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Salty ducks, I think that's how they pronounce it?

  Sauze D'Oulx, Italy  

This was a competition I won from the Ski Club of Great Britain for 7 nights in Sauze D'Oulx, Italy with ski passes, ski lesson and meals. It is hard to say as it's pronounced differently by nearly everyone and just sounds like salty ducks (sorry no intention to upset anyone).Skiing for the first time, a new novel experience to try, but first we need some skiing clothes, so off we went bought all the gear and were ready to go. We went in early December, possibly at the worst time because there was no snow and they had to use the snow cannons on the mountains to put down what can only be described as solid ice.

We flew to Turin airport which was about an hour away by bus transfer which dropped us off right outside the Hotel La Torre. On arriving they didn't seem to be expecting us, we get this a lot and still not prepared for it, so they were trying to sort it out when the manager,who they called " Il direttore" came over. He was shocked and in Italian told them to sort it out while we went for something to eat.

As a gesture of good will he gave us a lovely bottle of wine, sat us at the table next to him and called over "Steven". Steven was a lovely man, he came over and said the buffet was nearly finished and not to bother going over to it, he'll get the chef to personally make us something we wanted, its great being friends with the direttore. Ten minutes later and to the amazement of all the other guests in the dining room, Steven presented us with a marvellous meal. After the feast we were given our key and two prized seven day ski passes, then shown our room which was on the tenth floor of a circular tower, which would have had great views only for the fog.

After a good but cold night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we decided to walk into town and have a look around to see where we could hire some skis and boots, and find the local mayor, who according to some website was a scouser! We walked into town, which was only about 100 metres away and not very big and also not very open, it was still gearing up to the start of the season. So after an hour without successfully finding the mayor, and with everything seen at a snail'space we decided to have a drink and a sandwich while we waited for the ski hire place to open.

It was now 2:30 so we put on our attire of coat, gloves and scarves to go all of 10 metres, it took longer to put my coat on. Pushing on the door, the sign still said closed so we decided to wait around, can't be much longer, yes it was, an hour at least. A small, old, curly haired Italian man came scurrying down the hill, out of breath, and apologising as if it was going out of fashion. He ushered us in and with a big smile asked how many weeks we wanted the boots for, whoa steady on we said, a day first to see if we like it. A bemused look came on his face and he started saying we'll love it, hands waving like a Tic-Tac man,till we told him one day will be enough to be going on with. He measured our feet, chose us some skis and put the boots in very weak plastic carrier bags, which we now had to take back the hotel.

We went back the hotel and stored the boots and skis behind reception and had a good chat about the area with the two receptionist. We ventured back outside to find a local supermarket to buy some wine, crisps and toiletries, which now was dark, cold and sleet coming down. The supermarket was only about 150 metres in the opposite direction of the ski shop and very small, but with every key thing we needed. On the till was Stephania who we would later meet in Mark's (the scouser) bar who showed us where everything was. Armed with supplies it was back to the hotel for a rest then down for our evening meal.

Once again we were met by Steven who showed us to our table, whilst everyone else had to find their own and took our order even though there was a buffet on; this was great no going shoulder to shoulder at the buffet with the mere mortals. Once again the meal was great, but to full up for one of the beautiful cakes, although Trish made room for one.After that it was too cold and dark for a stroll, so we headed back to our room for a nightcap and feast of Italian game shows on TV.