It has been three years since my last ski trip to Selva. During this time it's been almost impossible to get away and particularly up into the mountains. But this winter the Dolomites were calling and the lifts open for business. It was time to dust off the ski goggles and head to the mountains. I couldn't wait to strap on a pair of skis and feel the sun on my face.
This year my brother Stuart and his wife, Tina, joined us. As well as Clive. For the sixth year we are staying at the Hotel Continental. A skiing holiday for us Brits needs good skiing, superb surroundings and the comfort and convenience of a first class hotel (at a reasonable price). It's all there in Selva, a vast 1200 km of piste of which you can never tire and the best mountain scenery anywhere on the Continent.
From beginning to end, the hotel was fab. The rooms were very comfortable, the food top-notch and the lift would take you conveniently down to the ski room to get kitted up before hitting the slopes. It's not quite ski in, ski out, you do have to carry your skis across the road (5m). But the main Dantecepies gondola is next door. There is also a Spa with a whirlpool which relieves the stiffness from my hard worked muscles and relaxes and destresses me totally. One small downside is the half mile uphill walk from the centre of Selva, but hey do you want to be near the shops or near the skiing? Congratulations Stuart and Tina, who celebrated their ruby wedding anniversary whilst on holiday.
The key to a successful winter holiday during Covid is to be able to keep abreast of the up-to-date requirements. Mask up, ski down. The rules are straightforward - when you get to the top you can remove your mask and make the most of the fresh air, breath taking views and stunning landscapes. That feeling of reaching the top of a lift, taking in the scenery and anticipating your next run is what many people have missed during the pandemic and is the essence of why many return to the mountains year after year. I can't believe how much I missed it. And the curtain hooks on my helmet made masking up quite easy.
Hopefully, it is not immediately apparent, particularly behind goggles, helmet and multiple layers of ski gear that I am now well over the age of 60. And with the "boys" it certainly won't be their skiing style that betrays their advanced years, as having honed their skills over decades, their technique is better than those a fraction of their age.
However, I am all too aware of the need to adapt to take account of my advanced years so I join Ski School whilst the boys wizz off on ski safaris. I ski for the ambience, the mountain air, to step out of a lift and see the view. It's taken me to the top - all I need to do now is get down and following the Instructor is amazing fun.
I felt more nerves than excitement as I stepped back into my skis. But I was determined to overcome the fear factor and build my confidence back up. My instructor, Toni, was excellent. He took things slowly to help the group find our ski legs again. I played things very safe to begin with but after a few gentle runs I began to loosen up and relax into the movement a bit more. Although I was concentrating primarily on my ski technique, I was struck by how beautiful the mountain scenery was. Toni was a suntanned wizard of the slopes. Amazingly enough, under his tutelage I transformed from nervous to black runs within a couple of days. Ending each lesson in a state of exhaustion and exhilaration. I was transported back into a winter wonderland. Life is very stressful in the world at the moment because of Russia and Ukraine but simply being active outdoors made me feel calmer and more relaxed. I had to focus on my ski skills and I found myself calming down because I couldn't think of much else. It was also lovely to make new friends with the other members of the class, especially Shona, whom I hope I may meet again on the slopes in the future.
This trip we were blessed with great weather. Every morning we awoke to another glorious day in the Alps. The Italian Val Gardena ski area in South Tyrol lies between rugged mountains, the Dolomites. During the day these disguise themselves as panettone iced with a fine layer of sugar then at sunset, the mountains turn red, which is called the Alpenglow, an optical phenomenon that appears as a reddish glow near the horizon.
The area has 300 days of sunshine a year. Thus an ideal location for refuelling much-needed Vitamin D after the dark winter months. The well maintained slopes have guaranteed snow despite the lovely weather due to the altitude (+2000m) and the presence of snow cannons.
The sun was out so the boys set off with an Instructor on a ski safari to the Marmolada where they enjoyed spectacular views. A daunting day but certainly worth the effort. Standing at 3,343 metres, the Marmolada is visible on a clear day from the Italian city of Venice. This mountain is the highest in the range known as the Dolomites which make up a small part of the Southern Alps connecting Italy with Austria. The whole area is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A wonderful holiday - we all had a blast. Cannot say enough wonderful things.
And at the end of a hard days skiing. The reward a Bombardino This will blow your mind (literally). Like eggnog? Then you're gonna LOVE this little dessert. It's made from an egg-based liqueur such as Zabov or Advocaat, brandy and whipped cream which is topped with a sprinkling of cinnamon.
