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WildSnow Goes To Europe to Cover Dynafit!

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Backcountry skiing hut in Ortler Alps.
Backcountry skiing hut in Ortler Alps, photo courtesy Cosley & Houston Alpine Guides

Okay folks, I promised a while back that something big was in the works. Time to go public. At the invitation of Salewa (parent company of Dynafit), I’m headed over to Europe in about a week to attend the Dynafit hosted annual product launch of Dynafit’s new gear. This year’s event will be held at a mountain hut in the Ortler Alps of Italy. Yeah, I know there’s not much snow, but enough white stuff exists for a few turns, and the alpine climbs in the area look fun as well. So all good.

Also, if things work out as planned I’ll be doing some “experiential” reporting on Dynafit binding history, as well as doing a bit of tourist travel to the birthing places of alpine mountaineering. More on that later, as I don’t want to get too specific about future plans.

This is yours truly’s first trip to Europe. Yep, I’ve never been able to swing a trip over there. Back in my wanderlust days it was South America or Alaska, or just road tripping North America. Europe was always too expensive and too civilized. Well, age and a press junket change everything (grin). Now those big crowded mountain huts with a full kitchen and bar sound like just the ticket. Combine that with a gear orgy and what’s not to love!

So, if any of you have Euro travel tips for this newbie, fire me a few comments.

I’ll be blogging the trip every day I can access the net, though the hut lodging may result in a few days away from things digital.

In all, what a Christmas present!

Posted by Lou on December 26, 2006 | Filed Under Trip Reports 

previous post: Merry Backcountry Skiing Christmas Everyone!
next post: Avalanche near Marble, Colorado

Comments

13 Responses to “WildSnow Goes To Europe to Cover Dynafit!”

  1. Tim Carroll December 26th, 2006 9:50 am

    Congratulations, Lou. That’s a great opportunity, to visit Europe for the purpose of doing something you love. I look forward to all your reports.

  2. steve romeo December 26th, 2006 10:15 am

    Have a great time Lou!

    The Dolomites are great if you can swing it…no glaciers to deal with.

    Ummm…yeah, I’m jealous.

  3. Andy December 26th, 2006 10:31 am

    Perhaps you need a skilled personal assistant to accompany you??

    :)

    Enjoy the trip and post lots of photos!

  4. MarcinPL December 26th, 2006 10:37 am

    Don’t get into drinking contests using what will be referred to as a “local speciality”;)

  5. George Privon December 26th, 2006 12:15 pm

    Lou,

    Enjoy the hot showers in the huts and make sure you leave some grappa for the locals.

  6. Thomas December 26th, 2006 11:13 pm

    Euros are not rude , they just have a barely non existent notion of personal space. They can seem”cold” at first but are the kindest nicest people once you get to know them. they often find Americans strange because “they smile all the time,at everyone” .
    Have a great trip.

  7. Damian December 27th, 2006 4:01 am

    Enjoy the trip.

    Remember that the Alps span France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. Each nation has quite different people and a slightly different alpine culture…. and some have better huts than others. The food in the Italian huts can be incredibly good after a long day and the people in that area are nearly always warm and friendly, talkative and smiling. In Alpine Italy there is a very high chance that you will enjoy yourself and I really hope that you do.

    ….But when here, please notice the lack of snow and spare a thought for global climate change. Whilst we are all part of the problem, myself included, most of the world is powerless to the USA’s production of carbon dioxide. Some people predict that in late November, North American alpine areas already had more snow pack than will fall for the entire winter in the Alps. The birth place of alpine mountaineering is paying the price of another nation’s verl large fossil fuel consumption. Sorry for the political aspect, but travelling far from home for the first time is supposed to be educational and alpine reality here compared to America is different in more respects than just the comfort of the huts. I hope this paragraph does not come across too controversial or off-topic as that was not the intended spirit: ultimately snow is the topic, not finger pointing.

    In that regions, polenta with some kind of wild boar stew or sausage with mushrooms can be very good, keep your eye out for it. :)

  8. Mark Worley December 27th, 2006 5:59 am

    Say hello to Reiner and thank him for giving us Dynafit! Enjoy your trip.

  9. Lou December 27th, 2006 10:09 am

    I’m staying away from politics and religion during this trip.

    But will comment here (grin).

    As for global warming (the US) causing drought in Europe, I believe that’s a reach. Climate change, including precip variations, has been happening for millions of years. Just because we have global warming doesn’t mean we’re supposed to blame everything on it! Next thing you know we’ll be blaming Martian weather on the United States. And sunspots, we’re definitely to blame for those.

    More, the vibrant world economy that the civilized world enjoys is something the United States has a lot to do with. Trying to blame us for everything bad and not look at the good is ridiculous. Let’s have some balance.

  10. Mike December 27th, 2006 1:33 pm

    To elaborate on the climate change discussion, Lou I agree that the US cannot take blame for everything, but it is time that our country starts addressing our behaviors. The US emits 2.5 times more CO2 per capita than Western Europe and 5 times more than the world average. It is time for our country to address this inequality and deal with our extravagent energy consumption.

  11. Mark December 27th, 2006 9:19 pm

    Lou,
    See if you can get the Dynafit guys to figure out how to go to touring mode w/o stepping out of the bindings. Being an old tele guy, I need to fee my heal w/o my toe. Is this too much to ask?

  12. Robert Hölzl December 28th, 2006 4:35 am

    Hi Lou, I think you will be more skiing on piste than in the backcountry. Over here there is very little snow and the few places in South Tyrol with a bit of snow were skiied in the last days so heavily that they are more similar to a mogul piste than anything else. I can only hope you enjoy the scenery, the good food and the good weather. Hope you’ll be back another year when there’ll be more snow. Sorry.

  13. Allan December 28th, 2006 2:22 pm

    Congradulations Lou!! I want to go ski tour the Ortlers as well they are not as crowed as other areas of the Apls. Sorry about the lack of snow. Make sure to have plenty of cash $$ for the huts. Take spare camera bateries and a charger w/ the appropriate power adapter. Take Icebreaker merino layers, you won’t need to take extra layers. I look forward to your reports.

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Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

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