How To Ski Like An Italian

written by Tiana Kai
how to ski like an Italian

There are many wonderful differences between Italian and American skiers/snowboarders. One main observation is that all skiers still out number boarders on the Alps, whereas snowboarders seem to be the norm in Colorado and Wyoming. So, if you plan to hit the Italian Alps or Dolomites any time soon, try these 10 steps on how to ski like a real Italian Stalion before going.

How To Ski Like An Italian — In 10 Steps

  1. don’t snowboard
  2. pay € 34 ($45) a day to ski, so cheap compared to the States!
  3. wear tight overpriced clothes, preferably from Colmar or Kappa
  4. don’t wear a helmet
  5. ski in pretty lines
  6. leaves your poles in the snow and skis in everyone’s way when you get to the ski haus
  7. make sure to push everyone, even little kids, in line, since it’s every man for himself
  8. don’t wear a backpack with food or drinks from home
  9. bring your Moon Boots to change into after
  10. drink grolla or a Spritz after a full day on the slopes

I don’t remember seeing poles every where in Verbier when I was younger (but I probably never took note) nor did I see poles laying out like this in the States. So, if you’re in Italy make sure to just leave your stuff on the floor. At first I thought it was quite rude, but in the end it actually makes sense since it saves a lot of time compared to carrying them to a rack and then trying to find available space for your gear.

The cuisine on the mountains are somewhat similar: beer, sausages, heavy overpriced meals and pizza. However, the Alps lack the ‘high quality’ U.S. snacks like Snickers, Gatorade and Powerbars while the U.S. lacks grappa and real coffee.

I’m not Italian (only from my great grandma, but she was from Sicily!) nor do I ski (just snowboard), but I do love my Moon Boots! Damn! They’re amazing. I wish the States went back 30 years and started wearing them again. Also, from a fashionista’s perspective, they go great with everything. I wore them with sexy stocking and a cashmere dress for NYE, why the hell not!? In order to not slip and slide all over town in heels and look like a complete moron, throw on these puppies. Even men wear them… we’re so cool.

How well do you ski like an Italian? I completely fail at it, especially since I won’t ever go down a mountain without my helmet or spend a ridiculous amount of cash for a jacket.

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15 comments

Georgette Jupe January 1, 2013 at 5:59 pm

yep you just made me want to hit the slopes and buy a pair of moonboots!

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Tiana Kai January 1, 2013 at 6:40 pm

Lol, right on Georgette! Do it! There’s nothing like it. Have you decided where you are snowboarding this year?

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Georgette Jupe on Facebook January 1, 2013 at 7:28 pm

still not certain on whether we are going or not, but if it’s a go we will be heading near villach, austria

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tianakai January 24, 2013 at 2:15 am

lovely! if you go that sounds like a pretty amazing place to go! if not, maybe road trip to Abetone next winter!

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Tiana Kai Madera on Facebook January 1, 2013 at 7:29 pm

lovely! if you go that sounds like a pretty amazing place to go! if not, maybe road trip to Abetone next winter!

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Georgette Jupe on Facebook January 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm

I think we may visit Abetone one weekend in february though I have heard the slope is quite difficult, maybe i’ll just sled and drink wine instead 😉

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tianakai January 24, 2013 at 2:15 am

Drink, then sled. 🙂 Supposedly, the steeper the hill the easier it is to learn… like riding a bike, you need momentum to stay up. In bocca al lupo!

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tianakai January 24, 2013 at 2:16 am

Have you decided where you are snowboarding this year?

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Tiana Kai Madera on Facebook January 1, 2013 at 8:11 pm

Drink, then sled. 🙂 Supposedly, the steeper the hill the easier it is to learn… like riding a bike, you need momentum to stay up. In bocca al lupo!

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Not Hemingway's Spain January 2, 2013 at 12:02 pm

We have a tradition of (often, not every year) eating fondue on New Year’s… because it is different, but also because it’s such a messy dish to clean up and complicated to assemble, we normally can’t be bothered to make it. Looks like you guys are having a fun New Year’s trip!

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tianakai January 24, 2013 at 2:14 am

MMMMmmmm fondue! We always order it if it’s on a menu, since YES it’s a pain to do at home. 🙂

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Tiana Kai January 3, 2013 at 1:38 pm

MMMMmmmm fondue! We always order it if it’s on a menu, since YES it’s a pain to do at home. 🙂

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Leigh January 9, 2013 at 1:38 am

I saw all the lovely snow from Milan and Sirmione, and on the road to Pisa and Genova last week, wished I were in Livigno for a day to enjoy the snow, then went back to enjoying the sun and (mostly) good weather and thought yanno…I haven’t skied in 20 years, I may break a hip!

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tianakai January 24, 2013 at 2:14 am

Hi Leigh, yes, there’s nothing like snow, but maybe since I’m partial being from Miami we don’t get much of it. 😉 Skiing here has been quite the adventure!

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Tiana Kai January 9, 2013 at 2:11 am

Hi Leigh, yes, there’s nothing like snow, but maybe since I’m partial being from Miami we don’t get much of it. 😉 Skiing here has been quite the adventure!

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