4 Ideas for a skiless winter holiday

By |April 1st, 2016|Europe, Journeys, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

Winter holidays without skis? - Yes, such a thing exists and even can be fun. I guess, I'm not the only one who longs to get away from the crowded slopes. I'm all about beeing in nature without leaving traces of civilization. Ski touring is an option, but they say there are people who do [...]

Drag Lift into Hell

By |May 13th, 2015|Central Asia, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Tough Luck!, Winter Sports|

If you are into pain and looking to be beaten up, I advise you to use an old soviet drag lift. For this to work, you need be prone to dumbness and having a snowboard helps, too, but is not mandatory. […]

Winter Hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

By |February 15th, 2015|Europe, Germany, Journeys, Outdoor, Rock, Winter Sports|

"To hell and back" was our hiking weekend's motto. "Wild Hell" is the name of a hiking trail that ended with a heavenly view. Although I've already heard of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, I have to admit, it would not have occurred to me to go hiking there. Unfortunately, I am one of those people [...]

Skitour at Bullhead Mountain

By |January 28th, 2015|Europe, Germany, Journeys, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

In addition to alpine skiing and cross country another winter sports discipline ist getting more and more popular at the Northern Bavarian Fichtelgebirge mountain range: ski touring. For three years, the summit restaurant Asenturm has been a regular meeting point on Wednesday evenings. […]

Ski Touring in the Tian Shan Mountains

By |January 22nd, 2014|Asia, Featured, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

Karakol is one of the winter sports hot-spots in Kyrgyzstan. The town is located about six hours drive from Bishkek, east of lake Issyk Kul. There is a fairly large ski resort and several freeride options: besides snow mobile tours and horse lifts, ski touring is on the rise. All you need to do, is [...]

The Russian Word for Skiing

By |December 9th, 2013|Asia, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

There is no leather padded eight-seater chairlift with heated seats and wind bubble. Here in Kashka Suu, there is a single two-seat wooden folding chair lift with a small chain for safety. Don't even start looking for foot-support. "Don't you want to buckle up?" Kathrin asks. She works for a German humanitarian aid organization in [...]

Snow Hiking in Ala Archa

By |November 15th, 2013|Central Asia, Journeys, Kyrgyzstan, Outdoor, Winter Sports|

Who likes to sit in front of the PC all Sunday? Certainly not the European expats in Bishkek. The spontaneous decision: "Let's go hiking in Ala Archa!" The National Park is located about 40 kilometers outside of Bishkek, which is a nice day trip. It's four of us and we conveniently share a taxi. It [...]