Chasing Dreams in Seefeld: An Unlikely Comeback Story

Undeterred, Hilary picked up the phone and called her siblings. Kate, the youngest, a marathon runner and “use it or lose it” ambassador, didn’t need convincing. Nor did Andrew, 86 years old and still every bit the adventurer, even if he hadn’t touched skis in three decades. “Why not?” they thought. “If not now — when?” And so, the trio — a combined age of over 250 — boarded a plane bound for Seefeld, the very same Tyrolean resort where they’d last skied as children. From the airplane window, the snow-dusted peaks glistened below, beckoning them back to the past — and forward into something entirely new.

At the base of the Rosshütte Skimountain, excitement mingled with nerves. “Can we still do this?” was the unspoken question. But with Ulrich from the Alpinpower Ski School, described later as “an angel on skis,” guiding them, doubt gave way to laughter. The first turns were shaky, the balance wobbly. Yet within minutes, muscle memory — and sheer willpower — took over. The three siblings swapped their “pizza” stances for “pommes” (as the locals say), carving their way down the slope with the joy of beginners and the grace of old pros.

Two hours later, breathless and glowing, they gathered for their verdict:

Hilary: “It was a lovely feeling to still be able to do it. We were all nervous, afraid of falling — but we didn’t even tumble once! It was a beautiful, liberating experience.”
Kate: “At the hotel, I wasn’t sure I could manage. But skiing today, I realized everything is easier now — lighter equipment, safer slopes. I’m so glad I tried.”
Andrew: “The skis may be lighter, but believe me — they felt heavy enough! Still, it was a fantastic reminder of what skiing can be. If you’re my age and wonder if you can still do it — try. You’ll surprise yourself.”