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.
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.
As varied as the rich flora and fauna of Tirol, it can be interesting to consider the various inclinations and preferences that make us all unique, especially outdoorsmen. People approach hiking differently and people hike for all manner of different reasons, but I have started to notice some broad groups that account for most hiking styles. There are those seeking solitude and there are those who want to push the limits. There are those who want to capture pictures of that perfect moment and there are those who want nothing more than enjoying delectable dishes served on quaint on-mountain eateries. Naturally, there are many exceptions but I’ve found these seem to capture most hikers I’ve come across. What do you think?
“Mountains are mute masters who make silent pupils,” wrote Goethe. In reality, however, there is no outdoor activity that lends itself to a good old chat quite like hiking in the mountains. Two years ago, our author set off along the Stubai HighTrail with his 18-year-old son for a bonding session unlike any other.
Sledding & Tobogganing Safety Tips – Learn How to Steer and Brake
3 min reading time
Tobogganing is fun and easy just so long as you have the right skills to keep your sled under control. Andreas, who runs the Rauthhütte mountain hut in Leutasch, showed our intrepid reporter Christine how to enjoy this traditional winter sport. His quaint hut, which has its own toboggan run, provides a warm welcome to sledders, winter walkers and ski touring enthusiasts in winter.
How to Be a Better Skier: 9 Ways to Improve Your Skiing
10 min reading time
Nikolaus Niedermoser from 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.
In the Ötztal Valley – to be precise at 47° latitude – lies Austria’s largest outdoor adventure park. Our author, for whom summer in the mountains had so far meant nothing more than an easy walk in the meadows, agreed to take on the challenge of Area 47.
In his new book, Olympic ski jumping champion Toni Innauer has come up with some innovative ways to stay active inspired by the animals of Tirol. Check out these 12 exercises for mind and body.
Ski touring enthusiasts visiting Tirol will be pleased to know that the resorts around Innsbruck have developed a rota system to allow ski touring at night (and during the day) on the groomed slopes. After a long day at work, many locals take the opportunity to clip into their skis, walk up to one of the cosy huts in the mountains and enjoy a meal with friends before skiing back down along the pistes into the valley. Why not join them for a unique moonlight experience in the Heart of the Alps?
As the grandfather of all skiing, the cross country discipline has about the same kudos that your cardigan-wearing grand-pops does; but perhaps we should respect our elders a little more?
The 5 Exercise Workout At-Home: Get in Shape for Skiing & Snowboarding
8 min reading time
The notion of getting in shape for the ski season is hardly new. Physiotherapists Bettina Sandner and Florian Gastl, our contributing editors for this guest blog post, offer an innovative twist to a timeworn concept. These five exercises are a great way to get a ski-specific workout in your own home. It makes ski fitness so much fun; you’ll forget you’re working out! What’s more, they will take the guesswork out of your ski and snowboard conditioning program: Take a cue from the experts and learn all about super sets and injury prevention.
