Austria, Amsterdam and Adventures!
On March 2, 2012 31 SJSC skiers set out from Ramblewood for the short bus ride up to Newark International Airport and an overnight flight to Munich, Germany. Our final destination was to be Bad Hofgastein, Austria with an additional 3 nights in Amsterdam, and we were all excited in anticipation of the fun to come! A few among us had some injuries, including Gail H. with her broken leg, Bianca M. with her broken arm and Janet D. with her torn shoulder, but we were ready to make the most of the trip and do the best we could!
The trip across the Atlantic was uneventful, and once we finally found our transfer bus to the resort, we were on the Autobahn and on our way. Traffic was heavy on that March Saturday, and a normally 2 hour trip took almost 4 hours. However, once we arrived at the beautiful, well-appointed and friendly Kur and Sport Hotel Palace, all travel woes were forgotten because there is nothing quite like an all one can drink Mimosa /Champagne welcome to clear away the cobwebs and lift the spirits.
Our hotel, The Kur and Sport Palace, was amazing. I can say with certainty that we have never stayed in a place with this much to offer on any of our previous European ski trips. It had everything one could want for an exceptional vacation and then some...all you can drink WINE and all you can eat GELATO anyone??
The sun was shining as the group set out for lunch and arrangements for ski rental. Trip Leader, Dale M picked up lift tickets for everyone, and with the help of his assistant Bianca, made sure that all rentals went smoothly. After freshening up, we all headed to the dining room for our all one could eat and drink dinner. The food was amazing and continued that way all week. Plus, how could anyone not like taps that distribute all the beer and red and white wine anyone could possibly want to drink plus a freezer with all the gelato one could possibly scoop! Help! It was simply time to forgo any and all diets! Many of the group listened for a bit to the music of Bruno in the bar/lounge area, but all of that travel had almost everyone in bed before 10.
The sun was shining as the group set out for lunch and arrangements for ski rental. Trip Leader, Dale M picked up lift tickets for everyone, and with the help of his assistant Bianca, made sure that all rentals went smoothly. After freshening up, we all headed to the dining room for our all one could eat and drink dinner. The food was amazing and continued that way all week. Plus, how could anyone not like taps that distribute all the beer and red and white wine anyone could possibly want to drink plus a freezer with all the gelato one could possibly scoop! Help! It was simply time to forgo any and all diets! Many of the group listened for a bit to the music of Bruno in the bar/lounge area, but all of that travel had almost everyone in bed before 10.
This was the view from our room, #217, when we first checked in. To be honest, I did not see a view like this for most of the rest of the week. The snow and fog prevented these long valley views.
How many places do you go where people are actually sunbathing so unclothed in early March?
Although Bianca M. and Stephanie S. had joined Gail H. for a relaxing day at the beautiful hotel pool as soon as their short day ended, by 3 PM they were joined by many of the others who found the whirlpool and very special saunas and steam room utterly enticing. The comforts of our hotel were really unmatched by any other we have experienced on a SJSC European trip, and we took full advantage throughout the week. Drinks at the lovely bar, another bountiful dinner and fun entertainment completed the day, and all were looking forward to the snow forecast for the next day.
We all enjoyed the beautiful pool, and the workouts I performed there did wonders for my recovering left arm. There were jets that came out from the sides of the pool that made lap swimming even more challenging. Wish we had had those at The Igloo when I was coaching my victorious Westchester teams!
On Monday we were greeted by lower than ever clouds and a very damp wind. Most of the group set out by ski bus for Angertal where it was RAINING! However, within a very short time that rain turned to heavy wet snow, and we were on the Gondola when it opened. John and Susan L. plus Stephanie S. joined us on the first Gondola to the mid-station from which we took a long and very wet run down. We then decided to head all the way up, but as soon as we stepped out of the Gondola and could see nary a hand in front of our face, we decided to return to the Gondola and download for fun and warming drinks at the umbrella bar. Little did we know that Bill C. and Diane K. had opted to ski down in that snow. As we were preparing to return by bus to Bad Hofgastein, we saw Bill C. looking very upset. He told us that Diane K. had just been taken away by ambulance with a hurt shoulder. Oh, No! We hurried back to town, and Dale M. headed immediately to the clinic where he joined Jim and Linda S. who were already there. It turned out that Diane had broken her ankle and torn ligaments in her shoulder, and both injuries were on her right side! The Queen had fallen L. However, there is no keeping that strong woman down. By evening she was at dinner in her wheelchair, and she and Gail H. had figured out how to keep things working well in their handicapped room. Amazing! Diane even joined the crowd in the bar as we watched Marie O. teach the Electric Slide to a group of Austrian women.
Tuesday found a large crowd on the bus after breakfast with Dorfgastein as the final destination. The conditions there were quite good after the snow of the day before, and the sun kept making an effort to come out. A big group headed off in the direction of Grossarl while others concentrated on the front side slopes. This area proved to be a favorite with many, and it would be returned to several more times during the week. Janet D. and Bianca M. had a particularly interesting encounter with the stall doors in the ladies at Apres Ski Bar Thomaselli, and for a short and hysterical while they thought they would be trapped inside forever! It was warm enough to lunch outside and a really nice day overall. Everyone came back to the hotel with sun kissed faces and stories of excellent long runs to tell.
So please tell me where in the USA does one find a ski lunch that looks like this? Mark had fun with this Mixed Grill mit Wurst at Apres Ski Thomaselli, Dorfgastein.
Wednesday was an absolutely beautiful day with bright sunshine and fresh, soft snow. Everyone headed out to ski all over the valley except for Miles C. and Jim W. who opted for their own day trip to Salzburg. Joe D., Tom J. and Matt D. had a particularly fun day at Sportgastein that ended with a trip up to the hanging bridge at Stubnerkogel. Karen K., Gayle E. and Gale H. made it to Bad Gastein for some sightseeing, and it was one of those days when SJSCers kept seeing other SJSCers all over the Gastein Valley, both on the slopes and waiting for the busses. Unfortunately this was the day that the first of the group began to feel sick with a variety of respiratory and/or digestive disorders. None of them were serious enough to keep anyone completely out of commission, but they did make for some sleepless nights and some rougher than normal days. Everyone always made it to dinner, however, and on this night, as on all of the others, the taps ran dry on the wine keg before we all had cleared out of the dining room!
Two days before visibility here was ZERO, but on this day one could see for "miles and miles and miles and miles...."!
Love the new Hanging Bridge at Stubnerkogel! It provided some amazing views..
out into THIS!
and on down THIS! but I was skiing this one when I took this photo...
and on into the village of Bad Gastein where I merely took a stop along the slope to capture the view of town and to show the state of the art new gondola.
During the week Susan L. had been showcasing her leadership skills as she worked to organize a Thursday day trip to Salzburg for the majority of the group. She was joined on the bus by Diane K., Gale H., Walt and Kathy E., Jim and Bernadette B., Bob and Lorraine S., Jeff T., Matt D., Joe D., Tom J., Stephanie S., Linda S., Karen K., Don P., Marie O., Christine and Steve S. and Jeff M. Despite the cold rain that fell all day, the group had an excellent time and were able to see almost all on their itinerary. However, rumor has it that many of them also spent a fair amount of time warming themselves and resting their tired feet in one or the other of the many fine bars in Salzburg. The Austrians do know how to brew some VERY good beer, and SJSCers know how to drink it! Those who remained behind in Bad Hofgastein did a little skiing, a lot of shopping and more schnapps tasting, or, as was the case with Bill C., ventured further out of town to Graukogel for some empty slopes and excellent skiing. There were many stories to share at the festive Austrian dinner and in the bar that evening.
Friday, our last day, was one when we all said a little “prayer” for a nice day, and those “prayers” were answered. The early morning fog gave way quickly to a really nice day, and whether the crowd headed to Graukogel, as did Jim and Bernadette B. and Bob and Lorraine S., or to Bad Gastein, as did Bill C., John L. and Susan L., or to Sportgastein or Dorfgastein, the snow was excellent, the runs long and smiles large on the faces of all. Dale M. spent all morning with Diane K. at the clinic where her shoulder was rewrapped and she was fitted with a new walking cast. She was given the green light to travel with the rest of us to Amsterdam, and that was happy news for all. Everyone else skied until early afternoon then returned their skis and did some last minute shopping or spent leisurely time in the pool/spa area before packing for our early AM departure. After our last yummy dinner and good bye drinks at the bar, accounts were settled and almost everyone got to bed early in anticipation of those wake up calls and our 4:30 AM departure for Munich and our flight on to Amsterdam.
I loved the slopes at Dorfgastein. They were empty and long and perfect, and I did not have to worry about people coming in at me from the left!!
Our bus trip under a full moon on Saturday morning was uneventful, but our attempt to check in at the airport was anything but. It seemed that although we all had tickets, we did not have reservations on the flight!! One snafu after the other occurred, and the whole event culminated with the entire group on standby for our flight. CRAZY! In the end all but Dale and Bianca M., Janet D. and Mark R. made it onto the flight, with the promise that they, and their luggage, would be put on the 3 PM flight. Bill C. became the temporary trip leader for the transfer and Amsterdam hotel check in portion while the four of us waited and waited and waited. We finally made it to Amsterdam at 7:15 that evening, but our luggage did not (until the next afternoon at 1)! Our hotel in Amsterdam, NH City Centre, was very centrally located, and the group that arrived on time had already discovered the fun and excitement to be had in that beautiful, historic, interesting and unusual city. In fact, Jeff T. and Bill C. were the only people we saw until Sunday morning when it was time for our first organized tour.
We were unbelievably fortunate with the weather while we were in Amsterdam, with sun and above normal temperatures both Sunday and Monday. Bianca M. had arranged for a city tour, a brewery tour and a tour of the old Jewish quarter and Rembrandt’s House and Museum for the two days, but there was also plenty of time for free exploration and tons of FUN! Our tour guide from Omy Amsterdam Tours, Michael, was excellent , and he shared so much incredible information with us as we tried to stay on the sidewalks and avoid being hit by a bicycle or a tram. After a longer than expected city tour, Michael then extended the Sunday brewery tour/party well beyond the allotted time period for some of our group. That was a huge hit! Diane K. and Gail H. were able to participate in ALL of Sunday’s activities thanks to strong crutches and a big wheeled wheelchair. In addition, it is safe to say that Amsterdam did not disappoint any of our partying crowd! Exactly which young at heart SJSC member was the last one in most every night? Just ask Jim W. and he will tell you J.
It was hard to get up on Tuesday morning for that 4:15 AM bus to the airport, but all good things must eventually and sadly come to an end. While everything on the trip did not go exactly as planned, and while not everyone remained in good health or in sound body, overall we felt that this was a great trip with so many fun moments, memorable experiences and a fantastic group of incredible people. There were several who went one or more steps beyond to make life better for the injured and the sick. Matt D., Karen K., Jim and Linda S. deserve particular Kudos for all that they did, but thanks to everyone for being such a super group. We are already looking forward to next year. Please join us!!!!!
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