{"id":1855017,"date":"2026-03-30T04:23:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:23:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1855017"},"modified":"2026-03-30T04:23:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T01:23:30","slug":"what-happens-when-a-reader-takes-snowbrains-advice-to-ski-dolomiti-superski-during-the-olympics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1855017","title":{"rendered":"What Happens When a Reader Takes SnowBrains\u2019 Advice to Ski Dolomiti Superski During the Olympics"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_397384\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397384\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397384 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397384\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cortina-by-Night.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo by night. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-2 ai-viewport-3 ai-insert-2-41946841\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-2-41946841\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"2\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-1-26085947\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-1-26085947\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"1\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>If you took SnowBrains\u2019 advice to ski the Italian Dolomites during the Olympics, here\u2019s what actually happens: you don\u2019t get chaos.<\/strong> You don\u2019t get outrageous crowds. You don\u2019t get stuck in some overpriced, overhyped Olympic frenzy. You can\u2014and in my case, did\u2014get a surprisingly smooth ski trip to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dolomitisuperski.com\/en\/\">Dolomiti Superski<\/a> area.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/why-now-is-the-perfect-time-to-go-to-italys-dolomiti-superski-despite-the-olympics\/\"><em>Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Go to Italy\u2019s Dolomiti Superski\u2014Despite the Olympics<\/em><\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Over the past two seasons, I\u2019ve had the unique ability to fly standby thanks to a connection with an airline employee.<\/strong> That flexibility has turned into a habit: watch the snow, wait for some free time, and go. As a music teacher with limited time off during ski season, I don\u2019t have the luxury of long, carefully planned trips. When conditions line up, I find good snow\u2014and I\u2019m gone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This year, I had my eye on something bigger: checking off a bucket-list trip to a Winter Olympic region.<\/strong> On paper, it sounded like a terrible idea\u2014crowds, inflated prices, logistical headaches. But the SnowBrains article argued the opposite: avoid staying in Cortina, lean into the scale of Dolomiti Superski, and you might find surprisingly uncrowded slopes in the middle of peak season. With all-time conditions lining up during a break between storms, I decided to test it.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Here\u2019s how it played out.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Instead of booking in Cortina\u2014where four nights were going for thousands of euros\u2014I looked in adjacent valleys on Airbnb.<\/strong> Prices dropped dramatically. I found a place about a kilometer from Falcade for around $600 for four nights, cheaper than what I paid on a non-Olympic trip the year before.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Score one for SnowBrains.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Next, I followed another key piece of advice and flew into Munich instead of dealing with Olympic traffic through Milan.<\/strong> The result: a wide-open airport, no customs lines, an effortless rental car pickup, and a smooth five-hour drive through the Alps with virtually no traffic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397390\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397390\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397390 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397390\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/No-Customs-Line-e1774774491649.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397390\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">No customs line or crush at Munich airport \u2014 what a brilliant tip! | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Score two.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Then came the skiing. <\/strong>One of the biggest takeaways from the article was scale\u2014Dolomiti Superski isn\u2019t one resort, it\u2019s a massive network. That size creates freedom. I felt that immediately on day one at Falcade and San Pellegrino, where the longest lift line I saw all morning was about three minutes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Three minutes.<\/strong> In February. During the Olympics.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Score three.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/dolomiti-superski-italy-trip-report-a-week-of-super-skiing-super-mountains-super-food\/\"><strong><em>Dolomiti Superski, Italy, Trip Report: A Week of Super Skiing, Super Mountains, &amp; Super Food<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Even the lift line culture\u2014an all-in, no-rules shuffle that would feel aggressive in the U.S.\u2014never became an issue because there simply weren\u2019t enough people for it to matter.<\/strong> After a few hours, I drove 25 minutes to Ski Civetta and skied into clearing skies, dramatic Dolomite spires, and wide-open runs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>By the end of day one, I had skied three resorts and logged 44,591 vertical feet.<\/strong> Those are numbers I usually only see on uncrowded midweek days back home.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397388\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397388\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397388 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397388\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Empty-Chair.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397388\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Empty chairlifts in the middle of the busiest time of year. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ai-viewports ai-viewport-1 ai-insert-3-44283266\" style=\"margin: 8px auto;text-align: center;clear: both\" data-insertion-position=\"prepend\" data-selector=\".ai-insert-3-44283266\" data-insertion-no-dbg data-code=\"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\" data-block=\"3\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>Day two put the SnowBrains theory to the ultimate test: the Sellaronda.<\/strong> This is where you\u2019d expect crowds\u2014iconic terrain, interconnected resorts, the heart of the Dolomites experience. I started early at Marmolada, expecting at least some kind of line. There was none.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I moved clockwise through Arabba, Canazei, Val Gardena, and Alta Badia, eventually looping back to Marmolada by the end of the day.<\/strong> My longest chairlift wait was about five minutes. The longest line of the day\u2014a cable car\u2014was 30 minutes. Those were the only two lines that lasted longer than three minutes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The rest of the day?<\/strong> Open slopes, cold squeaky snow, and lap after lap. Another 44,979 vertical feet, with zero sense of Olympic congestion.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Score four.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Day three was when the \u201csize equals freedom\u201d concept really clicked.<\/strong> I skied the Sellaronda again, this time counterclockwise, using what I\u2019d learned the day before to avoid even those minor choke points. Like at any home mountain, once you understand the flow, everything opens up. Most lifts were ski-on. Most runs were empty.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And in a twist I didn\u2019t expect, I actually watched more Olympic coverage back at my lodging than I did while in Italy\u2014despite being just miles from the events.<\/strong> That\u2019s how separated the experience feels. What happens in Cortina really does stay in Cortina.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day three ended with 56,930 vertical feet\u2014my biggest day of the trip.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>On the final day, a snowstorm rolled in, giving me a chance to test one more piece of advice: choose your terrain wisely.<\/strong> I headed to Kronplatz, a more sheltered resort known for handling weather better than the jagged peaks around the Sella massif. Once again, it worked exactly as advertised. Minimal wind, no lift lines, and soft snow all day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>I skied until my legs gave out\u2014another 24,838 vertical feet\u2014bringing the trip total to 171,338 vertical feet.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>In four days. During the Olympics.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Going into the trip, I told myself it would be worth it no matter what\u2014crowds, costs, and complications included.<\/strong> But by following the SnowBrains approach\u2014stay outside Cortina, use the scale of the region, and avoid the Olympic bottlenecks entirely\u2014the reality flipped.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Instead of fighting the Olympics, I skied around them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And what I found wasn\u2019t chaos.<\/strong> It was four days of cruising some of the most beautiful terrain, in incredible conditions, with barely a crowd in sight.<\/p>\n<p><strong>An experience I won\u2019t forget anytime soon.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">PHOTOS<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397381\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397381\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-397381 size-full lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"wp-image-397381 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Marmolada-e1774774681723.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397381\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marmolada is the highest point in the Dolomiti Superski area. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397382\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397382\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397382 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAANVAQMAAADSh91IAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFlJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20PBxQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwZQ30AAG1ytrpAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"853\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397382\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-Selfie-e1774774237481.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397382\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Checking out the Olympic village\/ . | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397383\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397383\" style=\"width: 862px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397383 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGWAQMAAADSZKB7AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADdJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20MH6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgI8BgHYAASTtGW8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"406\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?resize=640%2C406&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?w=862&amp;ssl=1 862w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?resize=300%2C190&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?resize=768%2C487&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?resize=600%2C381&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"406\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397383\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Wide-Open.jpg?resize=640%2C406&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"406\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Wide open runs \u2014 no crowds \u2014 exactly as SnowBrains said. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397385\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397385\" style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397385 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397385\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Olympic-Village-e1774774314955.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397385\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Olympic village at Cortina \u2014 had to check it out for a day. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397386\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397386\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397386 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAANVAQMAAADSh91IAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFlJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20PBxQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwZQ30AAG1ytrpAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"853\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397386\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alta-Badia-e1774774360648.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397386\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Stunningly beautiful Alta Badia. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397387\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397387\" style=\"width: 1440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397387 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAANVAQMAAADSh91IAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFlJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20PBxQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwZQ30AAG1ytrpAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?w=1440&amp;ssl=1 1440w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=900%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 900w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=600%2C800&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"853\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397387\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Views-e1774774392340.jpg?resize=640%2C853&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"853\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397387\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alleghe view. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397389\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397389\" style=\"width: 904px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397389 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGKAQMAAACmcGKbAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADZJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAPwN8qgABFakxbAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"394\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?resize=640%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?w=904&amp;ssl=1 904w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?resize=300%2C185&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?resize=768%2C472&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?resize=600%2C369&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"394\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397389\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Corduroy-at-2-PM.jpg?resize=640%2C394&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"394\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397389\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Corduroy at 2 p.m. \u2014 incredible | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"mceTemp\"><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-397391 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAHgAQMAAAAPH06nAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAD1JREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4M8Al+AAAUvMG0oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=1536%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"480\"><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-397391\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Alleghe-Top-e1774774469259.jpg?resize=640%2C480&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-eio=\"l\"><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397392\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397392\" style=\"width: 823px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397392 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGuAQMAAAA6TSW7AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADhJREFUeNrtwQEBAAAAgiD\/r25IQAEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMC7AYgOAAH4QRxZAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"430\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?resize=640%2C430&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?w=823&amp;ssl=1 823w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?resize=300%2C202&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?resize=768%2C516&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?resize=600%2C403&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"430\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397392\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines.jpg?resize=640%2C430&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"430\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397392\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">While Italian queues are not like the American ones, I did not have to wait more than maybe 3 minutes most of the time. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397393\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397393\" style=\"width: 993px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397393 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFkAQMAAACKPhhpAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAADJJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20PBxQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADwYHCkAAEsv+mwAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"356\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?resize=640%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?w=993&amp;ssl=1 993w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?resize=300%2C167&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?resize=768%2C428&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?resize=600%2C334&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"356\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397393\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Lift-Lines-2.jpg?resize=640%2C356&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"356\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The extend of the queues at peak time . | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000\">SLOPES DATA<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397490\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397490\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397490 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAARyAQMAAAANidZIAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAHBJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20JT6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPgYaCEAAUDBrvAAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"1138\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=640%2C1138&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?w=1080&amp;ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=169%2C300&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=675%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 675w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=768%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=864%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=600%2C1067&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"1138\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397490\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3130.jpeg?resize=640%2C1138&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"1138\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397490\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Day 1: February 16 Slopes Data. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397494\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397494\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397494 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAALYAQMAAADW3tH6AAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFBJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20ND6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC+DOZYAAGedQULAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"728\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=640%2C728&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?w=1078&amp;ssl=1 1078w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=264%2C300&amp;ssl=1 264w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=1055%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1055w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=768%2C873&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=600%2C682&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"728\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397494\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3128.jpeg?resize=640%2C728&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"728\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397494\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Day 2: February 17 Slopes Data. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397492\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397492\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397492 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAALfAQMAAADL2+FCAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFFJREFUeNrtwQENAAAAwqD3T20ON6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADg3gDojwABmk02LgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"735\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=640%2C735&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?w=1078&amp;ssl=1 1078w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=261%2C300&amp;ssl=1 261w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=1045%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1045w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=768%2C882&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=600%2C689&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"735\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397492\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3129.jpeg?resize=640%2C735&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"735\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397492\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Day 3: February 18 Slopes Data. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_397491\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-397491\" style=\"width: 1078px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397491 lazyload\" src=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAALUAQMAAAChHBGBAAAABlBMVEUAAAD\/\/\/+l2Z\/dAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAFBJREFUeNrtwTEBAAAAwqD1T20JT6AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAICnAeUUAAEI2RuZAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"724\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=640%2C724&amp;ssl=1\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?w=1078&amp;ssl=1 1078w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=265%2C300&amp;ssl=1 265w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=1060%2C1200&amp;ssl=1 1060w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=768%2C869&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=600%2C679&amp;ssl=1 600w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-eio-rwidth=\"640\" data-eio-rheight=\"724\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" class=\"size-full wp-image-397491\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/snowbrains.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/IMG_3127.jpeg?resize=640%2C724&amp;ssl=1\" alt width=\"640\" height=\"724\" data-eio=\"l\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-397491\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Day 4: February 19 Slopes Data. | Image: Nick Jacques<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- CONTENT END 1 -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cortina d\u2019Ampezzo by night. | Image: Nick Jacques If you took SnowBrains\u2019 advice to ski the Italian Dolomites during the Olympics, here\u2019s what actually happens: you don\u2019t get chaos. You don\u2019t get outrageous crowds. You don\u2019t get stuck in some overpriced, overhyped Olympic frenzy. You can\u2014and in my case, did\u2014get a surprisingly smooth ski trip [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,267],"class_list":["post-1855017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-snowbrains-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1855017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1855017"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1855017\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1855017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1855017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1855017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}