14.01.2018 - We are meeting with Gianluca Grigoletto, a world champion, an athlete, a ski couch and an entrepreneur (he produces the Duel ski), in his sport shop in Rovereto. “Come in” he says, and he offers me a coffee.
Gianluca, I ‘d like to know what is the relationship with Alpe Cimbra. I’m sure that this is where you started your passion since when you were a child.
Yea, that’s right. I was 5 years old. Alpe Cimbra was easy to reach. My parents enrolled me in the ski club of my city, they believed that this was the best way to learn to ski. And then the first races: I suddenly perceived that I could be fast.
You are a frequent skier of Alpe Cimbra since a long time ago. What do you think about the development of the skiarea?
As an athlete and an enthusiast I’ve travelled a lot and skied many popular skiareas. I can affirm that Alpe Cimbra has kept pace with the times with a vanguard snowmaking system and ski lifts. Differently from other ski resorts, among which well-known ones, the facilities here are better, more efficient and more complete.
Gianluca, you have skied the best slopes of the world, how would you evaluate the slopes of Alpe Cimbra skiarea?
Every territory has its own specificities, there are mountains that are characterized by long slopes (like 8 km). Alpe Cimbra is not a high mountain and therefore it has different features but nonetheless important. One of them is the rich variety of slopes suitable for every skier, beginner slopes and baby camps reachable by feet and sunny slopes which means perfect visibility and thus safety. The ski center is very wide and my favorite slopes are Serrada, Francolini, Salizzona, and Avez del Prinzep.
You are father of a 7 years old daughter, have you already taught her how to ski?
Sure but with no hurry and pressure. Together with my wife Marcella, who is a ski instructor since 25 years, we opted for group lesson in the local ski school. There are very professional ski schools where to learn the technique in a funny and happy way. At this age, it is much more important to enjoy the fresh air together with her little friends. She will find her way in the future.
You are a ski producer, a tester for the Italian magazine Sciare, a ski instructor’s coach and a federal ski coach. Do you often ski in Alpe Cimbra?
Absolutely, the Alpe Cimbra skiarea is my home and it is so close and easy to reach. I often ski there with my clients. When it comes to sell my skis, I often recommend my clients to try them on and the location that I suggest is Alpe Cimbra. The products that I sell in my shop in Rovereto are for a medium-high skiing target, and Alpe Cimbra slopes suit them.
I’d love to finish this interesting chat with you with a curious anecdote.
I still remember about those moments on the old ski-lift located on the right hand side of the Salizzona slope near the forest. I was a little kid and I used to face the downhill in between the legs of my parents, who… couldn’t ski.
Thank you Gianluca, I’m thinking that I’ll purchase my next pair of skis in your shop. In this way, I’d have the privilege to ski with an athlete, a ski constructor and a world champion.
GIANLUCA GRIGOLETTO was born on 24 July 1974 in Rovereto. He used to be an Italian professional alpine skier specialized in slalom, giant slalom and carving. He won the World Fis Carving Cup for tree times.
He made his debut in the FIS race in Pampeago in the early ’90 and then in the World Cup slalom race in Madonna di Campiglio in 1995. On the 14th January 1996, he came 20th in the World Cup slalom of Kitzbühel. In 1995, he won the Italian Cup and as a Carabiniere – police man - he won the silver medal together with Alberto Tomba at the World Military Championship. In 1996, in occasion of the Italian Absolute Championship he won the golden medal in Giant and the silver one in Slalom. In 1998, he was awarded Italian champion in San Pellegrino. In the following years until 2003, he competed in the World Cup, European Cup, FIS races and national championships. Since 2005, he focuses predominantly on the Carving World Cup, where he gained many victories and three general Cups. In 2012 he quitted races. Ski instructor, Federal couch, National instructor, ski producer, Gianluca is owner of the ski and sport shop Grigo Sport in Rovereto too. Since long ago, he collaborates as technician and tester with the prestigious targeted magazine Sciare.
