Highlight of our trip to Galtür was the ski up to Silvretta Lake from Wirl. We taped up our feet, which worked, and decided to use our off track XC skis as some of the route was quite steep.

Morning started out with high cloud weak sunshine, perfect for a long ski up the valley. Took our time, enjoyed a tea and biscuit stop half way. Curious sight was people on a ski safari being towed on ropes downhill (okay a gentle flatfish gradient) behind a large ‘piste machine’. Couldn’t think of anything worse, blasted by cold air, spindrift and noise. Not the way I like to enjoy the mountains! Other people zipped past us in a snowmobile taxi to get to the large hotel at the top of the lake – also our destination.

The sun came out as we started our last climb of about 100m up to the lake. Looked steep on the plan, however the trail had been cut very well and we had a good winding route up requiring very little herringbone. Mike did get some good photos of me on one section!

Had lunch at the hotel with a German couple we met on the way up which was really nice. They were a friendly couple but I think the trip was harder than they expected given it was her first XC ski outing! She had walked a lot of the way up and am not sure how easy she found the return trip on skinny skis. Was glad we had our metal edged ones.

Beautiful afternoon and I really enjoyed the ski down. Mike took a big tumble on the steepest section, he wanted to overtake me and I think hit some debris on the slope. After that he focused on improving his technique for speed control!!!

Once again had a lovely dinner in the hotel which we both felt we had earned!