Because I’ve promised myself to try something totally new to me, at least once in 2 weeks and because it was just a pity to miss all the snow that felt all week long, we made all the necessary arrangements and Saturday morning, we took off to the snowy mountains, in the Stuhleck resort (Semmering ski region), not more than 100km away from Vienna. There would have been the option for Hochkar as well, but this is situated at about 170km away from the city which meant: double distance to the destination + waking up in the middle of the night, at 5 am. So, no way Jose. But who knows? Maybe some other time..
picture from stuhleck.com
For reservations + transportation, things are really simple. We did it in the following way: reservations here – 1 day travel pack (Bus zum Schnee – Tagesfahrten) – bus transportation both ways, ski card included. Leaving from Erdberg Straße 200a (metro station U3) (Vienna International Bus Terminal) at 8 am, coming back from the ski resort at 6 pm the latest (leaving the ski resort at 4:30 pm). Team members: Dani, amateur skier, but striving to go pro’ (just wait and see!), Dorin (always going for the hardcore stuff out there) plus 3 more AIESEC trainees from Vienna.
Cool. So we’re there. Next step: renting skiing equipment. There are 2 renting centers, at the base of the slope. I warn you that it will take a while. Being quite crowded (it was 9am !?), until I asked for a pair of skiing shoes, until I changed them (the 45s were too small 
), until I paid and let my ID card – guaranty, it took more or less 1 hour. Ah, and, not to forget, they also have storeroom + lockers in case you don’t want to carry all your shoes & clothes all the way to the top of the mountain. A list with the renting prices you can find up here. I paid for skies shoes+skies+sticks/1day=28.50€ .
And now this is the part where we get to the fun. Let’s not call it skiing (it’s too flattering), trying to ski. Great experience! It takes a while until you get used to the feeling of having your ankles really stiffy & starting to rely more on your balance and the force of you knees. I can’t really remember how many times I felt down. What really matter is to find a easy portion of slope and try practicing there, until you gain confidence on your own legs. Dorin was so happy, he was on the point of levitating. He was in his personal playground. The people around me were simply vibrating of joy, being such a nice weather and great snow. It totally worth it! Sun, adrenalin, fresh cool air, mountains all around. I think I will try this, at least once more.
great pictures, as always, from Dorin [slideshow]
I finish here, with a line à la Mastercard: “Ski card for one day: 25Euro. Renting equipment: 28Euro. The taste of a fresh cold Almdudler, enjoying the view, at 1300m height: PRICELESS!”
quicklinks: Stuhleck webcams, Stuhleck – map, panoramic view
