Cortina & Venice, Italy

March 7 - 15, 2009

Florida Ski Council Trip

So, who needs Hilary Clinton and the State Department anyway? The Space Coast Ski Club and the Florida Ski Council just completed a “Diplomatic Tour” of Venice and Cortina, Italy which would have been the envy of any Foreign Service.

Complete with a rowdy parade through the streets of Cortina, formal greetings by the Mayor, the President of the Bureau of Tourism and an Italian Olympic champion, members of the Space Coast Ski Club were treated to a jubilant welcome by the people of Northern Italy. Tears were flowing and smiles were everywhere as the American and the Italian flags, flanked by the Space Coast Ski Club Banner, marched side by side to the National Anthems of both great countries. Everyone who made the trip was warmly welcomed by the Italian people. At least in Cortina, the Ugly American is a phenomenon of history.

But, wasn’t this just a ski trip?

Yeah, the skiing was indeed phenomenal. There was more snow than the Dolomite Mountains have had in more than five years. And with cool sunny skies for eight straight days, who could believe in global warming. Skiing the Sella Ronda on a pristine sunny day was truly a unique, once in a lifetime adventure. Beginning in the morning, Cuong Nguyen-Phu, Howard Conklin, and Rick Schmid joined fellow Floridians and mountain guides for a circular ski-trek through more than half a dozen ski resorts around a massive valley where no slope or lift was skied more than once. After returning to our starting point late in the afternoon, the beer and grappa couldn’t have tasted better.

But, wasn’t it just a ski trip?

Yeah…. RIGHT!! For the non-skiers (and for skiers taking a day off), the daily excursions were some of the best tours ever offered by the Space Coast Ski Club and the Florida Ski Council. Venice, Innsbruck and Vipiteno were all nearby and great for shopping and touring. Most agreed however, that the winery tour to Conegliano with food, wine and desserts for all, in a hilltop setting amongst vineyards and quaint churches, was the best of all.

Returning home, the weight restrictions were really tested with all the wine and grappa purchases in our baggage. Thankfully the Italian airport ticket agents were tolerant and friendly. American Diplomacy can really pay off sometimes!