Dolomites (Jan 25)

Four days into the New Year and a fantastic ski trip involving most of our kids, my sister, their partners and friends. Thirteen in total.

We arrived just about in time to catch the Christmas market in the village before it closed on 12th night. It was a lovely way to start the holiday giving it a magical feel. 

Over the week we had some stunning blue sky days, interspersed with a few snowy ones which deposited fresh powder. This gave us great conditions by the end of the week. 

Of course a handful of us were over the moon with the powder, but others less so as it requires a slightly different technique. 

With their dramatic craggy mountains, the Dolomites have a completely different character to the main body of the Alps further north.

I was introduced to the region last year, and immediately fell in love with it. The ski area is vast.

The resort we stayed was called Wolkenstein in the pretty resort of Selva val Gardena. Our hotel, La Pineta, was well equipped to cater for the thirteen of us

The bar at the hotel was great with a very bubbly barmaid, and the wellness facilities top notch! Like last year I made sure to visit it daily in order to relax and settle in before our lengthy four course evening meal. 

Thankfully we were able to don our bathing suits in this facility!  But as usual the Germans, Dutch and Scandinavian’s went “native”.

About half of our group were taking ski or board lessons, with only two complete beginners, Daisy on skis and Ben on a board. They picked things up pretty quickly!

By the end of the week we went up the mountain together for some free skiing on what turned out to be a perfect day.

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Bombardino & Apres

The ‘must have’ drink of this region is Bombardino which we had to try out whenever we stopped at a mountain bar. The look and taste of which varies between location, each having their own subtle signature design and recipe.

As ever, the social side and ‘apres’ are just as important as the skiing so we hit a few bars in the evenings, as well as during the day – not good for the waist line!

My favourite chill out bar is called “Greens”; it’s quiet with a laid back atmosphere. The more lively bars are in town, with the most famous being “Luiskeller”

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Unfortunately Natty, like a few others, went down with a virus which put him out for a few days.

However, when he hit the slopes he put most of us to shame with his style and speed.

I tried my best to keep up with him! 

I spent most of the holiday snowboarding boarding with my sister’s husband, Paul, and alternating between trying to keep up with Lauren, Sarah, Alex and Andy, the latter being the maddest – appearing to like the air as much as the snow. 

Paul wiped out badly on the penultimate day. Well at least it was a black! We were half way round the Sella Ronda and had to struggle back (over 25km).  

Loz was her usual self, bombing about like a madwoman!

And Sarah and Alex appeared to be a ‘little’ more sensible….

I think Jess, Hannah, Ben and Daisy surprised themselves with just how quickly they picked things up. They too were zipping down slopes by the end of the week, with no problem paralleling.

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Hockey night and ice skating

Thursday night saw a few of us heading off to see the local team play against Cortina in Ice Hockey. The local team narrowly won in extra time just as they were heading for penalties. 

And on the last night when Natty had almost fully recovered a few of us went off skating.

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With Emma taking advanced/improver lessons it meant we only got to ski together for one day, plus a few early mornings.

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A few of the group went off to see a herd of Yaks, whilst Daisy was making a snow angel , before heading back for our final meal and bag packing. 

So all in all, despite the virus, and near miss for Paul, I think this was a great week in an amazing place. It was lovely to spend time with friends and family, in such a beautiful place.

oh and it was nice to spend some time away with my ‘Skin and Blister’ too.

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