After three days of powder riding I can officially say that it’s possible for it to be too deep. Over two metres of snow fell over the last few days; we’ve been totally blessed by the Italian snow gods. The first day we had to use the Rudder System to ride as Shayne put it: using your back hand to steer and trying real hard to keep the nose of your board up. Facemasks are mandatory as it’s the only way not to choke on the snow as you make a turn. But it’s impossible not to blind yourself in the steep tree runs. We can’t believe the conditions. Our back legs are just aching and cramping.

Once the snow settled we were actually get places without feeling like we were chest deep in quicksand. On March 5 we topped off the day of riding steep lines near a Jesus statue and jumping sketchy cliffs with a picnic on top of the mountain for Eric Greens 30th birthday. Geoff brought wine and cheese; Eric his favorite left over pizza. Shayne built a fire in the snow and I brought a wine opener like a good Frenchy. It was one of those memorable life experiences that we all soaked in.

The birthday boy.

We finished off riding in the last bit of the sun with a nice crew of Italians that we met that day.

“What? You’re from Canada? But what are you doing here?” And again, “Don’t tell anybody about this place, okay.”

Some of us were a little foggy the next morning, but Miikka, Jonas and Shayne left for the first chair as they are going to hike the highest peak with split-boards and snowshoes before dropping in to some serious Jeremy Jones lines. 

On our second last day we found an abandoned village in the middle of the mountains, so we made our way down there to see if we could do anything exciting. Some of the buildings were from the early 1800’s and some are still in use in the summer months only and closed up for the winter.

With our days in Italy numbered we decided to celebrate the Italian way with lots and lots of good food and company. We all came together for a final supper feeling a little nostalgic and wondering what to eat. A little bit of everything seemed to be in order. Of course to wash it all down we drank Grappa: a digestive liquor that can burn a whole in your stomach. Jonas Hagstrom came out with his guitar to finish the night and ended-up exposing his hidden Swedish rock star. Who knew?

Bye, bye Italy.