 Poster: A snowHead
|
| shiva_71 wrote: |
| @wib, how i go about finding places is to google for example "Ortsei garni pension" then look at the results on Google maps and contact them one by one. I get the impression many of these places are not listed on booking.com or other platforms and ive always been able to find something. Sorry if im stating the obvious here! |
Hey, the obvious is not always blindingly so. Thanks for the top tip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| wib wrote: |
| What can anyone tell me about Ortisei? Thinking about heading there - flights to Innsbruck 29/02 - 03/02. Skied Alta Badia many years ago and fancy a return by way of a change to Zillertal/Ski Welt. 5 (ahem!) older guys who really don't care for sharing and also wonder if the current difficulties I am having finding accommodation will improve nearer the date. We often get mails apologising that they have nothing available only to receive mails near to departure saying they have miraculously found room. Would really welcome comments from you guys. |
Search for Ortsei in Google maps, zoom in or out as required
then type hotel or hotels in g maps search bar, you should see hotels listed as red dots on the map.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Last day here for this trip. Thoroughly enjoyed first visit to the Dolomites. Skied to Marmalada today. Great day and lovely views up there.
Looked like some clouds building above northern peaks as the sun was setting. First clouds we have seen all week.
Will definitely be back to the Dolomites in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Yes, a dusting from the North today and...
...it looks like the Med storm is appoaching from the SW and will hit Italy over the next day or two, but sadly heavy snow is only forecast for NW Italy where it may dump 50+cm. Some parts of the Dolomites may get another dusting out of it, the Pre-alps to the South a bit more, but the High now centred over Hungary looks like preventing a deeper eastward incursion.
Map shows areas likely to get snow over next 5-6 days
http://www.bergfex.com/schneevorhersage/?t=0_144
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
A dusting of snow on the rooftops of Cortina and upper reaches of Kronplatz this morning, but none further S in Arabba, looks like areas closest to the Austrian border benefited most. Let's see if anything makes it up from the SW today & tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Webcams are showing a 'tiny' dusting in arabba village - might be more higher up?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| albob wrote: |
| Webcams are showing a 'tiny' dusting in arabba village - might be more higher up? |
Selva webcams are showing a light dusting today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Bit of a warm up. But at least it is a dry warm up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| albob wrote: |
| Webcams are showing a 'tiny' dusting in arabba village - might be more higher up? |
Just a dusting also higher up. But pistes are plenty and in excelent condition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| albob wrote: |
| Webcams are showing a 'tiny' dusting in arabba village - might be more higher up? |
I was straining my eyes trying to see it...I guess I need to go to Specsavers!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| luigi wrote: |
| albob wrote: |
| Webcams are showing a 'tiny' dusting in arabba village - might be more higher up? |
I was straining my eyes trying to see it...I guess I need to go to Specsavers!! |
It could have been 'frost' !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We're in Selva on Jan 20th, no panic yet. Our kids are working in Verbier, conditions are not great there currently .
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Mollerski, you may have the misfortune to encounter us as we will be in Sankt Vigilio that week. But we will be making excursions to "Hidden Valley" and also Sella Ronda and probably Marmolada. We will be recognisable from the SnowHead buffs plus kilts - at least on Burns Night
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
@JohnHSmith, We'll be kicking around the SR and may pop up the Marmolada, but in 18yrs of visiting the area, I've never found that bl@@dy valley! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
@Mollerski, Now you know why they call it 'Hidden' !
Ski to Armentarola (next to San Cassiano), take bus/taxi to Lagazuoi, top of cable car is the start of Hidden valley.
Lagazuoi was part of the Front line is the First World War and has an interesting museum
http://www.rifugiolagazuoi.com/indexUK.php
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Mollerski wrote: |
| @JohnHSmith, We'll be kicking around the SR and may pop up the Marmolada, but in 18yrs of visiting the area, I've never found that bl@@dy valley! |
It's definitely worth doing as long as you choose a clear sunny day, the scenery is spectacular even by Dolomite standards. Worth walking up the steps to the terrace of the Rifugio Lagazuoi above the cablecar station for the full panorama.
Great place for lunch in a sun-trap at Rifugio Scotoni two-thirds of the way down. Horse-tow at the end is an experience too.
It's a fair old trip there & back from Selva and there's always the unknown factor of queues when it's busy. You can wait 45mins for the cablecar when it's busy, usually on a first sunny day after bad weather, so give yourselves plenty of time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
@luigi, As my hard charging pals can't make this one, I may just make the effort this year. When the kids used to come with us, it was never their bag. Ripping the mountain up and snowparks were what they were about. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Italy struggled last year. Having a much better start (in some parts) this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Mollerski wrote: |
| @JohnHSmith, We'll be kicking around the SR and may pop up the Marmolada, but in 18yrs of visiting the area, I've never found that bl@@dy valley! |
That's cos it's not in Selva mun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Whitegold wrote: |
| Italy struggled last year. Having a much better start (in some parts) this year. |
Yes, NW Italy seems to be having a great start to the season this year.
Many areas in the Dolomites have extensive snowmaking though and have been able to open many, many kms both this year and last, despite the snow droughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| GlasgowCyclops wrote: |
| pjd wrote: |
Got the usual problem of trying to find a car hire company in Italy that offers winter tyres. I emailed Europcar which offered a package last year with such tyres, but got a dismissive response along the lines that they only offer this facility in countries where they are compulsory.
Don't suppose anyone is aware of any positive developments here with other car hire companies in Italy? |
If you fly into Venice, all cars are fitted with winter tyres (of a sort) by law. This was not the case a few years ago but I believe it change three years ago to be mandatory. Last year I confirmed it with Avis.
However, the Ford Kuga they provided had M+S tyres which they said were winter snow tyres. Now I don't want to get into a debate on tyres but M+S are NOT proper winter tyres but they are good enough and you may want to consider a backup of chains-hire as well. I had these on my Landrover freelander and you would slide at slow speeds in light-snow on a hill. However, my Honda Accord with proper winter tyres was flawless. So it may be worth while sending an email to confirm if there are winter tyres or M+S.
regards
Bob |
I've been hiring a car in Venice for years. The new winterised law means either winter tyres or snow chains. Very few companies seem to want to let you have winter tyres. So if you want winter tyres book well ahead, make sure you have it in writing and be prepared to pay a fortune. And check the snow chains are the right size for the car. 2 years ago I got caught on an icy corner in the dark with chains that were too small for the car. Nightmare.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| Mollerski wrote: |
| @JohnHSmith, We'll be kicking around the SR and may pop up the Marmolada, but in 18yrs of visiting the area, I've never found that bl@@dy valley! |
The run starts off at Lagazuoi. The run is basically Lagazuoi to Armentarola. It isn't a run that takes all day, so you can do some extra skiing around the Lagazuoi end (Cinqui Torre area perhaps) or at the Armentarola end (lots of nice easy cruisey blues around San Cassiano) or visit the museum near Lagazuoi. Or just have a very very leisurely lunch at Scotoni's half way down.
You have to get to Armentarola first and you can do that by bus. Or by taxi from Arraba / San Cassiano and other places. Once you have done the run, there are buses and taxis back to Lagazuoi and elsewhere.
In the week that we spend at Sankt Vigilio we will do a day at Marmolada, a day doing Sella Ronda and a day at Hidden Valley plus either Cinque Torre or San Cassiano depending on the make up of our group that day
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've done the Hidden Valley several times over the last few years and each time it has been more crowded, so much so that last time my group said let's not bother again for a while. Had to queue for ages for a bus at Armentarola, then again for the cable car, letting about five go before we could get on, then the top narrow bit was like the whacky races with people weaving in and out. Tried to get lunch at Scotinis but it was too rammed. The run is undoubtedly beautiful but my advice would be to do it as early in the day as you can before the crowds start arriving.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
This will be our first time in the Dolomites staying in La Villa (ski days mon-sat) skiing over half term. Do you think Saturday would be best to tackle the hidden valley? I was going to use Saturday to do the sella Ronda but now unsure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| mini_mo wrote: |
| This will be our first time in the Dolomites staying in La Villa (ski days mon-sat) skiing over half term. Do you think Saturday would be best to tackle the hidden valley? I was going to use Saturday to do the Sella Ronda but now unsure. |
pjd has it right. It does get busy and there are queues to get out at the end. At Scotoni's you might have to wait a while for a table (but there is an adjoining unreserved area which if I remember rightly is self service with a reduced menu). But it's worth doing and the scenery is spectacular.
I don't know how it will be on a Saturday. It ought to be quieter as it's going to be changeover day for many, but you will probably find more weekend Italians etc there.
As pjd says, get there early, snack at Scotoni's, spend the afternoon at Cinque Torri or in the bowl between San Cassiano and Corvara
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| mini_mo wrote: |
| This will be our first time in the Dolomites staying in La Villa (ski days mon-sat) skiing over half term. Do you think Saturday would be best to tackle the hidden valley? I was going to use Saturday to do the sella Ronda but now unsure. |
Your first challenge will be to beat the queue for the Piz La Ila gondola out of La Villa - this gets rammed especially around ski school start times. However if I remember correctly Saturday was the least busy day for this lift in the morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
We often straddle the weekend when in the area and I'd say that Saturday is the least busiest day of the week for skiing. There are lots of changeovers - you just have to look at the vast streams of cars pouring in and out of the villages for evidence of that - and the area isn't near any particularly large population centres to attract day trippers which, in my experience, tend to be limited mostly to coaches for ski clubs coming up from the Po valley and to a lesser extent Austria and Bavaria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
| marshall wrote: |
| GlasgowCyclops wrote: |
| pjd wrote: |
Got the usual problem of trying to find a car hire company in Italy that offers winter tyres. I emailed Europcar which offered a package last year with such tyres, but got a dismissive response along the lines that they only offer this facility in countries where they are compulsory.
Don't suppose anyone is aware of any positive developments here with other car hire companies in Italy? |
If you fly into Venice, all cars are fitted with winter tyres (of a sort) by law. This was not the case a few years ago but I believe it change three years ago to be mandatory. Last year I confirmed it with Avis.
However, the Ford Kuga they provided had M+S tyres which they said were winter snow tyres. Now I don't want to get into a debate on tyres but M+S are NOT proper winter tyres but they are good enough and you may want to consider a backup of chains-hire as well. I had these on my Landrover freelander and you would slide at slow speeds in light-snow on a hill. However, my Honda Accord with proper winter tyres was flawless. So it may be worth while sending an email to confirm if there are winter tyres or M+S.
regards
Bob |
I've been hiring a car in Venice for years. The new winterised law means either winter tyres or snow chains. Very few companies seem to want to let you have winter tyres. So if you want winter tyres book well ahead, make sure you have it in writing and be prepared to pay a fortune. And check the snow chains are the right size for the car. 2 years ago I got caught on an icy corner in the dark with chains that were too small for the car. Nightmare. |
Yes, that my experience last year, we were offered cars with winter tyres at Marco Polo, but the extra fees quoted were about €45-50 per day on top of the £21 per day we had already paid, so tripling the overall cost!! So we took the car we had booked with chains in the boot...and thankfully didn't need them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Dry, high pressure but at least the humidity should continue to be low helping to preserve the runs and enabling snow making in the marginal temperatures. Kronplatz is currently only 19% water content at 1220m. Light wind but temperature is 5.6C.
Should be great skiing weather. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
So do you think the hidden valley or the Sella Ronda would be better on the departing half term Saturday which will be the 18th when everyone's leaving rather than arriving?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Personally I'd go for the Sella Ronda @mini_mo. It's a great experience if you haven't done it before - wonderful scenery with changing views of the Sella Massif, varied and long runs, and the sense of fun in doing a round trip. There are bottlenecks during the week which should be much reduced on a Saturday. The HV is very good but it's just one run. If I were in your shoes I'd just get up very early one morning to do the HV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
Now reporting 900kms and 383 lifts open
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
