Do you know the feeling of perfectly exceeded expectations? Wonderful, isn’t it? Think back of when you had this perfect picture in mind, of how something was going to be. And then found out, that you had to paint it all over again with what you actually saw. This happens – a lot, I find – during travelling. So today, let me tell you of how my expectations have totally been exceeded this time, travelling to the ski resorts Ötscher & Hochkar in the Lower Austrian Mostviertel destination.
View upon the high mountain ski resort Hochkar, captured on the go using my iPhone 5!
Another means to exceed your expectations: Finding a personal, hand-written note addressed to you at our accommodation at Hochkar mountain ski resort, JoSchi’s Sporthaus!
Me: Totally exceeded anyway. Happy with the fresh snow blowing into my face here at Hochkar – yes, baby!
What first seemed to melt away with the warm temperatures of an unusually mild winter was this: Hope. Hope for a really good skiing weekend. Our expectations had already gone down low under the heat of the spring sun but successfully made their comeback here in Mostviertel: Great slopes for carving in Lackenhof am Ötscher. Brand new hotel rooms at JoSchi’s Sporthaus at Hochkar mountain resort. Austria’s largest pine wood sauna at the Ybbstaler Solebad spa in Göstling. And of course lovely Franz, the mayor of Göstling, a true entertainer, witty personality as well as our ski guide for the day. So how did all of this happen? Let me tell you here.
And the best thing is: This weekend, I am back up at the slopes! My brand new snowboard needs some fresh air. So do I.
Check it out: It is only until 6 April, 2014 that the slopes at Hochkar mountain resort are still maintained for the season. You have no reason not to go. So let’s go!
Winter fun in Mostviertel: Here we are at Lackenhof am Ötscher ski resort, with amazing vistas that touch down to the Alpine upland & lowlands, stretching as far as the Czech Republic and Germany.
Both the impeccable sunshine as well as the artistry of our ski guide Andi Buder, a local from Mostviertel who used to race in many world cups, wins us over on this day. Going at a speed of some 150 kilometres an hour is quite normal to him, however we did not make it down quite as fast …
… especially not, if like Thomas you are watching over your beloved GoPro helmet camera baby 😉 …
… and now this: Hardly a soul on the slopes, and carving here is so much fun as the snow is both soft and hard enough at the same time, providing the best conditions for daring maneuvers. I like!
Let’s change scenes: A little later, we sleep in style right at the Hochkar mountain ski resort next to the slopes, with a view from our balcony upon the full moon …
… and the perfect atmosphere to relax inside those cosy, Austrian hotel rooms …
… a sense of local “Gemütlichkeit” (cosiness) is to be found everywhere around JoSchi’s Sporthaus hotel …
… and we also dig in the delicious food around here after a good day skiing. Enjoy your meal!
We just love skiing in Mostviertel. Splash out over breakfast. Carve down every possible slope. Squeal with joy in the snow! And being invited to Franz’ farm for a glass of cider “Most” later on. Naturally!
“I am only here because I INSISTED on being with you all day skiing! And of course, you must come and see my farm later on. I will serve you home-made cider from our apple trees there! The only thing is, I have to ask my wife if she is at home, so we can cook something for you!?” Franz boasts his happiest smile. Christina & Thomas, our lovely friends from Tannheimer Tal in Tirol and I exchange looks. “But … You really don’t have to cook for us??!” – “Well, you can at least have an omelette”, Franz insists, still smiling. The fresh bread with the home-made, delightful cream cheese spread that his wife eventually serves us still makes me hungry today. It was sooo good! Read more about Christina & Thomas’ unique views about Mostviertel here. 🙂
Franz is a local through & through, his hospitality representing all of the Mostviertel people we meet this weekend. No matter whether it is at JoSchi’s Sporthaus, at the brand new JUFA family lodge at Hochkar or at the Ybbstaler Solebad spa in Göstling: People are just really sweet and cool out here. It is worth spending more than just one or two days in this destination. Even, or especially as a local like myself who thinks of the Hochkar mountain ski resort as being mainly for a day’s worth – let’s recall what I recently wrote about counting snowflakes & winter magic at Hochkar in Mostviertel! By the way, I am sure you are going to meet Franz too. Just look for a happy and approachable person: It is bound to be him!
“Gemütlichkeit” in Mostviertel: In for a spontaneous visit at Franz Heigl’s farm in Göstling an der Ybbs, where we are served home-made apple cider. Nice!
Actually, we are being spoilt everywhere we go around here. The JUFA family lodge at Hochkar mountain ski resort serves us big “Krapfen” and chocolate muffins …
… and later, when we are shown the brand new family rooms for between 2 to 5 people, we are utterly impressed and want to stay here with our friends and family at once.
They even have their own spa out here: If I had been a kid travelling on a ski trip with my school or family, I would have already liked such amenities I am sure.
More good food is served to us during the day skiing at the typical mountain huts …
… and of course Franz’ offer of sharing his liqueur with us goes a long way in terms of hospitality up at the mountain slopes. That’s how I like to do it!
Beautiful mountain vistas at Hochkar: One lonesome tour skier climbs up a perfectly prepared slope ready for the downhill race.
Meanwhile, Christina and I delight in the art of photography. Can you spot the photographer in this picture? 😉
Countless slopes here at Hochkar equally distribute people around the mountain so that no big queues erupt at the lifts.
And if we have to wait, it is always for a reason: Here, Franz has organised for us to be “on air” live on Lower Austrian Radio Arabella, introducing the “travel bloggers” who have come to Hochkar this morning. Cool – we are almost famous now. ! 😉
Lovely. I really need to go now, though, and get myself up there once more snowboarding this season. Care to join me? Well, you know where to go now. Perhaps we shall meet? Look for the happy boarder girl taking photos with her iPhone on the slopes and from the chair lift. Then sharing them with the world with a sigh, reaching out to people like yourself. Thank you so much for being there! 😀
Disclaimer: We have been invited by Mostviertel Tourismus to travel to the mountain ski resorts Ötscher & Hochkar. All opinions are my own.