FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Ski Safari Day 1

Saturday 7 January 2023

Ski Safari Day 1

Let's ski

And so it began. The primary reason why we came to Italy in the winter...again...a hut to hut ski "safari" through the Dolomites. I was excited yet petrified. My skiing was average at best and the mountain huts (rifugio) looked remote. We would have to ski to each location using the extensive, linked network of ski lifts of approximately 20 resorts within the Dolomites. There was a small part of me that asked, "why?!?!". Ah the things you do for your children!!!

Manuela came at 0900 promptly with Luca, our mountain guide for the next 3 nights and 4 days. We had to pack only essentials into duffels for the next 3 nights, which would be transferred hut to hut for us. She brought us slippers to pack into our duffles as we would only have our ski boots for foot wear. We were shuttled into the transfer to take us to the first chairlift and we were off!

To be honest, most of today was blur of chairlifts and runs. We went up a chairlift and skiied down the slope. Rinse and repeat multiple times. On occasion, I did struggle as I had to remember how to ski!! Luca picked up on this and advised me to ski right behind him which made it much easier. Somehow...I made it to our rifugio intact!

Rifugio Baita Cruz at Val di Fasso was our first stop. We didn't really know what to expect as we let Manuela do all the bookings and arrange the itinerary. Malcolm expected a simple mountain log cabin but it was so much better! The room was small but comfortable and clean. The views from the rifugio was spectacular! The dinner was surprisingly good. I was so tired that I didn't take any photos!

Hotel Rezia's breakfast buffet was great too! This was just the pastries section

Our first peak. Part of the Sella Ronda or "highway of the Dolomites" as Luca described it

Took the opportunity to try to local specialty "dumplings" at lunch

Somehow the photo doesn't make the slope look as steep but this was a red slope!! We would ski off here first thing the next day being first on the piste.