Dolomites and Alps Ski Trip, January 2025

I got to tag along on my brother’s annual trip to Europe to source next year's gear for his ski shops...an unforgettable experience!

 

We started in Salzburg, Austria, staying at the iconic Goldener Hirsch Hotel (circa 1407) right on the Getreidegasse and visited the factory where Miller Skis are hand-crafted.

 

From there, we headed to Val Gardena in the Dolomites, Italy, staying slopeside at the 4-star Dolomieu Hotel and skiing two days under the Sassalungo.

 

Then to Lech am Arlberg in the Austrian Alps, where we took a gondola up to Oberlech and stayed at the first-class Montana Hotel, run by Olympic Gold Medalist Patrick Ortlieb. (Got to spend some time with him, too. Pretty cool.)

 

All in all, one of the most incredible adventures of my life—and even better that I got to share it with my brother.

Enjoying a bluebird day in the Dolomites!

Sigmundstor tunnel connects the Altstadt ("Old Town") with the Riedenburg district through the Mönchsberg mountain. Circa 1764, it is the oldest road tunnel in Austria.

Salzberg's famous Getreidegasse merchant street (circa 1150) and St. Blasius's church (circa 1350)

Doorbells for upstairs residents on Getreidegasse

Cafe Mozart in Getreidegasse shopping arcade, Salazberg, Austria

We stayed at the Goldener Hirsch Hotel (circa 1407) on the Getreidegasse

Original Plus ski factory making Miller Skis, Salzberg, Austria

Miller Skis quality control inpsection by the man himself!

Val Gardena, Dolomites, Italy

Me wearing the infamous Stru shirt under the Sassalungo ("long stone"), Dolomites

Behold, the Windwhistle Wigwam – the Yeti's Yurt!  Formally home to the legendary Yorgle the Yak Whisperer (son of Otto Goat Wrangler the Elder), his fierce wife, Helga of the Howling Peaks and their peculiar son, Waldemar the Stubborn, who was raised on a strict diet of icicles and mischief. (There's a sign posted on the door reading "Beware of Waldemar")

Lech am Arlberg, Austrian Alps

Alps - big mountain range!

Tunnels connecting the mid-mountain gondola to the Oberlech ("over Lech") hotels, Austrian Alps

Closet-sized Chapel in the tunnel under Oberlech, Austria

The Montana Hotel in Oberlech, at Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Skiing Lech am Arlberg, Austria

Giving thanks for the gift of skiing!