It’s not usually you discover an adrenaline-fuelled exercise free of charge on vacation. Or in the event you do it’s normally one thing like a tokenistic zip line on a cruise ship.
However as I pull up at a distant mountain cabin excessive within the Italian Dolomites, it’s clear I’ve hit the freebie jackpot.
The setting’s wintry and white; my high-octane trip is parked up: it’s a snowmobile.
I’m within the ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo which, together with Milan, is internet hosting this yr’s Winter Olympics which open on February 6.
The official ride-hailing sponsor of Cortina’s Video games is Uber which, in addition to upping its service within the area, can also be providing guests one thing for nothing – a restricted version one-hour guided ‘Uber Snowmobile’ expertise.
It’s free, bookable by way of the app and every bike carries two passengers – carry ID if you wish to drive.
Fancy a go? You guess!
I straddle the entrance seat (my pal rides pillion) and it’s on with a helmet, a squeeze on the accelerator and we’re off, a whooping, hollering, rip-roaring convoy of eight snowmobiles winding by snowy, forested mountains.
I am not going to lie: steering a motorised ski bike by thick, contemporary snow isn’t all the time straightforward. It might skid and slide a bit and sharp bends pressure a disconcerting lean: cue occasional nervous squeals!
The ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo is internet hosting this yr’s Winter Olympics
Jo Kessel visited the area forward of the video games, which start this weekend
Jo loved the one-hour guided ‘Uber Snowmobile’ expertise
However there are seize bars for steadying your self and it’s a heck of quite a lot of exhilarating enjoyable climbing at pace between thick, white-coated fir timber at an altitude of seven,654 ft (2,333m).
Higher nonetheless, the seats are heated, a bonus at -6 levels!
Cortina’s centre is undeniably chichi. Streets are lined with designer shops (assume Dior and Fendi) and slopes have Prada chairlifts. Sure, actually.
The mountainous backdrop is epic too. The UNESCO-listed Dolomites pierce the sky – pointed and sheer, their jagged red-rock cabinets peeking by the snow.
I’m staying on the boutique Eight Cortina lodge whose restaurant and terrace share that Dolomite view, as does my rustic stylish room (all picket flooring and partitions) and balcony.
That night time there’s an area superstar within the lodge restaurant, 11-times World Champion Italian skier, Giorgio Rocco. We clink a glass or two whereas tucking into grissini and slow-braised beef cheek with polenta.
He even lets me strive on his official 2026 Armani Olympic Jacket. It’s attractive.
‘Can I preserve it?’ I ask, not sure if the twinkle in his eye means sure or no!
The pre-Olympics buzz is palpable and the subsequent day I find the enduring 5 rings in addition to the occasions Cortina’s internet hosting: Girls’s Alpine Snowboarding, Bobsleigh, skeleton and luge and the Curling Stadium.
Jo with World Champion Italian skier Giorgio Rocco
Designer outlets equivalent to Dior are close by, in the event you fancy a spot of luxurious buying
I set off on skis, criss-crossing the mountains on cruisy slopes to pattern the linked domains. The Faloria aspect is missed by the well-known ‘Cinque Torri’, a sequence of 5 dramatic rock towers.
Because the Olympic flame winds its approach to Cortina in time for D-day (Giorgo Rocca ran a leg of it from his hometown of Livigno), I take pleasure in one closing deal with – an evening of gourmand food and drinks on the unique Moritzino Membership, excessive within the Dolomites.
How will we get there? By skidoo in fact! It’s one other memorable trip, however my favorite is the Uber Snowmobile safari, arguably one of the best mountain freebie ever.
If you happen to’re there for the Olympics, don’t miss it.
