Early morning sport with fanfares
A few minutes ago, I was still struggling with my tired self. My anticipation for the day wins out and I get out of bed on time. Now, together with a friend, I'm looking forward to pristine slopes, glowing peaks and soothing tranquillity - and the longest downhill run in Vorarlberg.
It's 7.20 am. Still half dark. We board the Grasjoch cable car in St. Gallenkirch and then the Hochalpila cable car. No one knows exactly what to expect. Arriving at the mountain station, our conversations fall silent in the face of the breathtaking 360-degree panorama. Over 200 mountain peaks and 60 three-thousand-meter peaks lie at our feet. The highest mountain in Vorarlberg, the Piz Buin at 3,312 meters, is particularly striking. The first rays of sunshine creep out from behind the mountains: at this moment at the latest, everyone realizes that this is not going to be a Wednesday like any other. White mountain peaks, the sunrise and the unique morning atmosphere - you feel like you own the whole ski area. Get your camera out quickly and capture this perfect moment! The guides serve tea. A good idea. It gives us the opportunity to enjoy this moment a little longer.
The first turns on empty slopes
Afterwards, we also warm up externally with a few exercises. After all, everyone wants to be fit for the HochjochTotale, which is around twelve kilometers long. The descent from the Alpilagrat - the highest point in Silvretta Montafon - down to the edge of the village of Schruns offers plenty of variety. To make the most of the feeling of the empty and freshly groomed slopes, we are divided into smaller groups again. After the first turns, we make our way through the wide Seetal valley to the longest ski tunnel in the world, which leads through the rock to the north side of the mountain. Here you also have a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains.
Your thighs are burning
Many are on the move quite quickly. Our ski edges brush rhythmically over the grooves in the snow. Almost silently. The serpentine route through the sparse forest begins at the Hochjoch Bahn mountain station. At Schnetzerhang you have another breathtaking view over Schruns. At the bottom of the Hochjoch Bahn valley station at 730 meters above sea level, one or two of your thighs will be burning. But the happy fanfares in our ears drown it all out.
Mountain breakfast as a reward
Only now do the lifts officially start operating and the remaining winter sports enthusiasts hurry to the cable car. We get on too. We head back up the mountain. The descent has whetted our appetite - for breakfast. While everyone else storms the slopes, a hearty mountain breakfast with regional delicacies awaits us early risers in the Kapellrestaurant. I treat myself to a Montafon Riebel from the cast iron pan. In a convivial and relaxed atmosphere, an eventful morning ends and a perfect day's skiing begins.
A tip from Annika: You can EXPERIENCE sunrise rides in the Silvretta Montafon 3 TIMES PER WEEK. Wednesdays on the HochjochTotale and Fridays on the Nova Exklusiv.
