Written by my first guest writer, Josh Baker – an entertaining blog on the effort it takes to get onto those slopes.

I recently took a trip to a beautiful Ski Village called Sölden, situated in the Ötztal region of Austria.  Although this area is a bit more on the pricy side, you are always guaranteed snow due to its high elevated glaciers from October to April with some 148km of ski slopes PLUS it is also ranked as one of the best après skiing in Austria.

After living in Central Europe for a number of years and having become well accustomed to the short and often dark days that characterize autumn weather, a break to the Alps, is all that is needed to get the spirits up; fresh crisp air, sunshine, great food, and of course, good company.

My trip, which included my family and partner, was in celebration of my father’s recent 60^th birthday. Our aim was to show him that age is really but a number!  He certainly got his money’s worth!

It seems everyone always talks about the wonders of skiing, but very quickly forgets the major mission it is just getting to the ski slopes.  We began our day in style with freshly baked croissants and pastries delivered to our door from the local bakery. This was courtesy of the great hospitality provided to us by Apartments Leni.  Once well fuelled up on tasty pastries, we began the major task of getting dressed into our ski gear.

First piece of advice when going skiing, get into your ski gear before you have breakfast.  These outfits are tight, and with the winter kilos firmly in place, that extra croissant may not be the best idea.  After putting on about 10 layers of clothing and looking like the Michelin man, I then realized I needed the toilet. I am not going to go into detail, but let’s just say, second piece of advice, go to the toilet before you put your ski gear on…

Eventually, we were ready to actually leave our chalet and head off to the slopes, me in my fancy goggles that did not make me look any cooler than a giant bee, and gloves which just about warranted my hands completely useless – gear that I had spent way too much money on just to look the part…..

There was though, one more step to go before we could hit those slopes; putting on those moon boots!  This is when you begin to wonder, “What the hell am I doing here?”  After pushing and shoving my feet into what essentially amounts to a miniature plastic bucket, I was breathing so heavily it felt like I had just run a marathon.  My father by now was just about ready to collapse, but still held a smile and quirked his usual optimism, “This is going to be the best present ever!” Desperately trying to keep up his enthusiasm, we began the long moon walk in our ski clogs to the lifts….

It might be a mission getting there, but hitting those slopes is pure bliss. The combination of warm sunshine, fresh air, the beautiful views, and the injection of adrenalin, is what makes it so special.  All the effort and frustration disappears, making a day on the slopes pure freedom.  This is why I will go back again and again.  For me, it’s my winter drug!

Let us know about your winter skiing stories, no doubt they are sure to give us all a laugh…