I have been coming to Europe for over a decade and I am constantly amazed by the hidden ski lifts and resorts, the unassuming hotels and gasthofs and the places they find to create villages!! In Canada you would never build a tunnel through a mountain......you would just drive around it. You would never put a village on a hill.....instead you would establish a little prairie town!

This morning I hopped into the back of our trusty little VW van and assumed my "daydreaming" state en route to the ski hill, giving no attention to where I was going. I knew that it was a new hill but I didn't really think much of it. Unbeknownst to me, this hill would turn out to be one of most beautiful vistas I have ever seen. After driving 20 minutes on a road, which in Canadian terms would be classified as a "walking path", we ended up at the end of a valley with mountains and open, white plains of snow surrounding us. There were two people skinning up the other side of the mountain from the ski hill and it was so amazing to follow their slow progress upwards and was quite jealous when they reach the top because the ski run down looked like a giant cone of meringue! I have always been a big advocate for the chairlift but people in Europe truly cherish the un-walked path......which usually leads straight up!

I had the hill to myself in which to enjoy a perfect Super-G training. Instead of people being annoyed by a course being set on a public ski run, they lined the course and watched and cheered; this alone sets Europe apart from North America! People here love skiing and love racing; it is contagious.

After a great morning I headed back to our hotel which is in nestled in the tiny town of St. Valentine (haven't found my Valentine yet!). It is a hundred year old building which has recently been restored and renovated; it is like stepping back in time and stepping into modern architecture simultaneously. The food is amazing, the people make me feel at home and the cappuccinos are to die for!

I realize that these little experiences are the ones that I will miss the most when I finish this crazy sport; these are the moments that I need to remember. From "Pinkies" notorious hut on Kitzbuhel Mountain where I spent an amazing New Year's Eve, to the restored historical hotels of the hidden valleys, Europe always has something special and unique to offer.

Last week I raced in the World Cup in Haus, Austria and although my results were far from what I expected and hoped for, I was so excited to get back into race mode and kick off the New Year. This is going to be a busy month of racing and training. Next up is Cortina, followed by St. Moritz, both on the top of my list as far as tracks and races go. My little epiphany today not only made me thankful for the opportunities given to me but also inspired me to work hard and keep believing. There is a chance and an opportunity at every race I compete in; last week was not my week but maybe next week it will be.