Imagine this, you’re a Parisian in dire need of some sunshine and fresh air, at the same time you would want to go ski for the weekend, you’re in late March and you know there is still a bit of snow on the slopes. After all you already have what you need up in Cervinia, it’s programmed to be a beautiful weather and you haven’t been in such a long time it feels like you’re loosing that ability.
Your “super-touring”, the Alpina B5 GT is waiting for you to strech its pistons. Modified by Alpina, it is one of the most beautifully designed cars of this generation. The quality of the interior is unmatched for that level of car. With 634 horsepower, a cathedral of power, a very capable 4×4 system and a top speed of 330 kilometers per hour, you have everything you need to get to the Alps relatively early on Saturday to at least do the afternoon on your skis.
On a brilliant Saturday morning at 5 am you leave the Parisian rain with the car loaded with your weekend bag and your dog which will be joining you for the journey. It’s still dark outside but there is almost no-one: a dream come true, getting on the highway has never been so traffic-free! Google Maps indicates 7 hours and 15 minutes but you know you can there much faster. You put your foot down and the car finally takes off, the V8 feels like it has reached a very sonorous cruzing speed and you blast past Fontainbleau with not a single though in your mind.
The car is stable and the Husky is sleeping on the seat next to you with his own seatbealt and own seat cover obviously. You know he is going to love the snow, after all “Basile” is born for that climate and you know he isn’t going to enjoy Milan as much the Monday after. You decide it is best to plan for dogsitters both in Cervinia and Milan as afterall you are going to the mountains to ski and it is quite difficult to bring your dog along with you.
Your first stop to refuel is Auxerre and your take advantage of the moment to walk Basile a little bit as poor doggo isn’t the biggest fan of roadtrips; nevertheless he’s very happy to be with you. A few beef jerkys later that you somehow found at the gas station you get back on the highway to enjoy an amazingly paved road with forest and fields opening on both sides of the road.
You are now passing Beaune and approaching the Mont-Blanc, the scenary change, the majestuous mountains open before you a valley of green with peaks of snow. The temperature starts to drop as you begin you ascend to the tunnel, as you reach Les Houches the side of the road turns from green to white in patch like manner before completly transitionning. The road is populated by a few cars, completly cleared of the snow of the day before with a radiating sun above your head. Everything you hope it would be. You get to the tunnel it is now 10:30 am, you quickly pass it in cruize control and before you know it you’re in Italy. It’s now time to put the hammer down and really get into it.
The sweeping corners of the Alps are a delight to rip into with the comfort to know that you won’t crash. The scenary, the car and the dog feels like the best rally you’ve ever done altough you are not even in competition with anyone.
You get to Breuil-Cervinia, park the car, give Basile to the dog sitter and finish the day off with a good skying session.
It’s now Sunday night a healthy 22 pm, time to get back to the beast, you get Basile in the front seat all comfy cosy and start in complete comfort through the alps, it is magical, a little cristalline jazz music to complete the vibe and you are on your way to Milan.
You finally arrive with time to spare to get to bed and be well awake for the next morning. You get out of the Alpina, the night just fell on Brera and the gentle wind caresses the skin, you leave the car to the parking valet, take Basile with you to have a good night sleep.
Carytude 