Ski resort would be somewhat of an exaggeration.
The Italian magazine was making the point that although Yad Moss is only 600 metres, it has a climate similar to 2,000 metres in Italy in the summer. Italian riders in 2009 were well equipped.
Lots of information about the ride means there are hooks you can hang stories off. I got to use footage from the 1948 PBB, the French Alps and Scotland in a video about LEL training in 2005.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKBquRNeqlEI've posted all manner of oddities about the route in the past, one of my favourites is a documentary about coal mining near Alston in 1992, with a German commentary. That kind of mining continues to this day, on and off, depending on the price of coal. It's of interest to those Germans from coal-mining areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIIyzPe4M8IThe most interest shown in part of the route has been through a film called 'Addicted to Sheep'. That was on a farm in Teesdale, which the ride will pass twice. That's been shown a few times on BBC4, and has been shown around the world. There's a version with French subtitles.
http://www.addictedtosheep.com/version-francaise/There's much to be explored along the route. Castle Howard and the Howardian Hills would reward some investigation. Many riders will find the impressions overpowering. Some prefer to experience LEL without preconceptions, while others find reassurance in recognising bits they've heard about. That's the virtue of lots of material being available.
