I thought I would post some amazing pictures I took in the Alps in Austria back in 2011. I fell during that trip and hadn’t been back on skis until this weekend. In Austrian, in St. Anton, you can go to 2800 meters above sea level. Quite the view. For the faint of heart, this is not the place to go but for those who don’t suffer from fear of heights, I cannot recommend it more strongly.

It was the last day of my trip and I had hurt my knee so I couldn’t ski but I did get the chance to take the gondola up to the top.

I couldn’t believe how high up some of these peaks were and the trails leading down from them. I was reminded of the first time I saw the Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland. I was 15 and I couldn’t have been more excited. I had never skied in Europe at that point, only in Vermont, but it became a lifelong goal and passion.

These photos remind me of what you see as you fly into Milan. I always get excited of the view over the Alps. I’ve not spent as much time skiing in the Western US as I have in Italy for obvious reasons. These scenes brought back wonderful ski memories from my many years in Italy.

The food on the mountain certainly wasn’t as good but the jolly warm welcome with which skiers tend to greet  one another was in full view. It’s hard to not feel awed by these mountains.

My son just started skiing for the first time and absolutely loved it. I cannot wait to see where his new love of the sport takes him (us).