Outside the secured territory

Monday afternoon, after a cumbersome and long trip due to snowfall all the way Markus’ parents and brother arrived in Hoerbranz coming for the first time to the Laendle for the long awaited birthday present for Kurt: two days in Lech with a ski guide and lots of off-piste skiing. Before heading up to the Arlberg the travellers were strengthened with Heidi’s famous Kaespaetzle and potato salad (prepared by Werner) which obviously hit the taste spot on, as Kurt ate three portions. When Markus, Stefan and Kurt got on their way to the exclusive ski resort it was still snowing in the lower areas of Vorarlberg, the first snow in more than a week, and the hopes were rising that also the mountains would get a fair share of the white stuff. The hope were fulfilled and while sleeping at nice Hotel Sandberg, right in the centre of the village, snow was still falling preparing the slopes ands even more so off-piste areas for the first ski day.

Three men on a mission - just before the descent from 2811 m

Tuesday at 0930 with the sky still overcast they met their guide Harry, a Carinthian who is a well known guide to Markus as he also used him, alongside some more of his colleagues at the Alpincenter Lech, during the ski seminars for Markus’ clients. Equipped with avalanche beeps the four set off up the Ruefikopfbahn towards Zuers and soon after leaving the sky showed signals of clearing up. Less than an hour later, when they were just walking off-piste, with skies on and off, the sun came out completely and made all of them sweat big time. The consolation though came soon when an untouched slope appeared in front of them. Heaven for every off-piste skier. The further route led them to Tyrol where they went up the Valluga to a height of 2811 m above seal level in order to ski down the Valluga North route, a route which can not be skied without a guide. Also here the conditions were absolutely amazing given the snow situation is rather unusual for the Arlberg region. On their way back to Lech via Madloch Harry did not leave out another famous off-piste area: The Stierloch. On this last bit they all felt the exertion of the day and were glad when they finally reached healthy the Rud-Alpe where after more than five hours on skies lunch could be taken. In order to relax for day two the late afternoon was spent in the hotel’s wellness area before dinner – another local speciality: Fondue – and an early night in bed in order to have the batteries recharged for Wednesday’s quest.

Jakob, Kerstin & Markus