By Blair Mlnarik
ROME, Feb. 25 - Earlier this month, JCU students on successive weekends hit the pistes of Cervinia (pictured) in the Italian Alps for beautiful and adventurous ski trips.
These trips were organized by Michele Danza, who also planned the recent excursion to Montenegro and the upcoming trips to the island Ventotene, off the coast between Rome and Naples, at the beginning of May.
A resident of Cervinia, but originally
from Rome, Danza attended the University of Colorado in 1968 on a ski
scholarship. He returned to Rome to work before graduating, and
in 1972 started organizing ski trips for students in Rome.
One of his first trips was actually planned
for a girl from St. Mary’s College in Indiana, whom he later married.
This led him back to the United States, to Big Sky and Bozeman in Montana, where he developed real
estate and worked on the staff of the U.S. Olympic ski team in 1974.
His six children, also skiing prodigies, have all raced in the European and World Cups. His three daughters have coached for the New Zealand ski team, and one is now a ski instructor in the Alps.
For the JCU Alps trip, Danza’s
safety briefing included the lecture, “How not to die in the Alps.” The secret? Do not fall into the glacial crevasse, or get caught in an avalanche. He led the students to the ski rental, but let go from there. This suited the students well, just enough nudging to find the slopes, the skating rink, snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and the village.
The structured part of the weekend included a chartered bus, lodging, and two meals. The unspecified benefits included Danza himself. He rattled off the town gossip, the lore and legends of the Alps, and his opinions on everything from marital strife to politics in mere minutes. A discussion with him gives the impression that this business-minded man has a hand in everything and he isn’t hesitant to talk about it.
His experiences planning student trips,
attending an American university, involvement with national ski teams,
and knowledge of Cervinia certainly contributed to his value as a student
travel agent. The trips were highly successful, with minimal injuries
and gorgeous views.
Be sure to look for information on future
trips.
How could I get in touch with Michele Danza. My contact phone number is 618-967-8668
Posted by: Greg Eversden | June 01, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I would like to contact Michele Danza. Could you provide his email address or telephone number?
Posted by: Louis Camerota | January 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Old friend from Cervinia would like to connect with Michele Danza.
Posted by: Giorgio Noaro | February 25, 2011 at 12:03 AM