 Poster: A snowHead
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My Daughters have a huge love in with Italy, ( any time of year) last place we skied there was in Madonna di Campiglio. ( with the girls ,we skied in cervina ourselves recently). I am thinking of the Dolomitri superski area, but what we want is somewhere that is well lift connected. We hate faffing with busses at the end of the day. Night life isn't important but a few places to eat in the evening would be a bonus. There are so many villages in the area, It is hard to choose one. Somewhere to stay that won't bust the bank would be helpful too. Bringing Teenagers skiing is expensive. We are not stuck to that area either, so if you know any other resorts that have varied skiing feel free to suggest them. Ski school is not needed.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cervinia, its big and good lift connections. Terrain is on the easier side, good cruisy resort. It has the added advantage of linking with Zermatt, so you can ski there are well.
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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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Can recommend Selva di Val Gardena - huge linked area within the Sella Ronda. You shouldn't have any faffing with busses, there is plenty of great on-slope restaurants and lots of nice places to eat in the village and there should be enough apres to keep teenagers happy.
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@biddpyat, what sort of accommodation do you prefer? Would you prefer to book a package through a tour operator, or DIY? How would you describe the level of skiing for your group, what grade of pistes do you prefer?
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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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Just returned from Livigno and can really recommend it. Decent skiing, lots of accommodation right on the slopes (we were slightly out of town and could still ski to door and lift from our hotel) and it has the added benefit of being tax free so everything is very cheap. Lots of good shops and restaurants there, cashing in on it's tax free status and this means you can pick up some great bargains if you want new gear, or simply feed the family really reasonably. Living in Switzerland, this was a lovely benefit for us 
I took my wife and 2 of our kids (16 and 12) and we are mixed ability, from total beginner to advanced. There was something for everyone on the slopes and the queues were minimal most days so lots of skiing was possible.
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I have just returned from a few days in Champoluc which is certainly worth considering. Nice village with several hotels within walking distance of the lifts. Skiing is very varied and the links to Gressoney and Alagna are also good. Lots of skiing below the tree line which I always think makes for more scenic skiing. Excellent final run down back to the village at the end of the day with more than 1000m vertical drop. As with many Italian resorts, lots of slopeside restaurants of which the ones we went to were all excellent. Not too far to drive from Geneva and quicker still from Turin if you are somewhere in the UK which has flights to there.
Another option would be to base yourself in Aosta which is an interesting and historic town and ski Pila (directly accessible by gondola from Aosta) and maybe take some day trips to Courmayeur or La Thuile (both about 40 mins drive away) or Cervinia or Champoluc (a bit further).
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| whollymoley wrote: |
I have just returned from a few days in Champoluc which is certainly worth considering. Nice village with several hotels within walking distance of the lifts. Skiing is very varied and the links to Gressoney and Alagna are also good. Lots of skiing below the tree line which I always think makes for more scenic skiing. Excellent final run down back to the village at the end of the day with more than 1000m vertical drop. As with many Italian resorts, lots of slopeside restaurants of which the ones we went to were all excellent. Not too far to drive from Geneva and quicker still from Turin if you are somewhere in the UK which has flights to there.
Another option would be to base yourself in Aosta which is an interesting and historic town and ski Pila (directly accessible by gondola from Aosta) and maybe take some day trips to Courmayeur or La Thuile (both about 40 mins drive away) or Cervinia or Champoluc (a bit further). |
this (Aosta) base is what we are hopefully doing next week, subject to easyjet and Storm Dennis delivering us there...
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If you want no faff, then look at one of the villages in the Alta Badia which have access to the Sella Ronda circuit - Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa, Badia. All very good. Just booked a 2* beautiful hotel, half board for 67euro/night per person for next Feb half term. There are lots of options there! The Tourist board website I have found the best place to search for accommodation. The standard of accommodation there is superb. A 2* hotel is more like a high 3* elsewhere. We have skied and walked a lot in the area. However, I now need advise about car hire after our car hire disaster at Venice Airport last Feb half term!
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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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@gaschick,
care to share? looking for a cheap break next dec/jan & fancy italy.
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We stayed here last Feb Half term www.ustariaposta.it
You can literally see the end of the lift from the Ustaria. It's run by Igor, who's family set up the Maratona de Dolomiti bike sportive. He also runs the Dolimites holiday company. Very comfortable 2* accommodation. We stayed in two rooms half board.
For next half term, I have found here:
www.pensionrungg.it
Again, listed as a 2* with the local tourist office in Alta Badia, but not quite sure why. Again, we are staying in two rooms half board.
Don't tell anyone else though....
https://www.altabadia.org/en/alta-badia-tourist-offices.html
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| PeakyB wrote: |
| @biddpyat, what sort of accommodation do you prefer? Would you prefer to book a package through a tour operator, or DIY? How would you describe the level of skiing for your group, what grade of pistes do you prefer? |
we usually DIY, hire a car at the airport drive to the area, don't mind hotels or apartments, with family though self catering apartments are usually easier. We all ski well, capable of icy blacks, fairly good on moguls,. Hate cat tracks and crowded blues.
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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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Folks you are all brilliant, thanks so much for your help . Great to have people tell us about their experience in a resort as we can make informed decisions. ( imagine I am already planning for next year, we are not long home from doing the ski welt in Austria).
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Monterosa probably a good choice, easy transfers/drives from (in order, Turin, Malpensa, Linate). Champoluc liveliest: several hotels in town near the lifts, excellent (I hear) TO if desired in shape of Ski2). V. good restaurants: Lo Bistrot, Le Sapin (best steaks I've had in the Alps), l'Essential (prawn carpaccio anyone?), ... couple of Apres bars, etc.
Skiing not massively entensive, but varied, I mean, how extensive do you need. Wife's father born there so she's done, oh, I don't know, guessing 250+ weeks there? Immaculately groomed pistes typically but also semi-controlled off pistes above Gressoney (avvy kit required).
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You know it makes sense.
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@biddpyat, given your confident level of skiing, I think Arabba would work well for you.
Fairly easy drive from Venice’s airports. Very well positioned for Sella Ronda access, either direction. Plenty accommodation choice of the type you describe.
Alta Badia villages would work well too, as mentioned above.
Piste skiing is excellent and the scenery stunning.
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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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@biddypat Having listed your likes and dislikes, I concur. I would recommend Champoluc over Gressony for you, having skied in Champoluc extensively, as well as the Alta Badia, and Selva, Cortina etc. However, imho, the standard of, and ease of getting an apartment in the Dolomites is much easier than the Aosta valley as there is way more accommodation on offer. The skiing is generally harder and way more off piste in the Aosta valley. But they don’t have any World Cup down hill runs to try your hand at!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| PeakyB wrote: |
@biddpyat, given your confident level of skiing, I think Arabba would work well for you.
Fairly easy drive from Venice’s airports. Very well positioned for Sella Ronda access, either direction. Plenty accommodation choice of the type you describe.
Alta Badia villages would work well too, as mentioned above.
Piste skiing is excellent and the scenery stunning.
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Sorry! Forgot the many holidays that I have spent in Arrabba. Nice steep icy, shady slopes (if that’s your bag!). Treviso to Arrabba may be the shortest transfer
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| PeakyB wrote: |
@biddpyat, given your confident level of skiing, I think Arabba would work well for you.
Fairly easy drive from Venice’s airports. Very well positioned for Sella Ronda access, either direction. Plenty accommodation choice of the type you describe.
Alta Badia villages would work well too, as mentioned above.
Piste skiing is excellent and the scenery stunning.
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Sorry! Forgot the many holidays that I have spent in Arrabba. Nice steep icy, shady slopes (if that’s your bag!). Treviso to Arrabba may be the shortest transfer
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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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Definitely Selva- loads of options for days out in different directions.
After we’d been there found Cervinia really scruffy when we went back
Mountain huts are amazing in the Dolomites- table service, great food and clean toilets
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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In the Dolimites I'd suggest Selva Val Gardena or Arabba as the best options. The Alta Badia region is a cruisy blue slope paradise which from the sound of it isn't really what you're after.
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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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Arabba will be a great base. If you really want to explore the wilds of the Dolomites you might have to get a bus (ski the Hidden valley and get a tow back from the horses!) but my real favourite is Sauze. Great for teenagers as there are bars and clubs to apres-ski so plenty of youngsters, plus great mountain restaurants for lunch. Downside is the fairly antiquated lift system - slow 2-man chairs etc but the sheer variety of skiing, apart from toe-curling blacks, will see you skiing somewhere different every day. Skied Sauze 10+ times now and know it well, skied the Dolomites 4 X but would guess I only know 15% well... And the complaints you might hear about lack if piste-ing in Sauze, well i see that as a bonus, especially after it snows
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Altair nadia has ski gastro tour, local dishesxatvreasinable prices
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If you stay in Selva make sure you can walk to a lift. The skibuses are ... present, but aren't very efficient unless you're staying right on the main drag. And you will pay for the privilege of walking to lift...
Having been now three times to Selva I think it's probably the best located village on the Sella Ronda, but TBH the actual skiing close by is just OK. But you can get halfway around the Sella Ronda in less than 2 hours, easily. So a day out in Corvara or Arabba is easy. And then you have the Secada and Alpe di Suisi.
IMO Colfosco or Corvara are also well placed. Colfosco in particular, even though the local "area" is rather smallish, has modern and fast connections in both directions.
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