After seeing the amazing Alps and the fabulous skiing, we decided we had to hit the slopes.  Unfortunately, we had to be back in Munich tonight (Sunday) for our flight to IAD on Monday morning.   We actually considered pushing our flight back a day, but that got very complicated and expensive.   However, we had all day so why not spend it on the slopes, then head to Munich afterwards.  It would mean that we wouldn't get to Munich until late and not be able visit the famous beer garden or Christmas Market.  Since we had done a lot of Christmas marketing in both Salzburg and Bad Hofgastein, and none of us are huge beer drinkers…the choice was easy.  To the slopes!

Since Paige hadn't attempted to ski since she was very little, we got her a two hour lesson.  Of course, we requested a nice, cute Austrian guy, as even if she hated skiing…she would enjoy her time!  The ski school came through, assigning Thomas to the task.  He was a very nice, cute engineering student from a university in Vienna.  

 With Paige off to her lesson, Ken and I took one of the gondolas to the first stop and took the easy slope down.  Neither of us had skied in years, so we weren't taking chances on getting on a black diamond!  Ok, truth is, I skied a couple of years ago in Dubai, but it was at a mall so not sure it counted.   After a couple of times down the easy trail, we decided to hit the top of the mountain (where we took the pictures the day before).   We figured out the red (medium difficulty) and blue (easy) way down, and set off.  About halfway down, we figured out that we missed a turn and were heading down the wrong way and were going to end up on the other side of the mountain.  Luckily, there was another lift back up, so we hopped on and went back to the top where we took the correct route.   We did hit some fairly steep slopes, but we made it down without incident. 

By the time we made it to the bottom, it was well past the time we were to meet Paige.  We found her and Thomas enjoying the sun (and he some lunch).  She had made it through the lesson, but still wasn't so enamored with the entire skiing process.  Ken and I split a quick lunch, then we decided to all do one more run.  Paige, Thomas and Ken went to the easy slope that we had started the day with, while I wanted to do one more run from the top.   I took some different runs than earlier, and I have to admit they kicked my butt.  By the time I got down I was exhausted and ready for the Red Bull bar.  

I found Paige, already enjoying the RB bar and learned that Ken/Thomas had headed back up to the top, where I had just come from.  So, Paige and I enjoyed a couple of adult beverages, in the sun, listening to fun music, in the snow and watching the end of the ski day party getting started. Soon Ken and Thomas arrived, and it was time to turn in the gear and head to Munich.  

The drive to Munich was uneventful, but seemed a lot longer than the 2hrs 45 minutes.  We found the Marriott with no issue thanks to our handy GPS and checked into our very large and modern room.  With my Marriott status we were treated to a free drink (beer, wine or soda) and free appetizer for each of us, 10euro off any food or beverage  and 5 euro off the snack bar.  We relaxed in the bar and took advantage of our complimentary stuff before heading to bed.  

Tomorrow…the long plane ride back to the states.