Report: By Nigel Miiler

While on a downhill skiing trip in Leogang, Austria, in February 2025,  I introduced the guys to ski mountaineering.  Once everyone was fitted out with the correct equipment (Helen Fairbairn swapping her snowboard for two planks) we headed to the starting point which conveniently followed a groomed piste for a short distance.  Once Anthony had his skins attached to the skis he immediately did his usual and took off straight across a groomed piste on the brow of a hill.  The team, which also included PJ and  Valli, skinned up a total of 700m through forest tracks where our resident downhill ski instructor became detached from her skis and face planted on the snow. 

A pleasant lunch was had at the top followed by a bit more skinning and then we transitioned to downhill mode and made our way back without incident despite some initial difficulties adjusting to lighter skis and less stiff boots.  A great day was sadly tinged as we thought of Margaret who was very keen to join us, lying in hospital.