Hochkar reported nearly 2.5 meters of snow and the forecast is perfectly still - as we were approaching  to target, snow starts to fall more and more. With the rise in direct proportion our mood went up until we realized that tomorrow morning we need to climb up 10 km to Hochkar Alpenstrasse without any grooming. Negative thoughts are over change by the fatigue and the need to find reserved beds. That went so well. In short period of time, we conclude that those who are in the house are actually us (yeah, from the night arrivals will never be tired of) and for a moment we woke up in the morning snow.

Quick breakfast and keeping  permanent drift speed of 40 km / hour to our goal. At the beginning of Hochkar Alpenstrasse we had to put the chains on. Then almost all the way up we were right behind bus with czech’s  SPZ.  Well I should be training putting the chains on coz every  lost minute  in situation like this is can be changed to tons of minutes. At the bottom without corners we finally managed to pass all the cars and buses what we could and on 2nd and 3th gear getting altitude to the target. Still snowing.

We parked on the upper parking lot next to the gondola and we went to explore  glacial bowl of Hochkar. Due to weather conditions, we choose the "scientific" way of working - carefully examine the rod to rod surface of the slopes and in our mind compose visual and tactile sensation of our own image of the terrain. First spot what we were checking out is a forest under the chairlift IV. A steep slope protected by tall trees is fun. Sometimes the passage is little tight to fo thru, but uncovers surprising corners. Where else dont appreciate maneuverability and playfulness of reverse camber, so there definitely yes. Still snowing.

Freeze is so strong where strong wind mixes with it, so that is why the none of us wants to make any photographic work . We hoped that the sky will clears up a bit and we save our hands for this moment.  After a few hours  we sit for a while on a chairlift where frost creeps under your nails despite you have gloves. Lightly after the lunch we hid into restaurant, which is bursting at the seams. Suffer the queue line and order the classic which is - leberknödelsuppe and tea. Fortunately, the restaurant started to get empty  so added a coffee to postpone the moment of leaving the well warmed pub. But I could not drag it on forever and set out to explore  another part of the resort. Still snowing.The space between the slopes 9 and 9a, and especially around the lift II are milder slopes with sparse, grass  and bumpy moguls all covered by deep snow.

These are suitable for crazy stuff to or eventually can be good if you want to shape something big. Here it takes me a while to read terrain. Before I can make it thru to milder sections I got stuck couple of times but there is noathing to be surpirised of. Still snowing.Right half of the resort (from the bottom view) we left for the next day. Gondola III due to strong wind and a lot of snow fall did not work and the short part below was untouched  which was  strange for us. But even if some found this untouched part ther would be new snow in the morning anyway.Lifts stoped, we sweeped 20 cm of snow form the car and set out for the journey around the switchbacks snow pillows, from which emerge on the road sometimes local circumstances knowledgeable skier to the farther back in the hole disappeared into the barriers. It seems that these lines would be in a good snow conditions more entertaining way down, than the endless loops snowy road driving cars. But to turn down an exit and get back can take an estimated half a day and we did not want to end these conditions go through such an experiment. There are only two days. Approaching the house, wewere  looking  forward to dinner and we hoped that the heating in the room since yesterday will be better so we do not have to strike out the second day in damp rags. Still snowing.

The second day we make a tactical mistake. After we take the first trail ride on a short section between slopes 1 and 6, we cann’t leave it. We are coming like a examples for few  skiers and snowboarders and tracks starts to grow. If we want to take advantage of the steep and powder venue, we have to  now. Before noon, we have done and we seek the highest point of the resort (1808m above sea). Gondola III which is Leeds on peak stops,  because of the snow and wind condition. Because of these chat is there. we run out of these super part. Not only that we don’t explore we can’t even see, we can only guess. Perhaps the next visit ... still snowing.

After lunch we are taking remains rides in virgin powder and we try to exclude our thoughts about closed Gondola III. We take ideal snow conditions and powder , despite the relatively high attendance in resort, we take almost everything for our self's ,  so why to bee disappointed ?

What more could we want? Clarification on Sunday noon and the grand finale? This would be of course great. We have reason to go to Hochkar again and fulfill our expectations.  We've had absolutely fabulous powder snow, and yet we have reason to come back and explore more than half of the amount of available terrains, and next time hopefully we will explore  better (all Vorgipfel and  Hochkar). So instead of execrate Ice Queen who ruled Hochkar and played with as , we are grateful that she invited us for next visit.


Tales is the end and still snowing


On Tuesday, after we return checking snow predictions and wondering what to do with coming weekend. Hochkar reported 350 cm, "here it will be still interesting," I tell you. After another week I  see the number 470 and still snowing.

Last season finally Hochkar gets over 5 meters of snow and the lifts were run till 3 May (even they might even longer). To 1800 m n. m is not bad ...
Picnick table    2x

Info:
www.hochkar.at
www.senonerpark-hochkar.at
Text and photo: Lubos Susila - FREESKI


The article was published in the journal Freeski 22. 10. 2009