon the slopes were badly cut up with icy hard lumps and the final run out was very icy- but this still didnt spoil a great day and more snow due tomorrow!!

I visited the Schafalm for lunch which although busy gave quick table service and good food for under 10 euros per head.

Pictured Ken and gang ringing the Alm lift bell,  my first tracks on the powderfields in Mitterhaus.

What a fantastic few days, the Irish wedding was a complete sucess and we felt privilaged to be invited- although I am ready for re-hab now.  Hats off to Eoin & Julianne bringing 75 mostly non skiers here and showing them a fantastic time even getting elderly relatives night sledging. The weather was perfect for the ceremony, the black rain clouds cleared just an hour before with blue skies and brilliant sunshine- it was even warm enough for drinks outside.

Lots of fresh snow last night above 1000 meters with -2 on the top at 8.am, winter seems to be making a late comeback with snow forcast for the next 3 days and much colder temperatures.

Pictures:- The happy couple. My three daughters as flower girls.

After picking up some of our friend’s wedding guests I found myself propping up the bar at half past three in the morning, we had real trouble finding any life in Schladming after 12 on a Wednesday, unfortunately La Porta accomodated and the beer flowed.

My new shoes were rubbing on the way home and being a commited skier I didnt want to risk more blisters, and so with thoughts of Zola Budd I made the fatal decision of walking home bare foot -unfortunately they had just gritted the pavement-ouchy-the new shoes are great.

With the taste of Kebap fresh in my mouth I managed to meet the others for 9.30 at a wet and miserable Planai with 14 degrees and raining. Despite a pounding headache we had a great mornings skiing. The weather was changeable and the snow terrible with big puddles on some of the runs and dark damp patches which pulled your skies back. By two I was shot so only one thing for it back to the bar!

This morning we had short but heavy snow flurries but unless the temperature drastically changes I can’t imagine the slopes below the mid station staying open, however we are due light snow tonight and tomorrow which will hopefully look pretty for the wedding!

Not sure I am going to survive the week, I have a stag group arriving tonight.

Pictures- the runout back to Schladming, our friendly dentist delivering pain relief, the advance wedding party.

We finally have some snow -after six weeks of very little (none in Schladming) and 3 days of solid rain we finally have snow!!!!!

I picked Linda up from the airport today so my week of endless skiing (in the rain) and complete freedom is over and its back to work!!

We now have four holiday properties we are manageing for people and have our first guests next week- If you are looking for a holiday apartment check out our site. www.property-management.at

The plummer in the village got his devine retribution for his obscene hourly rate when his roof was blow off in the storms on saturday- I have to admitI did snigger- sorry.

Photo- view from my lounge window- with snow!!!

The house is a mess I am fed up with Kebaps- but dont come back yet Linda. Skied the Rittisberg today, a bit slushy and small but great fun with only 4 other people skiing cant wait for the Fageralm tommorow!

Started to get a few properties to manage in Schladming, so all my spare time (when its dark) has been spent on the computer designing web sites… if you are looking for a holiday flat or house to rent check out the link- also lots more coming!! http://www.property-management.at/post/Letting-Sample-2.aspx

Heavy snow forcast for tommorow over 1200 meters- why always on the day I have airport transfers?

Photos-

I took an early morning easy tour along the high route of the Hauser Kaibling as pictured, found a great path from drag lift k to the cross at the highest peak following the ridge, as you can see green patches on top at 1900m. However I did totally wimp out and used the lifts to get up to the top (sorry Wolfgang) . Piste’s were great on the way home -hard pack covered with 3 cm of fresh artificial- but I can imagine bumps and slush later after lunch.

I was sad to hear one of our neighbours died in a tragic skiing accident when he colided with another skier and never regained conciousness- funeral on the 29th.

Linda is back to England for a week tomorrow so I am looking forward to some skiing and a break from the kids! I am working really really hard and long hours researching for Mad Dogs new ski book- I have hardly left the house this week!

Whats going on with the weather its snowing in Greece and its in the 60 s here? The Planai has been reduced to white ribbons running down a green mountain, the runs are good with 180cm at the top and 50cm at the bottom but theres no ‘extra’ and will it last? This could be a big minus for Schladmings world championship bid.

Going to a Bar-B-Q early this afternoon do I risk the shorts?

Ski toured the Hochwurzen yesterday 1 hour 30 from mid station to top (pretty crap), nearly ready for the big stuff- just need to get my balls adjusted.