#solden

By Ivaylo Kasnakov

(Written by Sam Cox - March 2, 2019)

Skiing makes me feel good. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but I feel like the best version of myself is allowed to flourish when I’m sliding on snow and interacting with other skiers - they’re my tribe, it’s where I feel included and what keeps the flame burning inside my soul. Travel has always been a means for me to enhance these experiences and feelings. The exploration of new locales, emotions and connections brings a smile to my face, shines a little more light into my world and provides a vehicle to learn more about myself.  

I spent two weeks in February meandering around Austria with a close friend from college. We didn’t have a set itinerary, just a rental car and an AirBnB app. Realistically, our plan was pretty simple - we were on the search for quality snow, a few laughs and rumors of Hansi Hinterseer shooting a new video in the Arlberg. Deep turns were abundant, laughter was ubiquitous, but sadly we never ran into Hansi. 

Years ago, Austria was the destination of my first international ski trip, which was a formative experience, more powerful than I could have ever imagined at the time. I have an affinity for the landscape and their national dedication to skiing as a lifestyle. Skier pressure off-piste pales in comparison to Chamonix or Engelberg and tales of massive early season snowfall had crept into every aspect of my media consumption for weeks. It was an easy decision to find our way there.  

440 ski areas are nestled in every conceivable location across the Austrian countryside. I’d love to ski them all. However, our biggest constraint was a lack of time, so we focused our efforts in Vorarlberg and Tyrol, with St. Anton being the logical starting point. We navigated sketchy roads, glaciers, ski through tunnels, bottomless blower, manicured corduroy, insufferable Britons, schnitzel induced comas, overcrowded trains, excessive Après and chaotic lift lines before eventually settling on Pitztal as our home for the journey. The access under the Rifflsee gondola and terrain below the Mittagskogel simultaneously keep me up at night and occupy my dreams.    

I walked away from the trip completely satiated, grateful, smiling and with legs so thrashed it was painful to walk to the bar. Everyday I was astounded by the beauty of the mountains and the graciousness of the locals. Being on the road in Europe holds a special place in my heart and I’m looking forward to new adventures there in the future.