Paul Withey

witheyski

Paul Withey




Europe » Italy » Lombardy February 23rd 2018

Our eager opening of the blinds this morning was met with cloud. Very low cloud which even prevented us seeing the nearby beginners runs. However, we decided that it was lighter than last time we had cloud so we set off up the mountain. After a couple of hundred metres we exited the immediate cloud to see the scenery opening up. However there was another layer of cloud above the height of the mountains. Our first run was on a favourite black run from the top of the central four man chair. We picked this one as the ski school were putting slalom markers on the hill but not closed it off yet. We enjoyed getting our ski legs working but the next time we went up the chairlift the run had been closed. We took ... read more
At the mid-station
JJ: One in a hundred!
Looking into Aprica

Europe February 22nd 2018

The day dawned with some high cloud over the mountains but this soon became a lower and more persistent bank of cloud over the ski area. However, we set off as usual to get onto the runs and see what the day brought. The first chair lift is on the beginner slopes and we use it to gain some height so we can ski to the closest gondola. It has been working well this week doing this quick up and down and saving a walk in ski boots. However, we have noticed that there is a sped gun on the slope to stop people speeding in the beginner area. As there are no classes, and very few skiers at all, when we go through we all are getting sad faces on the monitor! I was measured ... read more
Ruth and JJ in the cloud
Ruth and JJ a little closer
Snow and sun at lunchtime

Europe » Italy » Lombardy » Aprica February 21st 2018

A shorter blog today as we have just got back from a meal up in the mountains and skiing back to the hotel at night with head torches to guide us. The run we took down is a wide blue, which had been prepared by the piste bashers so it was in near perfect condition. The ski was cloudless and we had a quarter moon and the stars were all out as we headed down from close to the top of the mountain. Initially the town was just spots of light in the valley which gained definition as we got closer. Earlier in the day we had headed up into the ski area in perfect early morning conditions. We headed over to the run which gets the sunshine from early on and then, as the resort ... read more
Our lunch stop in the mountains
JJ enjoying the off-piste
Ruth enjoying the run to the town

Europe » Italy » Lombardy » Sondrio February 20th 2018

Ruth and I were awake before the alarm clock demanded our attention, keen to open the blinds and see if the sun had come or we were still in the middle of a cloud. Fortunately the mountains had reappeared so we went to breakfast looking forward to a sunny day. We followed our usual routine to get into the heart of the ski area. This involved walking across the road, catching the closest ski lift to our hotel, this takes us to the top of the nursery slope so we cut can across to the base of the nearest gondola where we get up to what we have termed mid-mountain as it seems to be in the middle of all the runs. We then took the chair lift up to allow us to follow a track ... read more
Off to our favourite run
Ruth on the chair lift
View from the top

Europe » Italy » Lombardy February 19th 2018

The clouds which had started to form yesterday had firmly camped over Aprica by the time we woke up. We had our breakfast and headed off to the slopes in the hope that during the climb up we would rise above them. This did not happen and the cloud was still present 900 metres above the town. We decided to try the run we enjoyed the previous morning but the visibility was down to a few metres in places and the wide open slope at the other end of the run was completely in white out conditions. We ran down the slope by following the markers at the edge of the run. We skied back to the top station of the middle gondola as this area had trees and they help visibility in white out conditions. ... read more
Aprica just visible
The view from the top above the clouds

Europe » Italy » Lombardy » Sondrio February 18th 2018

Yesterday was the travelling day. We stayed near Heathrow overnight so it only took a few minutes to get to the terminal. The trip through to Milan was easy and we collected our baggage and headed for the espresso machine in the arrivals area. We were delayed leaving the airport as some of the party we were travelling with had lost their luggage so we did not get to the hotel until after 6pm. Then it was a rush to get the ski equipment for JJ before dinner and bed. The morning came with sunshine and a light dusting of snow and the mountains dominated the view from the bedroom window. The ski lifts opened at 8.30 and we were on the slopes, all breakfasted, by 9.00. The nearest lift is behind the hotel opposite so ... read more
Morning up the mountain
A beautiful blue run
On the chair lift

Europe » Italy » Lombardy » Sondrio February 11th 2018

The excitement is now growing as it is one week before we fly off to ski. Okay, so the picture is wrong but we have never been to Aprica before so it will be a new experience for all. The skis are down from the loft and we are beginning to plan the packing.... read more




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