 Poster: A snowHead
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@halfhand, Are all your party decent skiers?
My timings are based on a steady journey with intermediates and regular pauses to regroup. Faster skiers could easily cut an hour or more off the timings
Definitely plan for an early start.
It might depend also on your proximity to the Dantercepies lift. I timed that last year (to see if I had time for another loop) at 20 minutes.
If you can't easily get directly to it, then maybe book a taxi?
No doubt you will be having a few days out, and probably completing the Sella Ronda, so maybe time yourself to a couple places beforehand. Your time to Corvara and back to the top of Passo Gardena is probably the extra time you need to allow for the round trip.
La Villa is worth a day out (I'd recommend adding an excursion to Santa Croce). Similar distance and timings to Armentarola, so would be a good guide. Or just ski over to Armentarola one day to see how long it takes, and then enjoy Alta Badia?
If you feel that you would have 2 hours to spare, then it would be doable.
The Cinque Tori section can easily be done in 1 hour.
Skip lunch until you get back to Badia.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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?
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@brianatab, @Hurtle, I confess the second time I went past, I was using the crowd as slalom poles and having a bit of fun zig-zagging through them. That’s why I only stopped after I past the crowd, then realizing why the crowd was there. 
Though “to be brutally honest”, I had no need to take more photos the second time through anyway…
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@brianatab, Yes we're pretty decent on piste and can get a lick on if needed. It can be a little difficult to get a couple of the lads out of bed before 9. Thanks for the tips though, much appreciated.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I like quick chairs without queues in preference to anything (obviously) When you ride an old chair - like the one in Solden on the way back from the glacier - it’s just painful. I will ski a run quicker than a quick chair goes back up so I’d rather spend as little time as possible in one.
But yes, queues matter too, but even fairly sizeable queues don’t take nearly as long as you think - rarely over 5mins anywhere in the resorts I’ve been to.
I’d take a poma or T but these are slower than slow chairs, so only if necessary.
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I’m also going to selva this month with Crystal ski, I’ve heard they do an away day trip to the hidden valley and kronplatz, anyone with any experience of this? Or would I be better doing these trips off my own back?
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Maybe depends how good your piste navigational skills are, @rizzotherock. When I did the hidden valley I just followed someone who knew his way round really well, which greatly added to the enjoyment.
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There is a (small) short cut going over the Alta Badia plateau that would save a bit of time IF run 10A is open. I just checked and it is currently shut, I think it often is, although I’ve used it so it does open sometimes.
I presume the usual route from Borest is Costes de l’Ega, through the village to Col Alt, down to Braia Fraida, down 14?
I think the fastest route then would be up Ciampai, then 10A?
The next best choice for me would be splitting left after the 1st pitch of 14 down to La Fraina, then taking 11. La Fraina has always been very quiet IME, don’t remember a queue in 1/2 term week and the lift was shut for most of my last week there, in April. I presume this is the usual route.
Third choice would be taking Biok then 10, which is also currently shut. Biok has invariably been the busiest lift around there IME, it’s the best choice for heading back to Corvara and the SR.
I’ve been to quite a few of the restaurants around here and they have all been great, La Utia indoors (it was snowing heavily), Biok outside (big deck), La Brancia (both indoors and out, great views), Las Vegas (outdoors in light snow so it must have been busy inside). I haven’t eaten at Pralongia but do know that the toilet there doesn’t involve stairs!
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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.
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@rizzotherock,If crystal do a day trip, it's unlikely to be by coach. It will take a couple of hours each way from Selva. More likely it will be a guided ski trip. Much quicker.
But you can do it yourself. If you can navigate your way to Armentarola, then the hidden valley is easy. Just follow everybody to the car park for the bus.
Be careful on the way down blue 11. Keep to the right, then right again. It's easy to miss the turn if you're on the wrong side and you have to repeat the loop from San Cass.
Useful map here.
https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/dam/jcr:b654909f-8e83-47fb-acc2-a1798bd83d05/Alta_Badia_WEB.pdf
From the top of Lazagoi, you go over the back of the ridge. Right turn is to Cinque Tori, left is hidden valley. Only one route. When you get back to Armentarola, take the short drag, which takes you above the nursery slopes and over to San Cassiano. From there, it's pretty straightforward back to Corvara. Well sign posted.
If you want to go to Kronplatz, then head for La Villa. Red 17 takes you to a short chair to the car park, and is quicker than the black, which has a short lift, but brings you to the wrong side of the car park.
There is also the blue, which runs from the bottom of Bambi lift 6. I've never taken it. Some say it's flat, but the guy from Ustaria Posta uses if regularly. Take the run over to Badia and get the bus. I always aim to get a bus back between 2.30 and 3pm. Gives you a good 2-3 hours in Kronplatz.
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| rizzotherock wrote: |
| I’m also going to selva this month with Crystal ski, I’ve heard they do an away day trip to the hidden valley and kronplatz, anyone with any experience of this? Or would I be better doing these trips off my own back? |
We did their excursion to Cortina back in 2018 and it was well worth doing .
An early start in Selva (8 am from memory), coach round to Cortina and they drop you at the bottom of the Roncato chair .
We had maybe 3 to 4 hours here (plenty of time to ski the area and have lunch).
Coach then dropped us at bottom of Laguzoi cable car and we had around 60 minutes to ski the hidden valley.
Make sure you do the red run back to laguzoi lift before doing the valley run though if the lift queue is not too long , it’s a cracker and never anyone on it..
Coach then picks up again from end of horse tow and brings you home.
We have done kronplatz under our own steam on a later holiday and if were to choose one it would be the Cortina trip.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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There are so many different maps I’ve seen of the Sella Ronda area. Is there a “best” one or does it depend where you are on the Sella Ronda (I will be in Selva)
I usually find ski resorts easy to get round, mostly from an engineering brain that means things are easy in 3D, but it looks like Sella Ronda is going to be a challenge… maybe I will actually have to use maps.
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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.
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It's cos the area is so huge. When you see the single map for the whole thing it becomes tricky to decipher.
My suggestion is usually to get the San Cassiano / Alta Badia area map (to help with working out what's up and what's down in that mass of blues) as well as the map for whichever area you are staying in.
Other than that all you need to know really is the main loop. Follow either orange or green signs and just be aware of where your village is on the loop.
Don't really need a map. It's all very well signed.
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@buchanan101, each different area on the SR has it’s own paper piste map.
One side shows the whole SR and is the same for all the areas. The reverse shows a more detailed map for the area you are in.
So the Arabba map is different from the Selva map on one side only. It’s worth trying to pick up an Arabba, or Corvara, map when you are in that area.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@rizzotherock, it’s a good few years since we did the crystal day trip to the hidden valley (from Selva). It has obviously changed now as it takes in Kronplatz, but, when we did it a bus collected us from the hotel and took us to cinque torri for a few hours then on to the hidden valley after that. Then, I think but can’t remember for definite, the bud picked us up after the horse drag and took us to the first tow to access the SR.
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Poster: A snowHead
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In the past, I've downloaded and laminated copies of various areas areas, only to find that they had not been updated from previous years.
The online maps of the whole Sella Ronda are really difficult to work from due to the scale. Many of them don't stay in focus if you magnify them too much. Definitely worth getting a paper one when you get there and having a look to orientate yourself.
The Sella Ronda routes are well marked, albeit one or two of the signs could be a tad larger. If you intend going off for a day just off the main circuit, it's worth looking at an online map for the area beforehand, but also picking up a paper version when you arrive for the additional clarity of scale.
This would particularly apply to Cortina, Kronplatz, Atla Badia and Alpe Di Siuzi. Particularly the latter to clarify which direction some of the lifts run.  ( T shirts!!)
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@dode,
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it’s a good few years since we did the crystal day trip to the hidden valley (from Selva). It has obviously changed now as it takes in Kronplatz, but, when we did it a bus collected us from the hotel and took us to cinque torri for a few hours then on to the hidden valley after that. Then, I think but can’t remember for definite, the bud picked us up after the horse drag and took us to the first tow to access the SR.
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That's a common trip offered by coach / minibus providers. Other than the last bit as, after the horse rope tow, although there's a few minutes flat poling alongside buildings and a stream, it's not very far to the drag lift to access SR.
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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?
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| Quote: |
It is a great pity that Dolomitisuperski dropped the 3d map they used to have on their website - the current attempt is atrocious....
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The downloadable 3d map and viewer still works for me but I don't know if it's still available to new users.
https://www.altabadia.org/en/winter-holidays/italian-alps/3d-map.html
The open / closed piste info doesn't work anymore but the map is great.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Doesn't seem to work...can't download the program or map. never mind, thanks for your help
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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The other option is the 3D Reality Maps App on Android or Apple. Handy if you have an ipad or similar. They're the original producer of the map and their standard app has the dolomites which you can use with paying anything. You only need the paid option if you want to track your routes, etc.
Oddly it's not as good as the PC version with occasional bits of piste missing but on the whole its not bad.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm studying the area on Fatmap. Works well.
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| olderscot wrote: |
The other option is the 3D Reality Maps App on Android or Apple. Handy if you have an ipad or similar. They're the original producer of the map and their standard app has the dolomites which you can use with paying anything. You only need the paid option if you want to track your routes, etc.
Oddly it's not as good as the PC version with occasional bits of piste missing but on the whole its not bad. |
Just downloaded it... really good thanks!
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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.
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@sheffskibod, They did - it was during Covid, so you could avoid the busier lifts etc
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Any recommendations for restaurants in Selva? I'm sure it'll be hard to find a poor restaurant but personal recommendations welcome.
We arrive on 28th Jan and I was thinking of booking somewhere rather than traipsing around town on spec. Our apartment is Weissenheim, Col de La Lech. Not sure where these are in relation to town centre but google maps say 6mins walk to Nives lift and 20mins walk to Dantercepies lift.
Cheers
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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If you are in weisenheim apartments my top tip would be to rent your gear at ski Walter and rent one of their ski lockers right opposite the Nives lift.
It’s a fair walk uphill to Nives from your apartment.
Nives drag (plus a second one unless they changed it) gets you up to dantercepies or you can ski through town to Ciampanoi.
The only place we ate in town was La Bula and it was excellent (on three occasions) but booking essential. We were always half board and ate lunches mostly on the mountain.
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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.
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Some years ago I stayed at the Hotel Armin and the food there was very good. I think their restaurant (Armin's Grillstube) is open to non-residents.
If you go for apres-ski in the Luislkeller then I believe they also do some food including pizzas.....
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@sheffskibod, @Alastair Pink, Thanks both, much appreciated.
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You know it makes sense.
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@pam w, @brianatab, @sheffskibod, @dode, @PeakyB, thanks for the advice, it’ll be my first time here and travelling solo so will probably take the Crystal trip to be on the safe side.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Absolutely defer to those who recommend where to stay etc but dear god if you’re going to Italy to ski then don’t do self-catering.
The food from the snowheads trips both at the hotel and on mountain is fantastic and i include the day trips to other venues to ski. Eat out or go half board, but self cater in Italy - never!!!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Agent Orange, Whilst we have a self-catering apartment, we will be eating out, hence my request for info on restaurants. Have you any recommendations for Selva?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| halfhand wrote: |
| @Agent Orange, Whilst we have a self-catering apartment, we will be eating out, hence my request for info on restaurants. Have you any recommendations for Selva? |
Yes this would be useful! We are going to be in the Arcadia where the food from pictures looks amazing but quite expensive. Expect Selva ain’t going to be cheap.
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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?
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| Alastair Pink wrote: |
If you go for apres-ski in the Luislkeller then I believe they also do some food including pizzas..... |
I've not seen anyone eating down there for a few years now and besides, it's way too rowdy for a decent meal. You're as likely to have five people dancing on your table.  SC has never been for me, but I'd think about perhaps a good lunch (which is hard to avoid) and maybe a lighter bar snack type evening meal.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| sheffskibod wrote: |
| If you are in weisenheim . |
The Weisenheim is nextdoor but one to the ski school bar (Saltos). It could hardly be closer to the centre of town. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| buchanan101 wrote: |
| There are so many different maps I’ve seen of the Sella Ronda area.. |
As previously mentioned, it's very well signposted. As you exit each lift station, the SR signs will be obvious to keep you on track.
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| Mollerski wrote: |
| sheffskibod wrote: |
| If you are in weisenheim . |
The Weisenheim is nextdoor but one to the ski school bar (Saltos). It could hardly be closer to the centre of town. |
Sorry I assumed the SH meant Wesseinheim apartments which is definitely not in the centre of town
Weissenheim apartments
https://maps.app.goo.gl/w873TAa6EFNMpf7Y8?g_st=ic
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| Mollerski wrote: |
| Alastair Pink wrote: |
If you go for apres-ski in the Luislkeller then I believe they also do some food including pizzas..... |
I've not seen anyone eating down there for a few years now and besides, it's way too rowdy for a decent meal. You're as likely to have five people dancing on your table. SC has never been for me, but I'd think about perhaps a good lunch (which is hard to avoid) and maybe a lighter bar snack type evening meal. |
Maybe Alistair meant to say the Kronestube which is street level above the rowdy downstairs Luiskeller ?
Kronestube is a lovely place with table service , beer and food served by ladies in traditional outfits - no table dancing. I have only had beer and a snack in there so can’t comment on evening meals.
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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.
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@sheffskibod, Blimey! That's practically St. Christina!! 
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| Mollerski wrote: |
| @sheffskibod, Blimey! That's practically St. Christina!! |
That’s why I suggested OP uses ski depot at ski Walter
I can’t see another weisenheim ?
Our ski friends stayed in weisenheim apartments with Crystal back in 2019 and liked it (great value) but said using the ski depot was a life saver otherwise it’s a trek to and from nearest lift.
They could potter up in apres boots and when finished , dump skis and boots back at depot and head straight off for apres !
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FAQ
