Recovering from snow rash in the Austrian Alps
It takes a hell of a view to distract you when your face is on fire.
I just got back from my second visit to Ski Amade. Less than an hour from Salzburg, it's a winter sports paradise that miraculously manages to retain a relaxing, local feel. Anyone who has queued for 20 minutes to get on a Swiss ski lift or been sniffed at by a harassed waiter in an overcrowded Alpine brasserie knows how precious this is.
It only took a day or two of hitting the slopes for me to develop a curious case of snow face. A little more extreme than the usual giveaway ski mask tan line, I blew up in red itchy swellings where my face used to be. Whether it was wind burn, an extreme reaction to the cold or a combination of the two, I can't be sure. All I know is that I was glad for the excuse to wear a balaclava against the constant snowfall.
That the Austrian Alps are untarnished in my memory, despite my having spent my nights slathering my scarlet face in balm, can only be a compliment. That said, I'm not sure the Austrian tourist board will be rushing to adopt a new slogan any time soon: "Austria - so good, you'll forget your face rash".
![]() |
Snow, blue skies and empty pistes. Bliss. Image © Anita Isalska. See more on my Flickr page. |
It only took a day or two of hitting the slopes for me to develop a curious case of snow face. A little more extreme than the usual giveaway ski mask tan line, I blew up in red itchy swellings where my face used to be. Whether it was wind burn, an extreme reaction to the cold or a combination of the two, I can't be sure. All I know is that I was glad for the excuse to wear a balaclava against the constant snowfall.
![]() |
Dramatic views worth itching for...from the top of the piste in Flachau. Image © Anita Isalska. See more on my Flickr page. |
Comments
Post a Comment