This year has been an excellent winter in the Alps. Insane early dumps were followed by cold temps and high pressure with minimal wind. Until last week, we were skiing deep pow to the Valley bottom.
Then came the dreaded foehn wind that destroyed a meter of snowpack and turned everything to horrendous shit. What to do? The answer was clear: go to Italy.
With local contacts telling us of the fantastic conditions in the Dolomites, we were all encouraged by the lack of foehn wind, quality food and attractive prices. After booking our stay at the Grand Hotel Misurina, we scored some presidental suites in the 4-star hotel for 27 euro per person per night, not bad.
While the weather was sub-optimal, we were able to ski a number of gorgeous Italian couloirs.
WTF? A lift goes up there. Sign says it's closed but we got on and rode it to the top. Massive 10 second approach to the top of Couloir Staunies: a 1400m classic chute bringing us into sunshine and bliss.
Conditions were good: about 30cm of fresh at the top.
Chip skiing out.
Just like that.
Then we skied some other couloir, I forget what it was called. It too, was nice.
Italy: what can't it do?
Team USA does the Dolomitez
- Diamond Dachshund
- from The Future
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Team USA does the Dolomitez
Last edited by Diamond Dachshund on Wed Mar 13, 2013 1:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
pretty. from when are those pictures? weather looks surprisingly nice. say hi next time you're in the area!
- skykilo
- olikyks
- from Santa Fe
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Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
Bellissimo, grazie!
- huevón
- are we there yet?
- from el mundo
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Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
Cool Italian values to the rescue! This reminds me of arriving in Cham on a whim to a UTMB frenzy and a rainstorm Four hours in all to autostop a Hungarian trucker for a ride into Italy, hop on an empty train, and feast and chill in a hotel sciccoso in warm, laid back Torino.
A host in Conegliano told me there are no tickets or speed limits in Italy anymore (only partly joking...budget cuts? :p)
A host in Conegliano told me there are no tickets or speed limits in Italy anymore (only partly joking...budget cuts? :p)
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- imminent whippage
Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
wow that looks deeeluxe
nice report
I knew Italy subsidized espresso and wine, but didnt know about the diamonds and dachshunds.
nice report
I knew Italy subsidized espresso and wine, but didnt know about the diamonds and dachshunds.
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- naomig
Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
Super cool and looks super fun down in Italia. Sweet couloirs!
- huevón
- are we there yet?
- from el mundo
- Contact:
Re: Team USA does the Dolomitez
Con permesso,
I'm using this here bella viddy for more visual aidz dei couloirs d'Italia
http://www.powdermag.com/videos/turns-curves-episode-1/
I'm using this here bella viddy for more visual aidz dei couloirs d'Italia
http://www.powdermag.com/videos/turns-curves-episode-1/