“American artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).”
Springs Return in Schliersee means its Ski and Snowboard Service Time
As the winter ski season comes to a close and the valley floor is dotted with early spring blossoms, it is time to start thinking of properly packing away your skis for next season.
I had the pleasure of meeting one of our local ski service experts, Anderl Thurner. I think Anderl might possibly have the best office in Schliersee directly on the slopes at Untere Firstalm on Spitzingsee. He definitely has the best view from his work bench. His bright blue eyes and warm Bavarian personality is very welcoming. He is very passionate about skis and skiing and happily answers all your many questions.
On any weekend in ski season, you can hike up to Untere Firstalm carrying your skis from the Kurvenlift parking lot or while skiing in from Kurvenlift or Stümpfling ski lifts. It is always a great idea to dry off your skis after each use and use a little wax on your edges to avoid rust, but before and after your long Spitzingsee ski season it is best to call in the professionals.
A great idea so you don’t miss a minute of the snow fun, is to plan a break at Untere Firstalm. Drop off your skis with Anderl and while he works his magic, order yourself a delicious pan of fresh made Kaiserschmarrn and a warm drink. It is efficiency at its best!
Anderl not only works on skis but also snowboards. He is also a great contact if you are looking for gently used ski gear. His prices as well as his skills are amazing. You can have a full service while you wait at the meager price of 12€ for skis and 15€ for snowboards. Ski maintenance isn’t only for skis that you are using but also it is important to have your brand new skis serviced before using.
Proper maintenance of your ski equipment is key to the longevity of your skis. Well cared for skis will not only last longer but will enhance your enjoyment on the slopes. So always remember to remove your skis from any storage bag you use after use, dry them down and give them a lick of wax to protect those edges and then give Anderl a call.
To contact Anderl Thurner directly
Ski & Snowboard Service
Skiservice Untere Firstalm am Spitzingsee
0170/3455703
turner.andreas@web.de
His shop service area is located at Untere Firstalm
08026/7676
info@firstalm.de
http://www.unterefirstalm.de
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Alpen Plus Season Ski Pass and So Much More
Last year, after about 25 years off skis, I met one of our local inspiring octogenarians who were celebrating her 80th birthday and the fact that she now skis for free in Schliersee. Meeting this energetic soul motivated me to once again get back on skis.
This year I decided to commit even more to skiing and purchased the Alpine Plus Season Ski Pass and I thought I would share some of the many things I have learned about having this pass.
Firstly, starting early in your seasonal ski plans will save you 50€. The Alpen Plus Season pass goes on sale 1 October for the discounted price of 350€. When possible, purchase your pass between 1 October and 15 November in order to take advantage of this savings. If you forget to purchase your pass early, have no fear you can still purchase your pass but it will cost you 50€ more. You have to think a day pass for an adult is 35€ so if you ski 10 times in one season your pass has paid for itself. Though with the Alpen Pass you also get loads of other discounts making your purchase so much more valuable than the 350€ price tag.
If you are a sledding enthusiast and not a skier, the incredible 6.5 kilometer sled run on Wallberg is also included in the Alpen Pass. No one ever does just one run on Wallberg and a 10 run card will cost you 92€ alone. For our family this is a great motivator for buying the pass.
Our beautiful spa and recreation center of Monte Mare also gives a 20% discount to all holders of the Alpen Pass Season or the Alpen Glacier card. I will post a link at the bottom for you to see which pass is best for you. This is good for the four hour passes as well as the day passes for sauna facilities and vitality spa.
http://www.monte-mare.de/de/schliersee.html
Alpen Pass holders receive a 20% discount on two way lift tickets at Spitzingsee, Sudelfeld, Wallberg and Brauneck-Wegscheid, throughout the winter season as well. They also get 50% off ski passes at Kössen (Tyrol), Wendelstein, Kampenwand (Ashau), Hochfellen (Bergen) Hocheck (Oberaudorf) when you show your pass.
Another great benefit is a 15% discount on purchases both in store and online at one of our local amazing outdoor stores, Smartino. Their beautiful new location is right next to the Neuhaus train station for serious convenience.
Not only is the pass good for our local slopes on Spitzingsee but also several other ski resorts of Sudelfeld and Brauneck-Wegscheid.
For me, having the pass has really motivated me to get out on the slopes more often. I am no longer discouraged by the 35€ day pass price and I can just come up to the slopes for an hour or so whenever I wish and without pressure.
Other great offers, if you don’t want to commit to a season pass on offer, are the Family day pass, which is available every day of the season. It costs 85€ and is valid for both parents and all their own children up to age 15. Also starting 10 January is the Ladies Day Pass offered every Wednesday during the season but Ash Wednesday, for only 17€.
For more info:
www.alpenplus.com/alpen-plus/alpen-plus-skipasspreise-uebersicht/saisonskipaesse/
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Stress Free Ski Day in Spitzingsee
The early bird gets the worm and on Spitzingsee that works for weekend parking spots. On any given Saturday it can seems like the entire world wants to enjoy the pristine beauty of Spitzingsee. In the winter season, the limited parking can change a fun day skiing into a real struggle. Week day skiing tends to be much less busy but not everyone is able to take time off work to ski during the non peak times. So let me share with you a great tip for stress free skiing in Schliersee.
Why not arrive relaxed while also reducing your carbon foot print. The German train system has prepared this perfectly easy plan for you to enjoy a day in the mountains. Wether it be skiing, snowshoeing, sledding or just a beautiful wander in the snow covered hills. Arrive in style and try for yourself this alternative transportation.
The ticket you are looking for on the Bayerische Oberlandbahn also known as BOB is called the KombiTicket Ski. It is quite a deal which includes both your ski pass and the train ride. If you gas and time, it is good value.
The prices are as follows:
Adults (from 19 years): € 49.50
Teenagers (16 – 18 years): 47,00 €
Children (up to 15 years): 27,00 €
A bus will take you to Spitzingsee right from the train station in Fischhausen-Neuhaus. There could not be an easier, more user friendly way to avoid the weekend traffic and just soak in the pure ski enjoyment.
This plan also works even better if you are already in Schliersee staying at one of our many romantic alpine hotels or guest accommodations. One real benefit to staying directly in Schliersee is our Schliersee Guest Card, which you receive at your hotel and gives you free access to the bus and so much more. It is a real bonus to a vacation here in Schliersree.
For more information on the Guest Card:
http://www.schliersee.de/fileadmin/dwnld/Leistungen_Kurkarte_August_2017ENGLISCH.pdf
It is important to check weather using our local webcams to check conditions at Spitzingsee and also familiarize yourself with the times the slopes and coordinate them with your travel.
Train arrangements:
https://www.meridian-bob-brb.de/de/bayerische-oberlandbahn/tickets-bob/kombitickets
Local Webcams:
http://www.alpenbahnen-spitzingsee.de/en/webcams/
RVO Bus Timetable:
http://www.alpenbahnen-spitzingsee.de/fileadmin/user_upload/alpenbahnen-spitzingsee/2015-2016_Nachtskibus.pdf
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Wintery Fasching Fun at Untere Firstalm
Each year, since 1930, Untere Firstalm has hosted their historic and hysterical Faschings gaudi. If you aren’t aware of what Fasching is all about a great comparison is to Carnival or what we call Mardi Gras in the United States. It is just one big silly costume bash. Germany really lets its hair down at this time of year.
The origins of Fasching comes from various beliefs and traditions. In pre-Christian times, these Carnival celebrations symbolized the driving out of winter and all of its dark evil spirits. That is why people wear masks and costumes.
The atmosphere at Untere Firstalm for Fasching is anything but scary. It is pure hilarity and happiness. The rivalry begins at 10 am and you can come in costume or not, all are welcome to join the fun. To get to Untere Firstalm you have to plan on approximately an hour walk up a gentle climb. You can park at Kurvenlift and follow the signs up to Untere Firstalm. For a bit longer and steeper walk, you can pay 4 euros and park at Spitzingsee saddle and follow the road to Obere Firstalm. From there you can easily walk down hill to Untere Firstalm. If you are a skier you can also arrive on skis from either the Kurvenlift or from Stümpfling-Sesselbahn.
The proprietors of Untere Firstalm go all out to create a wonderfully festive atmosphere. Last year they created an amazing bar made from snow where endless drinks were skillfully poured by human sized fuzzy animal creatures.
Feel free to grab a spot at the many long picnic benches and watch or join in on the fun and dancing. Silly costumed sled races and incredibly fearless ski jumping at the Snowpark Spitzingsee, located alongside Untere Firstalm, are all part and parcel of the days entertainment.
This year’s event will be held on February 11 at Untere Firstalm starting at 10 am. There will be live music provided by the party band Grenz Gänger. These guys have played big venues like the Cannstatter Wasen in Stuttgart and the Augustinerkeller, Hofbräu in Munich. Should be a fantastic snowy dance experience.
The Faschings fun or as they say here in Bavaria, Faschings gaudi, will go till dark so depending on your stamina and the weather you might want to pack a headlamp to guide your way home.
Grenz Gänger:
http://www.grenzgaenger-showband.de/termine.php
Untere Firstalm:
https://www.facebook.com/events/574141782926993/
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).
Hunting Warm Holiday Cheer
Some people spend their lives tracking the Yeti, but I am on the trail of the most delicious and creative Glühwein stands Schliersee has to offer. This year I am excited to announce some new wonderful places to warm your hands and ignite your Christmas spirit.
On first Advent, I made our plans to visit Schliersee’s Seeweihnacht market at Sunset. We hoped to capture all that Christmas magic gathered before the majestic backdrop of alpine glow on the Brecherspitz. Once the chill hit our bones we decided a wander up to the Ratskeller for a delicious meal. First Advent is all about light and the Ratskeller did not disappoint. Matthias Gercken has pulled out all the stops with his incredible holiday decorating. The Ratskeller Glühwein stand which is nestled along side the Rathaus in Schliersee, was handmade in Austria and so, has encapsulated Tyrollean charm. While we ate, we were serenaded by a local traditional Bavarian band creating a romantic atmosphere. Such a wonderfully typical German start to Christmas. Let’s not forget the delicious fireside mug of spiced fragrant Glühwein. It is holiday perfection inside and out.
Another warming thirsty stop is Lehmanns Neuhauser Stuben. It is located right in the middle of Neuhaus on the bend. Beneath a giant illuminated Christmas tree is their magical little Glühwein hut. All decked out in twinkle lights, with jazzy Christmas tunes playing it is the perfect spot to break your wander and warm up from nose to toes. Either heading up the slopes or while returning home, a stop at Lehmanns is a must do. Chris Lehmann has really gone all out to make his special corner of Neuhaus festive.
And lastly but definitely not least is the remarkable Glühwein stand on Obere Firstalm. While doing some moonlit sledding last full moon a friend and I discovered this wonderful gingerbread stand straight out of a Grimm fairytale. I had to find out the secret of when this Christmas mirage appears as I had never before seen it. Marcus Votteler of Obere Firstalm explained to me just how you can make this magic a part of your Christmas cheer. You can reserved this picturesque Glühwein stand for birthdays or office Christmas parties. Just contact them directly for more information. I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine a more perfect way to enjoy a December birthday than to be together with great friends under the stars, as all snuggle close around an open fire.
Now go forth and gather your friends and lets kick off this holiday season in the Bavarian way, fireside, Glühwein in hand.
For more information on how you can visit these huts for yourself.
Ratskeller Schliersee:
https://www.facebook.com/ratskeller.schliersee/?ref=br_rs
Lehmanns Neuhauser Stuben:
http://neuhauser-stuben.de
Obere Firstalm:
http://www.firstalm.de
Laura Boston-ThekAmerican artist, photographer and professional wanderer who, after 20 years of roaming, put down roots in a 100 year old Bavarian farmhouse and fell in love with the Alpine village and its residents (both 2-legged and 4-legged).