Baltic Outlook January 2019 | Page 76

TRAVEL / January Kids with their skiing instructors in Obertauern serves me correctly, this is also the fabled mogul course I used to jump on as a lad – the one on which I would have liked to snap my son having a go as well as retry myself for old time’s sake. Despite a fruitless search, our day turns out to be all about finding smaller and easier hidden paths between the bushes and rocks within the extensive terrain below the Edelweißalm, adding up to a great day of skiing with lots of variety. BEATLES ON THE PISTE As it happens, those same hidden paths were also taken by the Beatles in the Obertauern of yesteryear, given the frenzy and mad rush of fans prompted by their stay in the small Alpine village in 1965. When the Fab Four journeyed from Liverpool to Obertauern to shoot their feature film Help!, a lack of skiing prowess meant relying on local ski aces as doubles. The village still commemorates its famous visitors, and the Beatles silhouette at the Kirchbühel lift is always full of tourists wanting to snap a memory. So I also thank the Beatles to help round off a thoroughly successful family stay in Obertauern, awakening old memories as well as sparking an urge in me and my son to take on fresh snow adventures. I, too, am now eager to rediscover the other (mountain) stations of my youth, such as the beautiful Sellaronda and the wide mountain world above Ischgl. 74 / airBaltic.com OFF TO THE SLOPES – TIPS FOR BETTER SKIING Ski fans are counting the days until the first flakes start to fall, creating a beautiful white backdrop for athletic on- slope exploits. With modern equipment, well-prepared pistes, and ski resorts that are more convenient than ever, it’s never been easier to get started in the sport and awaken the urge to ceaselessly improve. Read on for more on how best to prepare for the season and improve your skiing technique step by step. Whether you’re a bright-eyed beginner ready to smash the slopes, are dusting off long-dormant skis, or already qualify as a sportier mountain sort, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to technology. After all, who wouldn’t want to glide down the slopes as sportily and elegantly as possible? Today’s materials are designed with that aim in mind, especially modern carving skis, which should see your skiing get off to a perfect start. Even so, caution is advised – if you haven’t skied for a while or the season is only just starting, keep some basic pointers in mind to ensure this motivation lasts as long as possible. Planning, equipment, fitness Success on the slopes and a ski holiday to write home about depend on being prepared. The first must is to choose the right ski area, one that ticks your boxes but also matches your skiing level and offers the right terrain for all skiers coming with you. There’s no point in newbie skiers biting off more than they can chew on slopes too steep to handle, tensing up and losing their desire to continue with the sport. Conversely, nor would any advanced skier want to stay on a practice-level slope – once you master your skills, the more variety the better. ADRESS: ANDREJOSTAS IELA 5, RĪGA | TABLE RESERVATION: +371 25775540 /RESTAURANTNAPLES /RESTAURANT_NAPLES