@radar, sorry to hijack but I have a couple of related questions for the experts. We'll be in Val Gardena and we'd like to ski over to Cortina, spend a few hours there then ski back. Where exactly is the 'new gondola' mentioned above? Also if we're short of time on the way back via the hidden valley how far do we need to get before we can get a bus or sensible taxi back to Val Gardena?
Val Gardena to Cortina and back is a very long day out IMV.
I think I’d be inclined to ski to either Corvara or Arabba and get a taxi to Cinque Torre then ski to the Cortina Skyline. Depending on time, maybe a taxi from either Laguzuoi or the bottom of the Hidden Valley to Corvara on the way home.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@richb67, @Red Leon, thanks, I've been looking at the OnTheSnow app and it appears their map is out of date, not showing the new gondola. Now I've found it I see that it doesn't really open up Cortina when coming from Alta Badia, all it's done is replace the bus to/from Cinque Torre.
I stayed in Cortina a few years ago and probably the most memorable run was the steep run with jagged rock walls either side (35 on the map?) that's the Olympic run? That and what I now know is the hidden valley really stuck in my memory. I told the lads I'm going with this time we should go and check Cortina out and that we wouldn't need a car. I'm now realising it's not quite as simple as I thought.
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?
Snow Hound wrote:
@radar, sorry to hijack but I have a couple of related questions for the experts. We'll be in Val Gardena and we'd like to ski over to Cortina, spend a few hours there then ski back. Where exactly is the 'new gondola' mentioned above? Also if we're short of time on the way back via the hidden valley how far do we need to get before we can get a bus or sensible taxi back to Val Gardena?
It's a long, long way to ski from Val Gardena (assuming Selva) to Tofana and back. It might be possible if you caned it, minimal stops, knew the way like the back of your hand and got lucky with lift/taxibus queues. But when you fail, I'm sure there would be a taxi driver in Armentarola who would happily relieve you of €150 to get you back to Selva.
If you get going early, you might have time to get across to do the Cinque Torri circuit and the Hidden Valley. Check what is running before you go and act accordingly. Wind can affect the lifts at 5T, as Ed Leigh, Chemmy Alcott and myself found out last year!
The Ustaria Posta boys got right to the top of Tofana from Badia which isn't as far as Selva...but look how fast they ski...
Cinque Tori is easy from Val Gardina, and a good day out.
I don't advise trying to get to Cortina from Arabba unless you have transport.
Val Gardina needs 30 minutes longer. The gondola up to the pass is 20 minutes, plus another 15-20 to get down to Corvara.
From Arabba, you can be in Armentarola in that time.
The problem is that, on the way back, you have to schedule enough time to complete the Cinque Tori circuit, and either the Hidden Valley, or a taxi (if you can find one) back to Armentarola, or preferably, San Cassiano.
It leaves very little time actually in Cortina.
If you have transport, you could drive to Fedare, and ski down to the Cortina Gondola. You could then have a good 4-5 hours in Cortina, and wouldn't need to start your return until after 3.30 for the last lift back to Fedare.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Selva to Cortina and back in a day is doable, but is it worth it? The owner of the Flora does it with her instructor husband and she says that they have very little time there before turning around and heading back.
Whenever we've done the trip, we've stay at the Lagazuoi Rifugio on the return, which makes it fun and unhurried.
TBH, my gang are a bit over Cortina. It's a long schlep and there's not enough there to keep us coming back.
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Mon 6-01-25 11:19; edited 1 time in total
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
You did well there! But you knew the way, didn't hang about and were aware of the timings needed.
After all it is free
After all it is free
Nearly a hour sat on the Skyline total.
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.
Mollerski wrote:
Nearly a hour sat on the Skyline total.
It's only 14mins each way...but to a go-getter it might feel like it!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
This is just what I was looking for thank you.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
Snow Hound wrote:
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
This is just what I was looking for thank you.
Let us know how it pans out!
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:
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
You did well there! But you knew the way, didn't hang about and were aware of the timings needed.
@luigi I was skiing solo, conditions were excellent and not too busy. I think I'll try it again on my next visit or at least spend some time at Cinque Torri. Maybe a Saturday is the best day to try.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
sean1967 wrote:
luigi wrote:
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
You did well there! But you knew the way, didn't hang about and were aware of the timings needed.
@luigi I was skiing solo, conditions were excellent and not too busy. I think I'll try it again on my next visit or at least spend some time at Cinque Torri. Maybe a Saturday is the best day to try.
Saturday is usually quietest around the Sella Ronda as the week-long visitors change over.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
luigi wrote:
Saturday is usually quietest around the Sella Ronda as the week-long visitors change over.
I was about to ask if that was the case as I could do SellaRonda on the Sat at the start of the PreBB. Does the weather make much difference to numbers?
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
"Does the weather make much difference to numbers?"
Definitely -- The Italians tend to stay at home : But, Brits ski regardless....!
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
albob wrote:
...Definitely -- The Italians tend to stay at home...
Why bother if nobody can see the Gucci!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
IMHO Saturday is definitely the best day of the week around Alta Badia (which is where we base ourselves), it has a very different vibe and the average level of skiing goes up a couple of notches. There are lots of groups of friends, kids ski teams etc
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?
Scooter in Seattle wrote:
It takes longer than 3-4 hours for the SR for intermediates doing coffee and lunch stops. No problem though, just devote one day to it, then you can just have fun and not sweat it if you make a wrong turn or run into a lift line, both of which are possible-especially the latter.
I guess it depends on how long one stops for lunch and coffee breaks. And on how ski fit one is.
I managed it in 2.5hrs with no stops other than a slight delay on a chairlift. At the time I wasn’t overly fit and was probably a reasonable intermidiot
An intermediate skier can complete the SR both ways in a day if they wanted to, provided they didn't take a 2 hour lunch break. But why rush if you've got all week?
There are a couple of bottlenecks where you could queue for 10-15 minutes, but there are alternative routes in some places that can avoid some of these. Look for the signs (which tend to be a bit smaller).
If you want to travel some distance, don't stop for lunch at the busy times, take advantage of the smaller queues.
The SR is basically the equivalent of the M25. ie you use it to get somewhere.
There are plenty of areas just off the circuit that are well worth spending time in. Many of those can be incorporated into a circuit at the same time.
The trick is to be aware of the quickest return direction if you are short of time.
Selva/Val Gardina, clockwise has less lifts and longer runs.
Plan de Gralba, probably 50/50, but I'd still go clockwise.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
luigi wrote:
sean1967 wrote:
luigi wrote:
sean1967 wrote:
@radar, I agree with @luigi.
You have to get your skates on, any dillydallying, shillyshallying, or faffaggio will be punished.
I skied Cortina last year from Selva. I took the wee bus from Ciampinoi to Dantercepies, at 0820. This means no waiting for Costabella and will have you in Corvara sharpish.
I managed over to Cortina, a red and the Schuss black at Olympia. Schnarfed a quick pint, then over to Tofana. Back via Tofanina, gondola to Cinque Torri for the loop, then Lagazuoi (Hidden Valley). Late lunch at Punta Trieste and the anti-clockwise Ronda to Panorama bar for the last rights.
It's a great trip but there will be a little time stress. I would advise having a late lunch once you have arrived back in Alta Badia and the pressure's off.
You did well there! But you knew the way, didn't hang about and were aware of the timings needed.
@luigi I was skiing solo, conditions were excellent and not too busy. I think I'll try it again on my next visit or at least spend some time at Cinque Torri. Maybe a Saturday is the best day to try.
Saturday is usually quietest around the Sella Ronda as the week-long visitors change over.
For me it is the best day by far. Quieter slopes, quieter lifts. Some of the restaurants even have live music on.
I try as often as I can to start and end a week's trip with skiing on both Saturdays. Normal Saturday to Saturday trip is 6 days skiing. A Friday to Sunday gives 8, 2 of which are Saturdays so can be counted as 1.5 days per Saturday.
PLEASE STOP USING THE QUOTE SELECTED, please just post
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
radar wrote:
PLEASE STOP USING THE QUOTE SELECTED, please just post
Did your caps lock button get stuck??
After all it is free
After all it is free
luigi wrote:
radar wrote:
PLEASE STOP USING THE QUOTE SELECTED, please just post
Did your caps lock button get stuck??
Which BUTTON
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.
T Bar wrote:
luigi wrote:
radar wrote:
PLEASE STOP USING THE QUOTE SELECTED, please just post
Did your caps lock button get stuck??
Which BUTTON
THIS ONE!!
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
luigi wrote:
T Bar wrote:
luigi wrote:
radar wrote:
PLEASE STOP USING THE QUOTE SELECTED, please just post
Did your caps lock button get stuck??
Which BUTTON
THIS ONE!!
YOU SURE
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@T Bar, @luigi, very funny
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.
Love that youtube video!
I skied in Cortina three years ago and got as far as the Hidden Valley when staying at Campitella di Fassa last year. Will be heading for the Tofana Shuss for sure at the bash this month.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Just a bit of advice for anyone planning a trip to Cortina from Alleghe.
(There's usually some there most days)
The ladies Super G is scheduled for 24-25th January.
That means the run will be closed on Monday and Tuesday whilst they take down the safety netting.
The run will also be very gnarly, sheet ice with a thin layer of snow. Can be very tricky in places where it scrapes, and often catches people out.
Best left until late in the week, unless they get a dump of fresh snow.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Thanks Brian…the first time I hit that slope between the boulders, I went oh oh! It constantly in the shade, so very hard. Clearly it will be even harder after event.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
The slope is easy enough. It's avoiding all the carnage on the way down that's the problem
I usually do it on the Friday. Welcome to join.
Spent 3.5 hours in Cortina last year. Started with the ladies run, both men's runs, then up to Tofana (first time it's been open when I was there).
It's a great run, but you really need to do it twice. Once for the photo stops, and again for the skiing experience.
Quick lunch stop, then the ladies again, with the looping run back to Olympia lift to get to the gondola.
I always aim for the last but one bus from Fedare. It has been known to skip one.
Back to Alleghe for a quick circuit back down to Pescul, run 7 down to the mid station, a quick beer at the top, then the home run.
35K vertical feet, 33miles, 7 hours.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Couple of pics from Tofano. The camera doesn't show how steep it is.
aim to do it non stop this year.
Edit. Sorry, wrong pics.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 7-01-25 22:27; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
brianatab wrote:
Just a bit of advice for anyone planning a trip to Cortina from Alleghe.
(There's usually some there most days)
The ladies Super G is scheduled for 24-25th January.
That means the run will be closed on Monday and Tuesday whilst they take down the safety netting.
The run will also be very gnarly, sheet ice with a thin layer of snow. Can be very tricky in places where it scrapes, and often catches people out.
Best left until late in the week, unless they get a dump of fresh snow.
If I'm reading it right, the main FIS WC racing is 18th-19th Jan, it's been pushed forward due to the World Champs in Saalbach in early Feb, but it looks like there are other local competitions on various dates toward the end of Jan in Cortina
Not totally sure which slopes are used for these, but I assume the Olimpica course will come into it, so the race courses could well still be roped off depending when you go.
I'm a bit disappointed to miss the womens WC this year. I was in Cortina last year on the Thursday before it, when they were training. You could still use the Duca d'Aosta-Pomedes chair up past the Schuss and watch the girls fly off the top as the high speed camera drones screamed overhead. We then had to shuffle down a 3m strip at the side of the course to get down.
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?
I have a pic of my son at the top next to the sign 'solo per esperti' (only for experts)...just before we skied down it!!
It is quite daunting as it's steep, narrow, hard-packed, you're a long way up and as you commit to the first drop-off, you can't see it all, so you're not sure when it's going to end!
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Tue 7-01-25 23:00; edited 1 time in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
There are some more photos in here that show how steep it is...
@luigi, Yes it is. I stopped to take photos and enjoy the view too often, so the skiing was a bit intermittent.
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to do a second run.
Hopefully this year it will be open again, and I can just concentrate on the downhill.
Unfortunately, the chair to the red run 48 wasn't open either. I'd love to start at the very top red and then drop on the black in a single run.
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.
@brianatab, @luigi, that Cortina black I think it's the most challenging slope I've skied in the Dolomites. Steep, narrowish in parts, a bit convex too.
Does anyone have any recommendation for any other harder blacks? Hidden away in the smaller areas? I've skied everything attached to the Sella Ronda, the Grande Guerra, Ski Panorama and Kronplatz. Always looking to find anything else interesting.
I have the area at Pozza in my sights for next trip.
Are Carrezza and San Pellegrino skiable in a day from Selva? My first guess is no.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
@brianatab, the newish chair to the highest point is called Bus Tofana, it does an 90 degree turn to get right up to the rock walls under the Tofana di Mezzo peak. It replaced the 2 of the older chairs up in Ra Valles sector. The run down starts as 46, no.48 is the one that drops back to the bottom of the chair.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
there most days)
