Advisors suggested that it is not customary to return empty-handed from the Italian Alps, you can please your friends and family with aromatic teas and honey from mountain herbs, chocolate with wild berries from local forests, grappa, handmade cheeses and salami. .
It’s probably awkward to ask if you want to be in a ski paradise that’s not as expensive as the Swiss or Austrian Alps or the French Pyrenees. Therefore, if you still have a desire to climb the steep “black” slopes or help children learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding, experts on the site dolomiti.it will tell you where and how best to do it.
Meanwhile, those afraid of descending mountain peaks will find something to do by dog sledding or soaking in the hot thermal springs of the Dolomites, towering over northeastern Italy. This region has an ancient geographical history – millions of years ago a tropical sea that divided Europe and Africa splashed here. Centuries passed, the seas became shallower, the African coasts rushed towards the opposite shore. However, the Mediterranean was formed, and on the territory of modern Italy, the magnificent Dolomites grew, now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Advisors say that everyone present here talks about the special magnetic power and powerful energy of these mountains, which turn into orange-pink giants in a few seconds at sunset. This surprisingly beautiful natural phenomenon is facilitated thanks to the dolomite mineral, which was inherited from these peaks millions of years ago.
So the world’s largest ski alliance is Dolomiti Superski. Why alliance? In fact, as dolomiti.it experts write, these are 12 ski areas, 470 cable cars with modern lifts that can transport more than 62 thousand people per hour, 1,200 km of first-class slopes that you can descend at any time. day. There are almost 40 ski resorts in three administrative regions of Italy – Alto Adige, Trentino and Veneto (Belluno province). The four regions of these provinces – Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa – are adjacent to the Sella mountain range and are connected by cable cars and pistes: you can travel from one to the other without even taking off your skis.
The remaining towns are scattered in valleys throughout the Dolomites. These include world-famous resorts with developed ski infrastructure and new small refuges where mostly Italians ski. There are resorts with a long-standing sports reputation, hosting prestigious international competitions, offering noisy après-ski and nightlife, and villages that are more focused on a relaxing family holiday with children. But everyone will definitely be satisfied with the single Dolomiti Superski ski pass for ski lifts and other services valid for all ski resorts in this region. You can find more information at dolomitisuperski.com.
Zoldo Valley
Safe family holidays with children and animals are characteristic of this resort in the village of Val di Zoldo in the province of Belluno. Here, on Mount Civetta (3220 m), you can enjoy 80 kilometers of carefully prepared ski slopes, 25 ski lifts, as well as numerous “red” routes and night descents along the trails that form the heart of the mountains. . Here they will teach both adults and children the basics of skiing and provide them with everything they need for recreation.
Children will love the Piani di Pezze children’s park, where kids can be left free to teachers while their parents conquer the ski slopes, and snowboarders can enjoy the snow park open until late in the evening. And in the high mountains, a glass of mulled wine or a cup of strong coffee will be waiting for you in numerous cafes and restaurants before descending.
Getting to the Zoldo Valley is easy: the nearest international airport is Marco Polo in Venice, just ahead of Treviso and Bolzano. To reach the valley from here, you can pre-order the ZoldoBus taxi (www.zoldobus.it) or take the DolomitiBus bus (www.dolomitibus.it), which will take you to Zoldo Alto in a very short time, passing through the incredible mountain serpentines. hour. It is better to check bus schedules on websites in advance, as they vary depending on the season. However, if you book a hotel or apartment, you will be transferred directly to your place of residence.
Val di Fassa
It is located in the province of Trentino and is famous for the number and length of ski routes – here it is possible to never ski the same route during the day. In addition, the Sella Ronda ski slope is also very close by, and the valley itself, Sella (3152 m), Marmolada (3342 m), Catinaccio (2981 m) and Sassolungo (3181 m), will take you to the free Ski bus.
At your service are three snow parks, a wellness center with an indoor pool and seductive après skiing in resorts where discos, bars, bars and restaurants thunder in the evenings. Just be sure to check out the schedule! The most popular villages for accommodation are Canazei and Campitello, and in total you can book a place in 300 hotels and hostels for a total of 50 thousand people.
The closest airport to the valley is the same Marco Polo in Venice (222 km from Canazei) or Bolzano and Innsbruck, Austria. From the airport you can catch buses from Trentino Trasporti and SAD to the resort (tickets can be purchased at the airport ticket office or directly on the bus).
Cortina d’Ampezzo
The legendary bohemian resort of the province of Belluno is all about the sun! Yes, yes, this is almost the sunniest valley of the Dolomites and 120 km of ski slopes stretching along the surrounding peaks: for beginners – Pomedes (2345 m), for intermediates – Tofana (3243 m), for professionals – peaks Forcella-Staunies ( 2930 m) and Ra-Valles (2470 m). There are also cross-country ski tracks, an ice palace with a large skating rink, bobsleigh tracks and numerous jumping areas.
By the way, you can find real Italian dolce vita here, full of dazzling holidays and luxury shops, restaurants, souvenir shops and nightclubs. Accommodation here belies the reputation of one of the most expensive resorts in the northern Italian Alps. However, we think you will be happy to descend from the mountains, drink coffee or dance at an evening disco in the company of not only Italians but also world celebrities.
The closest air gate is Cortina d’Ampezzo – Venice. The only intercity transportation in Cortina is bus. The easiest way to get there is through Dobbiaco and Calalzo di Cadore, which are 30 km away from Cortina. You can also reach the airport by train. Additionally, direct ATVO buses run between Marco Polo Airport and the property several times a day. Another option is Cortina Express transfer.
Alta Badia
This valley unites several resorts connected by a modern cable car network. This picturesque region is surrounded by pine forests and majestic mountain ranges. About a dozen hotels and summer houses were built at an altitude of 1400-2700 meters.
The developed sports and entertainment infrastructure allows you to get a lot of pleasant sensations from an active winter holiday. Most of the comfortable wide “blue” slopes lead down to the village of Corvara. Gentle snow strips vary in length. Experienced athletes are waiting for “red” winding sections with elevation differences of up to 1000 meters. Brave skiers are advised to pay attention to the “black” high-speed Gran Risa route in the La Villa area. Its length is 2,290 meters and its slope angle is 30 degrees.
After sports activities, guests of Alta Badia can swim in the pool, relax in the spa, visit the fitness room or visit one of the many restaurants. The rich recreation program includes bowling, tennis, ice skating, rock climbing and sledding.
Buses are available to Alta Badia from the nearby cities of Bolzano and Verona.
Val Gardena
Another magnificent valley rich in history and tradition. It consists of several highland villages located at altitudes between 1236 and 1536 meters, namely Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena. All three towns are connected by an extensive network of ski lifts.
Val Gardena is famous for the quality of its ski routes, with a total length of 175 kilometers. Beginning athletes have access to wide and gentle “green” slopes. For professionals, winding and long routes with forests, cliffs and narrow canyons are interesting. And from the top of Mount Ciampin (2254 m) skiers descend along the most difficult “black” high-speed trails.
The closest international airports are Bolzano and Verona.
Val di Fiemme
The legendary crown of the Latemar mountain peaks crowns Val di Fiemme, one of the most popular valleys of the Italian Alps. This is where the largest ski lifts in the world are concentrated, providing excellent conditions for winter sports and recreation. The altitude of the valley is 1000 meters above sea level, and there are 48 km of ski slopes, 200 snow cannons, night skiing, a night snow park and a children’s world. Three quarters of the routes pass through pine forests. At Latemar (2842 m) and Bellamonte (1400 m) there are flat, wide blue sections and simple “red” descents with slight elevation difference. Professionals will enjoy the long Olympia Circuit, starting at 2,230 meters. The valley offers trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Vacationers are offered indoor sports complexes with swimming pools and playgrounds, as well as ice rinks, numerous shops, fitness centers and restaurants. Guests will be welcomed in the comfortable hotel houses of ski resorts such as Cavalese, Predazzo, Bellamonte and Alpe Cermis.
You can reach Val di Fiemme from Verona and Bolzano using private ski shuttles.
Plan de Corones (Kronplatz)
Surrounded by three natural parks, Plan de Corones is a ski area in South Tyrol. Brunico is a mountain range rising between San Vigilio and Valdaora, with altitudes ranging from 786 to 1,650 metres. According to avid Alpine enthusiasts, this is the number 1 ski area in Alto Adige. It offers 119 km of state-of-the-art pistes that cut through large slopes for wide, quiet descents. But be careful with the “black” five!
Red and blue trails radiate from the top of the vast plateau of Mount Kronplatz (2,275 m). Wide, gently sloping safe lanes combined with high-speed winding sections make the area an attractive active recreation area for both beginners and professional skiers.
The nearest airport is Bolzano (75 km), from here you can travel by bus to Kronplatz. The administrative center is the city of Bruneck.
Arabba
Surrounded by the Sella mountain range, there is a charming Italian village of Arabba, with its own unique presence of natural snow cover, fresh cold air, relief slopes and picturesque landscapes. Experienced connoisseurs of winter sports come here, because the most difficult tracks are concentrated here and make the hearts of even the most avid ski aces tremble.
The total length of the tracks is more than 40 kilometers. The extensive cable car network will take tourists to the desired heights from 1636 meters to 2550 meters. “Red” and “black” slopes descend from the mountain peaks of Punta Roca (3270 m) and Porto Vescovo (2479 m).
Additionally, there are ample opportunities for extreme freeride activities. Cross-country ski enthusiasts will be pleased with the flat and well-groomed routes. Activities include paragliding, snowmobiling and mountain hiking.
After an intense sports day in Arabba, it is recommended to get acquainted with interesting architectural monuments, wander around the castle ruins and visit local museums. However, those who like noisy parties will find this place a bit boring.
You can reach it by bus from Bolzano, Milan, Verona and Treviso airports.
Meanwhile, experts suggested that it is not uncommon to return empty-handed from the Italian Alps. Delight your friends and family with unique wooden products, aromatic teas or honey made from real mountain herbs, chocolate with wild berries from local forests, grappa, handmade cheeses and salami. And it’s enough to talk about real Italian ice cream, whose birthplace is the Zoldo Valley.
Let’s remember how a skier saved a snowboarder from death on the slopes of Mount Baker in the USA. Losing control during the descent, the man found himself covered in snow. Luckily, Francis Zuber spotted the snowboarder and quickly used a shovel to pull out the man in trouble.
Source: Focus
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