10 February 2008

Women's World Cup at Sestriere, Skiing the Via Lattea and Jack from Redacted Recipes


World Cup and Olympic Downhill course at Sestriere
It was another horrible day in paradise when Fabrizio and I decided to take a break from Bella Baita duties and go skiing up to the top of our valley. Fabrizio has been toiling away with a major remodel of our "disco" room to make way for our expanding cooking courses and efforts to showcase our local producers of all things gastronomic. I am always toiling away with the promotional side of of our business in addition to keeping us fueled and puttering along. So it was a welcome change when I received an email from Jack of Redacted Recipes suggesting that we might meet up while he was just over the hill from us skiing with friends. I didn't have to be asked twice. Having just discovered their beautiful and tasty blog not all that long ago. I thought it was would great fun to meet and wonderful to do it while skiing just over the hill in our back yard. I didn't even ask Fabrizio if he wanted to come at first as he is such a driven working man. I didn't think he would take a day off from the remodel, especially if the weather wasn't perfect, but what do you know, it was a glorious day and off we went to ski the Via Lattea and meet Jack at Sauze D'Oulx.

Arriving at the base area of Sestriere I was amused to see not one, but several 2006 Winter Olympics volunteer uniforms and even a media outfit and a Paralympics full outfit as well. And then I remembered it was the weekend of the Women's World Cup Ski races at Sestriere and preparations were well under way. I had almost forgotten what a buzz there is at a ski area when it's race day or even the few days lead up to a big event. I worked for a ski area for 12 years and lived in the ski resort area for 18 years, so it's a familiar feeling that was flying around. Early morning everyone is arriving, as I said before, the coveted Olympic outfits were out for the occasion, there was a helicopter landing just by us as we readied ourselves for the first run, while the Italian army was helping direct traffic, haul all sorts of supplies, the press and their endless amount of equipment. Up we went to the top of the Milky Way(largest connected ski area in Europe) for a breathtaking view of our valley on one side and Val susa on the other.

Val Chisone looking back towards Bella Baita

Val Susa on the other side of the mountain
And without further ado, we met up with Jack at the appointed time, swapped a few stories, ate a bit of lunch, soaked up the sun and then went for a few runs. I got to hear about how Jack and Ann met, although I just had a peek over at their site and see a more in depth and very romantic post about Redacted Recipes Jack and Ann's courtship(check out the tidbit about cocklebread). You can read about it here.
We swapped some other stories and then it was time to head back over the hill. Too bad the time flew so fast, as it was a great beginning of a fun blogging encounter. I just hope Ann can make it next time or at least sometime.

Fabrizio, Jack & Marla

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had fun! Jack emailed to say he had a lovely time and that you and Fabrizio are great skiers! It's quite possible that I will be in your area one day-- but not to ski. :-)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Maybe Ann would go for some hiking and cooking classes as I would at your B & B :D

The Passionate Palate said...

Oh how I wish I could call you up and say "meet me on the mountain". What fun! I love your stories and sorry I've been away from your blog for a bit. But I am back!

Bella Baita Marla said...

Bellini, you took the words right out of my mouth. Ann, there are loads of things to do here other than ski and I would be delighted to share some of them with you, all of you! that's means you Bellini and Jeni too. Marla

Rowena said...

Just look at that snow! Boy are you guys reveling in it!! All but a light covering graces the very top of the mountain where we're at, even though the Resegone in Lecco is still gleaming a majestic white. Good to see that you got Fabrizio away from his projects and out of the house! ;-)

Anonymous said...

It was great to meet you and Fabrizio, Marla, I'm so glad we managed it! I never did locate my friends, by the way - I should have skiied a couple more runs with you!

Let us know if you're ever going to be in NYC...

Proud Italian Cook said...

What a beautiful area you live in Marla, that is truely the way to live!!

Anonymous said...

HI MS. MARLA, THIS IS TINA IN MURRAY KY. GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE ALL DOING WELL IN THE SNOW. WE ARE HAVING ONE STORM AFTER ANOTHER.
GOT TO SHOP IN PADUCAH LAST WEEK, THAT PLACE IS GROWING SO MUCH. ANOTHER ICE STORM IS COMING AND I HOPE WE CAN STAY IN AND CATCH UP ON HOUSE WORK. TAKE CARE TINA

Bella Baita Marla said...

What a shame Jack that we didn't just keep you with us it was such a beautiful day!
We have the snow up high but it's spring down here, unlike colorado where all my friends and family alternately relish the powder days and are ready for a sunshine break.
Tina, nice to hear from my old neck of the woods, I'm sure I wouldn't recognize it after all these years.

Anonymous said...

Hi Marla! These photos are beautiful. Look at the mountain range in the background!

Anonymous said...

All I want to say is that Im Mr. Jealous and I adore you for the beauty you show me in your pictures. I've always wanted to live up in the mountains, it gets wayyyyy tooo cold though.

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