The Clouds Parted, The Sun Shown.

 The Friday weather made up for all the whiteout days. You could see, you could ski and it was wonderful. Large contingent headed for 2100 meter high Passo Falzarego, which is the start of an 11 mile, must ski adventure. At the top we were greeted by a bit of wind and an occasional blast of blowing snow but the scenery and skiing made up for it. (Some also discovered hot chocolate with rum on the way down!) The trip was capped by the horse drawn rope tow at the bottom.

A wonderful finish to a good week in Corvara. Now it’s time to pack and move on to France.

Sadly we also bid farewell to Carrie and Jud Heugel and Morgan Stabler, who could only stay for one week, and Robert Halvorsen, who injured his knee in a Friday accident. While we head to France they will go toward Venice and on home.

Robert was our current spoon holder for some Thursday incident involving missing clothing on the hill. The spoon was passed on to Jean Christ for her exemplary performance caring for Robert following his accident. She is a worthy recipient.

Coming Down from the PASSO

The Jewett Family



A Refreshment Stop



The Horse Drawn Rope Tow

St. Patricks Day Party; The Tradition Continues in 2011

The traditional Ski Masters St Patricks day party was hosted by Carrie McCabe, Bob Gage and Tom McGrath in a private room generously provided by the hotel. Good drink, good food and good conversation prevailed. The pictures say it all. (click on photos to enlarge.)

Hosts McGrath and Gage

Host McCabe

Wednesday Random Thoughtlets and Updates

Photo by Lorrie Meyer

Paul Luczak, a trip rookie, offered several observations after a day in the blizzard with Claudeen:

• The group couldn’t see but still skis and never stops to pee….
• If heavy snow in the U. S. A. is called “mashed potatoes” is it called “gnocchi” in Italy? (or Risotto?)

Dinner conversation each evening seems to balance out as follows: 25%, where did you ski?; 25% where did you eat and 50% what did you have? There are just too many places to eat and so little time!



Evening Enterainment



Dinner Music was provide by local musicians who moved into the bar following dinner and were joined by a young woman, a member of the hotel owners family. Very entertaining….

Bob Gage and Carrie McCabe, who first met on a Ski Masters Trip, were joined by five others for a Wednesday trip to Cortina, the scene of their wedding several years ago. They seemed to enjoy watching the locals parade along the shopping street in their long fur coats. They also purchased supplies for the St Paddy’s day party back in Corvara, which they are co-hosting.

Bob McDonald set a record for the quickest spoon pass in Ski Masters history. Tom McGrath gave Bob the spoon for some slope side malfeasance. Bob claimed Jason Tang was the real culprit. Jason stood to proclaim his innocence and Bob was able to flip the spoon lanyard from his neck to Jason’s in a flash. Others in the group support Bob’s story; Jason deserved the spoon.

The Blogger spent the day chasing Jeff Foushee and Mark Quandee around above Araba. It was survival sking in the fog with what little form I have cast aside. If the trip founder, Lenore Lyle, had seen my form she would have vehemently denied that I had ever worn a Ski Masters instructor parka.

My day was saved by the discovery of a passable $1.10 liter of Vino Rosso, vintage February. Ron Lyle, cofounder of the SM euro trips and consummate bargain hunter, would have been proud.

The Wednesday Spoon Holder

The Spoon Story: Jason and six others were riding a poma in a murky blizzard when Jason bailed out (in front of the sign that said to not dismount at any point other than the top) and headed off. The others had to make a quick decision; let him go and get lost forever or bail and follow him into the murk. It may have been a difficult decision but, in the end, all six followed Jason, against their better judgment. They all agreed, Jason deserved the spoon and, perhaps more.

 Snow is falling Wednesday evening. Thursday could be good!

Note: Double Click on the Photos to enlarge them for viewing.

Corvara Forecast; Possible "Precipitations"

Daily weather information is provided to hotel guests in Corvara, elevation 1600 meters. The information for Wednesday, the 16th is as follows.

"The Weather Promises:"

"Significant at times bad weather, overcast sky with widespread moderate precipitations (100%), strong at times in the Prealps and Southern Dolomites. Snowfall level between 1500/1800 meters rising at times in the Prealps, whereas falling in the closer Dolomites valleys in case of heavier snowfalls. Abundant rainfall amounts as well as significant new snow amounts above 1800/2000 meters."

In other words, mixed rain and snow in Corvara. Despite the forecast half the group ventured out seeking higher elevations and fresh snow. They were not disappointed but, overall, it was a wet day. The snow accumulating at higher elevations and possibility of snow in Corvara raises the spirits’ and everyone is looking forward to Thursday.

Tuesday; Skiing and Eating Continues

Church at St Croce

Tuesday, March 15: Weather was much improved for Tuesday skiers. Again, some tackled the Sella Ronda, changing direction from the day before, while others ventured off the Sella.

Monday trip leader Claudeen raved about the snow and scenery on the way to St. Croce, a small church, tucked in the mountains above the nearby town of Badia. We didn’t know how much of her story to believe since she has never found a ski run she didn’t like but we took a risk and eight of us headed that way. It was wonderful and far better than the Monday skiing. Our group (Meyers, Powis’, McGrath, Heeren, Dennis’) ran into seven others (Kaisers, Mitchell, Halvorson, Bladt, Stevenson, Christ) at a restaurant in the shadow of the St. Croce church.

We understand at least one other group (Stabler, Foushee) visited the church but dined lower on the hill.

All reports indicate skiing was good everywhere and fun had by all.

Breakfast at the Hotel

For dinner, half the group opted for the special dinner at the top of the gondola followed by either a ski or snow cat ride down. We await the report on that event.

Lunch Near the St. Croce Church

Four star hotels come equipped with a bidet and eEach year the question comes up; how do you use the thing? Click HERE for all you have ever wanted to know on the subject.

Monday on the Sella; Conditions Variable, Skiers Intrepid

 March 14th, Monday: The first day at a resort can be chaotic. Clothes must be unpacked, tickets purchased and ski groups assembled. Somehow out of the chaos various groups came together and most hit the slopes before noon.

Claudeen, Our Esteemed Leader



A trip around the Sella Ronda attracted the most interest and a number of people made the trek. Our group of nine started around “anti-clockwise” but, after a time consuming unplanned diversion that included the men’s world cup downhill course, we changed plans and returned the way we came after completing only about one third of the loop. Claudeen led a group off the Sella and claimed excellent conditions and scenery.

Overall the ski conditions could best be described as variable. There was some fresh though heavy snow. Groom, slush and bumps could all be encountered from time to time and the fog was a persistent visitor at some elevations. Corvara veterans have all seen better conditions on the hill but complaints were few and good sports plentiful. Improved weather is in the forecast.

First Day in the Ski Room

Prior to dinner the hotel hosted a traditional welcome reception in the lounge which allowed us to see their excellent staff at work.

At dinner Greg Nelson introduced the new comers to the spoon tradition. There were two candidates.

1. Greg Nelson: After explaining the use of plug adapters and transformers to his daughter Greg returned to his room, plugged in his electric toothbrush without a transformer and turned it into a smoking ruin.



Scenery on the Sella Ronda

2. Vicki/Ed Koehl: Ed, who is not on the trip, is keeping an eye on the Nelson’s eastside home. He visited the house, failed to secure a door and set the alarm off which resulted in a call to Greg in Italy asking if security should call the police. All was straightened out and Ed acknowledges his culpability.

Vicki received the spoon. Now, it would appear that is very unfair for her only sin is marriage to Ed. But the spoon holder makes the rules and Vicki is here and Ed is not so…congratulations Vicki.

To learn more about the spoon tradition click HERE.


Ski Masters misbehaving at a slope side pub.

Web Cams and Weather in Corvara

Wonder what the weather is like in Covara this morning. Click on MOUNTAIN CAMS. and take a look. The view they show is very much like the view from the hotel. You can share the joy and/or sorrow or sun and/or fog. But we came all this way and we will ski..................