11 best ski resorts in the Dolomites
The Dolomites in Italy have long been called the “eighth wonder of the world.” They form part of South Tyrol, formerly part of Austria. These lands changed hands more than once, and are now the property of the Italians. Today, the Dolomites are known as a ski resort that unites a dozen regions. The most famous were: Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba. They are connected by ski slopes and cable cars. This gives tourists the opportunity to visit all the resorts in a short time. In total, there are about four dozen towns and villages here – large and small. Among them there are large ones, where guests will find all sorts of amenities and a sea of entertainment, and very small ones, without a developed infrastructure. The main attractions of the latter are only stunning mountain landscapes. Most resorts cater for guests of all ages, both beginner skiers and families with children can come here. But there are also places that are focused mainly on professionals. They have a system of the most difficult routes that require a high level of training. And this region is rich in sights that are worth seeing. Let's talk about the best ski resorts in the Dolomites.
Val di Fassa
One of the famous ski centers in Europe is the picturesque Italian valley Val di Fassa. The resort region consists of several tourist towns. Majestic snow-covered mountain ranges and pristine forests are combined with modern infrastructure. Numerous guest houses, traditional wooden chalets and hotel complexes offer guests comfortable apartments at affordable prices.
The variety of ski slopes is complemented by ice rinks, health clubs, swimming pools, bars, pizzerias and restaurants. The most convenient way to get to Val di Fassa is from Bolzano or Innsbruck airports. The area of sports recreation accommodates 200 kilometers of well-equipped slopes. For skiers of an average skill level, a real expanse of blue and red slopes located in the intermountain saddle awaits. On both sides of the Belvedere peak (2,425 m) there are winding snow-covered long stretches and gentle, wide, uncomplicated routes.
Experienced athletes consider it an honor to conquer the downhill mountain Chiampak. For fans of snowboarding and freestyling, specialized park areas are equipped. In the resort areas of Val li Fassa, all kinds of entertainment programs are presented. Here, tourists can enjoy dog sledding or snowmobiling, paragliding, mountain climbing, relaxing in the spa or visiting the cinema. Pleasant impressions will leave an evening walk through the narrow streets of one of the Alpine villages.
Val Gardena
Among fans of winter sports, one of the pearls of the Dolomites is popular – the Val Gardena valley, which attracts with amazing mountain landscapes. It consists of several high-altitude villages located at altitudes of 1,236-1,536 meters. These are Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena. All three towns are interconnected by an extensive network of lifts. The nearest international airports are in Bolzano and Verona.
Buses run regularly from there to Val Gardena. Cozy alpine settlements offer their guests a developed resort infrastructure, a wide range of entertainment and a variety of trails. The range of the hotel fund is represented by a wide range: from budget guesthouses to comfortable chalets with restaurants, spas and swimming pools. Restaurants in the valley will delight visitors with traditional Tyrolean cuisine.
On the territory of the villages, vacationers will find something to do in sports centers and ice palaces, as well as relax in night bars and visit fashion boutiques. Val Gardena is renowned for the quality of its ski trails, with a total length of 175 kilometers. For beginners, wide and gentle green slopes are available.
The plateau of Monte Pana with easy slopes is ideal for learning to ski. For professionals, winding and long routes with forest areas, rocks and narrow canyons are of interest. From the top of Mount Ciampinom (2,254 m), skiers descend on the most difficult black high-speed slopes.
Alta Badia
Alta Badia is located in the northwest of the Dolomites. It unites several resort villages, interconnected by a modern network of cable cars. This picturesque region is surrounded by pine forests and grandiose mountain ranges. About a dozen hotels and cottages have been built at altitudes of 1,300-1,500 meters. The developed sports and entertainment infrastructure enables tourists to get a lot of pleasant sensations from an active winter holiday among the amazing alpine landscapes.
There are bus services to Alta Badia from the nearby cities of Bolzano and Verona. The terrain of the skiing area is ideal for skiers of various skill levels. Most comfortable wide blue slopes descend to the village of Corvara. Gentle snow stripes are distinguished by their length. Experienced athletes can expect red winding sections with a height difference of up to 1,000 meters. Intrepid skiers are advised to pay attention to the black high-speed Gran Risa track in the La Villa area.
Its length is 2,290 meters, and the angle of inclination is 30 degrees. Snowboarders can look forward to theme parks equipped with ski jumps. For connoisseurs of cross-country skiing, about 40 kilometers of spacious snow-covered virgin lands are available. After sports entertainment, guests of Alta Badia can swim in the pool, relax in the spa, go to the fitness room, visit one of the many restaurants in the region. Bowling, tennis, ice skating, rock climbing, sledding will diversify the rich recreation program.
tre valley
The name means “three valleys”. The resort combines the small towns of Moena and Passo San Pellegrino. More and more not only skiers, but also nature lovers come to Moena every year – the local landscapes are unusually good. During the hours of sunset, the mountains are painted in fabulous pink light. You need to go to the ski lifts by bus for about 10 minutes – they are located outside the city. At the service of tourists there are 15 km of trails for beginners, there are also “red” and “black” trails, the latter for experts. There are 8 lifts. Those who wish can go snowboarding, playgrounds are open.
Passo San Pellegrino is also popular with tourists, and the hotels here are located near the slopes. It is in this town that you can fully appreciate the beauty of the Alps. The local slopes are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers, and the landscapes opening from the slopes of the mountains will not leave anyone indifferent. You can also go ice skating, rush through the virgin lands on a snowmobile, play snowballs. In summer, many visitors also come to this town. Various tourist routes originate from here, mountain hikes are organized, tourists see the sights of the times of the First World War.
Val di Fiemme
The legendary crown of Latemar peaks crowns one of the most beautiful valleys of the Italian Alps – Val di Fiemme. On the local slopes, excellent conditions have been created for winter sports and cultural and recreational activities. The height of the valley is 1,000 meters above sea level. The cozy guest houses of ski resorts such as Cavalese, Predazzo, Bellamonte and Alpe Cermis welcome guests.
You can get to Val di Fiemme from Verona and Bolzano on specialized ski shuttles.
Val di Fiemme has a superbly developed infrastructure. Guests are offered indoor sports complexes with swimming pools and playgrounds, as well as ice rinks, numerous shops, fitness rooms, restaurants and various entertainment facilities. The sports leisure zone has about a hundred kilometers of marked slopes. Most of them meet the interests of skiers who prefer measured and comfortable skiing.
Three quarters of the routes run through the pine forest. On Latemar and Bellamonte, flat, wide blue sections and simple red descents with a slight elevation difference are organized. Professionals will enjoy the long Olympia high-speed track, starting at 2,230 meters. The valley has trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
One of the most fashionable and prestigious Italian ski resorts is Cortina d'Ampezzo. The valley is framed by rocky mighty walls of unique beauty with a unique pink hue. The monumental peaks of the Dolomites rise to more than 3,000 meters. Numerous tourists come here to enjoy the natural wealth and sports entertainment. The central street of Cortina d'Ampezzo is replete with luxury hotels, restaurants, antique shops, art galleries and shops.
The suburban areas scattered in different directions are built up with mansions and villas of wealthy Italians. At the disposal of vacationers there are 140 kilometers of trails, among which blue and red routes predominate. Beginning athletes should ride on the gentle and rather long slopes of the town of Sokrepes. Skiers with an average level of skiing skill are recommended to climb to the top of Tofana (3244 m), where wide and short sections are equipped. For professionals, there are high-speed descents from the peaks of Ra Valles (2,471 m) and Forchella Staunies (2,931 m).
In Cortina d'Ampezzo you can visit the ice palace, indoor tennis courts, an amusement park and a hockey arena. Pleasant impressions will leave a walk on snowshoes and a ride on a sled drawn by a pair of horses. Regular bus service to the Cortina d'Ampezzo valley runs from Venice, Mestre and Treviso.
Kronplatz
Kronplatz is a ski region in South Tyrol, which brings together 14 cozy villages. All of them concentrated around the mountain range at altitudes from 786 to 1,650 meters. This is the perfect place for an exciting family winter vacation. The nearest airport is in Bolzano (75 km), from where you can get to Kronplatz by bus. The administrative center and the largest settlement of the valley is the city of Bruneck.
It houses hotel houses, cozy chalets, hotels of various star categories, interesting architectural monuments. Neighboring villages are covered with a special alpine atmosphere and offer vacationers a wide range of entertainment for every taste. From the top of the spacious plateau of Mount Kronplatz (2,275 m), red and blue pistes descend like a fan. Wide, gentle safety lanes combine with fast winding sections, making the region an attractive activity area for beginners and advanced skiers. The presence of several black slopes is of interest to experienced athletes.
There are trails for cross-country skiing, tobogganing, horseback riding and hiking. Indoor water centers, ice rinks, gyms, spas, cinemas, bars and restaurants will diversify the recreation program. For children and adults there are ski schools equipped with training grounds.
Arabba – Marmolada
It is famous for its dizzying descents, which are popular among experienced connoisseurs of winter sports. Excellent snow coverage and direct access to the impressive Marmolada Glacier (3340 m) favor breathtaking skiing. Arabba is a small traditional alpine village with several hotels and guesthouses with their own swimming pools, saunas and fitness rooms.
The abundance of complex and varied trails will bring a lot of unforgettable impressions. The entertainment program of the resort area is very limited. This is due to the fact that only avid and courageous skiers gather here, who want to hone their skills on the red and black slopes of the Porta Vescovo mountain and the Marmolada glacier. Winding and high-speed sections with a steep angle of inclination and unexpected depressions will require skiers to master skiing skills professionally.
The area of sports leisure runs at altitudes from 1,450 to 3,270 meters. Despite the predominance of extreme routes, in Arabba you can find a few simple short blue stripes in the area of the Passo di Campolongo pass. At the disposal of vacationers there are toboggan runs, paragliding grounds, snow parks with jumps and ice rinks. After an active pastime, pubs, pizzerias and restaurants await tourists. Buses run to Arabba from the airports of Bolzano, Venice and Innsbruck.
Valle Isarco
The Valle Isarco is a cult place of pilgrimage for ski lovers. The resort area is literally shrouded in a dense network of slopes and lifts. It includes a dozen high-rise settlements offering its guests ample opportunities for winter outdoor activities. The cozy old town of Bressanone, surrounded by mountain ranges over 2,500 meters high, hospitably welcomes tourists.
There is a large selection of hotels for every taste and budget, as well as sports centers, wine restaurants and all kinds of shops. The valley can be reached by public transport from Bolzano and Innsbruck. The skiing area consists of three ski centers: Plose, Jochtal and Gitschberg-Marats. A variety of trails with high-quality stable snow cover are suitable for both inexperienced and skilled athletes.
In the Valle Isarco, there are both gently sloping sections with safe terrain, as well as steep slopes with winding turns. Professionals can expect a nine-kilometer route with a height difference of 1,400 meters. For those who want to get a thrill, high-speed virgin descents are provided. Separate areas are occupied by fans of snowboarding, sledding and skating. Numerous viewing platforms and terraces offer unforgettable picturesque panoramic views of the Dolomites, the contemplation of which gives peace of mind.
There is an opportunity to have fun hiking on snowshoes in the foothills. Children are encouraged to visit the educational complex with training grounds. After a busy sports day, tourists can relax in the aquatic center, relax in the jacuzzi, visit massage rooms.
Arabic
Surrounded by the Sella mountain range, there is a cozy Italian village of Arabba. The presence of natural snow cover, fresh frosty air, relief slopes and picturesque landscapes – all this makes the resort one of the most popular ski destinations in Italy. Experienced connoisseurs of winter sports come here. The most difficult slopes are concentrated here, making the hearts of even the most avid ski aces tremble.
Several hotel complexes with swimming pools, restaurants and fitness rooms have been built on the territory of Arabba. The total length of the tracks is more than 40 kilometers. An extensive network of cable cars will take tourists to the desired height from 1,636 to 2,550 meters. Red and black slopes descend from the mountain peaks of Punta Roca (3270 m) and Porto Vescovo (2479 m). The region presents ample opportunities for extreme freeride. Extensive virgin areas are covered with soft snow cover. Fans of cross-country skiing will be satisfied with flat well-groomed routes.
Active activities include paragliding, snowmobiling and mountain hiking. After a busy sports day in Arabba, it is recommended to get acquainted with interesting architectural monuments, wander around the ruins of the castle and visit local museums. Fans of noisy parties and various entertainments will be quite bored here. For vacationers there are several pizzerias, bars and shops. You can get there by bus from the airports of Bolzano, Milan, Verona and Treviso.
Civetta
In the north-west of the Italian region of Veneto, there is a cozy ski resort Civetta. Picturesque mountain landscapes combined with developed infrastructure fill the rest in this place with memorable vivid impressions. The small villages of Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Zoldo and Palafera have enough hotels to suit every taste. Routes of various difficulty levels are laid at an altitude of 1,300 to 2,400 meters. Skiers and snowboarders have access to 80 kilometers of quality trails connected by a modern network of lifts.
Both gentle blue and serpentine red stripes meandering among spruce forests are first-class equipped here. There are plenty of trails for intermediate skiers. The main attraction of Civetta is the five-kilometer descent Val Zoldana, marked in black. The terrain is quite rocky, which is a danger for skiing on virgin snow. Fans of snowboarding can expect the slopes of Mount Fertazza, where a specialized area with jumps is equipped.
For children, the Piani di Pezze park is open, equipped with all kinds of attractions. Here the kids have fun under the supervision of animators. Civetta offers a rich entertainment program for all tastes. After exciting descents, you can swim in the pool, do fitness, relax in the sauna, visit the Ice Arena. Wine bars, gourmet restaurants, pubs and discos will brighten up the busy everyday life of tourists. Bus service connects the ski area with major cities in Italy. The nearest airports are in Bolzano and Treviso.
Ski route Sella Ronda
Almost all skiers who come to the resorts of the Dolomites, at least once, go along the famous route. This route has been given various names. Some call it “carousel”, others “round the world”. But it really gives you the opportunity to see a lot. After all, a skier who sets out on a journey circles the Sella mountain range. Ascents alternate with descents, but in general, the route is not difficult, and even beginners can ride here. Just be sure to take your camera with you – after all, you will not see such landscapes anywhere else.
It is difficult to give instructions – from where and how best to get to this track. It is worth taking a map and seeing where you are at the moment, and then finding Sella Ronda. It is marked with green and orange markings. If you are not too confident in your abilities, it is better to start from the “green” path. It goes counterclockwise, the pointers are close to each other. There are about 23 km of ski slopes and 15 lifts. The difficulty is minimal and the panoramic view is very beautiful. The road will take from 3 to 4 hours.
More experienced skiers, as well as snowboarders, prefer the “orange” track. It is a little more difficult to navigate here, the signs are located farther from each other. There are 11 lifts, and the direct length of the route is also about 23 km. On average, the route can be completed in 2.5-3 hours.
People come to the resorts of the Dolomites all year round. There is something to do in both warm and cold seasons. In summer it is rarely hot here, usually the temperature does not rise above + 25 C. You can walk, ride bicycles, go to the mountains, and just wander through the streets of ancient cities. One has only to carry an umbrella or a light raincoat with you – it suddenly rains. In autumn it gets cooler, the thermometer can show + 10C, in November it often snows. This is a good time for those who expect peace and quiet from the trip, as most tourists leave. The mountains, covered with forest, in the first half of autumn, until the leaves have fallen, are very beautiful.
In spring, the air warms up quite late – by May. This is good for skiers. But all tourists are pleased with the abundance of sunny days, and whole glades of flowers that you can admire. In winter, the Dolomites are a real Mecca for skiers. Feeling frosts, up to -20-25 C are rare, more often the temperature is around -5-8 C. The bright sun provides skiers with a wonderful tan. The Dolomites are an extraordinary place on the planet. It is worth visiting here and seeing for yourself.