Tim Hudson
Founder, Director & Principal Ski & Bike Leader
“I am so grateful for the freedom and trust that my parents gave me as a youngster” Tim explained, “Mum and Dad are the true sources of my adventurous spirit”.
Tim grew up in the countryside around the beautiful city of York in northern England and always took things that little bit further than his contemporaries!
At the age of 10, Tim and his friends raced old motorbikes and cars around the abandoned WWII airfield close to his home. At 16 he and his close friend Phil did 6 parachute jumps with the Leeds and Bradford Parachute Club. Having reached 17 Tim bought his first a hang glider and experimented with flight on the North Yorkshire Moors.
Not winning the coveted Green beret as a Royal Marine Commando is a life long disappointment for Tim. That setback didn’t stop his adventures.
Adventures & Business
Skiing & Cycling with Inspired ITALY
In 1992 Tim conceived and led the Flight of the Dacron Eagles Hang Gliding Expedition which took four hang glider pilots and two microlights along the length of the Kenyan Rift Valley in Africa. The adventure was filmed by the BBC for the television series ‘Classic Adventure’.
Tim is a qualified hang gliding instructor and coach and holds a Microlight pilots licence and is qualified to fly paragliders. He qualified with British Association of Ski Patrollers for Outdoor Emergency First Aider with additional training for Mountian and Outdoors.
Tim’s passion for adventure is matched only by his interest in business. In 2012 Louise, Tim’s wife and Italian national and close friend, Matteo Baffi created Inspired ITALY. Soon after they launched the now-famous Inspired ITALY Dolomites Ski Safari and introducing cycle trips in 2016 they rekindled Tim’s cycling passion.
Tim still loves to lead ski safari and cycle groups. Having turned 60 in 2020, each ski season he leads around 6 Dolomite Ski Safaris collecting around 2,000 ski kilometres in the process and over the summer turns in around 3 to 4,000 kilometres cycling with guests through Tuscany and Umbria.
“I will continue to find soft adventures and to share them for as long as I possibly can”.
REFERENCES
Tim has written for and has been featured in the following publications:
– BBC Travel – Living in the world’s most adventurous countries
– SNOW Magazine – TAKE IT EASY IN ALPE DI SIUSI
– SNOW Magazine – SKI SAFARI IN THE DOLOMITES
– SNOW Guide – Europe’s Most Beautiful, Largest Skiable, High-Altitude Plateau
– Seniorsskiing.com – The Italian Dolomites: Skiing Perfection
– Smart Traveler – Will Europe Be Open to Americans This Summer?
About the Flight of the Dacron Eagles Hang Gliding Expedition
– YouTube – Flight of the Dacron Eagles
– Wikipedia – Judy Leden
– Flymicro – Remarkable Feats
– Genome BBC TV – Classic Adventure
YouTube: Cycling with Leonard M Lee
– Tuscany
Chat with Tim
“An enormous 'thank you' for all that you did to ensure that we had one of the best, if not the best, skiing holidays ever.”
Ally Gregory 🇬🇧
Inspired ITALY Ski & Cycle Adventures
“<p class="p1">"In all sincerity, this was a life-changing trip and I owe it all to you, Matteo and Lou.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>”
Tom Heflin, Seattle 🇺🇸
“As a Colorado resident and skier, I'm often asked why I travel to Europe to ski. Inspired Italy's Dolomites Ski Safari is the perfect answer.”
George ‘Jay’ Peabody 🇺🇸 Colorado
“I had never skied in Europe before and for anyone considering it, do yourself a favor, go to the Dolomites, and have Inspired Italy be your guide.”
Tom Heflin 🇺🇸 First Time Skiing Europe
“The lift technology and cable cars are completely new experiences compared to our Canadian resorts.”
Roger Tarant 🇨🇦 from Whistler Blackcomb
“There is no way there is a better guide service and your experience will be sooo much better. I love the Dolomites!”
🇺🇸 Tom Heflin ❤️ Skiing The Dolomites …
“I have been with Inspired Italy four times and I still get the same thrill. ”
Andrew le Poidevin 🇬🇧
“What a brilliant holiday - to stay up on the mountain and be the first ones down in the morning on empty slopes - you can't beat that!”
Rose Wood 🇬🇧
“Skiing was sensational and the views were even better! Loved the food as well. Thank you Inspired Italy for a great week. We’re already planning our next Safari!”
Elin Yardley 🇨🇦
“Skiing with a small pack was super easy and comfortable and shows you don’t need much to get thru a week of skiing.”
🇨🇦 Roger Tarant
“This was a very demanding ski trip but well worth it. ”
David Sibiga 🇺🇸
“Amazing!!! Just Amazing! - It is hard to put into words what an amazing experience this is!”
Sharon Cook 🇺🇸
“We didn't really know what to expect other than we'd be skiing a lot and seeing a lot of the Dolomites. This experience was beyond our expectations. ”
Sharon Cook 🇺🇸
“We did the Venture Safari and have made lifelong memories and lifelong friends with our new Ski Safari family.”
Sharon Cook 🇺🇸
“Fabulous first runs down pristine slopes. Everything works like clockwork, even the weather was set to sunny....”
Jen Gillman 🇬🇧
“First tracks in the early morning sun is every skier's dream, with precision, clockwork guiding! Perfect!”
David Lillystone 🇬🇧
“Exceeded all expectations and I just can’t wait to come again. Thank you Inspired Italy!”
Col. Neil Hutton CBE 🇬🇧
“If you want to enjoy a real skiing experience, travel to places you would never normally find on an ordinary ski holiday, then book a Ski Safari with Inspired Italy. Stay on the Mountain and ski First Tracks every morning.”
Robin Murray 🏴
“I did not need to think, only experience. And what a way to experience the Dolomites for the first time.”
Jim Putnam 🇺🇸
“I assumed a guide meant a high price but I calculated that was cheaper with Inspired Italy than self-booking.”
🇬🇧 Dr. Nick Johnson
“Can not imagine a better experience. Tim and Mateo could not have done a better job. Their personality, ski ability and knowledge of the area was unbelievable.”
Tom Heflin 🇺🇸
“We had a private group from the US, and it could not have gone better. Everything from our pick-up in Innsbruck to accommodations, food & great skiing were perfect and exactly as described. Do yourself a favor and travel with these folks. Hoping to travel with them again, Cheers.”
Chris Clarke 🇺🇸
“EXCEPTIONAL SKI SAFARI - Inspired Italy SKI SAFARI is in high demand for a reason. Their organization and charm make an experience with them superb. Sign up today! 👍🏼”
Chris Clarke 🇺🇸
“We left feeling like we made lifelong friends and can’t wait for our paths to cross again.”
Katie Price 🇺🇸
“We were concerned that we wouldn’t have enough snow on this trip and that it would be difficult to backpack each day but that wasn’t an issue at all.”
Katie Price 🇺🇸
“We LOVED every minute of it. From the variety of ski slopes, explanations of the mountains and history, lifts, Refugios, food, and drinks - it was all there. (The sun was even shining 5 out of the 6 days.)”
Katie Price 🇺🇸
“Your attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed. Too many highlights packed in each day to describe. It surpassed all expectations!!”
Katie Price.. 🇺🇸
“If anyone is considering this trip through the Dolomites with Inspired Italy, you will not be disappointed!
Mike Price 🇺🇸
We had a great trip and created lifelong memories….Tim, Matty, and Lou are true professionals!
Ciao!!”
“You guys really knocked it out of the park….accommodations, food, communication, terrain, local knowledge- it was all there, and more!💯”
Mike Price 🇺🇸 Private CLASSIC Dolomites Ski Safari
“Thank you for the most fabaroonie Ski Safari ever! I’ve enjoyed them all, but this one was the best in my opinion.”
DOLCE TEMPO Ski Safari by Manda Bennett 🇬🇧
“This trip is crazy beautiful, we enjoy every moment thx 👏”
Rochelle Joubert 🇿🇦
“The route had been thoughtfully put together, it was incredibly varied. It did put us through our paces, both physically and mentally (one of us is in our late seventies)”
Alistair M 🇨🇦
“Inspired Italy - it is their first-hand personal experience and knowledge which allows you to eat and stay at the most amazing places ..”
David C 🇬🇧
“What surprised me was how relaxing it was and how you just switch off and enjoy the beauty of it all.”
Hazel Dumore 🇬🇧
“I have just finished a 6-day bespoke ski safari with the wonderful Tim. I thoroughly enjoyed our adventures on the slope and meeting new people within the group. Everywhere we looked we were provided with another jaw-dropping view, and the conditions were perfect for me all week. Our rifugi were so homely and the hosts made us feel welcomed and special. The food provided was excellent and varied. Tim was an amazing leader and has so much knowledge of all the areas we covered. His commentary was a great addition to our coffee stops!”
Lark Ash-Wheeler 🇬🇧
“Fantastic experience! Sleeping at the top of the mountain and early morning untracked corduroy or powder.”
Grant Milne 🇦🇺
“The memory of that day will stay with me forever……it started with 2 fresh runs down Marmolada and ended with a blissful stay at Averau! Unreal!”
Karen White on a Family Dolomites Ski Safari 🇬🇧
“it was without a doubt the best week of our lives so far (except perhaps our wedding week!)”
Bethany & Dan O’Mullane 🇦🇺
“… we had all had an ABSOLUTE BALL ...”
Felicity ‘Billy’ Clark on a Private Dolomites Ski Safari 🇬🇧
“10 out of 10 - a wonderful unique experience. Skiing perfectly groomed pistes at 8:30 in a foot of fresh powder before anyone else”
Lizzie Norton, former owner of Ski Solutions Ltd. 🇬🇧
“Writing [the Google review] pulled on my heartstrings and made me want to do it all over again.”
Marion Clare Williams 🇺🇸
“...so great to have a leader. No stopping at the top to look where to go. No worrying about when or where to eat. Just great skiing and great new friends...”
Missey Zlotcha 🇺🇸 Dolomites Ski Safari
“... all we had to do was enjoy some of the best skiing we've ever had ...”
Jo Metcalfe, Tailor-Made Dolomites Ski Safari 🇬🇧
“We had the most marvellous Dolomites Ski Safari, it was beyond anything I had ever expected. Such an adventure in such an awe inspiring landscape, all so well planned and executed. Our guide wasn't half bad either, in fact he was terrific.”
Belinda Callaway on a Dolomites Ski Safari 🇳🇿
“A huge thank you for a really fabulous week. Once my first day nerves had calmed down I really enjoyed the skiing!!”
Katie, a solo skier 🇬🇧
“Thanks everyone for putting up with the lone Yank. Y'all were way too much fun to travel with.”
Paul Dowler, a solo skier Utah 🇺🇸
“A great “thank you” to Tim and Louise, for the inspiration to do this, in this way.”
Tim Ferrari, a solo skier 🏴
“It made such a lovely change to be skiing on such empty slopes and in such good snow conditions, and the views were, of course, superb. A lovely holiday, and great company. Thank you.”
Patricia, a solo skier 🇬🇧
“This is a fantastic opportunity to never ski the same run twice, to be guided by an expert not only on the slopes but on the ‘watering holes’ too! To be the only people at the top in the morning is a real treat. Skiing with a small pack seemed to make no difference, much to my surprise! All I would say is it is worth getting fit before you go. I thoroughly recommend this wonderful original ski holiday.”
Lavinia Shaw-Brown 🇬🇧
“I did endless research beforehand wondering whether it would work out as a holiday, was Italy the right spot, and Inspired Italy the right company? All I can say all 8 of us loved it.”
Nicola Odey 🇬🇧
“The Inspired ITALY Dolomites Ski Safari was not only the best ski holiday but the best holiday we have ever had. Tim’s local knowledge and rapport with the locals added an extra dimension to the trip. We really felt that we got to know this beautiful part of Italy as well as enjoying some incredible skiing on uncrowded slopes.”
Jo & Adam Metcalf 🇬🇧
“What a great feeling it is when you stood there on the top of the mountain and pointed to the piste saying: "Guys, the piste is yours!" And we skied down, on, a totally fresh and empty slope, in the morning sun. THAT is something no other operator can provide!”
Karl Lintner 🇦🇹
“An enormous 'thank you' for all that you did to ensure that we had one of the best, if not the best, skiing holidays ever.”
Ally Gregory 🇬🇧
“Once again, many thanks to you and your team for an excellent week.”
John Daines 🇬🇧
“… it is seriously the best ski trip we have done for a long time … possibly ever.”
Diane Farmer 🇬🇧
“Fantastic experience! Sleeping at the top of the mountain and early morning untracked corduroy or powder”
Grant Milne 🇦🇺
“Huts don't have to be hardcore, especially when your staying in the jewel of the Dolomites darling!”
Fall Line Magazine 🇬🇧
“I cannot now imagine a skiing holiday that does not involve those early morning runs and watching the sunset at 2,800 metres.”
The Times: Christian Wolmar 🇬🇧
“A scene that is quiet the most idyllic I've seen in any winter landscape”
SNOW Magazine
“These are not the kind of places you stumble upon by chance and perfectly illustrate the wisdom of tapping into local knowledge.”
SNOW Magazine
“Just a short note to say thank you for everything last week. All 6 of us had a fantastic time. Everything worked like clockwork from arrival to departure. Our three days guiding were terrific. The Paul Simon duo (call me Betty and you can call me Al) are amazing as of course is Tim!! Willies for steak and vino will be a long term memory. Hotel Grones is brilliant and staff are the best around. Thanks again. Hope to see you all again next year ...”
Eamonn B 🇮🇪 Private Dolomites Ski Safari
“An utterly, utterly fab ski holiday and thank you SO much for organising it all. We could/would NEVER have experienced such a thing had it not been for you. I honestly NEVER want to ski anywhere else again and we would LOVE to do it again next year.”
Deborah Maby 🇬🇧