Day 98 - Our Earliest Start and One Big Second Last Day on the Slopes

Day 98 started the same as most mornings here in Austria. A 7am wake up, coffees on, breakfast sorted, laptops open. I checked emails and knocked over a few bits of work while the kids got stuck into their schoolwork.

The difference today was simple but powerful. Expectations were clear before we started. The kids knew what needed to be done and there was no surprise workload thrown at them. The morning still felt long as they worked through it all, but there were no meltdowns and no edge in the air. No frustration building in my chest. Just steady progress. It was a much better rhythm for all of us.

By 10:30 we were packed and organised and heading to the slopes. Our earliest departure yet. Ironically, being early didn’t score us the top car park. We had to park two car parks down and walk everything up. Skis on shoulders, boards tucked under arms, boots crunching on icy asphalt. It had been a while since we’d done that walk and we all forgot how taxing it is before you even click into your bindings.

We met up with the Norwegian and Austrian families at the top of the second mountain at Kasberg. From there it was run after run. Blues, reds and even a black thrown in for good measure. The conditions were great and everyone seemed to be riding with confidence. It was one of those days where you stop checking the time and just keep going.

Around 2pm we made our way back down to the smaller slopes. Emmett decided he wanted to try skiing for the afternoon and one of the Norwegian girls was keen to try snowboarding, so they swapped gear. It was awesome to watch. Both of them picked up the opposite discipline surprisingly quickly. Emmett even skied down one of the larger blue runs and rode the T bar up twice without drama. A few weeks ago that would have felt massive. Today it just felt normal. Growth happening right in front of us.

By the time we packed up and headed home, we were cooked. Legs heavy. Lower backs tight. That deep mountain tiredness that feels earned. Dinner was simple, showers were quick and everyone was in bed early.

Second last day on the slopes was a big one. Our bodies are sore and my mind is ready for a few days of rest. But we’ve got one more day to squeeze everything out of the snow before we swap mountains for beaches and warmer air again.

And I’m already feeling grateful for what this season has given us.