Fast-paced Nordic skiing and accurate target shooting. Struggling to control your breathing, as you shoot at sets of targets either standing or prone. Which you are supposed to hit. Ski fast, shoot straight. Skiing. Shooting. Got it. And that’s supposed to be fun? I gave it a try.
How does it feel to get started in a sport you only know from TV? One that combines speed, intense competition and grace under pressure. Athletes finishing a tough, hilly lap of skiing, coming into the shooting range with heart and lungs working, and having to steady themselves enough to hit five circular targets at a distance of 50 meters, either prone (lying down) or standing. The targets are in the size of a palm and every missed target means having to ski a penalty lap.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, the image of ‘skin-tight-lycra-clad athletes’ with rifles slung over their backs, skating along narrow trails is what comes to mind. I have checked out that quirky, gruelling event that combines two athletic opposites – cross-country skiing and shooting – on TV and felt like a wimp. And thinking of trying biathlon myself sounded about as realistic as flying to the moon. After all, I’m not a competition type of person. I do sports for fun. Well, I used to feel that way.
Then I found myself lying down on the ground, aiming a rifle at targets in the distance with a coach right next to me. I had signed up for a short biathlon clinic at Erpfendorf Biathlon Center near St. Johann in Tirol. I aimed the rifle and pulled the release trigger and – hit! The sharp clang of the target going down was a satisfying “clank”! Okay, it was only half the shooting distance of ‘real’ biathlon and I didn’t ski to the range, but hey, who cares.
First, the biathlon coach collected our long poles. She placed her hands on her hips and glided away in perfect skating style. Following her was easier said than done. Despite being a proficient freeride skier, it seemed my years on snow counted for nothing as I strapped into the narrow toothpick-like skis. It really felt like skiing on toothpicks. But hey, it’s all a matter of balance.
And finally, the race. A test of speed and skill, the dual winter sport of biathlon combines the exhilaration of cross-country skiing with the marksmanship of target shooting. None of us had ever tried biathlon before, and some had never cross-country skied. Like me. But the coaches assured us that we could do it. And then, they divided us into two teams to compete against each other in a relay race. As for my team and me, we neither skied exceptionally fast, nor hit very many targets during the introduction unit. The same was true for our opponents. But hey, competition? That doesn’t sound so hard. What’s the big deal? And yet there is that kind of dark horse, come-from-behind excitement…
The starter’s gun is fired. My partner has mastered the first lap well, we are in the lead. She initiates me on my path in the hand-over zone. I pick up the long poles and push them into the snow, the skis move forwards and my upper body leans back. Oh no, please, not now! Please, please, please. Ten meters later, I proceeded to fall over, much to the hilarity of the audience. I have been over motivated. My opponent overtakes me, gliding elegantly. I get up on my feet again and try to push a little less aggressive. It works. I’m skiing as fast as I can. Yeah, they cheer me on! The lap seems to be endless, although it’s a mere 200 meters. Eventually, I’m reaching the shooting range. Stop! Well, yes, I still can master the snowplough. I switch into standard prone position target. The skis are in my way, anyway. I don’t mind, however. I try to slow my heart, to steady my hand and to sight my rifle. It’s a challenge unlike much else I do in everyday life. It’s a challenge of slowing down and focusing on demand. Breathe and shoot. Once. Twice. Another breath, and I knock down one more target. This means that there is no penalty lap for me. After covering my part, I tag the next team member in the hand-over zone. We are in the lead. Until we reach the finish line. We won! We were full of endorphins and there was much merrymaking. Rejoicing. Euphoria. Awesome! Although I’m not a competition type of person, I was drawn into participation. It’s very strange.
Want to give it a try? Biathlon is addictive. It’ll hook you right from the start. “Mark” my words. (Photo Credits: Thomas Fuchs)
Discover the growing sport with one of the unique Biathlon Programs offered in Tirol this winter.
When he is not working, Michael Gams is out exploring this beautiful country, hiking, mountain biking, freeriding and ski touring to the most beautiful spots in Tirol.
Kickers, boxes, rails – snowparks contain all manner of obstacles in many shapes and sizes with the aim of giving freestyle skiers and snowboarders as much fun as possible, hence the term funpark. We definitely recommend a visit to one during your next trip to Tirol – be it as a spectator or an active participant. Tirol’s ski resorts are home to snowparks large and small for all ages and abilities, from complete novices to budding professionals, slowly-but-surely intermediates to full-send fanatics.
How to Be a Better Skier: Nine Ways to Improve Your Skiing
10 min reading time
Nikolaus Niedermoser from the Neustift Ski School in the Stubai Valley provides lots of handy tips on improving your skiing technique in his YouTube video series. This blog post sums up Nik's most important pieces of advice. The fascinating thing about skiing for me is that I always learn something new every year. Short turns, carved turns, skiing switch, hitting the kickers in the park or cruising the backcountry powder - whatever you are into, the right technique makes skiing more fun. Check out the following tips and tricks from a long-time ski instructor.
Why sweat it out in the gym during the winter months when you can explore the great outdoors on two skis? Cross-country skiing is known as being one of the best sports around when it comes to training not only stamina and cariovascular fitness but also strength in the legs and upper body. On top of that, it's excellent for your balance and burns plenty of calories.However, skating around on skinny skis does take a bit of getting used to. A key element to enjoying cross-country skiing is having the right fitness, so we have put together five exercises for you to do at home to get ready for your next holiday in Tirol. Coach Christoph Ebenbichler from the Innsbruck Olympic Centre will take you through each one step by step. Ready, steady, go!
Everyone knows the feeling of burning thighs or tight back muscles at the end of a long ski day. Aches and pains such as these can put a downer on an otherwise enjoyable skiing experience. That is why it is important to get fit for skiing before you hit the slopes. This will not only make skiing more fun but also increase your performance on the piste and help prevent injuries.Christoph Ebenbichler, fitness coach at the Olympic Centre in Innsbruck, has put together the most important exercises to get you fit for skiing.
A Walk on the Wet Side – Why It's Time to Try Hiking in the Rain
11 min reading time
Hiking under blue skies? Easy. But rainy days in the mountains have their own special charm. We set out to discover what sets wet walks apart from the rest.
Tirol Alpinist Association Refuges for Overnighters in Golden October
13 min reading time
For many avid walkers, there’s nothing quite like hiking during the autumn months. The crowds of summer have largely disappeared, the wonderful mix of explosive colours, deep blue, cloudless skies and crisp, nostalgic breezes have taken their place and the surrounding high peaks may already have a dusting of snow. Fortunately, there are nice Alpinist Association shelters and refuges throughout Tirol that are open well into October, making it easy to do an overnighter that will be perfect for witnessing the change in seasons...
The mountain biking season is finally here! As with every other sport, it is important to prepare your body for the stresses and strains specific to mountain biking. As well as good overall cardiovascular fitness, riders need strong legs to push the pedals uphill as well as a strong upper body to deal with tricky descents and keep control of the bike through tight corners.Roland Luchner, coach at the Innsbruck Olympic Centre shows you five exercises to get you fit for mountain biking. Let’s get started!
Full-face helmets, protective clothing, super-steep slopes – downhill mountainbiking can seem a pretty intimidating sport. Something for adrenaline-seeking daredevils only? Absolutely not, as our Joe Average author found out when he hit the trails.
Hiking is a sport open to everyone, but after a long walk in the mountains you may well find yourself with tired legs. That’s why good cardiovascular fitness as well as strong muscles are important. These also help keep you safe when negotiating rough terrain and make walking and hiking a more relaxing and pleasant experience.
