Sunday, March 25, 2012

Dolomite Adventures

Picturesque does not begin to describe the mountains in the Cortina area. We began the day at the Tofana area, and were surrounded by staggering peaks and 360 degree views that can make it hard to focus on the skiing.






Paolo, one of Cortina's ski guides, who also happened to be a stunt double for Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger. Needless to say, everyone's skills improved throughout the day!




Looking out over another local area called Cinque Torri after skiing Tofana all morning. The proximity of the various resorts and the local ski bus make it easy to jump from one area to another.


Taking a much needed break after a full day of corduroy and corn snow. Excellent spring conditions were delivered for our time in Cortina!








Team Alpine striking a pose in the pedestrian area of Cortina. 


We had the chance to go on an Italian wine tasting, from whites to reds, and all sparkling wines in between. The delicious local meats and cheeses only enhanced the flavors of the wines. La Dolce Vita indeed!



Dinner at the five star Cristallo Palace where the only thing that rivaled the service was the food.


We were fortunate enough to be joined by Giorgio Borgonovo, the General Manager of the hotel. The chef that engineered our phenomenal meal also put in a guest appearance.




Saturday, March 24, 2012

Auf Wiedersehen to Austria, Benvenuti in Italia

View of Innsbruck from Nordkette, the ski area accessed by cable railways in the heart of Innsbruck. A meager 20 minutes from the bustle of the city.


 An igloo at the base of the resort


When the lure of the sun outweighs that of the skis, Nordkette offers many locales to bask in rays and scenery.


 

Alpine Adventures...hard at work



The innovative architecture where the journey to Nordkette begins


One of many Easter eggs scattered throughout the city of Innsbruck, in preparation for the impending holiday



 Saying thank you to our wonderful hostess and seemingly endless source of local knowledge, Angelika Mair


Although Venice is the airport of choice when traveling to Cortina at a two and a half hour transfer, our travels from Innsbruck showed that this journey was possible as well at about four hours. Other than the towering Dolomites, the view of the church is one of the first sites welcoming you to Cortina.


Hotel Ancora, a four star hotel, is the most historic hotel in Cortina, offering a traditional lodging option right on the pedestrian village.


Our first dinner at our host hotel, the five star Grand Hotel Savoia. A multi-course meal with the delicious primi piatti pastas, secondi piatti meats and the mandatory wine to accompany the meal was the perfect welcome to Italy.





The Olympia Ski World & Innsbruck

Angelika Mair, local guide; Fritz, Director of Innsbruck Tourism Board; Dorothea Rasser; and Bernhard, the owner of Ski & Snowboard school


Axamer Lizum, the site of Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976, one of the resorts visited by locals and tourists alike throughout the season. This resort is about an hour from Innsbruck via ski bus. 





Newly built mountain restaurant on the top of Axamer Lizum with views that would distract from any meal


The funicular to the top of the resort, making the ascent almost as quick as the trip down


Denise showing off her skills going down the mountain


Team Alpine with Bernhard, taking a much needed break from 'work'.



Finishing a great lunch in Kuhtai, the highest village in the Austrian Alps. What better way to finish a traditional Austrian meal that with the ever popular schnapps?


One of the many views of Kuhtai; while less than 20 miles from Innsbruck, skiers can enjoy the feeling of owning the slopes, with few skiers on the runs



The bird's eye view of the village area of Kuhtai.


Alpine Adventures leaves its mark on another resort...




Enjoying the fabulous dinner at the Das Schindler in Innsbruck with our host Nicholas Boekdrukker and Angelika Mair