Sue, a.k.a. the Skinny Wench of A Word in Your Ear blog, pulled another fun rabbit out of her hat — I mean word out of her large unabridged — for this week’s A-Word-a-Week Photo Challenge. And that word is WEATHER.
Fresh off my annual settimana bianca (white week) up in the Italian Dolomites, known as Ski Trek Villabassa (STV), me and my fellow ski and boarder bums AND “SLEDdog Millionaires” had plenty of weather challenges — mainly continuous snowfalls morning, noon and (over)night for the better part of our stay.
But, none of those heavy-laden gray skies dampened our spirits or forced us to endure cabin fever. “WEATHER BE DAMNED!” we yelled out every morning and, regardless of the conditions, we went mano-a-mano with Mother Nature and never missed a day of skiing-boarding-sledding nor the après-ski fun that followed (imbibing and casual strolls around the nearby villages).
From days one through four we were met with a continuous barrage of snow, so-so visibility, frigid rides on chairlifts, and blustery winds at the top of the rocky peaks. Despite what some less-daring might call a “white out,” my team of STVers found the conditions ideal as we were treated to the best snow money can buy — POWDER.
What makes powder snow so enjoyable to romp in is its low-moisture content and structure. Around the Val Pusteria and other parts of the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by the way — when the snow comes down as light as a feather, you want to be under, around and on top of it.
The low water content during these types of snowfalls allows one flake to settle on top of other flakes and afford the skier or boarder with the lightest blanket to run through. Nothing says great skiing better than a wake of flying powder kicked up by your passing tracks.
As a skier, you cannot wait around for the skies to clear. Nope, you have to “saddle up” and take what Ma Earth gives you that day and deal with it. And she gave us four days of fresh “powder nirvana” followed by sunshine and breathtaking blue skies the remainder of the week.
Yep, Mamma Terra threw everything at STV but the kitchen sink. Her ever-changing mood (weather) swings — that made us work hard on each and every run — knocked us down, but not out. Dead tired every night, she could’ve easily sent us all back to the hotel in one very large email attachment. And the subject line? Why, Powder My Derrière and call Me Sally!, of course.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
__________________________________________________
I am so proud of you. You endured and worked hard to make the best of a bad situation. 🙂 Great pics.
Pat – Thanks for the note. Despite the weather, we managed to adapt quite nicely to the conditions. Couldn’t stay indoors, I WAS ON VACATION. Ciao for now.
Bella settimana comunque 😀
Dove si trova il rifugio dell’ultima foto ?
Max – Rifugio Cherz nel Passo Campolongo sopra Corvara. La vista e fantastico!
Grazie. Sì, veramente fantastico… Ho frequentato quelle zone per anni però questo non lo conoscevo…
I used to go to Roccaraso for my settimana bianca, because my friends went, but I must say I never did enjoy the snow. I am a hot climate and a beach person.
Valentina – You really need to visit the Dolomites, in the spring, summer or fall if you don’t like the alpine skiing experience. Thanks for stopping by.
I have been to the Dolomites as well. They are beautiful in the Summer.
Looks like fabulous fun, Tom. Loved your happy photos. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
what a great way to respond to the challenge – a story with the photos 🙂
Sue – Thanks very much. Glad you liked the written word and the photos.
INCREDIBLE SHOTS! Looks like a sport photographer’s shots. I can never be skier. Too afraid. I’d take those ski board for kids and wannabe’s. 😀
Rommel – Good to hear from you. Low-angle on a few of those shots give it a sports look, plus it’s skiing. You should rent a pair and head to Big Bear just to be sure you can’t hang with the crowd. Ciao for now.
Great photos and while the snow looks beautiful, I am a beach kind of girl!! Thanks for sharing.
Janice – I like the beach AND the mountains. Thanks for commenting.