European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ski Europe 94 Ideal base Northern Italy the Choice assignment for skiers Byj. Kin Cruger staff writer where s the Best place in Europe for american military skiers to be stationed it used to be Southern Bavaria somewhere Down around Munich but due to the draw Down few military men and women Are Ever Likely to be stationed in someplace like Garmisch. Now Northern Italy is the place to be. For instance asian pay about 50 Miles Northeast of Venice has skiing virtually at its Doorstep. Barring Adverse Road and traffic conditions the drive up to the compact resort of Pian Cavallo can be. Made in about 30 minutes. Although this year s rates have yet to be announced by Pia Cavallo they Are sure to be extremely reasonable. Outdoor recreation at Aviano Sells discounted lift tickets for the area. A Day s ticket last season Cost $12 monday through. Saturday and $14 on sundays and italian holidays.". A -. ".-. Skiing is nearly As close for skiers stationed with the . Army s Southern european task Force at Viceria about 45 minutes West of Venice. V Aviano and Vicenza skiers share easy Access a drive As Little As 90 minutes to the mountains known As the dolomites the crazily craggy part of the italian Alps sitting just South of Austria. The Limestone dolomites with their predominantly Pink color have some of the most spectacularly rugged scenery on Earth. Cortina d am Pezzo is far and away the. Best known resort in the dolomites. While Cortina is ritzy and glitzy to the Point of being silly the 1956 site of the Winter olympic games is one of the world s Foremost Winter sports resorts. Cortina. Sitting smugly in a Sun drenched bowl and watched Over by mighty monoliths offers fabulous runs at seven major areas. Their location sprinkled around the bowl allows skiers to shift from area to area to ski in the Sun. The ski areas in the town Are linked by frequent shuttle bus service. While food and lodging in town Are expensive the Cortina All Day ski pass is reasonably priced costing this year from 42,000 lire about $27 in Low season to 47,000 lire in High season. Keep in mind that Cortina is covered by the Dolomite Superski pass the single ticket key to skiing hundreds of Miles of runs in a dozen valleys. When it comes to scenery the Superski Region offers an unrivalled ski circus or Large interconnected lift system called the Sella Ron la. The Sella Ronda a rather grueling Daylong journey around the vast Sella Massif that any competent intermediate can manage is a 28-mile piste and lift circuit that lets skiers explore the Miles Long Rock formation. Reportedly with an Early Start and no lift lines to contend with it is possible to ski 90 Miles in one Day around the Massif. Such a journey will take you through four valleys and such Stellar resorts As Arabia Val Gardena with its towns of Selva Ortisi and co Vara. Meals Are serious business in Italy both off and on the slopes. At some resorts deciding where to Stop for lunch can be a problem because the a Are so Many places from which to choose. Added to that Many slopes Are sprinkled with charming ski in ice bars Many grilling sausages or burgers arid All featuring bottles of the local schnapps or grappa standing in shaved ice. A chilled shot of the hard stuff Flavoured with Pear prune peach Apple or Strawberry is traditionally belted Down in one go before taking to the pistes again. Many austrian resorts Are within easy striking distance of Aviano and Vicenza. A particular favorite with Aviano s skiers is continued on Page 4 is file Arabia nestled in a sheltered Valley is one of the dolomites Stellar resorts. Is fio is Filo of. A cite site of a popular ski school in Austria is within easy reach of american bases skiers take a break for Sunshine and in Northern Italy. Sustenance on the Sella Ronda. October 26, 1994