Very easy. 20 minute bus ride from the bottom of Piculin to Sompunt/ Sponata in La Villa. Ski off into Alta B from there and return to the same place for bus back to Piculin. I skied Kronplatz from Arabba yesterday using this route the other way. Excellent snow and slopes, tempted to do it again today! I also had a lovely hot chocolate at the restaurant next to the La Villa end bus stop. Far better value at 5 euros for hot chocolate and water than the 9 euros I paid Selva side for worse hot chocolate the day before
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 12-12-24 8:11; edited 1 time in total
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?
Roymond wrote:
Hi All. Newbie here to Snowheads. We (ie family if five) are trying the euro ski thing for the first time.. Coming from Australia, it is easier to access Japan and North America.
We have a conference at Cortina early in the new year (Jan 5-15) and are giving the dolomites a try.
We are watching the cams with interest... The snow depth is reported as 25 cm; distressingly low given the Canada season being an absolute cracker.
The cams, however appear to suggest much greater coverage. How reliable are the depth reports for the Dolomites? Is this mostly artificial snow? And is this pretty typical for Cortina early in the season?
It really does depend on what you want to ski, piste or off piste? There will be more piste skiing than you can hope for. Off piste, not so. In the Dollies it's mostly green meadows that you are skiing on so they don't need a lot of snow...... same throughout most of the eastern alps..... unlike the western alps
Happy with off-piste in North America - off piste and in bounds are still patrolled there if you get into trouble.
Feel free to correct but as far as I can understand, off piste in Europe isn't patrolled and you are on your own.
As long there will be snow and we can ski, the crew will be happy. Anything is better than what passes for snow in Australia.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Roymond wrote:
Happy with off-piste in North America - off piste and in bounds are still patrolled there if you get into trouble.
Feel free to correct but as far as I can understand, off piste in Europe isn't patrolled and you are on your own.
As long there will be snow and we can ski, the crew will be happy. Anything is better than what passes for snow in Australia.
Correct re Off-Piste
The snow in the Dolomites is (currently) a mix of Fresh and Artificial :: Depths are not really a problem in the area (I've skied there with 15 lower slopes and 30 upper....) and in January you will be fine !
Just need to keep an eye on the watch as to how far you can get. Doing the Sella Ronda might be a bit tight, but certainly enough time to explore Alta Badia
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Roymond wrote:
Hi All. Newbie here to Snowheads. We (ie family if five) are trying the euro ski thing for the first time.. Coming from Australia, it is easier to access Japan and North America.
We have a conference at Cortina early in the new year (Jan 5-15) and are giving the dolomites a try.
We are watching the cams with interest... The snow depth is reported as 25 cm; distressingly low given the Canada season being an absolute cracker.
The cams, however appear to suggest much greater coverage. How reliable are the depth reports for the Dolomites? Is this mostly artificial snow? And is this pretty typical for Cortina early in the season?
You're unlikely to get Rocky Mountain powder in the Dolomites, but lots of nice piste skiing.
I wouldn't worry about piste depths in January. The artificial base has been laid on the grassy meadows and topped up a bit by recent natural snowfalls. Besides you only ski on the top 5cm, so it doesn't matter too much if you have 20cm below that or 2 metres.
If you're really lucky there will be a dump in January, but don't count on it.
You might want to explore beyond Cortina, lots more skiing on the Dolomiti Superski pass. This might help you visualise it all:
You can ski over to Alta Badia area, just need a taxi-bus back up the Falzarego Pass. If you have a car, it's easier, you could do daytrips to Vierschach for 3Zinnen, Picolin for Kronplatz, do the Sella Ronda from Corvara, the Great War ski tour, etc
This channel has some excellent ski videos of the area, this one shows the route from Alta Badia ski area across to Cortina using the new Cortina Skyline gondola, which you could do in reverse, turn on English subtitles to understand the talkie bits:
Bluebird morning in Cortina, valley snow has receded a bit, but still plenty on piste:
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.
Looking like lots of fine (mild & fairly sunny) weather from now (except a blip on Saturday maybe) until Xmas week as high pressure blocking prevents any significant moisture from getting in...
Great for skiing! The sun is weak enough not to do too much damage and nights should be cold enough for more snowmaking if needed.
Xmas week looking more unsettled on long range forecast.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Starting my planning in anger now for our trip to Selva on 18th Jan. We are very keen on hidden valley as none of us been before, I've read much on here about it being busy/not what is was/pain waiting for the tow etc. but I think we'll go for it as long as it is a do-able day trip from Selva?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
dunc999 wrote:
Starting my planning in anger now for our trip to Selva on 18th Jan. We are very keen on hidden valley as none of us been before, I've read much on here about it being busy/not what is was/pain waiting for the tow etc. but I think we'll go for it as long as it is a do-able day trip from Selva?
Its certainly doable and in January the hold ups are manageable.
Personally if we do it again we would get a taxi back out rather than the horse drag.
We may go this trip as we have a friend with us who has not been before.
If you are going with a TO they often arrange a run to it that gets you there fairly early in the day.
It is one of the things that needs ticked off.
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.
Duplicate post
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Thu 12-12-24 21:42; edited 1 time in total
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
Duplicate post
Last edited by 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 on Thu 12-12-24 21:41; edited 1 time in total
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@Garfield, you can delete your own extra posts (see cross on right)
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
snowball wrote:
@Garfield, you can delete your own extra posts (see cross on right)
He can't anymore now you (and I) have replied.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Garfield wrote:
dunc999 wrote:
Starting my planning in anger now for our trip to Selva on 18th Jan. We are very keen on hidden valley as none of us been before, I've read much on here about it being busy/not what is was/pain waiting for the tow etc. but I think we'll go for it as long as it is a do-able day trip from Selva?
Its certainly doable and in January the hold ups are manageable.
Personally if we do it again we would get a taxi back out rather than the horse drag.
We may go this trip as we have a friend with us who has not been before.
If you are going with a TO they often arrange a run to it that gets you there fairly early in the day.
It is one of the things that needs ticked off.
Thanks, it's a DIY trip so will be sorting myself. I presume the taxi's are obvious at the end of the run?
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@dunc999,
yes, there are usually a few taxis on the right hand side just before the horse lift. But in the past we have just poled from the start of horse tow to the drag lift at Armenterola. It's not ideal but it's not a massive problem either.
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?
dunc999 wrote:
Starting my planning in anger now for our trip to Selva on 18th Jan. We are very keen on hidden valley as none of us been before, I've read much on here about it being busy/not what is was/pain waiting for the tow etc. but I think we'll go for it as long as it is a do-able day trip from Selva?
You need a nice day, but definitely doable from Selva.
Best to get an early start at Dantercepies, as there will likely be some waiting for the taxi-bus at Armentarola and the cablecar. It's worth going up the steps to the Rifugio Lagazuoi for a mid-morning coffee and the view from the terrace.
Lots of people time it to stop at Rifugio Scotoni (2/3 of the way down) for lunch, it is a nice spot, but service can take a while if it's busy.
If you have time and it's your first time, you might as well do the horse-tow. You do still have to pole a bit back to the drag at Armentarola.
Getting lost in the maze of runs between San Cassiano and Corvara is easily done, so see if you can get that bit firmly in mind.
@dunc999, Taxis were cash only when we went in Feb - think it was €7 per person. The horse tow was fun, there wasn’t too much waiting around.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Roymond wrote:
Happy with off-piste in North America - off piste and in bounds are still patrolled there if you get into trouble.
Feel free to correct but as far as I can understand, off piste in Europe isn't patrolled and you are on your own.
As long there will be snow and we can ski, the crew will be happy. Anything is better than what passes for snow in Australia.
There is definitely serious off-piste available if the conditions are right...these look to be off the Marmolada, off the Sass Pordoi on the Sella and the Staunies couloir is in the Cristallo sector of Cortina...
If you're looking for more mellow, accessible off-piste, then there's lots of opportunity in between the pistes within the ski areas after a snowfall, but technically you are on your own...not exactly sure where this is, but you can see it's next to a two man chair....
The Ustaria Posta boys know where they're going and found some nice fresh lines through the trees and down an old piste that is no longer bashed on the lift-served slopes above Badia after last season's New Year snowfall....you might get lucky this Jan!
Hi Dolomites experts. I plan to ski the Hidden Valley on a trip next month. On a sunny day, by what time should I join the queue for the cable car? (I loath long queues … waste of a precious holiday).
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
375 kms of runs now open across the Sella Ronda area with 169 lifts running.
Today and tomorrow look good. GEFS indicates a warm up next week for four days but then a slight cool down. The run up to Christmas looks slightly more unsettled.
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.
Snow&skifan wrote:
Hi Dolomites experts. I plan to ski the Hidden Valley on a trip next month. On a sunny day, by what time should I join the queue for the cable car? (I loath long queues … waste of a precious holiday).
as early as you can which probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but definitely before 11, before 10 if possible or alternatively later in the day. It seems to be pot luck e.g. you might arrive just after two coach loads or when the cable car has been temporarily closed due to the wind. So as well as a sunny day check the wind speeds. You can expect it to be busier if it has been closed the day before. Also the queue can look quite bad but it's a decent size so can clear quickly. I'd worry if it is stretching back into the car park but not if it's only half way along the building.
We have driven before and if the queue was really bad just skied the loop around cinque terre for a hour and then it had cleared, we've also arrived late morning and it's been so quiet we have taken the opportunity to take red back down to the cable car, just because we could and it has great views.
I have no data but I also think it's likely quieter earlier in the week.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
richb67 wrote:
Snow&skifan wrote:
Hi Dolomites experts. I plan to ski the Hidden Valley on a trip next month. On a sunny day, by what time should I join the queue for the cable car? (I loath long queues … waste of a precious holiday).
as early as you can which probably isn't the answer you're looking for, but definitely before 11, before 10 if possible or alternatively later in the day. It seems to be pot luck e.g. you might arrive just after two coach loads or when the cable car has been temporarily closed due to the wind. So as well as a sunny day check the wind speeds. You can expect it to be busier if it has been closed the day before. Also the queue can look quite bad but it's a decent size so can clear quickly. I'd worry if it is stretching back into the car park but not if it's only half way along the building.
We have driven before and if the queue was really bad just skied the loop around cinque terre for a hour and then it had cleared, we've also arrived late morning and it's been so quiet we have taken the opportunity to take red back down to the cable car, just because we could and it has great views.
I have no data but I also think it's likely quieter earlier in the week.
Many thanks.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I’ll be driving from Innsbruck to Corvara on Saturday afternoon (leaving central Innsbruck around 1430). Weather forecast looks fine.
I’d assumed that I’d go Brenner-Pusteria-Badia, but Google maps is suggesting it’s better to go Brenner-Gardena and down past Colfosco. I’m not sure why, since the Pusteria route looks much easier to me.
Can someone with real-world experience tell me which is the better route and why please? Bonus mark if you can explain why Google maps is keen on the Gardena route, which looks both longer and more difficult to me…
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.
IanTr wrote:
I’ll be driving from Innsbruck to Corvara on Saturday afternoon (leaving central Innsbruck around 1430). Weather forecast looks fine.
I’d assumed that I’d go Brenner-Pusteria-Badia, but Google maps is suggesting it’s better to go Brenner-Gardena and down past Colfosco. I’m not sure why, since the Pusteria route looks much easier to me.
Can someone with real-world experience tell me which is the better route and why please? Bonus mark if you can explain why Google maps is keen on the Gardena route, which looks both longer and more difficult to me…
Badia is the better route usually, should be quicker and it means you don't have to go over the Gardena pass (might be fine, but snow can come in quick and make things tricky (at least you'll have winter tyres getting a car in Austria)).
If you've been looking at the route today, it's likely leaning towards the Gardena route as there's a road closure on the usual route to Badia so it's adding 5-10 mins over usual time. According to Google, the road should be open as normal at the weekend.
(Not sure if a Mod can move this to a Dolomites thread elsewhere so as not to clog up the weather thread..?)
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
IanTr wrote:
I
Can someone with real-world experience tell me which is the better route and why please? Bonus mark if you can explain why Google maps is keen on the Gardena route, which looks both longer and more difficult to me…
No to the first but is that google maps saying what to do now or did you set your actual departure date and time?
E66 has closure at the moment, maybe maps knew it was planned and you would not get through it before the closure?
Having said that, we always seem to come into Colfosco from Verona via Ortisei and then up over the passo gardena which is a lovely view, although not so great if weather is bad or your passengers don't like the switchbacks. The other way avoids any significant passes in the approach, I believe.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
Smokies and Wine wrote:
How feasible/simple is it to get to Alta Badia for a day if staying at St Vigilio (Kronplatz) ?
I stayed in St Vigilio last year and travelled into Alta Badia a couple of times in the week, as others have said, it is easy via the bus.
A couple of things to note.
You want to get going early to make the most of it, but may not want to do Piculin as your first run of the day (a black).so consider taking the piculin gondola down especially if you have not skied that run before. Of course first thing it will have been bashed and not too messed up but equally could be hard and icy.
Second is to take note of where the bus leaves you at Alta Badia end as it is easy to ski down the run towards it coming back and accidentally head off to the next ski lift that takes you along the valley towards the runs up to Santa Croce. Plus it can be more time consuming than you think to get out of the main area of Alta Badia and across to that place with long runs down to la villa and several lifts.
You may get more focussed advice if you indicate what level of skiers you are.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
@twiceforluck2, @SteveM, you’re right - there is indeed a scheduled closure on the E66 right now:
Statale Val Pusteria
Dal casello autostradale Bressanone/Varna fino a Sciaves (km 0,000 - km 2,050) CHIUSURA al traffico dalle ore 20:00 alle ore 06:00 per indagini sul ponte. Deviazione per la SS49 Novacella - Sciaves.
If I do as suggested and input my expected departure time, I get the route I was expecting via the Puster Valley. Google maps is even cleverer than I had thought!
Thank you both.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
IanTr wrote:
@twiceforluck2, @SteveM, you’re right - there is indeed a scheduled closure on the E66 right now:
Statale Val Pusteria
Dal casello autostradale Bressanone/Varna fino a Sciaves (km 0,000 - km 2,050) CHIUSURA al traffico dalle ore 20:00 alle ore 06:00 per indagini sul ponte. Deviazione per la SS49 Novacella - Sciaves.
If I do as suggested and input my expected departure time, I get the route I was expecting via the Puster Valley. Google maps is even cleverer than I had thought!
Thank you both.
Night-time bridge investigations!
Must be this one...looks fine to me, but glad someone's checking!
@Snow Hound,
We used ‘Travel Taxi Innsbruck’ last year for a return trip & they were reliable & on time both ways, their price currently is €504 for up to 8 including luggage/skis, they list several different vans, depending if you want more luxury.
Looking forward to our 1st of the season trip to Selva next week, looking good.
This lot have come back considerably cheaper than anyone else, almost €180 less. So I've booked but now I'm nervous.
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?
You might want to (or not?!) add this to your playlist this year...a Dolomite-inspired Europop apres-ski tune!!
@Mollerski's ladies in fur coats feature strongly...I can now see why he's so keen to knock them over!!
Bombardini con le stalattiti
Ma devi stare tranquillo
Domattina alle otto
Sono sulla seggiovia
Bombardinos with the stalactites
But you gotta take it easy
Tomorrow morning at eight
I'm up on the chairlft
It seems that the good burghers of Madonna di Campiglio are not happy with the tone of some of the lyrics...particularly when it says 'there's snow all year round'...apparently an oblique reference to the availability of another type of white powder!!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
GEFS model is looking good for skiing. A bit of snow around the 20th but predominantly dry and not too warm over Christmas. The likelihood is that the Dolomites will also be sunny and mostly sheltered so that will make for reliable conditions and enable trip Planning. https://www.bergfex.com/alta-badia/webcams/c14103/
After all it is free
After all it is free
Seems there was a bit of snowfall last night...looks like Canazei/Val di Fassa assuming the video was taken this morning...
The piste snow in the Dolomites is generally a mixture of artificial and natural. Quite hard to tell the difference I think, except when you accidentally ski through a snow cannon plume.
The snow management and grooming is very good too. In an average year, they don’t get a huge amount of precipitation in the winter. Certainly not compared with the western alps. The benefit of that is there are lots of bluebird skiing days most winters.
There was a snowmageddon event in recent memory though, so you never know. You should have a blast.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
