Note 17 - The Skiing Holiday
The mountains after sunrise
I’ve just come back from a week of skiing in the Alps, and if I’d said that to my twenty-year-old self, I wouldn’t have believed it. I didn’t grow up skiing (maybe once every couple of years at most), so my level was very basic, and I was even scared of the pistes.
When I met my boyfriend, who is really into skiing and grew up doing it, he brought me to Austria. Over the past years, I’ve taken lessons yearly, and while I’ll never ski like someone who started really young, I’ve learned to love everything that comes with it. The biggest part is being surrounded by mountains that make you feel so small yet somehow comforted. I also want to keep practicing and getting better at it, knowing that the more I go, the easier and more natural it will eventually feel.
As my technique slowly improves, I’ve started to enjoy moving around the resort more freely, discovering cozy mountain huts, stopping for a Ski Wasser (a delicious sweet raspberry-flavoured drink) and Austrian delicacies along the way. Skiing has become about so much more than the sport itself; it’s an experience shaped by culture, food, landscape, and people.
Today’s post is dedicated to skiing and Austria, and the cozy time I’ve had while I was there. Hope you have a relaxing weekend with lots of snow!
What I Wore On The Pistes
This was my ski outfit this week. I invested in my gear a few years ago, and I’m still really happy with the pieces I chose. They’re warm and comfortable, which is what matters most on the slopes. I especially love the colour of the ski jacket. I’d love to experiment with more playful options in the future, but for now, I feel great and confident skiing in this set.
Snow Jacket - 686/ Snow Pants - Ripzone / Helmet - Smith / Goggles - Scott / Poles - Van Bergen / Skis - Blizzard / Mittains - Ripzone / Boots - Rossignol
Everyday Delights
Sunny pistes
Austrian food
Skiing break
One of my favourite parts of this week was the everyday delights of skiing in Austria: spending long days in the sun, pausing to take in the snowy mountains against the blue sky. And then, as it gets colder, heading inside for a cozy Austrian meal. There’s something deeply comforting about warming up in a wooden hut, surrounded by people and traditional music.
Austrian cuisine alone is worth the detour, even if you never put on skis. I love a good Käsespätzle (homemade noodles smothered in melted mountain cheese), a proper Schnitzel, and sweeter treats like Kaiserschmarrn, those fluffy, broken-down pancakes.
And of course, the people-watching. Hearing so many different languages, noticing how everyone is dressed, and imagining what their lives look like beyond the holidays, I find it endlessly fascinating.
This Week’s Edit
I received a Kari Traa base layer for Christmas last year, and it’s been my go-to for cold days outdoors ever since (I even got a second one in the end-of-winter sale). As they say in Norway, there’s no bad weather, just bad clothes, and this Nordic brand truly lives up to that saying. I love Kari Traa’s playful colours and distinctive Nordic motifs, inspired by the founder’s heritage. Made from merino wool, it’s ideal for winter conditions, keeping me warm and comfortable for any activity. If you’re into winter sports, I highly recommend them!
Pistes noires, Viveca Sten (EN: Hidden in Lies, date TBD)
I read this book just before the New Year. It’s the fourth installment in the Åre Murders series and follows a group of teenagers going on a skiing trip to the region, until one of them is found dead one morning. It’s a cozy crime novel with plenty of snowy atmosphere and skiing woven into the story, making it a perfect read for a ski holiday. The book hasn’t been translated into English yet, but the rights have been bought, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed it’ll be available soon!
My first pair of skis! I invested in the Blizzard Phoenix, and they’ve been perfect for me. I was instantly drawn by the description, which said they’re ideal for intermediate skiers who want to take control of the mountain. That’s precisely what I aspire to be. The brand is Austrian, and since that’s where I do most of my skiing, it felt especially fitting.
Finally, if you’re in the mood for a ski-inspired watch, I highly recommend Force Majeure, an independent film set during a family ski holiday in the Alps. The story pivots around a sudden avalanche, during which the father instinctively flees, leaving his family behind. What follows isn’t so much a traditional disaster film, but an exploration of how that moment affects the family dynamic.
Love, S.
