Shredding Through Memories: Ski Buzz 2024
Fresh off the pristine Alpine slopes of Italy and Austria hosting Ski Buzz 2024, Y Travel Founder Yvonne Verstandig recently returned to our office brimming with stories and memories from this year's journey. With flashbacks of swooshing down fresh powder slopes still fresh in her mind, and the echoes of laughter lingering in the crisp mountain air, Yvonne sat down with us to run through the highlights of her wondrous trip.
For Yvonne and her Ski Buzz co-host, brother Daniel Burger, Ski Buzz is not merely a ski trip, it’s an annual pilgrimage that celebrates their childhood bond forged on the slopes, combined with a passion for experiential travel, love of incredible gastronomy, and a desire to share a style of hospitality that can only be found in the mountains, with a group of like-minded ski enthusiasts.
With each passing year, the siblings aim to continually infuse the Ski Buzz itinerary with new destinations and fresh, unique, and unexpected experiences, ensuring that both returning guests and newcomers alike are treated to an adventure of a lifetime, both on and off the slopes.
Here, Yvonne shares with us some of these incredible moments as they explored the Alta Badia region and Kronplatz in the Dolomites, and the Austrian Arlberg region, over the course of 13 magical days, in what Yvonne believes might just have been their best Ski Buzz tour yet!
Days 1-5 : San Cassiano, Alta Badia Region
A Journey Through the Dolomites
What We Did:
From our meeting point in Venice we wasted no time heading up into the mountainous terrain of the Dolomites. Our journey officially kicked off just outside the charming village of San Cassiano, nestled amidst the breathtaking sheer limestone peaks of Alta Badia. Under the expertise of our local ski guides Alia and Guissepe, we traversed our way through the legendary Sella Ronda, soaking in the panoramic views and pristine slopes, with runs suited to every level of skier. It really doesn’t get much better than the fabulous Spring skiing conditions we were treated to, with bluebird days, and fresh powder most mornings.
Of course Ski Buzz isn't just about skiing; it’s also about savouring the finer things in life. Our days on the slopes in Alta Badia were punctuated with delicious and picturesque lunches at ‘Refugios” (Mountain Huts) such as Punta Trieste, Fienele Monte Hut and Edelweiss. As the sun dipped below the horizon in the late afternoon, we would gather for aperitivo, toasting to the day's adventures, sharing stories with our fellow ski enthusiasts, and voting on the daily “awards” (sometimes self-appointed) for “Schmuck of the Day” and “Hero of the Day”! Always a chuckle amongst our Ski Buzzers.
Where We Stayed: Ciasa Salares - San Cassiano
Our home away from home in San Cassiano, and a definite highlight of our stay in this region was the warm and authentic boutique hotel Ciasa Salares. Three generations of the Weiser family have been welcoming guests since 1964, offering not only luxurious accommodations but also a passionate focus on local cuisine and wine. Clemens Weiser, grandson to the original owners, Hilda and Pauli, now runs the Ciasa with his partner Sara, and has clearly inherited the strong family traditions and love of the gastronomy.
With a wine cellar boasting around 25,000 bottles of wine, and 2000 labels at the start of each ski season, Clemens’ encyclopaedic knowledge of local wines belies his relatively young age. One of the gastronomic highlights of not only this leg of our journey, but of the entire trip, was Clemens hosting our group for a private 5-course degustation dinner celebrating the region’s rich culinary heritage (complete with exquisite wine pairings for each course) in the hotel’s wine cellar, Cocun.
Day 6-7 : Kronplatz
What We Did:
Packing our bags and donning our skis on the morning of Day 6, we bid farewell to San Cassiano as our next destination beckoned: Kronplatz. Traversing across from one part of the Dolomites to another, the landscape changed before our eyes. We left behind the sheer rock faces of the Alta Badia region and welcomed long tree-lined runs of Kronplatz with open valley views below. At the end of the day, we arrived at our destination, the amazing Castel Maurn. Off with our ski boots and up to our rooms to find our luggage that had also traversed the range, waiting safely for us.
Waking up the following morning in San Lorenzo, to the chirping of birds and typical farmhouse views, we eagerly set off to hit the slopes for our full day of skiing at Kronplatz. This day was not just about skiing - we lunched at the amazing Alpinn restaurant, brainchild of world renowned chef Norbert Niederkofler. After many years abroad, Norbert returned to his home region to create a unique and beautiful contemporary restaurant high in the Alps, reflecting his passion for sustainability and local cuisine. Straight from lunch, we set out on another unique alpine experience, visiting two museums set high in the mountains. The Lumen Museum of photography and the Messner Mountain Museum, an incredible building designed by Zaha Hadid. This was a first for us, visiting museums in ski boots! Life is never dull on a Ski Buzz journey!
Where We Stayed: Castel Maurn, San Lorenzo
For the second leg of our Dolomites journey we were incredibly fortunate to stay within the ancient walls of Castel Maurn, on the doorstep of the town of Brunico. Once home to local San Lorenzo nobility dating back over 1000 years, the castle has been stunningly restored to an intimate and luxurious boutique hotel comprising 8 unique suites.
Our stay at the stunning Castel Maurn, although brief, emerged as the highlight of our entire journey. It was a clear winner, thanks to the exceptional hospitality of hosts Sabrina and Walter, coupled with a memorable "farewell to the Dolomites" dinner.
Day 8 : Kronplatz to Lech
Leaving the breathtaking Dolomites behind, we took a break from skiing and ventured into the snow-capped splendor of Austria's Arlberg region. Tucked away in charming Lech, Hotel Kristiania warmly welcomed us for the final stretch of our Ski Buzz ski safari, marking the start of our Austrian adventures. The hotel’s owner, Gertrud Schneider, graciously greeted us to a special welcome aperitif in her private apartment—a rare treat for lucky guests like us. During our time together, Gertrud shared stories about her family, the hotel, and the vibrant history of Lech, giving us a fascinating peek into local life.
Day 9-13 : Lech
Discovering the Beauty of Lech
What We Did:
We returned to the Arlberg region of the Austrian Alps once again in 2024—marking our sixth visit to the area! It's truly a skier's paradise, boasting breathtaking views and slopes suitable for all levels. Whether you're into leisurely cruisers or heart-racing runs, there's something here for everyone. For the more advanced skiers in our group, a highlight of every SkiBuzz trip is the opportunity to venture off-piste and explore the magnificent Arlberg backcountry—and this year was no exception. With our awesome guides Jakob and Josef-Anton leading the way, we had another unforgettable and safe journey in Austria.
Evenings and local dinners were always a highlight. While our "Ski Buzzers" had the option to dine independently on our free nights out, we inevitably ended up dining together as a group. One of our favorite evenings in Austria began with an aperitif in the quaint town of Zug, followed by a scenic 40-minute walk along the river back into Lech, guided only by torchlight under the starry night sky. Ending the evening with an incredible authentic Austrian meal at the rustic and beautiful Hus Nr. 8 restaurant. One of Danny’s and my passions is planning unexpected experiences for our travellers and this special night was definitely one of them!
At the end of each action filled day, the Arlberg après-ski scene really comes alive, with cozy mountain huts and lively bars welcoming you to unwind and celebrate another epic ski day. Always a memorable day is one spent in St Anton, ending with Apres at the iconic Mooserwirt, the self proclaimed ‘baddest’ Après bar in St Anton. Ending our time together amongst the party atmosphere at Mooserwirt has become something of an unofficial SkiBuzz ritual designed to celebrate the end of two fabulous weeks together. With shots of Jagerbombs punctuating the groups laughter, we eventually shared a hilarious taxi ride back to Lech, singing along at the top of our lungs to classic Aussie pub songs. Yes, the hills were alive with the sound of music.. if by “music” you mean a bunch of “very happy” Aussies singing Khe Sanh out a taxi window!
Where we stayed: Hotel Kristiana, Lech
Imagine stepping into an intimate, family-run hotel that epitomises the essence of alpine elegance where vibrant contemporary art, collectable textiles, exceptional furniture and late ‘60s architecture are mixed. This is the world of Hotel Kristiania, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels group, with its warm hospitality and charming ambiance which is evident from the moment you step through its doors. The scent of pine and the crackling warmth of the fireplace invites you to relax, unwind and indulge in the comforts of home after each day out exploring the slopes and Arlberg Region. Each of the cozy rooms and suites exudes a sense of rustic luxury, with plush furnishings and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and charming village. Thanks to Gertrud and her team for elevating our experience beyond a place to rest our head at the end of a long ski day.
As we look back on Skibuzz 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the memories we've created and the friendships we've formed. So much of what makes SkiBuzz the unforgettable experience is the people we meet along the way. Whether it's sharing stories over a delectable meal with Clemens at Ciasa Salares, discovering Austrian wines with our Arlberg ski guide Josef-Anton (who just happens to work as a sommelier in the off-season) or experiencing the warmth of Gertrud Schneider's hospitality at Hotel Kristiania. Our journey was enriched by the connections we forged, not only with the locals, but also with each other. So as we wrap up our SkiBuzz 2024 recap, let’s raise a glass of Schnapps to toast to the mountains, the snow, friendship, good times and to bigger adventures that lay ahead as we start planning to make Ski Buzz 2025 even better… if that’s possible!
