so

our season opening was at Schladming - Planai in Western Styria, close to the Bundesland Salzburg. Schladming or 4 Berge Skischaukel is a quite huge resort with four interconnected ski resorts; from left to right: Hauser Kaibling, Planai, Hochwurzen, Reiteralm.
On the past weekend only some lifts and slopes were open at Planai. Thank to the massive snowfalls and cold temps (they have the most modern snowmaking system in Austria) they opened so early. Skiing under 2000 m at this time of the year (mid October) isn't common.

After some warm up turns on the groomed slopes we were going to make our first backcountry turns in this season.
The snow was excellent; the cold temps , -8 C keep it fluffy.

first some pics from the slopes
Snowmaking at midtstaion (1340m)

Groomers


Mittelabfahrt ski run (blue/red)


I love this contrast




at the Mittelabfahrt


Schafa Alm, nice restaurant


Mittelabfahrt


again


at Burgstallalm

Valleystation of the Burgstallalm quad


topstation


only the rope was black

me , in the background the Hauser kaibling, another ski resort

simply awesome

me at the upper slopes of Burgstallalm


friends



earn your turns


quad and the green valley



nice powder skiing




but not only the skiing was awesome, the nature too

Great shots Stani.

What skis were you using that day in the powder ? And do you like them ?

atomic metron b5i , they are really good skis and thank for their width suitable for powder skiing too. Of course they aren't like
the big daddy from atomic.

Awesome. Crazy to think you are already skiing in such good conditions.

nice!

Fantastic!

I skied Planai in 2002 and just loved it. I didn't get it quite as nice as that though! Very jealous

That looks fantastic, good to see you enjoying the goods Stani. Keep the pics coming.

Amazing! I thought that this thread would have to be photos from last year. Good to see someone getting the fresh!

Stani, amazing shots!! Do you live in Schladming? This may be a bit of a surprise, but I am writing from Schladming's sister city in Japan, Furano. I have never been to Europe, but the view of the farmland seen from the ski slopes makes me easily understand why Schladming and Furano are sister cities.

After seeing your photos, I really want to try visiting some time! Thank you for this great post.

Nice work Stani, you suck

Brilliant!

Lucky, lucky bugger. Let's hope it turns out to be a great, long season.

That's crazy for mid October ! Nice photos; much appreciated.

Hell yeah!

No comment in particular. Just thought this should go back to the top of the Travel forum !!!

thank for the feedbacks



No, during the summer months and in the pre season I'm living in my hometown, which is Sopron, a town at the Austrian-Hungarian border.
In the wintermonths I'm moving to the Austrian Alps, in the comming season I'll be mainly in Salzburg.
Btw, tomorrow we're heading to Kitzsteinhorn glacier till Sunday, can't wait


on the score of the above Schladming TR; here a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJd-MVFO95A

Great TR