Head over Skis with Sophie Davies in Sauze d’Oulx
On the slopes of Sauze d’Oulx with Head Over Skis
Sauze d’Oulx
Italy
Let’s go!
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Despite what you may think, given the fact that I’ve written a book set on a ski holiday, I only learnt how to ski three years ago! Let’s set the scene. It’s February 2024, and some of my friends wanted to book a ski holiday. Through some extreme powers of persuasion, given I’d never skied before and have the sporting talents of someone who’s never left their reading chair, I ended up agreeing to join them. I had been so nervous, but cut to three years and two ski holidays later, and I can admit that they are so much fun! It was a few weeks after I’d come back from that first one that I’d had the idea for my debut novel, Head Over Skis.
Ski Lift (c) Sophie Davies
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
While I chose to set my book at a fictional ski resort in France, so I could have full creative freedom with the town, resort, and characters, many of the locations within the book are inspired by real places I visited when on my holiday, which took place in Sauze d’Oulx, Italy.
Sauze town (c) Sophie Davies
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Starting with the town of Sauze itself. This is one of the real places I’d had in mind when writing was the gift shop that Lottie, Meghan, and Tilly find while searching for souvenirs. Like them, I stumbled upon this gift shop, which in real-life is called Arnica, and I was enchanted by it because it was absolutely stuffed with souvenirs. It had everything from ski school badges (like Lottie, I bought one that is still on my backpack), Christmas decorations, hats, socks, paintings… you name it, they had it.
Next up, is the location of the pub quiz, which in real life is The Queen’s Lounge Pub. On my second year of visiting Sauze, my friends and I took part in a quiz in this very pub, and just like Lottie’s group – we won! (But sadly, no, musicals was not a category, although the question about polar deserts that I include in the book was indeed from that evening).
Snowy mountain view (c) Sophie Davies
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Now, onto the ski slopes themselves. The beginner’s slope where Lottie and her friends learn to ski is based on Mini Sportinia. This is a very beginner-friendly blue slope where all the ski classes start off. I spent most of my first day going down this slope, then back up using the ‘magic carpet’. This was a contraption I’d never heard of before, but enjoyed using much more than the button lifts (if you know, you know…).
Hot chocolate at La Marmotta (c) Sophie Davies
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Also on the slopes, is a bistro that inspired the one that Lottie’s class go to in chapter 13. The real place is called La Marmotta, and is located at the top of the 13 bis red slope. I had the chocoliest hot chocolate of my life there, and it was home to my favourite view of the mountains.
Gros Wellness Estetica & Beauty Spa…..
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Let’s finish off the way that all good ski days do, with the spa. The outdoor hot tub that features twice in the book, was inspired by the real Gros Wellness Estetica & Beauty Spa. While it lacked fairy lights in real life, I remember loving the feeling of being in a warm hot tub, but surrounded by snow.. So, I wanted to capture that experience in the book. And besides… who doesn’t love a spa night on the slopes?
Skiing! (c) Sophie Davies
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
If you do visit Sauze d’Oulx, I hope you feel like you’re walking (or skiing!) in my characters’ footsteps. For an ideal day, practice on the Mini Sportinia training slope, maybe do some blue runs (I love 11 bis, which snakes through the trees).
Book map of locations in Head Over Skis
Then, get the mushroom pasta at Orso Bianco, before heading down the red slope 11 Bassa (and try not to fall like Lottie did there!). Then head to The Queen’s Lounge for a drink, and get ready to wake up and do it all again the next day.
Sophie has handed me skis at this point and marches me out of the door, the sweet aroma of chocolate in the air………………
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Head Over Skis
Insta:@sophie_davies_author/
