 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi there all
Dolomites virgin here
Going for new year week as group of 9 based Canazei
Usually Morzine/ Zermatt
Kids from 9-17 included and ski schools duly booked
Looking for itineraries for ski circuits getting us back by 4 ish for adults so we can do pick ups
Red runs our mainstay like cruising ,lunchtime pit stops with class food and views .
Have read a lot re ski runs and though hidden valley looks promising and beautiful ,looking for tips re long runs relatively accessible to us
Ski panaroma looks good and might try on first day New Year’s Eve
Alta Badia also promising area
Odd bus or taxi ok as long as wait isn’t extreme
Also any recommendations for New Year’s Eve celebration dinner gratefully accepted we are staying in a spot called Al sole near ish to pecol gondola ..
Thanks , grazie ,sláinte 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've only been the once so my input to this is a bit limited, but i would highly recommend picking an area to ski to and explore rather than just doing the Sella Ronda loop. Do the loop once perhaps but you spend most of your time on lifts and short runs to the next lift. Alta Badia had the best skiing for us, Marmolada is at least a full day there and back but you can be queuing for the gondolas for that for 30+ minutes, it is well organised though. Various places to stop and eat on the way back, busy so book in advance if in a big group. I found Selva to be the prettiest station, definitely worth a lunch pit stop over that way.
The whole area has really nice vibe about it, bit of a older crowd compared to other places and most of the terrain is pretty easy intermediate skiing.
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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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Well the obvious routes are the Sella Ronda, in both direction. Hidden Valley, you might be pushing it to get back for a 4pm pick up.
It's worth skiing to Pozza and back for what will likely be a much quieter area vs the Sella Ronda area.
Alta Badia, the slopes around Corvara and San Cassiano are lovely, cruisey pistes. Well worth skiing.
Round at Colfosco, you have a lovely area, up by the Edelweiß hütte, just off the main Sella Ronda route, that's well worth a visit also.
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It's a stunning spot! 
But it won't be as empty as this at New Year, it's gonna be busy at the Pecol gondola until the Italians go back to work on the 2nd.
The Russians used to be there in numbers all that week due to Orthodox Christmas dates, but I guess they won't be there this year, so that might relieve the pressure.
Echoing @swskier, it should be quieter on the Panorama section between Alba & Pozza. You need to catch the skibus up to Alba to save faffing up and down lifts.
Lots of cruisey reds and blues around the Sella Ronda. I guess you need to do the whole circuit once if it's your first time, whether clockwise or anti-clockwise, but it's best used as a way to get to other quieter areas.
Above Arabba on the Porta Vescovo side there are some testing runs and it can be a bit queter over the Passo Padon towards the Marmolada.
Alta Badia has gentler terrain with long sweeping blues from Pralongia to San Cassiano. The runs around La Vizza can be quieter.
Edelweiss Valley above Colfosco is an interesting diversion, with amazing views from Forcelles hut or the Col Pradat restaurant.
I agree you would be pushing it to get to the Hidden Valley from Canazei during a busy week, particularly if you don't know the route and you have a deadline. It's a shame as it's one of the highlights of the area.
Over in Val Gardena, the Seceda area is a beautiful sunny bowl with lots of nice eateries with big sunny terraces. I like Baita Daniel. You should be getting a fair bit of change if you're used to Zermatt pricing!
Best pizzas for the kids are at Baita Fredarola which is just off the back of Belvedere bowl before you drop down towards Arabba. Nice slabs of meat for the carnivores too
There have been numerous threads about the Sella Ronda eateries on here. Some specialise, but basically they are all good standard and reasonably priced by alpine standards, so it's often just a case of stopping when you're hungry and you see one that takes your fancy.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@luigi, Fredarola looks nothing like your photo now. The building is now stunning! 
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@Snowbird22, for what it's worth, in the past, i've done bus from Pozza to Canazei, first Gondola up, over to the hidden valley and back, and skied right back over to Pozza all in a day. This was pre the lift down to Alba, when you used to have to take the bus there from Canazei. So getting to hidden valley and back by 4 is doable, but, you need to be quick, and know where you're going. Our trip also included lunch in the hidden valley as well.
That said, I still wouldn't recommend it if you have a 4pm kid collection.
Perhaps you could split on 2 days with the other adults and separately go over there, while the other 2 collect all the kids?
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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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my 2p worth
1) Sella Ronda either way with a diversion and lunch is easy in 6hrs (assuming kids lessons are 10-4), maybe go anti clockwise first as you will have to go the take the route which is also the way to Marmolada and Hidden Valley so will help get your bearings (Arabba can be a bit confusing).
2) We did Marmolada in a day from Canazei without any issues but that was not in holiday time, be prepared to wait in the queue for the cable car to the top but it moved quite quickly
3) I'd recommend a day over to the Seceda area in Val Gardena and especially the La Longia run, 10 km of heaven, frozen waterfall, great views etc - our favourite run in the area, I prefer it to the Hidden valley
4) Hidden valley is normally very doable in a day but maybe wait until you've got know the area a bit as the Pralongia area of Alta Badia can be a bit confusing with lots of blues criss crossing - triple check that the cable car is open before jumping in the shared taxi as it often closes when windy. If you spend some time in Alta Badia a day or so before attempting HV you can pop down the Armentarola piste to find the taxi point and see what the queue is like. If you're unlucky you can spend 45 mins waiting for a taxi, then the same waiting for the cable car and just miss a horse tow so more waiting there.
Great food at Rifugio Pralongia in Alta Badia
SR Tips -
the signage is generally very good but a couple of times you see signs to something like 'alternative SR', this means an alternative via black pistes so if you see these and you want to stay on the red just keep heading downhill... (IIRC this can happen in Arabba and nr Plan de Gralba - between Canazei and Selva)
FWIW we are leisurely skiers, experience says 4 hrs to do the SR but that's with the odd sidetrack plus coffee and cake stops rather than a leisurely lunch. So you have a few hours for lunch or an explore without too much rushing around. You can do it much quicker.
If remotely breezy check the lift status and be prepared to turn around or change plans if the winds gets up, it only needs one lift to close on the SR and you can be stuck one pass away from your destination but having to ski all the way back or get a taxi.
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Thanks again for all the info .. probably will notice on ski lifts but as a general rule what time they close early Jan ? Am guessing 415 -430 ish ?getting excited now .. and studying the maps with gusto .. area does seem vast ..tho perhaps not as connected as Portes du Soleil .. although few buses also taken there particularly the avoriaz side ..
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@richb67, thanks for tips ! Particularly wrt the alternative sella Ronda .. could give it a whirl .. but not sure everyone would appreciate a difficult black run and may bring a young teen with me for a day mid week ..and the pralongia stop at rifugio sounds good and not too long a slog back to Belvedere area 
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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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In my opinion, a much better day out than the Hidden Valley is Santa Croce, much quieter, no queues, very quiet slopes, may be a bit far out though if you’re pushed for time.
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| Mollerski wrote: |
| @luigi, Fredarola looks nothing like your photo now. The building is now stunning! |
They have kept sprucing it up over the years, exterior revamps and interior refits, new bits tacked on, but sounds like this is a complete rebuild.
It always had potential with its spectacular perch position above the valley and views across to the Gran Vernel and Marmolada
I just hope it hasn't gone too much upmarket, you couldn't beat a 30cm Margherita for €4.50 back in the day.
The rustic charm of the ramshackle old building belied the Neapolitan melt-in-mouth perfection that came out of their wood-fired oven.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Snowbird22 wrote: |
| Thanks again for all the info .. probably will notice on ski lifts but as a general rule what time they close early Jan ? Am guessing 415 -430 ish ?getting excited now .. and studying the maps with gusto .. area does seem vast ..tho perhaps not as connected as Portes du Soleil .. although few buses also taken there particularly the avoriaz side .. |
You can usually ski down from Belvedere to the village on the Del Bosco piste, the piste ends not too far from the Al Sole.
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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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| sealey wrote: |
| In my opinion, a much better day out than the Hidden Valley is Santa Croce, much quieter, no queues, very quiet slopes, may be a bit far out though if you’re pushed for time. |
I almost mentioned Santa Croce! we like it but it is a quiet but very pretty cul de sac not the adventure of the HV with taxis, horse tows etc. If the OP did a day around AB it would easily be tagged on. I also like that flat chairlift along the river, so serene with a chance of some birdlife.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Snowbird22 wrote: |
Hi there all
Dolomites virgin here
Going for new year week as group of 9 based Canazei
Usually Morzine/ Zermatt
Kids from 9-17 included and ski schools duly booked
Looking for itineraries for ski circuits getting us back by 4 ish for adults so we can do pick ups
Red runs our mainstay like cruising ,lunchtime pit stops with class food and views .
Have read a lot re ski runs and though hidden valley looks promising and beautiful ,looking for tips re long runs relatively accessible to us
Ski panaroma looks good and might try on first day New Year’s Eve
Alta Badia also promising area
Odd bus or taxi ok as long as wait isn’t extreme
Also any recommendations for New Year’s Eve celebration dinner gratefully accepted we are staying in a spot called Al sole near ish to pecol gondola ..
Thanks , grazie ,sláinte |
Well you have a clockwise and anticlockwise Sella Ronda circuits to start you off with. Do them to access areas and stay there a little while - e.g. Corvara great for blues. Arabba has some good reds and blacks
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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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@richb67, La Longia is great (did it in one), but the problem is the cable car at the second stage of getting back. Half an hour queue at a relatively quiet time (march) - am told it can be much worse
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| buchanan101 wrote: |
| @richb67, La Longia is great (did it in one), but the problem is the cable car at the second stage of getting back. Half an hour queue at a relatively quiet time (march) - am told it can be much worse |
if there's a queue we just ski down to the bottom again, never had to wait for more than say 15 mins but then we do avoid school hols
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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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Or just get the bus back to St Cristina !! - it drops you at the bottom of the Saslong gondola (or stay on for Selva..)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| albob wrote: |
| Or just get the bus back to St Cristina !! - it drops you at the bottom of the Saslong gondola (or stay on for Selva..) |
can you pay on the bus?
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| richb67 wrote: |
| albob wrote: |
| Or just get the bus back to St Cristina !! - it drops you at the bottom of the Saslong gondola (or stay on for Selva..) |
can you pay on the bus? |
Yes. -- 10 euro for a week or 3 euro a day
But, check if your accommodation offers a 'Guest Card'
"..As long as your accommodation is a member of a local Tourist Association, you will get a free “Val Gardena Mobil Card” for the duration of your vacation. It will allow you to use all public buses for free (including ski buses) that connect Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena with each other. The ideal way to get around quickly, easily and eco-friendly!..."
https://www.valgardena.it/en/bus-schedule/#c4947
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Day1 Sella Ronda loop
Day2 Alba/Pozza Di Fassa
Day3 Corvara-Santa Croce
Day4 Portavescovo/Marmaloda
Day5 Selva/Ortisei
Day6 Cinque Torri/Hidden Valley
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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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Thanks @albob, we don’t stay in Val Gardena so it’s good to know you can buy on the bus
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| richb67 wrote: |
| albob wrote: |
| Or just get the bus back to St Cristina !! - it drops you at the bottom of the Saslong gondola (or stay on for Selva..) |
can you pay on the bus? |
Just to add -- I have never seen anyone actually paying !!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| jellylegs wrote: |
Day1 Sella Ronda loop
Day2 Alba/Pozza Di Fassa
Day3 Corvara-Santa Croce
Day4 Portavescovo/Marmaloda
Day5 Selva/Ortisei
Day6 Cinque Torri/Hidden Valley |
There's two Sella Ronda loops obviously...both worth doing, unless you are suggesting doing both in a day (which I've done easily, though hotel was right on the Nives piste in Selva)
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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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Use the sella ronda to explore other areas. From a skiing point of view it 's not the best ( you spend more time riding lifts than skiing, not even counting queues during hihg season)... the views though!!
If you are going to the armentarola (locals never call it hidden valley) and coming from arabba stay on the "outside of alta badia (scherz side)...much faster to get to san cassiano and on top you will have A view of the top mountains of the dolomites (piz boe, marmolada, civetta, pelmo, antelau, tofana, sasongher).
Dont get stressed about the time it takes to do the sella ronda. It is not super long (the record is 4 times in a day, which requires a perfect late season day and hard skiing, but 2, 3 times in a day is perfectly doable).
Pistes do get destroyed in the afternoon, specially the clockwise (orange) circuit since it tends to have some a bit steeper, narrower parts.
Enjoy your holiday!
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Does anybody know how much German is spoken in the Val di Fassa ??
I've 'sold' someone in my group the area, based on the fact that a lot of German is spoken in the Southern Tyrol (she is a fluent German speaker) ; but I have a horrible feeling that Val di Fassa might be mainly Italian speaking.....
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You know it makes sense.
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@albob, IIRC most of the locals working in the SR resorts speak at least 3 languages German, Italian and English, some also speak Ladin which is a regional language which you see around Alta Badia and Arabba. I believe most people are brought up speaking at least 2 languages. There are also lots of German speaking tourists so it will be fine.
FYI, what does vary is the default language, so you can be greeted in Italian in one rifugio then ski 30mins to the next valley and be greeted in German, but in either case responding in your preferred language will normally result in that being used.
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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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@richb67, I might just have to buy her a Bombardino as a 'pacifier'.....
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Poster: A snowHead
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@albob, Don’t mean to be pedantic but Val di Fassa is in Trentino not S Tyrol, a bottle of Bombardino can solve everything, can’t wait for the first one
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Harrow lady, 
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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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@Snowbird22, hope you’re having a great time. I look forward to reading about your adventures as we are off to Canazei at the end of the month. Hard to believe that in 45 years skiing I’ve never been to the Dolomites before. Can’t wait!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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| Harrow lady wrote: |
| @albob, Don’t mean to be pedantic but Val di Fassa is in Trentino not S Tyrol, a bottle of Bombardino can solve everything, can’t wait for the first one |
More pedantry follows! 
What is currently called Trentino was actually part of the Historic County of Tyrol and was known as Welschtirol or Welschsudtirol. Welsch being the Germanic word for non-Germanic peoples, which our Anglo-Saxon ancestors also applied to the Celtic peoples in Britain, the ancestors of the Welsh. Funny to think of the inhabitants of Trento & Cardiff both being called Welsch/Welsh!
See the etymology sections:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trentino
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales
Trentino remains almost entirely non-Germanic (except the tiny pockets of Mocheno & Cimbrian) in terms of first language, whether that be a variant of Ladin, the Trentino dialect or standard Italian, although as has been mentioned, in the Sella Ronda areas many will also speak some German to cater for tourists.
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FAQ
️.. looking at possible taxi options back from hidden run .. or maybe 
