Cross County Skiing in the Austrian Mountains

I (Courtney) grew up cross country skiing... here’s the evidence (I’m the one in the pink jumpsuit — January 1993):

But cross country skiing here in the Austrian mountains is quite a different experience! (We went to Turmkogel, about 45 minutes from Gaming).



For starters, the surrounding mountains we could see were absolutely gorgeous as we were able to go on a sunny, clear day!



And my company was great as we made it a ladies’ trip :)









It was much more of a workout than I remember it being as a child. And the fear of falling, especially coming down the mountain trail, was much higher! But it was so wonderful! I’m definitely looking forward to going again! 🏔 

More Lockdown, More Fun in the Snow!

Our lockdown, aka stay-at-home & only leave for essential reasons, continues!

On January 17, the Austrian government extended the lockdown until at least February 7.  Shops, museums, and service providers might be able to open on February 8.  Hotels and restaurants will stay closed until the end of February.  Minimum distance to others has increased from 1m to 2m (6.5 ft).  And in shops and on public transport, the FFP2 masks will be required beginning January 25.

For our family, it means that Ellie is still being homeschooled.  We pick up her assignments for the week from a box in front of the school and the teacher emails the answers each day.  Our boys' kindergarten, fortunately, is open.  So our boys go each day, which makes homeschooling with Ellie much easier.  It takes her about 2-3 hours each day to complete her work.  Because she doesn't have to get up early to get to school, she's been staying up late each night in bed doing a ton of reading.  She devoured The Imagination Station books in English and is now reading several German-language series including Das Magische Baumhaus (The Magic Tree House).  Our region all has "Ski week" break January 30-February 7, so we'll have all the kids home and hope to do even more local skiing! 

Clare continues to be sweet and adventurous.  She often calls for "mommy" and "dada" - but she's uses those names interchangeably for Brian and me.  She loves to go outside.  However, she refuses to wear her mittens!  So our time outside always ends with her crying and freezing red hands.

With our recent snowfalls, Clare's mode of transportation to Mass is more fun....

Sunday before Mass:

Riding to Mass:

The beautiful Kartause where we get to celebrate Mass:

The "frisbee field" next to the Kartause:

Isaac catching a ride home with our neighbor:

Our local ski resort remains open!  Brian and I were able to ski together one afternoon thanks to our wonderful friends who offered to watch the kids:

Homeschool days... starts with breakfast and then the kitchen table becomes the school desk (which Clare likes to disturb).  Around 10am Clare naps while Ellie and I enjoy having some fun playing indoors, watching the Nutcracker and eating popcorn, or playing in the snow:

Our home is the middle townhouse (townhouse 5) in this picture:

Townhouses 1-3:

More fun out back:

So lockdown continues, but life is good!!

Latest Lockdown & Going Skiing in Austria

We're very lucky to be considered LOCALS when it comes to skiing this year!

While a strict lockdown went into effect in Austria the day after Christmas, ski resorts were permitted to open with certain rules.  You have to reserve a time slot - either 9am-noon or noon-4pm.  You have to wear a ski mask (easy enough!) and keep your distance when getting on the lift, riding only with members of your same household.  At Lackenhof where we go skiing, you are stopped on the main road leading to the mountain by police officers and you must present your ski reservation.  You then retrieve your ticket from an automated machine.  And then you can ski as usual! 

Because we're not travelling anywhere we've been going most days - Brian and I alternate going with Ellie who can ski on the main slope.  And on the other days one of us practices with Francis on the kiddie slope (and once we took Isaac skiing but that didn’t last too long, so sledding it is for him this year).  Francis was supposed to be in ski school this year, but that was cancelled.  So we decided to have Ellie and Francis take a private lesson.  Francis, in particular, learned a ton and is a happy, confident skier on the kiddie slope now!  It is funny to see the difference in the kids’ personalities. Ellie followed obediently behind her teacher and gave short answers to his questions. Francis quickly greeted his instructor and told him, “I already know how to put my goggles on” as he proceeded to put them on his mouth. I was in shock when I saw him do this, and then I realized he was joking with him! I guess the personality differences may trace themselves back to Brian and me :) 

We’re definitely enjoying hitting the slopes!

Here's the latest with the lockdown regulations:

At the moment, a lockdown is in effect in Austria. Tourism and leisure travel are not possible.

Current measures - in effect at least until 17 January - include:

• Hotels are closed to leisure travellers/tourists; only essential travel (e.g. for business that cannot be delayed) is permitted.
• Restaurants and bars can only offer takeout/delivery services. Dining in is not permitted.
• Events such as concerts, plays, exhibitions etc. are cancelled.
• Theatres, cinemas, gyms, pools, zoos, amusement parks, and most other culture and leisure facilities are closed.
• Only essential shops are open.
• You are required to stay at home and only leave the house for essential reasons.
• Cable cars and ski areas have been allowed to reopen. Hotels and restaurants are however still closed and entry regulations (quarantine requirement - see below) are in effect. De facto, skiing is only possible for locals.

From 18 January, only if Austria's 7-day incidence rate falls below 100, the following measures will be taken:

• Hotels, restaurants, cultural institutions, and shops will be able to reopen.
• You will need a negative COVID-19 test to attend events, stay in hotels etc.
• Mass testing throughout Austria will take place before any rules are eased.