What I am up to? It is 10th January, on a very cold day, and I am rethinking my business!

I know I am a busy body, so I need to feel I am doing something all the time. This year I came to the conclusion that I want to relate more all the things I do in my life- because, after all, they are all related and they are all who makes me what I am. And they are the inspiration for my art, after all.

My early days in the ski business. What I am up to? January on a very cold day- rethinking my business.

Thankfully I work in a business I love, the ski business, in the tourism side of it. Counting years, I’ve realised that I’ve been 38 years involved in this business. How come? Started working in the back of a ski shop near my university in Buenos Aires- the shop was Buenos Aires Ski of the Cascio and Ronchetti families. I was in the back of the ski shop and when people came to buy their ski equipment or clothing, they were ambushed by me, to sell their ski holiday they did not know they needed!

Thanks to the then Sales Director of Las Leñas, the late Elsa Romano, I could have a bespoke package offer for my clients that included air transportation, land transfers, lodging, meals, lift tickets, ski lessons and rentals at great rates. I’ve sold so many packages in such a short time that then I’ve decided to go for five weeks and a half as at tourist to Las Leñas.

This made me think I did not want to graduate of Business Administration, as, after all as I was living the life! But, at the end, after persuasion of my family that was offering me to go to Europe or to a cruise (a cruise? That was sooo not tempting!)- I’ve asked to go to study Hotel/Restaurant Management to Nelsonville, Ohio… and I’ve thought they were mountains nearby… ha! I went with my skis and asked as soon as I’ve landed, where are the mountains?

My time in Nelsonville, Ohio and how I finished in Crested Butte, Colorado. What I am up to? January on a very cold day- rethinking my business

Thankfully, the director of that course heard I love skiing, and she invited me to come with her family to Crested Butte. That is how I’ve landed there for the first time. Her half-sister was working on what is now the Elevation hotel and they offered me an internship – they had no idea what it was all about, but I guess we all talked fast and got them to agree!

So, I was having employee housing, breakfasts at the hotel restaurant which were amazing, and then the rest of the meals at the employee cafeteria (they were awful!)

Basically I’ve lived that rest of the season eating a lot during breakfast and piling my hive, and then surviving on Wheat Thins…. And going to Taco Tuesday at the base area (the name of the place that is not there anymore is escaping my brain) … for 50c tacos… 3 tacos and one margarita… what could beat that?

I’ll delve more into my past later…. Have a great day! 🙂  Martina

Featured Image: Ciaspolata in Pila. Photo: The-Ski-Guru’s hubbie.

Start planning your next trip!

 

If looking to stay in the heart of the Mont Blanc Valley in the Aosta Valley, check the direct booking for Il Coure della Valdigne here. This is our own family home in the mountains, that I am renting out when not using.

Il Cuore della Valdigne. Book your lodging directly with me here.Il Cuore della Valdigne. Stay at the Heart of the Valdigne to ski in Courmayeur, La Thuile and Pila/Aosta.

If you prefer, you can also book my apartment through Booking.com

Booking might be cheaper if you have Genius status!

Check my Mountain Art on my Shop

You can go to my shop and see what have been inspiring me lately, lots mountain landscapes in soft pastels, and now in oils too. Go here to check my latest works!

If interested in me doing a special commission for you, let’s talk!

Needing help to get contacts in the ski tourism business– I am offering new consulting services- contact me here.