The Dolomites in Italy have long been called the "eighth wonder of the world." They form part of South Tyrol, formerly owned by Austria. These lands have passed from hand to hand 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 are: Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba. They are connected by ski trails and cable cars. This gives tourists the opportunity to visit all resorts in a short time. All in all, there are about four dozen towns and villages here - large and small. Among them there are large ones, where all kinds of amenities and a lot of entertainment await guests, and very small ones, without developed infrastructure. The main attractions of the latter are only stunning mountain landscapes. Most resorts are designed for guests of all ages; both beginners and families with children can come here. But there are also places that are mainly focused on professionals. They have a system of the most difficult routes requiring a high level of training. Moreover, this region is rich in sights that are worth exploring. Let's talk about the best ski resorts in the Dolomites.
Val di Fassa
One of the famous ski resorts in Europe is the picturesque Italian valley of Val di Fassa. The resort region consists of several tourist towns. Majestic snow-capped mountain ranges and pristine forests are combined with modern infrastructure. Numerous guest houses, traditional wooden chalets and hotel complexes offer 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 the Val di Fassa is from Bolzano or Innsbruck airports. The recreational area has 200 kilometers of well-equipped slopes. For skiers of intermediate skill level, a real expanse of blue and red slopes awaits, located in the intermountain saddle. On both sides of the Belvedere summit (2,425 m), there are long winding snow-covered stretches and gentle wide, uncomplicated routes.
Experienced athletes consider it an honor to conquer the downhill slope of Chyampak Mountain. For fans of snowboarding and freestyle, there are specialized park areas. In the resort areas of the Val li Fassa valley, 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. An evening walk through the narrow streets of one of the Alpine villages will leave pleasant impressions.
Val Gardena
Among winter sports enthusiasts, one of the pearls of the Dolomites is popular - the Val Gardena, which attracts with its delightful mountain scenery. It consists of several high-mountainous villages located at heights of 1,236-1,536 meters. These are Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva Gardena. All three towns are connected by an extensive network of lifts. The nearest international airports are in Bolzano and Verona.
There are regular bus services from there to Val Gardena. Cozy alpine settlements offer their guests a developed resort infrastructure, a wide range of entertainment and a variety of tracks. The assortment of the hotel fund is represented by a wide range: from budget guesthouses to comfortable chalets with restaurants, spas and pools. The 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 rinks, as well as relax in night bars and visit fashionable boutiques. Val Gardena is renowned for the quality of its ski tracks, with a total length of 175 kilometers. Beginners have access to wide and gentle green slopes.
The Monte Pana plateau, with its simple 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 summit of Mount Ciampino (2,254 m), skiers descend along the most difficult black high-speed tracks.
Alta Badia
In the northwest of the Dolomites lies the Alta Badia region. 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 erected at heights of 1,300-1,500 meters. The developed sports and entertainment infrastructure allows tourists to get a lot of pleasant sensations from active winter holidays among the delightful alpine landscapes.
Alta Badia has buses from the nearby towns of Bolzano and Verona. The terrain of the ski area is ideal for skiers of all skill levels. Most of the comfortable wide blue slopes descend into the village of Corvara. Gentle snow strips are distinguished by their length. Experienced athletes will find red winding sections with elevation differences of up to 1,000 meters. Courageous skiers are advised to pay attention to the black Gran Riza expressway in the La Villa area.
Its length is 2,290 meters and the angle of inclination is 30 degrees. Snowboarding enthusiasts will find theme parks equipped with trampolines. For connoisseurs of cross-country skiing, about 40 kilometers of spacious snow-covered virgin land are available. After sports activities, 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, sledging will diversify the rich recreation program.
Tre Valley
The name means “three valleys”. The resort unites the small towns of Moena and Passo San Pellegrino. Every year more and more skiers come to Moena, but also nature lovers - the local landscapes are unusually good. At sunset, the mountains turn into a 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 - 15 km of trails for beginners, there are also trails "red" and "black", the latter - for experts. There are 8 lifts in operation. Those who wish can go snowboarding, playgrounds are open.
Passo San Pellegrino is also popular with tourists, and the hotels are located next to the slopes. It is in this town that you can fully appreciate the beauty of the Alps. The slopes here 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 soil on a snowmobile, play snowballs. In the summer, many guests come to this town too. A variety of tourist routes originate from here, mountain hikes are organized, tourists see the sights of the First World War.
Val di Fiemme
The legendary crown of the Latemar mountain peaks crowns one of the most beautiful valleys of the Italian Alps - Val di Fiemme. The local slopes provide excellent conditions for winter sports and cultural and recreational activities. The valley is 1,000 meters above sea level.The ski resorts of Cavalese, Predazzo, Bellamonte and Alpe Cermis are welcoming guests.
You can get to Val di Fiemme from Verona and Bolzano by specialized ski shuttles.
Val di Fiemme has a superbly developed infrastructure. It offers vacationers indoor sports complexes with swimming pools and playgrounds, as well as ice skating rinks, numerous shops, fitness rooms, restaurants and various entertainment facilities. The sports leisure area 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 a pine forest. On Latemar and Bellamont, flat wide blue sections and simple red slopes with a slight elevation difference are organized. Professionals will enjoy the Olympia long highway, starting at 2,230 meters. The valley has trails for flat 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 uniquely beautiful rocky mighty walls of a unique pink hue. The monumental peaks of the Dolomites rise over 3,000 meters. Numerous tourists come here to enjoy the natural resources and sports activities. The central street of Cortina d'Ampezzo is replete with luxury hotels, restaurants, antique shops, art galleries and shops.
The suburban areas scattering in different directions are built up with mansions and villas of wealthy Italians. Vacationers have at their disposal 140 kilometers of trails, among which blue and red trails prevail. Novice athletes should ride on the gentle and rather long slopes of the town of Sokrepes. Skiers with an average level of skiing skills are recommended to climb the top of Tofana (3 244 m), where wide and short sections are equipped. For professionals, there are downhill slopes from the peaks of Ra Valles (2,471 m) and Forchella Staunies (2,931 m).
In Cortina d'Ampezzo you can visit an ice rink, indoor tennis courts, an amusement park and a hockey arena. Snowshoeing and sledding pulled by a pair of horses will leave pleasant impressions. Regular bus connections to the Cortina d'Ampezzo valley are available from Venice, Mestre and Treviso.
Kronplatz
Kronplatz is a ski region in South Tyrol with 14 cozy villages. All of them are concentrated around the mountain range at heights from 786 to 1,650 meters. It is the perfect place to spend 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 in the valley is Bruneck.
It houses hotel houses, cozy chalets, hotels of various star categories, interesting architectural monuments. The neighboring villages are steeped in a special Alpine atmosphere and offer vacationers a wide range of entertainment for every taste. Red and blue trails fan out from the top of the spacious Kronplatz plateau (2,275 m). Wide, gently sloping safety lanes are combined with fast winding sections, making the region an attractive outdoor area for beginners and professional skiers. The presence of several black slopes is of interest to experienced athletes.
Cross-country skiing, tobogganing, horse riding and hiking trails are available on site. Indoor aqua centers, ice skating 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 breathtaking descents, which are popular with experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Excellent snow cover and direct access to the impressive Marmolada Glacier (3,340 m) facilitate breathtaking skiing. Arabba is a small traditional Alpine village with several hotels and guesthouses with their own pools, saunas and fitness rooms.
The abundance of various challenging tracks will deliver 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 Veskovo mountain and the Marmolada glacier. The winding and high-speed sections with steep slopes and unexpected depressions will require skiers to be proficient in skiing technique.
The sports leisure area runs at altitudes ranging from 1,450 to 3,270 meters. Despite the prevalence of extreme routes, in Arabba you can find several simple short blue stripes around the Passo di Campolongo. At the disposal of tourists there are toboggan slopes, paragliding grounds, snow parks with trampolines and ice skating rinks. After an active pastime, pubs, pizzerias and restaurants await tourists. Buses run to Arabba from Bolzano, Venice and Innsbruck airports.
Valle Isarco
The Valle Isarco Valley is an iconic pilgrimage site for alpine skiing enthusiasts. The resort area is literally shrouded in a dense network of slopes and lifts. It includes a dozen high-rise villages offering its guests ample opportunities for winter outdoor activities. The cozy old town of Bressanone, surrounded by mountain ranges with a height of more than 2,500 meters, 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 ski area consists of three ski centers: Plose, Jochtal and Gitschberg-Maratsa. A variety of tracks with high-quality, stable snow cover are suitable for both inexperienced and skilled athletes.
In the Valle Isarco valley, both gentle slopes with safe terrain and steep slopes with winding curves are organized. For professionals, a nine-kilometer route with a drop in altitude of 1,400 meters awaits. For those who want to get a thrill, there are high-speed virgin slopes. Separate zones are occupied by fans of snowboarding, sledging and ice skating. Numerous observation decks and terraces offer unforgettable scenic panoramic views of the Dolomites, the contemplation of which gives peace of mind.
There is an opportunity to spend exciting time 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.
Arabba
Surrounded by the Sella mountain range is the 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 winter sports connoisseurs come here. The most difficult slopes are concentrated here, making the hearts of even the most inveterate ski aces tremble.
Several hotel complexes with swimming pools, restaurants and fitness rooms have been erected on the territory of Arabba. The total length of the tracks is over 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 (3,270 m) and Porto Veskovo (2,479 m).The region offers ample opportunities for extreme freeriding. Extensive virgin lands are covered with soft snow. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will enjoy the well-groomed flat trails.
Active activities include paragliding, snowmobiling and mountain hiking. After a busy sports day in Arabba, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with interesting architectural monuments, wander the ruins of the castle and visit local museums. Admirers of noisy parties and a variety of entertainment will be rather bored here. For vacationers, there are several pizzerias, bars and shops. You can get there by bus from Bolzano, Milan, Verona and Treviso airports.
Civetta
In the north-west of the Italian region of Veneto, there is a cozy ski resort Civetta. Picturesque mountain landscapes in combination with a 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 all tastes. 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 tracks, connected by a modern network of lifts.
Here, both gentle blue and serpentine red stripes meandering among the spruce forests are first-class equipped. Pistes for intermediate skiers are organized in abundance. The main attraction of Civetta is the five-kilometer descent of Val Zoldana, marked in black. The terrain is rather rocky, which poses a danger for skiing on snow-covered virgin lands. For snowboarding enthusiasts, the slopes of Mount Fertazza await, where a specialized area with trampolines is equipped.
For children, the Piani di Pezza park is open, equipped with all kinds of attractions. Here 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. A bus service connects the ski region with major cities in Italy. The nearest airports are in Bolzano and Treviso.
Sella Ronda ski trail
Almost all skiers who come to the resorts of the Dolomites, at least once, pass along the famous route. This track has received various names. Some call it "carousel", others "around the world". But it really gives you the opportunity to see a lot. After all, a skier who sets out on a journey goes around the Sella mountain range. Ascents alternate with descents, but in general, the route is not difficult, and even beginners can ride here. You just need to take a camera with you - you won't see such landscapes anywhere else.
It is difficult to give directions - from what place and how best to get to this route. 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 with the "green" path. It goes counterclockwise, the pointers are close to each other. There are about 23 km of ski slopes and 15 ski 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 snowboard aficionados prefer the "orange" slope. It is a little more difficult to navigate here, the pointers are located farther apart. There are 11 lifts in operation, and the direct length of the track 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 plenty to do here during both warm and cold seasons. It is rarely hot here in summer, usually the temperature does not rise above + 25 C. You can walk, ride bicycles, go to the mountains, and just wander along the streets of ancient cities. One has only to carry an umbrella or a light raincoat - suddenly it rains. It gets cooler in autumn, the thermometer can show + 10C, snow often falls in November. This is a good time for those who expect peace and quiet from the trip, as most of the tourists are leaving. The mountains covered with forest, in the first half of autumn, until the foliage has fallen, are very beautiful.
In spring, the air warms up quite late - by May. This plays into the hands of skiers. But all tourists are pleased with the abundance of sunny days, and whole meadows of flowers that you can admire. In winter, the Dolomites are a real Mecca for skiers. Perceptible frosts, up to -20-25 C are rare, more often the temperature is kept in the region of -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 see for yourself.
