Grünau, my home away from home. For 45 days I lived in the little alpine paradise and it wasn't long enough. Some of my best friends in the world live here or I have met here.
Travelling on the train through a little corridor in the mountains was an experience I won't forget. Looking up from the base of these snow tipped mountains made the long train journey, very enjoyable - although I hadn't slept for over 30 hours.
On arrival to the little alpine village, as instructed, I gave my host a call and after a short wait he was picking me up in his van. It was a short drive from the station to the hostel but still so much to see. We drove through the town and although there wasn't much, there was certainly everything you needed. Getting closer to the hostel, I realised the mountains were getting bigger and more snow was about. Finally we arrived at the Treehouse hostel, right at the base of Kasberg - the mountain I would spend the next month and a half riding. As soon as I entered the hostel I met two Australian guys who were heading up to the mountain and although I hadn't slept for so long, I still couldn't pass it up.
The snow doesn't even compare to Australian snow! No man made snow and fresh powder lines every day.
Over the next couple of days a few more Australians rolled in to the Treehouse and 3 of the guys would spend the next week or so with me and become some of my best friends. Thomas and Bede extended their short stay but had plans to meet family for Christmas so had to leave but Craig, on the other hand, decided to stay for 3 or so weeks with me because he also fell in love with the snow, the people and the vibe. On the first weekend we all had our first opportunity to meet the Grünau locals. There was an 18th birthday party at the downstairs bar in our small hostel and we were invited! The crowd was great and I got along with them all very well.
Over the next few weeks, Craig and I spent each day in one of the following ways:
- snowboarding all day
- too hung over to snowboard. Watching movies all day.
The manager of the Treehouse hostel is one of the greatest men in Austria. He and and his two sons run the hostel so well! Buffet breakfast, home cooked dinner every night, organises discounts on the mountain, shuttles people to and from town. Gerhard is the man. I also got along very well with his two sons, Sebastian (19) and Tommy (18). They were certainly lots of entertainment for Craig and I through the quiet days. I was also lucky enough to meet all their friends who are all very nice people.
The Treehouse really was a home away from home. It didn't feel like a hostel, but a big family home. The father and two sons, the home cooked meals, the fact that you actually conversed with the manager and the element of two dogs and a cat really did make it a warm, friendly place.
The rest of my stay in Grünau was much of the same, meeting new people, snowboarding, and a fair few day trips out and about. I was so lucky to meet the people I have in Grünau and I can't wait to go back and see them all again soon, especially Andy!