Snurf the Dolomites

An upmarket Italian hotel in the ski resort of Alta Badia in The Dolomites is offering the unusual option of ‘snurfing’ to guests who have already mastered snowboarding.

“Snurfing”, widely seen as the precursor to snowboarding, is a winter activity that was invented in 1965 by American Sherman Poppen. Jake Burton and other snowboarding pioneers of the 1970s began on Snurf boards, competing in national snurfing contests in the USA.

“Snurfing” requires guests to balance and slide down slopes on a plank – a combination of monoski and surfboard – whilst hanging on to a short piece of rope, used also for steering.

Snurfing was largely forgotten after Burton and other pioneers released their first snowboard prototypes, but the boards are still being made in the US and are enjoying a bit of a renaissance.

The Rosa Alpina is better known for its three Michelin Star dining at St Hubertus and its serenely peaceful spa, but boarding guests can now try out snurfing and buy a board themselves if they get hooked. The Snurf boards range in price from £100-£144.

Fish&Pips offer 3 nights at Rosa Alpina & Spa from £875 per person, based on two sharing a De Luxe double room. Price includes breakfast, two “snurfing” lessons and Fish&Pips complimentary concierge service.