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CMSC'S EUROPEAN SKI TRIP TO

Mayrhofen, Austria

and Prague, Czech Republic

By Bill Gleason
ast season's European ski trip was to Mayrhofen, an idyllic choice was given for the main course, and there was a hot and
Austrian ski town in the Zillertal Valley, 40 km. east of cold dessert buffet with three flavors of ice cream. Our hosts,
LInnsbruck, in the heart of Tyrol. Besides the large lift inter- Familie Schneeberger, were very friendly and helpful.
connected ski areas at Mayrhofen, there are four other major ski
areas in the valley, all on the same lift ticket, including the The weather during the week was mixed. Two days we couldn't
Hintertux Glacier, which is open for see anything, two days we could see a
skiing year round. Mayrhofen is a little and two days were sunny. A number
great destination resort for skiers of all of us stayed together and skied four of
abilities with many long runs, huts the five major areas in six days, including
along the way, and interconnected ski the infamous Ski Route 30, an ungroomed,
runs to other towns and villages for un-skied, 3,900-foot vertical drop ski
the true spirit of European skiing. run through the trees, down to a major
gondola station, east of Mayrhofen. Others
Our group of 48 skiers from 15 clubs did their own thing skiing and sightseeing
in the council departed on a SWISS around the town and the area. One group
flight from O'Hare to Zurich, went to Innsbruck for the day by train.
Switzerland on January 23, 2014. We Two of the evenings, the group gathered
flew SWISS not only for their great in the hotel bar for a “happy hour”
service and comfort, but also because before dinner.
The bristling Gothic spires of Tyn Church, built in 1385, loom
SWISS did not charge a baggage fee high above Old Town Square in Prague’s historical center.
for skis. Saturday morning, at Zurich airport, four
people departed on a Swiss flight for home, and 44 people
After a scenic bus ride to Mayrhofen, we checked into the won- took a SWISS flight to Prague, Czech Republic for our “optional”
derful 3-Star Hotel Brucke, conveniently located near the lifts and 3-day extension. After arrival, we traveled on a guided sight-
the bus stops. Meals in the hotel were extraordinary. The very seeing bus for a city tour on the way to the hotel. Our hotel,
large breakfast buffets had many hot and cold items. Dinners the 4-Star Falkensteiner Maria, was Old World architecture
included a buffet of appetizers, salad bar and two soups. A outside, but modern inside with large comfortable rooms.

The Hotel Brucke (left) was a comfortable home base for
CMSC skiers in Mayrhofen, where group members spent
six days skiing, sightseeing and taking in the beauty
of the Austrian Alps east of Innsbruck.

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