Skitouring at the Arlberg, Mehlsack (2652m)

25.02.2010

The last snowfall has been quite a while ago and most of the skiable faces at the Arlberg are tracked now. Skitouring at the Arlberg is always a great choice. The best about freeriding is to have the possibility to hike every mountain you like, and ski the face you have been looking at.

We decided to hike the Mehlsack, a mountain, that is used for heliskiing here at the Arlberg. For the ride down we chose a steep and rocky line on the north face of the mountain ending far back in the valley behind Zug. After a very windy hike up we had a great powder run all the way from the top ;-). What a prefect day!

Home sweet home, Riding at Seegrube, Innsbruck

24.02.2010

It’s great to spend a bit of time here at home in Innsbruck. Spring feeling is still in town and the snow is pretty slushy and wet. Perfect conditions to cruise a bit in the soft bumps in the shoots of the Hafelekar in Innsbruck and to ride the Nordpark.

Especially in soft conditions like these I like to ride the park. It’s great when the landings get soft and smooth although it’s sometimes a bit tricky to take the right speed. It was a great day to try out some new tricks and to chill on the mountain. 

Helli having some fun!

The Red One!!!

20.02.2010

It’s unbelievable but after 391.190 km my red Audi is still driving without big troubles. Finally it’s time to make a change, especially before my great car breaks down ;-). From the earth to the moon it’s 384401 km ... so my car and me are on the way back from the moon already.

This car has been at many great places all over Europe (France, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Italy,...) and really did a great job carrying lots of stuff in summer and winter. I always had enough space to bring my skis, climbing gear, wind- and kitesurf stuff, bikes,...

Still I am pretty happy about my new black Audi now...I am sure this one is gonna experience at least as much as the red one!

Skitouring in Kühtai valley (Pirchenkogel 2828m)

19.02.2010

Bad weather and really warm conditions...so what to do today? Right...SKITOURING...after leaving a bit late Helli and me decided to go for a small ski tour in Kühtai valley. It feels like spring time already although ist supposed to be deepest winter still...hmm.

Hiking up wearing T-shirt feels really strange at this time of the year. After starting on the normal cat track we decided to try a short cut through the trees. Instead of being faster we ended up doing hard work getting to the top due to rough spring conditions. 

When we arrived up at the top really bad weather and strong wind came in, so it got super cold again and snow started to freece...oh yes, we had some great skiing all the nice untracked slopes down in breakable crust...what a cool training day ;-)!!!

Bad luck at Stimorol Engadin Snow

10.02.2010

Straight after ISPO I headed to Engadin/Silvaplana to ride the Engadin Snow 2010. I managed to arrive just in time for taking the last cable car to the top to check out the face. The Corvatsch north face is definitely one of my most favourite competition faces. Exactly like a real Big Mountain face should be-challenging and with a big variety of options.

After struggling a bit I chose a solid line with three nice cliff drops and thought to be happy with my choice. On my way down I met one of the judges who told me that the snow conditions are a lot better on the skiers left side of the face and super wind blown and rocky on the other side.

After struggling almost the whole evening I decided to believe in the judges opinion and changed my line completely for a line on the skiers left side of the face. Finally it all came different. After a technical entry to my line I wanted to drop a pretty high cliff right after the start and then enjoy my ride. Ueli Kestenholz, one of the snowboarders who started in front of me took the same drop I wanted to jump, and I could hear his landing on packed ice all the way up towards the start. After this I decided not to hurt myself on a hard landing and skier around this jump. Finally during my whole line the conditions were super hard, rocky and wind blown and I had on of my worst runs ever. It did not really have a lot of fun riding the face this time.

I am definitely looking forward to the Stimorol Engadin Snow 2011! This time I have learned not to believe in anybody else and to trust in my own line choice. All in all the competition is one of the best organised ones in the whole series. Many thanks to Christian Müller and his team!

Aline Bock in the cable car ;-)

Hanna Fischer, Maria Kuzma and me at the start ;-)