 Poster: A snowHead
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| comish wrote: |
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Dolomites are not known for off-piste
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That said, I have definitely read reports of some great off-piste couloir's and routes. The top up next week doesn't do much good if there is no natural base, which I guess is what I'm trying to suss out. Thanks all, keep the info coming, much appreciated! |
Probably worth your while getting in touch with folk such as altabadiaguides (.com) and asking them about likelihood for offpiste like val mesdi etc. Also I think that legally you have to be guided when going offpiste but I am no expert.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Also looking for any rec's of mountain guides or groups one can join for the day ala Piste to Powder in St. Anton or Alpine Experience in Val d'Isere that are located near Arabba.
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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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| comish wrote: |
| That said, I have definitely read reports of some great off-piste couloir's and routes. The top up next week doesn't do much good if there is no natural base, which I guess is what I'm trying to suss out. Thanks all, keep the info coming, much appreciated! |
There hasn't really been a good dump this season so far, just a few light to moderate snowfalls. North-facing has good coverage, but a lot of south facing aspects are showing bare grass. The pistes are in great shape and I have been playing off the sides with my son this week in a few places and I have seen tracks between the pistes, but whether it all adds up to enough to do the classic routes off the Sella or the steep couloirs, you are probably best speaking to one of the guides in the resort you are visiting. Maybe if we get a dump next week on top of the existing base, it will open up more possibilities??
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| Quote: |
folk such as altabadiaguides (.com)
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Perfect, thanks! Hadn't come across them yet.
Legally you need a guide? That's on par with American Out of Bounds rules at certain resorts? Seems odd to me... Having not skied there and likely solo, I'm happy to pay someone, but if I had some of my touring / ski buddies I would be quite annoyed by that.
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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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| comish wrote: |
| Quote: |
folk such as altabadiaguides (.com)
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Perfect, thanks! Hadn't come across them yet.
Legally you need a guide? That's on par with American Out of Bounds rules at certain resorts? Seems odd to me... Having not skied there and likely solo, I'm happy to pay someone, but if I had some of my touring / ski buddies I would be quite annoyed by that. |
Might have something to do with people dying up there...and the guys who go to try and rescue them also losing their lives too! 
https://www.corriere.it/International/english/articoli/2009/12/28/alberti_montagna.shtml
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Val Mesdi is not skiable right now for even best of the best "off piste" skiers/guides... simply not enough snow. Hopefully in few weeks.
Marmolada, very thin, maybe something could be found but not worth it paying guide for so-so conditions IMO
Enjoy the sun and great piste skiing or as today almost zero visibility on top, soft freshie top ups (at spots 2-4 inches) pushed around by afternoon and very mushy run down to valley.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
You want off-piste ? -- I give you Dolomiti Off-Piste !!
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Wow, nailed it! So lucky with the new snow! What amazing terrain. That's a week that would be hard to duplicate given how rare it snows like that! thanks for sharing!
Francesco is already booked for my week. He also said conditions off-piste "are very bad here in the Dolomites"
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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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@comish, there is excellent potential for off piste there, with loads of couloirs. Check out this outstanding trip report for instance:-
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2217976&highlight=mezdi#2217976
Unfortunately, there hasn't been much snow this year yet so I doubt a whole amount is in condition. I was there maybe two weeks ago and there was only a superficial covering off piste. I remember looking up at one of the lines, the forcella I think its called under Pordoi and it barely had snow, i think its because its south facing. Mesdi is on the north side of the Sella so would at least be shaded so maybe might be skiiable. Lasties is at an angle so might also be but doubt it would be as good as Mesdi. Also, as you suggested, Marmolada is a lot higher so there could be something off there but not sure there's a whole amount there. There's a big snow field skiers left of the piste but its hardly worth getting a guide for. Maybe there is more up there I don't know.
There is snow in the forecast but I think it probably needs about 70cm to really set it up.
All mountain skis would be fine for these conditions as you wouldn't be skiing powder and if the lines have been skied there'd probably be a lot of moguls and hardpack.
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| albob wrote: |
@o11y, isn't it the other way around -- ski blue run from the bottom of Dantercepies to Ciampinoi ?
From where you will be staying, getting to the Dantercepies could be awkard (a long walk/bus/)
Ciampinoi lockers would be better : still a good walk, but the bus will be more regular.. |
You are correct. Thank you.
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You know it makes sense.
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We were in Alba/Pozza area and commented on the off piste beside the main runs, we noticed that there was tracks in the snow, but didn’t see anyone skiing, not our thing but maybe a tame option for the more adventurous
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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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Sad news from aloe de siusi  (
Bolzano
Tgr Newsrooms
Mountain accidents
Alpe di Siusi
Fatal fall from the cable car, the investigations closed
In January 2024, the accident cost the life of an 82-year-old woman. A German tourist and two ski lift workers towards the process.
01/22/2022
Rai Tagesschau
The "Goldknopf" chairlift on the Seiser Alm
The Bolzano Prosecutor's Office has concluded the investigation into the fatal fall of an 82-year-old woman from Gardena in the ski area of the Alpe di Siusi. A German tourist and two ski lift employees will now have to answer in court.
The accident occurred on January 25, 2024, when Erna Perathoner Moroder fell from the Punta d'Oro (Goldknopf) chairlift from a height of several metres. The safety bar of the car seat had not been lowered. As reported by the plant clerk's lawyer, Martin Fill, it will have to be clarified in court whether the two men had the opportunity to stop the chairlift in time.
The exact circumstances of the tragic accident and possible negligence are at the centre of the proceedings. The suspects have until mid-February to submit their statements through their legal representatives.
A second woman, a 69-year-old, had been taken to the hospital in Bolzano with serious injuries but fortunately not fatal.
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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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@Bartezki,
It's sad but it was actually last year that the accident happened.
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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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Today was superb on piste, blue sky, amazing views, pistes holding up really well pretty much what every piste skier dreams of.
SR seemed busy first thing but no major queues, only a couple of 5 minutes or so later in the day. We had an overnight trip tentatively planned to Carezza Tuesday but given the forecast will probably give that a miss
Ps skied from Corvara to Selva then the Gardena Ronda before coming back via SR, so Gardena Ronda & Sella Ronda perfectly achievable in a day for a reasonable intermediate skier.
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Quick Q - I presume there are no paper piste maps anymore … do you need one to do the SR or can you use the app?
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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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@franga, paper maps still in existence last season, would be surprised if there not this.
Aside from that the SR is really well signposted I’ve done it both ways and not used the paper map just the signposts, orange and green depending on the direction you take.
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| franga wrote: |
| Quick Q - I presume there are no paper piste maps anymore … do you need one to do the SR or can you use the app? |
There are a paper maps and you can use the app but personally I’m not a big fan of their mapping it has its pros and cons. We download the traditional style maps onto our phones as backup.
It’s pretty well sign posted just remember that the ‘alternative route’= more challenging, typically via blacks.
Also almost everyone else is following the signs and are there are often quieter alternative pistes or lifts running parallel so it’s worthwhile giving it some thought. There are some sections which can’t really be avoided which can get very busy if you hit them at a bad time but you’ve just got to accept that.
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@franga, Why would you presume there are no paper maps any more. Plenty of them here in selva and I would say for many years to come.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Looks like a good spell of sunny dry weather from the middle of next week. Before that some heavy snow showing up but it may be wet on lower slopes?
They look to be having another successful season with lots of reliable days and most lifts and runs open every day.
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| 8611 wrote: |
@comish, there is excellent potential for off piste there, with loads of couloirs. Check out this outstanding trip report for instance:-
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2217976&highlight=mezdi#2217976
All mountain skis would be fine for these conditions as you wouldn't be skiing powder and if the lines have been skied there'd probably be a lot of moguls and hardpack. |
Just curious, what is your definition of "all mountain skis" in terms of mm underfoot? 95mm, 105mm, or ??? Here in CA, 95mm is my narrow ski, 105 is everyday, with 116 for pow. I know one finds somewhat similar in the Arlberg, but I know it's vastly different in these piste ski mecca's.
Had a scan of the webcams. Off-piste looks rather challenging at the moment, at least from what I can tell and piece together with what routes I'm aware of... Hmm
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Chick wrote: |
| @franga, Why would you presume there are no paper maps any more. Plenty of them here in selva and I would say for many years to come. |
They’ve been banished from some of the mega French resorts such as the 3Vs and PdS … you can still get hold of 2-3 year old ones but some resorts have stopped printing them.
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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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| richb67 wrote: |
| franga wrote: |
| Quick Q - I presume there are no paper piste maps anymore … do you need one to do the SR or can you use the app? |
There are a paper maps and you can use the app but personally I’m not a big fan of their mapping it has its pros and cons. We download the traditional style maps onto our phones as backup.
It’s pretty well sign posted just remember that the ‘alternative route’= more challenging, typically via blacks.
Also almost everyone else is following the signs and are there are often quieter alternative pistes or lifts running parallel so it’s worthwhile giving it some thought. There are some sections which can’t really be avoided which can get very busy if you hit them at a bad time but you’ve just got to accept that. |
Thank you
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@comish, not sure how they're marketed in the States but I generally ride an 88 underfoot which is an all mountain ski here. Its fine in all but the deepest powder but still good on piste and the hardpack crud you would expect to find at the pinch point of high traffic off piste routes in suboptimal off piste conditions (like now). However, if those above are telling you the likes of Mesdi are not in condition then stay away. If current forecast comes off things could improve but it remains to be seen if numbers are as high as stated.
I have to say in a good few years of skiing the dolomites I've never heard of a mandatory guide off piste, is that actually a rule? I would have thought with the touring culture and the fact the Sella has no pistes down and countless couloirs that wouldn't be the case?
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 Sat 25-01-25 11:57; edited 1 time in total
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You know it makes sense.
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Bergfex the pic of the apps at the moment giving Brenta Dolomites 3 days of consecutive 25cm falls followed by ice cold and sun. Near perfect conditions (if I ignore Bergfex's habit of getting freezing level wrong - and wepowder and snowforecast both having freezing level up to and above 2000m at times during those falls!)
Either way should be good higher up and with a bit of luck won't be too damaging lower down and will improve aesthetics
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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 wrote: |
Today was superb on piste, blue sky, amazing views, pistes holding up really well pretty much what every piste skier dreams of.
SR seemed busy first thing but no major queues, only a couple of 5 minutes or so later in the day. We had an overnight trip tentatively planned to Carezza Tuesday but given the forecast will probably give that a miss
Ps skied from Corvara to Selva then the Gardena Ronda before coming back via SR, so Gardena Ronda & Sella Ronda perfectly achievable in a day for a reasonable intermediate skier. |
We are in Corvara mid Feb and have wondered about sella Ronda + Gardena Ronda as have never been to alpi di suisi or monte pana …
Is the route across alpi di suisi to saltria bus stop pretty straightforward and approx how long does that take (say from arrival at bottom of La longia ? )
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Poster: A snowHead
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| 8611 wrote: |
Bergfex the pic of the apps at the moment giving Brenta Dolomites 3 days of consecutive 25cm falls followed by ice cold and sun. Near perfect conditions (if I ignore Bergfex's habit of getting freezing level wrong - and wepowder and snowforecast both having freezing level up to and above 2000m at times during those falls!)
Either way should be good higher up and with a bit of luck won't be too damaging lower down and will improve aesthetics |
Whatever it is I'm going to be out in it.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| sheffskibod wrote: |
We are in Corvara mid Feb and have wondered about sella Ronda + Gardena Ronda as have never been to alpi di suisi or monte pana …
Is the route across alpi di suisi to saltria bus stop pretty straightforward and approx how long does that take (say from arrival at bottom of La longia ? ) |
So I'd first time I'd allow 1hr 30 from the bottom of La Longia. Yes, the bus stop is easy to find, see video earlier in the thread.
We had a 2 great days working this out and neither had us risking last lifts to get home, you've just got to be a bit organised. We are not rapid skiers, obviously that is all entirely subjective but ski tracks show our average ski speed for the day was 17mph.
It's pretty straightforward around Alpi di suis, you have to follow the signs to Saltria, there is probably only one place where it would be easy to miss a junction so you do need to have an idea of where you're going (IIRC this is heading for the 2nd chairlift and you need to keep right). We have visited there twice before so had vague recollections of the layout but couldn't really remember the details so the first time we did the route this week it took ca 1hr 10 from the bottom of the Ortisei-Alpi di suis gondola to the bus stop, the second time almost exactly an hour but we knew where we were going and were rushing for a bus, which we missed by 5 mins...
However both times we've stopped in Ortisei for a coffee or to do a little shopping so this has pushed us into the bus drivers lunch breaks where there are 2 less buses which caused us delays. Actually when we did the GR and SR we got the first lift but stopped for coffee nr Selva, spent 5 mins shopping in Ortisei and then stopped for a coffee and we were at the bus stop at 12:25, so still under 4 hrs from leaving Corvara.
Once you get to Monte pana you can breathe a sigh of relief as it's all in your own hands. wW'll probably do again when family join us in a few weeks but if doing the SR as well we'll only stop once before the bus as this should get you to the bus for the 12:00 or 12:20 buses, after which there is a bus at 13:00 then 13:40. There are bars at both ends of the bus journey so it gives you some flexibility of when to take a break. If coming back the direct route I'd spend an hour or two extra in AdS and wait until the buses are back to their 20/25 minute departures.
So there is a little time for you to do a couple of extra runs in either AdS or MP it really depends on how fast you ski, how many breaks you have and your appetite for risk! On the down side the route does miss the best of Alpi di suise.
FYI, ski time was probably a little under 1.5 hrs from getting off the bus in MP to Corvara via Val Gardena/Denterciepes, when we did the SR via Val di fassa it was 2.5 hrs but we came back via Pralongia so we could stop for a drink and do the last run down into Corvara, we could have got back in under 2.25 hrs. So if you find yourself running late the direct route will save you a chunk of time.
The first time the bus was full and not everyone got on, the second time it was standing room only and someone wasn't allowed on because they didn't have cash (5Eur) so be prepared.
We actually ended at Monte Pana today, it was almost deserted so although there are only a couple of runs it can make a nice change from the SR.
ps
I found it tricky to find the bus timetable so here's the link
https://www.valgardena.it/dl/skibus/2024_25/2024_25_Monte_Pana_Saltria_bis16032025.pdf
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| richb67 wrote: |
| sheffskibod wrote: |
We are in Corvara mid Feb and have wondered about sella Ronda + Gardena Ronda as have never been to alpi di suisi or monte pana …
Is the route across alpi di suisi to saltria bus stop pretty straightforward and approx how long does that take (say from arrival at bottom of La longia ? ) |
So I'd first time I'd allow 1hr 30 from the bottom of La Longia. Yes, the bus stop is easy to find, see video earlier in the thread.
We had a 2 great days working this out and neither had us risking last lifts to get home, you've just got to be a bit organised. We are not rapid skiers, obviously that is all entirely subjective but ski tracks show our average ski speed for the day was 17mph.
It's pretty straightforward around Alpi di suis, you have to follow the signs to Saltria, there is probably only one place where it would be easy to miss a junction so you do need to have an idea of where you're going (IIRC this is heading for the 2nd chairlift and you need to keep right). We have visited there twice before so had vague recollections of the layout but couldn't really remember the details so the first time we did the route this week it took ca 1hr 10 from the bottom of the Ortisei-Alpi di suis gondola to the bus stop, the second time almost exactly an hour but we knew where we were going and were rushing for a bus, which we missed by 5 mins...
However both times we've stopped in Ortisei for a coffee or to do a little shopping so this has pushed us into the bus drivers lunch breaks where there are 2 less buses which caused us delays. Actually when we did the GR and SR we got the first lift but stopped for coffee nr Selva, spent 5 mins shopping in Ortisei and then stopped for a coffee and we were at the bus stop at 12:25, so still under 4 hrs from leaving Corvara.
Once you get to Monte pana you can breathe a sigh of relief as it's all in your own hands. wW'll probably do again when family join us in a few weeks but if doing the SR as well we'll only stop once before the bus as this should get you to the bus for the 12:00 or 12:20 buses, after which there is a bus at 13:00 then 13:40. There are bars at both ends of the bus journey so it gives you some flexibility of when to take a break. If coming back the direct route I'd spend an hour or two extra in AdS and wait until the buses are back to their 20/25 minute departures.
So there is a little time for you to do a couple of extra runs in either AdS or MP it really depends on how fast you ski, how many breaks you have and your appetite for risk! On the down side the route does miss the best of Alpi di suise.
FYI, ski time was probably a little under 1.5 hrs from getting off the bus in MP to Corvara via Val Gardena/Denterciepes, when we did the SR via Val di fassa it was 2.5 hrs but we came back via Pralongia so we could stop for a drink and do the last run down into Corvara, we could have got back in under 2.25 hrs. So if you find yourself running late the direct route will save you a chunk of time.
The first time the bus was full and not everyone got on, the second time it was standing room only and someone wasn't allowed on because they didn't have cash (5Eur) so be prepared.
We actually ended at Monte Pana today, it was almost deserted so although there are only a couple of runs it can make a nice change from the SR.
ps
I found it tricky to find the bus timetable so here's the link
https://www.valgardena.it/dl/skibus/2024_25/2024_25_Monte_Pana_Saltria_bis16032025.pdf |
Excellent info - really appreciated.
Made me wonder though just how far you could ski from eg Corvara, in one day, with no repeated lifts or runs…?
Corvara , selva , Santa cristina , Seceda , ortisei, alpi suisi , monte pana , rest of SR (anticlockwise), but head up to Pralongia via cherz and misery , down to San cass , back up , down and up via bamby to piz la Ila , down to La Villa , back up… then finally down to Corvara ?
That last bit I am calling Alta Badia Ronda !
Might need a separate thread for this …!
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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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Anyone know what the skiing surface conditions are generally like at the moment ?
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Some insanely cold temps showing up towards end of next week on bergfex. Minus 27? Not sure i've ever seen that on an app before. Let's hope an outlier. Wepowder talked of a difference between the models as to cold coming in or not.
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Colfosco …. it’s snowing heavily, just started.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Was snowing earlier but now light rain/ sleet in Corvara. looking at the Col Alt gondola you can see the snow level starting part way up at maybe 1,700m ish. Could do with some of those insanely low temperatures right now. Some cars coming over from Arabba have a good few centimetres of snow on top so somewhere has had a nice freshen up.
Oh and whilst I typed this it’s now snowing outside so we’re obviously around the snow line…
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FAQ
