FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

It was finally time for the snow. If it was there...

The word on the street was that the Dolomites has not fared as badly as the other European ski resorts and nearly all the lifts were running. Before we get to the activity for the day, a plug for our Dolomites travel agent is a must. We organised the snow leg of our trip through Manuela of Infodolomites, way back when. In fact we had been conversing via email for so long that we had become semi friends. We chose the company because they were locally based, born and bred in the Dolomites and a small team of 2. We also wanted to cut out the middle man. It was a good call! Manuela is fabulous. Friendly, helpful and approachable. The service so far has been exceptionable and personalised. Our taxi that she organised for our pick up from Bolzano was nice! She had organised for us to be dropped off at the ski-lift where she met us personally before the driver then continued on to drop our luggage off at our hotel.

She sat us down and explained the schedule for the day over coffee (which she paid for...), then proceeded to pick up our sledges with us and buy the lift passes. Prior to letting us go, she armed us with sandwiches and water for the slopes! At the end of our day on the slopes, she picked us up with biscuits for the children, drove us to our hotel and organised for our ski rentals to be delivered to our hotel. Another briefing for the hotel facilities, dinner and breakfast details followed. She made everything so easy! She even bargained for us to get 5 sledges for the price of 3. She would make any Asian proud. So in short we would highly recommend booking any sort of trip to the Dolomites with her company.

Views from our drive to Alta Badia

Going up Piz Sorega

The sun is out!

Fortunately for us, there was snow at the Dolomites. At least enough for today's activity. Sledging. We had to google the difference between sledding and sledging, but essentially they are the same thing. We didn't really know what to expect. We knew the course was long but that was about it. Manuela had to teach us how to steer and slow down. I believe I was the only one who actually did both. There were many uncontrolled crashes...but it was a lot of fun. It was also a workout with the sensation of a constant sit up. After three runs, I felt like I deserved a coffee and a strudel. The crazy kids went on a further 4 runs.

We went to our hotel exhausted. Hotel Rezia at La Villa was our 3* hotel choice to help keep the ski leg within budget but it surpassed our expectations! Rooms were simple but cosy and comfortable. Bathroom was super clean. They had a spa onsite and the dinner was really good! We had paid for half board and so only had to pay for drinks. What a great way to start our time at the Dolomites. Fingers crossed that there will be good enough snow for the rest of our skiing adventure.