Easter skiing in Austria - yeah!

I wasn't tempted to add anything here since my last big trip (going back and forth between Berlin and Stainz doesn't quite live up to the 'around the world' theme) but since my friend asked me to add the above information to my blog (wow, all this ownership does make me feel guilty of neglect now...), I might just as well add my latest Picasa webalbum here - check out the pictures of the great, fun, exhilarating, exhausting and amazing as always USI skiing camp:

Dienten Skicamp III

I really have to propagate the legendary USI ski trips (USI = University Sports Institute of Vienna) here, even though I probably shouldn't since it is already hard to get a place in the popular ones, but - hey, it is one of the best experiences that a winter sports fan can have! Quoting a comment I heard various times during the camp: "It really bugs me that I didn't discover USI ski trips earlier!"

It works like that: if you study or studied at Vienna University (any subject, you don't have to be one of these sports students, but you should be fairly fit :) you can sign up for a course of your choice at the beginning of the semester (or you study the "Restplätze" list for last minute spaces).

Usually USI books a whole hotel and there can be up to 160 people in one camp - not scary but fun, since you won't go skiing with more than 10 people per group, and it makes for even better après-ski parties! Plus, it is never ever a problem going by yourself, and you can ski at your preferred level (both points usually the biggest obstacles for having a great skiing holiday). One thing to watch out for: a lot courses don't cater for beginners, make sure to find out before booking, else you might have to pay extra for tuition at a local skiing school.

And lastly, apart from being a great group experience, having really competent and fun skiing instructors (kudos to the USI team, they are the best! :) - these trips are a whole lot cheaper than any other conventional ski trip you may find!

Closing with the most popular quote on Dienten Skicamp III 2007:
Bam Oida!