Day 6 - Almost Pooped my Pants

Today we tackled one of the so-called 'leicht' (easy) loipe; 10km, with a gradual climb of 180 metres to the mid-way point. It was absolutely stunning - through the woods, and hardly a soul on it apart from us (we were to find out why). We were pretty tired by the time we got to the turn, but at least the way back would be downhill. And was it ever - a gentle but unremitting downhill run from top to bottom. I was terrified! At least on downhill skiing you can carve and turn, but not on loipe; you have to just keep both skis in the grooves or stick a leg out and try to snowplough - and risk falling. Of course it eventually levelled out, and were we chuffed at having done it. But I don't think we'll be trying it again any time soon.

This is Mrs BrB getting ready to set off this morning on the village loipe; our apartment is just out of the picture on the right. This view looks west toward the main cross-country area; the church in the distance plays 'Ave Maria' after the 12.00 and 18.00 bells. It's incredibly moving!