Henry 2

Euro ski 24

20-21 February 

Today was the so named horses day. Some skiing on a good firm base early. Six of us made the best of few people and clear runs around Corvara before Rob Thomson headed one way (for a lesson later in the day) and the rest headed to the village of  Armentarola. Here we caught a bus that took us high into the Dolomites to a locality called Lagazuoi. A cable car took us to 2778m with sweeping views in all directions. The Dolomiti mountain structure of rocky peaks is so dramatic and awe inspiring. We then had a something like 17 kilometre downhill ski run. Just lovely. Consistent and smooth with great views. Where it flattens out we had horses pull us along the last few kilometres. Lunch was had at the flash Hotel Armentarola. Total over indulgence.

 

Wednesday we tackled the ski loop which takes most of the day which takes us around the massive Sella rock formations which tower over us. We did the Sellaronda green direction which is anticlockwise (I did orange last year). A Bluebird day brought the crowd out. We made our way out of our local ski area of Corvara through Colfosco to Passo Gardena. Views were spectacular with snow and steep rock and fur trees. We headed down the run - a mix of open wide run (generally steep) and in between the trees (lovely and smooth). At the village of Selva we had to cross a road. There are lights to stop traffic and ski gates for us! 

A bit of a queue for the gondola which took us to Ciampinoi at 2254m. Again fantastic views. Any one of these hilltop places could be a destination where you could spend a day. We pressed on. A bit of down and up various chairlifts and gondolas and over the Passo Sella. I’ve cycled here in summer but I am not able to see the road for the snow. Our group today has five of us (Amy Thomson, Mike, Frank Thomson and Marlyn) and on we went. With a long lift queue we spotted a pleasant restaurant called Kristiania, where we settled in for lunch. This was in the saddle with the Passo Pordoi  at 2239m (where in summer the road with cyclists passes) to one side and the Belvedere at 2377m to the other side. 

Post lunch and a couple of runs to Arabba, where we were a few days earlier, at a similar time of day. Today the snow was holding up better with fewer slushy moguls. The final run home was via Passo Campolongo and up the steep hill overlooking Corvara. 

We dropped down into Corvara having all successfully achieved the ski so we had the obligatory Bombardino drink - which is more or less egg, cream and brandy. A hot chocolate with grappa/schnapps followed.