Stories from Bad Kleinkirchheim

Author: Verena Schneider

Crunch, crunch, crunch… the tracks are made evenly over the snow covered alp. Snow shoe hiking is a sport which is getting more and more popular and we want to get to the bottom of this fascination.

We start off on our snow shoe afternoon at the ski school office Krainer in the Bach (Maibrunnweg) district. Bernhard, our guide, provided our group of 6 with snow shoes and poles. Starting at the Maibrunnbahn we go uphill to 1,760 meters. This is where the real snow shoe hike going in the direction of Kolmnock really begins. Walking like ducks with our legs a bit further apart than usual, we begin. After only a short time, we’ve already gotten used to the strange equipment on our feet and march smartly through the snow. Alone in the solitude of the alp, we enjoy the peace and glistening of the snow and the sun.

We learn the names of the peaks in the area (Nocks), cross the so called “weather front” (several bizarre tree stumps which bear witness to past lightening strikes), frolic like children down snow covered slopes and enjoy cake and coffee at the end.

Well, snow shoe hiking is lots of fun especially for “non-skiers” who want to go up and out anyway. It’s a great alternative to skiing and ski touring. Because it’s easy to learn, it offers both young and old the chance to explore the Nock Mountains, beyond the slopes and ready-made cross country tracks. But each person has to experience the feeling of exploring an untouched winter world himself – and who knows, maybe you’ll catch the fever too.

Crunch, crunch, crunch… the tracks are made evenly over the snow covered alp. Snow shoe hiking is a sport which is getting more and more popular and we want to get to the bottom of this fascination.

We start off on our snow shoe afternoon at the ski school office Krainer in the Bach (Maibrunnweg) district. Bernhard, our guide, provided our group of 6 with snow shoes and poles. Starting at the Maibrunnbahn we go uphill to 1,760 meters. This is where the real snow shoe hike going in the direction of Kolmnock really begins. Walking like ducks with our legs a bit further apart than usual, we begin. After only a short time, we’ve already gotten used to the strange equipment on our feet and march smartly through the snow. Alone in the solitude of the alp, we enjoy the peace and glistening of the snow and the sun.

We learn the names of the peaks in the area (Nocks), cross the so called “weather front” (several bizarre tree stumps which bear witness to past lightening strikes), frolic like children down snow covered slopes and enjoy cake and coffee at the end. And so, what’s so special about snow shoe hiking? Well, snow shoe hiking is lots of fun especially for “non-skiers” who want to go up and out anyway. It’s a great alternative to skiing and ski touring. Because it’s easy to learn, it offers both young and old the chance to explore the Nock Mountains, beyond the slopes and ready-made cross country tracks. But each person has to experience the feeling of exploring an untouched winter world himself – and who knows, maybe you’ll catch the fever too.

Information: Snow shoe hikes are offered several times a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 pm. Ask about further times at Sport School Krainer.

Image and text courtesy of Verena Schneider for the editorial team of the website www.badkleinkirchheim.at