This past week, I returned to Cervinia — one of my favorite places in the world — but this time, it wasn’t for the usual skiing or teaching sessions. Instead, I had the chance to experience the glacier from a completely new perspective: as part of a commercial shoot for Swiss television. And let me tell you, it was a challenge!
When Summer Hits the Slopes ☀️🎿
You might be thinking, “Skiing in July?” Well, yes — but skiing in summer is a different beast entirely. The Cervinia glacier remains open for a limited time during the summer months, allowing for high-altitude skiing above Plan Maison and up to Plateau Rosà. However, the biggest obstacle during this time isn’t the terrain… it’s the temperature.
Unfortunately, this week the thermometer wasn’t on our side. Even during the night, the temperature barely dropped below +4°C, which is far too warm for the snow to refreeze properly. As a result, the snow surface didn’t compact overnight, meaning by early morning it was already soft, slushy, and difficult to manage — even more so if you’re trying to make ski turns look perfect for the camera.
A Different Kind of Work Day 🎥
Unlike most of my trips to the glacier, this time I wasn’t there to teach or train. Instead, I found myself in front of a film crew, lights, mics… and a lot of pressure. I had been cast to act in a television commercial for a Swiss production. I can’t share too many details just yet (TV secrets!), but I can say that it involved putting on my ski gear and playing the part of… well, myself.
That may sound easy, but trust me — being a ski instructor in real life and acting as one on screen are two completely different things! Delivering lines while maintaining perfect ski form and dealing with inconsistent snow conditions was a real test. Still, I embraced the challenge, and I think it turned out well.
A Familiar Face on the Glacier 🙌
One of the highlights of this unexpected work trip was bumping into Nicola, a fellow ski instructor and someone I’m incredibly proud of. A few years ago, I helped train Nicola when he was preparing for his exams, and seeing him now working on the glacier as a certified ski instructor made me feel proud.
There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from watching someone you’ve mentored succeed. Nicola’s dedication and hard work paid off, and to know I played a small part in his journey is incredibly rewarding. We snapped a quick photo together to remember the moment — a symbol of how the ski world always finds a way to bring people back together.
Escaping the Heat 🧊➡️🔥
While the skiing conditions weren’t ideal, one major upside of heading to the mountains was escaping the intense heat. Down in Liguria, we had been stuck in a full-blown heatwave, with temperatures hovering around 35°C every day. Being on the glacier at over 3,000 meters felt like stepping into a different world — fresher air, fewer people, and that crisp mountain breeze I had missed so much.
Even though I wasn’t there for a typical ski trip, I soaked in every second of that cool air, the dramatic Alpine views, and the unique energy of summer skiing. And the good news? The temperatures are finally starting to drop, which means better snow conditions are just around the corner. With colder nights ahead, the snow will hopefully start to set properly again, making way for improved skiing in the coming weeks.
What’s Next? ⛷️
I’m back home now, still sweating a bit in the summer sun but feeling grateful for the short escape to higher altitudes. This unexpected adventure reminded me how varied and unpredictable life can be — one week I’m fishing or biking, the next I’m filming a commercial on a glacier.
As always, I’ll keep sharing what I’m up to here on the blog, and you can follow the behind-the-scenes and daily updates on Instagram (@riccardovaraldo) — where I might just drop a sneak peek from the shoot when the time is right 😉.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned — new stories coming soon!