People often ask me how I choose the 101 best mountains. There’s no set list of criteria. Most of the time, I don’t even know beforehand that a summit will make the list. Because it’s not just about how it looks. It’s about the feeling that stays with me during the ascent. That’s how it was this time, too. Weißspitze in Osttirol is mountain number 7 on the list.
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I love winter. But I hate the cold. Some days, all I want to do is stay snuggled up in bed. For a very long time. Somewhere really warm. Because being cold is a truly unpleasant feeling. Unfortunately, I get cold easily. It's annoying and it bothers me. So, to enjoy the cold season anyway, I've come up with a few personal cold-weather survival strategies.
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I’m excited. And the anticipation is building. At long last, I’m on my way to Switzerland again. This time, though, it’s not to play sports myself, but to cheer on the athletes. The Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020 are being held in Lausanne, and I get to watch some of the events live. Even as I try to contain my own excitement about this huge event, I find myself wondering how the athletes must be feeling.
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I’ve already visited several ski areas this season and enjoyed some wonderful runs and absolutely dreamlike days on the slopes. But there’s one thing I haven’t managed yet: I haven’t been to Kaunertaler Gletscher this winter. And yet this small glacier ski area is one of my favorites in Austria.
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The descent into Switzerland is long. And empty. And beautiful. That means a clear run. My thighs are making themselves known. I ignore them. It's just too beautiful right now, I'm completely in the flow, and I definitely don't want to stop. I've already skied a few runs today, but this is definitely one of the longest descents on the Smugglers' Circuit. The long ski circuit takes you right through the entire Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun ski area.
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On our way from Munich to Obertauern, we pass green meadows and leafless trees. Winter can be a dreary season, especially when the fog hangs so low and steals a little more light from the world. When we reach Obertauern, it feels as though we’re entering another world. A world that already looks much brighter and more welcoming thanks to the snow. More snowflakes dance merrily in the air. Winter has already arrived here, and the forecast promises brilliant sunshine for the next day, too. Perfect conditions for the Tauernrunde.
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It snowed overnight. When I look out the window in the morning, the sidewalks and rooftops in Ischgl are dusted white. Up on the mountain, brilliant sunshine will be waiting for me along with the fresh snow. And as if that weren't enough, I'll meet members of Seeed around midday and look forward to the iconic Berlin band's concert that evening. Some ski days just have it all. It looks like this day in the Paznauntal is one of them.
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Nobody here. All that lies ahead of me is a freshly groomed ski slope. A snow groomer hums in the background. The final preparations for the start of the season are underway. I take a moment to enjoy the view of the surrounding snow-covered slopes. Then my binding clicks into place. I pull my ski goggles over my face. I'm ready. Ready for my first run down the slopes in Ischgl. And all before the official opening.
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What could possibly go wrong on a ski holiday? Especially when the forecast promises perfect weather and fresh snow has fallen overnight. Nothing, I thought. Or at least not much. I’ve rarely been so wrong. But it’s not just the weather and the company that matter. Sometimes the accommodation can be an adventure in itself. Welcome to the madhouse. Take a seat, grab a drink and get ready for the strangest story I’ve ever experienced on a winter holiday.
The first snowfall is always somehow magical. When big snowflakes drift down from the sky, the world turns into a winter wonderland. Everything looks so peaceful and inviting, like the inside of one of those kitschy snow globes. And yes, it warms my heart. That same warmth spreads through me as we round one of the last bends before Tux and suddenly spot the first snow by the roadside. It’s back. Hello winter, we’re going to have a wonderful time together.
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