Vail Resorts Epic Pass

[ToddW]

Front view of the Hintertuxerhof, command central for Harb Hintertux camps.  The rooms and dining area are undergoing a total renovation right now and should be even more wonderful next year.  The canopies cover the [cropped out of photo] sun terrace, home of fine beer and apre ski "coffee" (salads, savories, big desert spread) which looks up with an unobstructed view several thousand feet to the slopes.  Be sure to wear sunscreen on the sun terrace. 

7 euros will rent ski storage at the top for a week, so there's no need to schlepp skis (or boots) up and down.  If you're a gear fanatic, the Hintertuxerhof has a good ski room, boot dryers, a tuning table, and a house waxing iron!

A day in the life of a camper.  Awake after a good sleep at 4,900 ft.  Luxurious breakfast at 7.  Walk to lifts at 8.  Lifts open 8:15.  Two long lifts up to Tuxer Fernerhaus at 8,700 ft.  Boot up and on snow at 9.  Quick chair to the tip top Gefrorene Wand at 10,700 ft.  Ski all day with quick tea (for the Kiwis, Aussies, and Brits), lunch, and video breaks.  Last chair down at 4:15.  Sumptuous coffee spread 4-5 or beer garden in village.  Happy hour at 6.  5 course meal starts at 7 and finishes late.  Slumber at 4,900 ft with lots of oxygen to prepare for the next day.

Keep an eye out for those southern hemisphere folks.  Some of them have nine camps under their belts and can outski you and drink you under the table.  But they're a ton of fun to be around.

[ToddW]

This year's crew.  For those of you who read the PMTS forum, the 4th from the left in an ollive green jacket is jclayton (monsterman and I are almost hidden from view.)

[ToddW]

Lynn,

It occurs to me that Hintertux may not be the place for you, that you might not be up to the challenge.  There are 2 Italian regulars.  Fast Freddy (Federico) from the PMTS forum and northern Italy ... and "G" from Rome.  They'd both give you a run for your money.  I fear that "G" would win hands down.  Once on the lift, G asked Jasper (a European PMTS instructor) the difference between G's supershape magnums and my  icon 80s.  His studied reply was "those are an Audi and will get you where you are going well, but the white skis are a Ferrari!  It depends on what you want.  But the white skis will match your helmet and jacket better  "

[ToddW]

A nice set of practice runs off a T-bar.  To viewer's left, a a nice gentle run, some huge jumps (during peak season), an in-between groomed pitch, and a somewhat steeper area with highly variable surface conditions, changing every few feet.  Leading in from the other side where the photographer is standing is a somewhat steep pitch with usually firm conditions that's excellent for working on speed control and tight short turns.  Over to the right is a collection of nice red and black runs, one of which is perfect for any skiing development need.

When the sun is out, the views are spectacular. 

[ToddW]

Christian, the proprietor of the Hintertuxerhof hotel standing in the far corner of the sun terrace (die Sonnenterasse.)  He goes to great lengths to make sure that "Harry's" group is well taken care of.   He and "Harry" have known each other forever.

[ToddW]

The Olperer, the big peak in the background, and "Harry", a big-time skier in the foreground.  The piste marker is for trail # 3, which means any and all trails which end at the Tuxer Fernerhaus which is meeting place central for the camp.  Piste # 11 also sprawls across the mountain.  If you get lost, follow any part of 11 down to any part of 3 and you'll end up at the right lodge.

[ToddW]

They guy 2nd from the right only skis 5 days a year at the Hintertux camp.  And he's been in the top group for years.  That goes to show you what perfect practice will accomplish.  With a little help from the hip-o-meter 

[ToddW]

View of the ski slopes from the sun terrace at the Hintertuxerhof.

(Gotta stop now ... work calls)

[meput]

Todd, you are leaving me out of breath  !! So much skiing eye candy at one time  !!

If this is your "skiing thought of the day" for May 12, then the rest of the summer will be great.

Thank you for giving all of us a "skiing fix".

Remember: Sell, sell, sell....

Jim

[ToddW]

edit:  deleted as there's no need to torture Jim 2 any further with these amazing vistas.

[meput]

Gee Todd, I was about to answer the question that you posed, then you deleted it before I could do so. Besides I enjoy being tortured: I ski, I bike, I'm married, I live in Maine,...

Jim

PS - Jim1, I love that emoticon

[ToddW]

Hey Lynn,

Before you sign up for the Epic gathering, ya better check your bootboards.  Who knows what response to Phil's love letter may be lurking there.  It's 10 PM; do you know where your bootboards are?

[jim-ratliff]

PS - Jim1, I love that emoticon

Really??  I never would have guessed.      I have to admit that I was quite pleased when Google found it for me, even more when I could cut and paste the image. 

[midwif]

Hey Lynn,

Before you sign up for the Epic gathering, ya better check your bootboards.  Who knows what response to Phil's love letter may be lurking there.  It's 10 PM; do you know where your bootboards are?

Yes, I do!
Sad, but true, Phil got no response from his missive.

[ToddW]

Bump.

This thread quickly evolved into a sales job for the spring pmts hintertux ski camp last season.  Some of the most spectacular photo links no longer work, but you can get the idea. 

Enrollment for next season, is around the corner.  It fills up very fast.  It's the social and skiing event of the PMTS year.  Tons of fun.  Good beer.  Fine food. Great companions. Entertainment.  And skiing too.