Ski school

I remember skiing in the alps as a kid. We went as a family, and while I know I do not remember it all, I remember being in complete awe over the size of the mountains. I loved going up to the top of the mountain, and I thought that our ski instructor was amazing. I have been on an off the slopes since that time in the alps (decades ago…) and my last attempt at skiing ended in a horrific accident, which subsequently resulted in four knee operations. I decided after those operations that I didn’t really care about skiing anymore. Then I had a daughter, who is fierce, and strong, and loves adventure. And I wanted to go skiing with her. And we did.

In researching where to go I found that Austria is incredibly family-friendly. We ended up finding ourselves in Tirol, and more specifically in Kirchberg near Kitzbühl at the Hotel Elisabeth. The hotel was located close to the base of one of the mountains, gave us excellent recommendations for a Ski School and the food was great. There were regular buses, which ran right from the hotel to the mountain and into Kitzbühl. It was incredibly straightforward and seamless, especially when traveling with a child. The ski school offered private and group lessons, and we opted for both (on separate days…). While I was a bit hesitant to place my daughter in a group class, as I knew that most of the lesson would be in German (a language, which she does not speak), she manage the 5 1/2 lesson like a star, and she seemed to really enjoy it. She liked it so much so that she is already looking ahead to our next trip.

I learned a few things on the trip… there was no concept of “green slopes” where we were. The level started at blue, and when my daughter took the lift to the top, I was very happy I didn’t see it happen. The people who live in the town and ski everyday are far more “hardcore” than I remembered skiers ever being. People walk and run in their boots. My GOD – I could not WAIT to take mine off! The area of Tirol is beautiful, and going during the Christmas break was nothing less than spectacular. It was the perfect way to end 2019 and look ahead to 2020, and to get back on the slopes, albeit with a great deal of caution.