Page 62 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2019 PORTUGAL

I stay at Wood Ridge, the town’s most un‐ guests for breakfast”, she says.
usual accommodation comprising of twelve In the morning, I head to the Salzburg
Canadian style log cabins. Hemmed in by State Ski Museum where Richard Gruber re‐
mountains on three sides, each chalet offers calls fascinating anecdotes from the begin‐
panoramic views, most impressively the nings of the “white sport” around 5000 years
jagged Brandstätter Riedel mountain ridge ago to the latest technical developments and
opposite. Australian-born part-owner Car‐ the racing of our time. “Before the ski pole
olyne O’Brien has lived in the area for a was invented, the advice was to ski downhill
quarter of a century and cannot imagine in the direction of the flowing water. Once
leaving. “Building these chalets has been the you reach an uncontrollable speed, move the
fulfillment of a lifelong dream. And I’m set‐ skis sideways and throw yourself into the
tled in the community. For example, in the snow. Then repeat.”, he explains. Mankind, it
morning, I just go to my neighbors’ barn and seems, has come a long way.
help myself to the fresh milk we give our

62 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2024