Tomba la Bomba
Fitting in with the locals on the Italian ski slopes can be tricky at times; unless you’re an immigration expert who happens to speak fluent Italian! It’s not just our pasty British skin that gives us away, but our distinct lack of flair and style when it comes to ski wear. There is a simple way to get on with both the locals and the Italian tourists, however, and it won’t involve spending hours on a sun bed or hundreds of pounds on designer ski wear.
The Italians love their sporting heroes, and for fans of winter sports they don’t come any bigger than ȁCTomba la BombaȁD; ace slalom skier Alberto Tomba. Do your research on this iconic skiing star before you head to the Italian slopes, learn a few key phrases such as ȁC Questo mi ha ricordato di BombaȁD (That reminded me of Bomba) or ȁC Bomba sarebbe stato orgoglioso di quel turnoȁD (Bomba would have been proud of that turn) and suddenly you won’t be able to look for new Italian friends.
And what’s so good about mixing with the locals, I hear you cry? Well, as with any holiday destination there are lots of bars and restaurants that are only there for the tourists; poor quality food, expensive prices and terrible service. Then there are the place for the locals; friendly, good value for money and plates piled high with delicious pasta. Use your new found Tomba knowledge and you’ll soon be shown all the secret venues that the locals normally keep hidden from the foreigners!
Besides, you might just enjoy learning about Tomba la Bomba, who was a real character. One of the most successful slalom skiers of all time, he won three gold medals at the Olympics and secured an astonishing nine World Cup titles in his long career. Now in his mid-40s he has long since hung up his competitive skis but is still a great ambassador for Italian skiing – a tough job in a country so obsessed with football…
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