St Christoph - Day 1
Seamless Skies to Slopes: Navigating Early Flights, Alpine Wonders, and Culinary Delights in St Christoph
Travel days often feel like a test of endurance and a dance with the unpredictable, but today's journey unfolded seamlessly. We began with a 3 am start, arriving at the airport car park by 4. Check-in was swift, sparing us any significant queues.
Adapting to the restrictions on liquids through security, we came prepared with travel bowls filled with pre-weighed muesli. Fortunately, we found a shop selling small bottles of milk, allowing us to soak our muesli for about 30 minutes or so whilst I sought out coffee with our empty flasks.
The exorbitant cost of coffee at the airport always astounds me, prompting me to make a small stand against the system. Besides, I prefer to savour my cup of joe at the perfect temperature, rather than being stuck in the queue for the plane. It's remarkable how the price difference between the largest and smallest coffee sizes can be so minimal, yet the variance in volume is considerable. Add to that to buy two single coffees costs more than the larger one. I buy the biggest and divide between the two flasks.
Despite the early hour and the fog, our 6 am flight departed on time. The captain mandated a ban on 'ALL' electrical items during take-off to ensure the plane could navigate without any potential interference. Take off was smooth and we were able to enjoy breakfast as we headed into the clouds. However, by that point, it already felt like lunchtime!
Arriving in Innsbruck was truly breathtaking. As the plane descends, you can feel the anticipation building as we glided into the airport nestled amidst the stunning Austrian mountains. The last time we were here, the flight was nearly aborted due to the winds, so it was such a relief to have a straightforward landing.
A consequence of traveling early in the morning, especially starting at 3 am, can certainly disrupt one's constitution. The muesli, the coffee in flasks, waiting till 6, all these preparations are aimed at trying to keep the body in flow, with the ultimate goal of minimizing any disruption to our circadian rhythm. Trying to feel normal for the the day! That said 10am arrives, and we end up caving in on the coach, braking the egg sandwiches open.
On the drive up to the resort, anticipation mounts as we eagerly anticipate hitting the slopes. Searching for signs of good snow becomes a significant part of the journey. Despite the land still seeming to slumber, there's a distinct feeling that winter has passed, with spring just around the corner. Surprisingly, the temperature doesn't quite match expectations for this time of year. The changing light and the faint hint of green in the trees add to the sense of transition. As if reading my thoughts, the taxi driver raises the topic, asking about the whereabouts of the snow and remarking that it feels more like April.
Transfer from Innsbruck Airport to St Anton roughly 2 hours, with a switch from coach to taxi van for the final leg up the road to St Christoph. All working like clockwork.
The hotel 'Hit The Sky,' a relatively new establishment, was an unconventional choice for us. However, with a seventeen-year-old in tow, we were keen to be on the beat. The staff's efficiency and readiness to accommodate our early arrival were truly commendable. Our rooms, both welcoming and well-prepared, transformed our travel day into the seamless beginning of our vacation. A pleasant surprise we hadn't anticipated. This effortless transition from door to door marked a first in our travel experiences.
We ate another round of egg sandwiches in our room before making our way to the ski rental place, surprised that we had to negotiate an early pick up. In theory we could have skied, got a half day in. No danger for us. We were just keen to be in location and good to go for the morning.
With the gear secured, we sought out the hotel's pool, a sanctuary of relaxation. The water, warm and inviting, offered a soothing contrast to the chill outside. As we floated and swam, the tension of travel dissolved, leaving in its wake a serene anticipation for the days ahead. The poolside, with its tranquil vibe, became our temporary haven, a place to gather thoughts, soak in the ambiance, and orient ourselves to the rhythm of St Christoph.
As we enjoyed the afternoon, a contrasting story unfolded for my brother-in-law, who was also embarking on a similar holiday but with a different flight path. His travel from Edinburgh to Chambery was fraught with challenges, including significant delays and an unforeseen detour to Lyon, orchestrated by the whims of the mountain winds. This series of events extended his journey well into the early hours of the following day, starkly contrasting our own seamless experience. It was his father who had once imparted to me the wisdom of opting for the day's first flight. A strategy that I try to stick to. On this occasion it definitely proved its worth. While sometimes circumstances dictate our choices, leaving us little room for preference, we couldn't help but feel fortunate for how our day had unfolded.
The evening brought with it an eager anticipation for the culinary journey that would accompany our physical one. The hotel's dining room set the stage with an offering of three starters, three mains, and two desserts. The carrot, ginger, and coriander soup was a vibrant opener, a blend of flavours both comforting and invigorating. The yellow curry, a medley of mixed vegetables, fragrant rice, and a rich curried sauce. Dessert, although there were two choices, there really was only one, Apfel Strudel, which, despite its promise, fell short of expectations. The pastry, somehow not quite right for me and left me envying my son's simpler yet satisfying ice cream with raspberries....known as Heisse Liebe, translated as Hot Love.
Post-dinner, St Christoph offers little in the way of walking, but the need to ease a full stomach led us out into the night. The walk, short and crisp, we headed a little into the snow, not quite enough to aid digestion, however with a 3am start I was going to sleep regardless. The comfort of the hotel room welcomed us back, and sleep came swiftly, a peaceful end to a day that had started in the dark hours before dawn.
Which dessert would you choose?
The Heisse Leibe looks delicious. But, I, too would select Apple Strudel from the menu. What a lovely winter vacation!
Enjoy! (I would have gone for the raspberries ...)