These two photos were taken by Cameron, and capture Klaus and Brigitte as we always found them - happy and smiling. Klaus arranged so many things for us, and the kids are already asking when can we go back and see Klaus and Brigitte and go skiing with them again.
Klaus took the boys for a ride on the 'real' skidoo. The boys got to drive it around the lake, and Klaus would turn on the siren - which made it even more exciting for the boys! Nicole and Phil also got to have a drive, proving that they are big kids too.
One late afternoon, after the lifts were closed, Klaus organised for the boys and Phil to ride in one of the 'snow beasts' - the snow ploughs that make the runs each night. Santa gave the kids these great snow boogie boards for Xmas, and they were great! At the end of the day the kids would use them to burn off a bit more energy outside, before going to the pool to swim for an hour or more before getting ready for dinner. Whilst we waited for the snow ploughs to get ready, the boys found a great hill and sled for half an hour. 
Cameron finds a more 'advanced' way to ride the snow-boogie... that led to the next picture..
Cameron finds a more 'advanced' way to ride the snow-boogie... that led to the next picture..
Once the snow plough was ready, the kids handed the sleds to Nicole. For about 40 minutes the snow beast worked on a black (very steep) run - pushing snow, reshaping the surface and getting it ready for the next day. It was really high-tech - Alexander in particular was fascinated by the joystick controller and the groovy information screen. Cameron was most impressed when we knocked some small branches off a pine tree! The trucks work until 4-5am to ensure everything is ready for the next day's skiing.
The kids had their sleds and used these down the hills on the tracks. It was great fun, until Cameron's sled slipped off the track and went about 50m down a hill of very deep snow. Phil set off after it, it was hard work. The stars were starting to come out, it was incredibly beautiful, quiet and peaceful. The sun had set, but there was still some light on one of the distant peaks. The air as really still and cold, and it was a good thing we were all still rugged up in our ski gear and snow boots! It was a wonderful walk - after all the activity and energy of skiing in these mountains during the day, it was great to see this peaceful side to the mountain.
Phil skied down this run the next morning and retrieved the small piece of branch that was knocked off - If you look closely you will see Cameron wore it as a souvenir on his helmet for the rest of the holiday!
After the ride in the snow beasts, we decided to walk back to the hotel (about 2 km). It was getting late, and quite cold. There was a marked track which led from the Salober Jet lift (where the snow ploughs picked us up and dropped us off) back to the hotel - you just had to climb one blue piste hill first!
The kids had their sleds and used these down the hills on the tracks. It was great fun, until Cameron's sled slipped off the track and went about 50m down a hill of very deep snow. Phil set off after it, it was hard work. The stars were starting to come out, it was incredibly beautiful, quiet and peaceful. The sun had set, but there was still some light on one of the distant peaks. The air as really still and cold, and it was a good thing we were all still rugged up in our ski gear and snow boots! It was a wonderful walk - after all the activity and energy of skiing in these mountains during the day, it was great to see this peaceful side to the mountain.
Our time at Warth and Schroeken was made so much better by meeting Klaus and Brigitte, and they did everything to make sure we had a brilliant time. We can say that they succeeded.
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