INVERN NËI DOLOMITES

Aficionados of Ski & Mountain Life will be well aware of this insider’s winter sporting experience in the Dolomite Mountains in and around the resort of San Cassiano – and if you didn’t know well, you do now.

The Dolomiti Superski, the world’s largest ski carrousel, encompassing the Stella Group, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa and the Marmolada are accessible with just a SINGLE ski pass, giving the adrenalin junkies a terrain of some 130 kilometres of groomed ski runs served by as many as 53 ski lifts and cableways in this altitudinous setting.

Where to stay – well for us there’s just the one place –the Lagaciò Mountain Residence, a boutique hotel created and run by the super lovely Canins family. Natural woods abound are offset by local stone, woven fabrics and regional “bric-a-brac” spell-out the somewhat mystical Ladin culture.

Rest your weary limbs and tank up on essential elements in the rather fab Spa, then dine locally like a Ladin aristo in famous eateries of the region – the good life indeed, White Line Hotels & The Alpine Edit – Lagaciò Mountain Residence San Cassiano, Alta Badia in the Dolomites, Italy.

WIN a pair of shapely handcrafted skis

The brothers Andrin and Fabian Schuetz were lucky enough to grow up in snowscapes of Arosa, Switzerland, you could say that their destiny of working alongside snow was indelibly cast since early childhood.

Beautiful, shapely, handcrafted skis, which in our humble opinion are simply the best, thankfully shared by devout followers across the globe – once Schuetz then always. It’s akin to having your shoes hand-made, these skis are not only made for you, but reflect you in every sense – these are serious statement skis made in the small village workshop.

Hand Made Skis - in the process

Glimpsing through their website – it’s like a candy store or a car showroom full of glossy classics – you can feel the attention to detail, and the expert eyes of the innate skiers. The styling symbolizes the very best in performance, customization, sophistication and the understated.

We, White Line Hotels, love having the guys as a partner as they embody everything that is makes us smile – they are passionate about what they do and have successfully embraced traditional methodology whilst grasping new innovations. They also, admirably, have their feet firmly on the floor.

Having the skis made for you is an experience in itself – with the brothers clocking the whole process with you – you are encouraged to even visit the workshop for a fleeting glimpse of your labour of love being created.

If you want a chance to WIN your own pair of handcrafted skis made together with you in the Zurich workshop – go to the facebook page of White Line Hotels for details.

Photography: Luigi Caputo, Salzburg

THE ALPINE EDIT & mountain hopping

White Line Hotels – the collection of more than 40 indie hotels, has introduced the cool concept of Mountain Hopping through a selection of creative boltholes; The Alpine Edit – the insider guide to hotels, ski chalets, retreats and lodges from across Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy.

We don’t list many places, just those that capture the soul of the Alps for those aficionados who seek accommodation that echoes of the setting. Abstract wooden elements of the chalet marry with the contemporary, aged components relish designer furnishings whilst others are simply Alpine being a tapestry of naturalness.

Whether you are a ski junkie, a carver or a boarder, or someone who gravitates towards the slow lane, you can soak up the holistic of the snowy and sun decked Alps.

Hop through our edit of diversity, that the line smartly draws together – each very different, each very much like-minded.

Enough words have a gander through The Alpine Edit and get yourself off – just click on each place to book.

Explore The Norwegian National Tourist Route with Juvet Landskapshotell

When you think of Norway beyond Oslo, you’re probably thinking about the dramatic landscapes of the fjords, and with good reason — there’s nowhere on Earth quite like them! There’s a lot more to Norway’s breathtaking beauty, though, and in 1997 Parliament decided on a way to help you get to it: The National Tourist Routes. After the municipalities nominated a total of 52 roads covering 8,000 kilometers, in 2004 18 were selected to receive the distinction. You’ll find White Line Hotels Edit  Juvet Landskapshotel off Norwegian County Road 63, otherwise known as National Tourist Route Geiranger – Trollstigen.

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Last Wednesday of the Month Architecture: Bathing Beach Seeburg at Küssnacht am Rigi

GKS Architekten + Partner AG studio from Lucerne, has developed this project at Küssnacht am Rigi, in Switzerland on Lake Lucerne. The project was conceived by the architects in 2006, and it was finally built between 2009 and 2010.

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