Snowfall in Venice

Cortina Italy

CORTINA, ITALY

As the limo rounded the steep mountain highway curve, Gayle had her first glimpse of the snow-covered, enchanting village of Cortina.

"Oh, Mark, it's just like a winter fairy tale."

On arrival, we entered the ancient hotel through large double doors. The hotel was everything we could have wished for. Built in 1826, it featured large wooden outdoor balconies, hand-carved ceiling beams, and many more artistic features. We were pleased with our choice.

"I'm exhausted, Gayle, but I'm still wound up from that flight. How about joining me for a nightcap in the hotel bar?" Gayle had finished unpacking, so she nodded.

The lounge was located just off the hotel lobby. It was empty, so we took two comfortable leather seats at the long, hand-polished mahogany bar. Gayle ordered two glasses of the house merlot in her fluent Italian.

Roberto, the bartender, seemed so surprised that Gayle explained. "I have always loved everything Italian. I started with immersion classes before going on to advanced studies. Actually, I almost became an interpreter for the U.N. before I decided on nursing as my career choice."

Roberto smiled. "Your accent is to perfection, Bella Donna."

After exchanging pleasantries, they switched back to English to include me in the conversation. When Roberto asked about our plans for the next day, I answered. "We thought we would have an early breakfast and head right out to the lifts."

Roberto nodded and asked, "Are you both good skiers?"

I grinned. "We manage to keep up with most people."

The bartender thought for a moment. "I have an interesting idea for you. Because you are here for the first time, you should do something special always to remember your holiday in Cortina."

"What are you suggesting, Roberto?"

"The manager of the ski shop, Mario Romano, has designed a unique package of back-country ski adventures that all the advanced skiers are raving over. If you would like to talk to him, I will call. Don't worry, he'll treat you well—he's my wife's brother."

"Thanks, Roberto. Please tell Mario we would be happy to meet with him after breakfast tomorrow." We finished the wine and said goodnight.

Mario Romano approached the breakfast table just as we were finishing our second cup of espresso. He introduced himself and joined us for a cup. Mario was a nice-looking middle-aged man with swarthy skin, dark hair, and a friendly smile.

"Roberto tells me you maybe have the interest in my special trips?"

Mario's English was passable but not as good as Roberto's. He talked slower, giving us the details about his best-selling deluxe trip called, The House of the Hermit.

He said, "To get there, you must be taking the special snowmobile. All fix for carry your skis and stuff. I gave you the detail map and other things. The map lead you to Hermit's House."

At this point, much to Mario's relief, Gayle switched to her fluent Italian. With Gayle translating, I learned that the snowmobile trip would take us up the far side of the mountain to an area of extreme snowfall. Their destination would be at the log cabin nestled in a wonderful area of back-country skiing. This year, about two kilometers north of the cabin, a temporary landing area had been created for a helicopter. Part of the package included helicopter lifts to the top of the runs for a complete afternoon of downhill mountain skiing.

Mario began speaking more rapidly, so Gayle paused before continuing. "Mark, he says it's important that we take some food from the hotel in case we get snowed in. Also, if we get stuck, the cabin is rough but habitable enough to stay overnight if we must."