The Heights of Rendl
Today the four of us set out together to Rendl, a different area to where we'd all been before, on a recommendation from Martin - the owner of the house who'd said there were lots of wide open slopes.
To get there, we took a slightly smaller gondola, this one only fitting 6 people per lift, and it took quite a while to get high, higher, and then a bit higher still to the other side of the valley.
From here, we did a few gentle blue runs down, where we could work on our technique, Colin and I trying to move from parallel turning to carving, where you cut into the snow to turn, rather than sliding across the snow. The weather was generous, and the snowy start turned to simply gray and overcast for the morning.
We landed at the bottom of a run, and took a very long cable car back up to the top. These are slightly more basic than the other side, some without the bubbles that shield you from the worst of the elements. Suitably chilly, we did half that route again, before going up another lift for morning coffee at the top of Rendl.
Fuelled and ready to go, we took the obligatory selfie at the St Anton sign, and then agreed it was time to up the game to a red run to improve our experience!
The reds were a good introduction, as they were so wide that you had chance to slow down where we necessary. Of course Pete didn't need to, and enjoyed a nice chance to zoom down!
I found that after a few red runs, something had "clicked" again like it did in Japan when suddenly you feel able to tackle most slopes when there's enough room and they're quieter. The narrow ones are still more tricky, but even when shallow. Either way, progress!
After a hearty lunch of a vast quantity of chips, with either chicken, burgers, or schnitzel, we headed back to the reds, and Pete encouraged me down a black run adjacent to the reds. This proved successful, and emboldened, Pete and I headed back all the way to St Anton down route number 1, a red run that was my favourite run of the week so far, a nice mix of runs through the forest, and steep bits!
Colin and Tim did a few more blue runs, and then split off after Tim landed awkwardly on his shoulder - although pleased to report after an ibuprofen he's fine! Pete and I headed further up, and we did part of the World Championship Womens track that we'd seen on our first day that's now open to everyone again! Hair-raising, even if I only managed a measly 59.6km/h!
As the sun came out, we found ourselves next to Taps again, just up from our house, and it felt rude not to enjoy a true Apres beer!
We sipped on this reflecting on the progress we'd made today, and then were promptly joined by Colin, on his way back home!
Tired from the day, we headed home, enjoyed a foray to the saunas and steam rooms, and then a bit of a siesta, before heading down into town on the bus again for tea.
We ate at Aquila, a fancy restaurant which opened just a we arrived, hosted by a waiter who knew his menu and wine list inside out!
We had a selection of really tasty, well cooked food, including Red Chickpea and Chicken Curry, Vension Ragu, Lamb, and Spare Ribs, followed by an obligatory dessert for Colin and Tim!
We ended the evening with a little wander down the increasingly cold street in St Anton to scope out potential spots for a final dinner on Friday night. We've not made a plan for tomorrow yet, all tired out and ready for a good sleep! Night night
