 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hi guys!
My wife and I are planning to go to the Dolomites in late February/25. We have done a lot of research here, and we have to decide between Selva or Corvara. We have found great hotels near the gondolas that fit our budget in both locations.
We are intermediates, we ski well on red slopes and some easy blacks. I prefer more adventure but my wife prefers cruise ski, then cruise ski 
We don’t care about apres ski. We are looking for good slopes, good views, good restaurants, and if possible less crowded slopes.
What is the best area around the city for an intermediate skier? I read a lot about the Great War Circuit and Hidden Valley, and I really wanted to check it out, and they are much more accessible by Corvara than by Selva.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
@icaroms, welcome to snowHeads. I find that some of the skiing around Selva can get unpleasantly bumpy and crowded, especially at the end of the day. My personal preference (I'm also a cruisy intermediate) would be for Corvara, the more so if you're not too bothered about après and if you want to do the Hidden Valley.
But someone might come along with a contrary view!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
@icaroms, I’d go for Corvara too but also look at Colfosco as a base if your not fussed about apres. It’s only a flat gondola away from Corvara and has its own nice runs locally. You have the whole of the Alfa Badia area from both and easy access to the Great War circuit and the Hidden Valley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Yes, if not bothered about nightlife, I’d also favour Corvara. Colfosco is a good shout too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Ahh -- the Blue Heaven of Alta Badia 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Corvara
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I agree with Corvara . But look at La Villa too...not as pretty as either but access straight into Alta Badia and a less crowded home run (San Cassiano gets V busy so I would avoid there).
Plus good local slopes which generally stay quiet - and easy access to Santa Croce .
If you want quiet slopes - be careful around end Feb as the Venice area has Carnivale on March 4th - its always quite busy around this time.
Looking online - it could run 22 Feb to 04 March.
And if you delve into this thread - https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=167136 - there is a link (and a chart in the thread) to a great analysis by wintersports netherlands of when people are likely to be on holiday this season due to school holidays - the week 01/03 to 08/03 looks awful .
A LOT of Germans on holiday and they do like to ski in the dolomites (Ignore the French totals in the charts / analysis though - they will all be skiing in France).
Fortunately for us - UK school hols are 15/02 - 22/02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'd say Corvara too. It has great access to a lot of nice cruisy blues, fantastic scenery and all the common day trips such as Sella Ronda, Santa Croce, Hidden Valley, Cinque Torri, Marmolada, etc.
The only thing I would say is that most hotels there are half board so there aren't a lot restaurants for evening meals but the area has no shortage of great places to eat on the slopes at lunchtime.
The last week of Feb. should be fine for quietness. I think the first week of March is the week that's going to be busy due to the Carnevale break.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
+1 for Corvara/Colfosco/La Villa, easy blues for your wife and easier access to Hidden Valley & WW1 circuit.
Plus you can ski all around Selva & Val Gardena anyway using the Sella Ronda links, a few more reds that way.
Just make sure you avoid the 1-8 March week as others have said, it's Fasching/Carnevale week, so will be busy with Bavarian Germans and locals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corvara (or Colfosco) would be a better bet for you - easier to get to Hidden Valley (and maybe the glacier at a push). You can do La Longia from there too. It's probably the best of all worlds!
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| WoottonBecs wrote: |
| Corvara (or Colfosco) ……..probably the best of all worlds! |
This ^ 
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Thanks to everyone who took the time to help! I'll be looking into hotels in Colfosco too!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Late January might be less crowded than late February.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Ditto. Colfosco or Corvara sound about right for you. Colfosco hotels are mostly rather lovely, it's quiet and well connected. Popular with the older set, or comfortably heeled young families. Corvara is more a complete village, without the hubbub of Selva. 
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Sun 6-10-24 11:25; edited 2 times in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
You think the first week of March will be crowded throughout the Dolomites or primarily just Sella Ronda? Just recently bought tickets in/out of Milan and am considering a couple of days at a smaller place and then onto Corvara, but this thread has me second guessing that.
Other recommendations proximate to Milan?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
| mr. mike wrote: |
You think the first week of March will be crowded throughout the Dolomites or primarily just Sella Ronda? Just recently bought tickets in/out of Milan and am considering a couple of days at a smaller place and then onto Corvara, but this thread has me second guessing that.
Other recommendations proximate to Milan? |
The Germans tend to holiday in Val Gardena, Alta Badia (and Kronplatz) which were part of Austria before ww1 and have a tradition of German speaking.
Corvara and the Sella Ronda will likely be busy as a result, but when isn't it?
The Italians may make a long weekend of it from 1-4 March (4th March 2025 is Martedi Grasso/Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday, the culmination of the Carnival season), but there aren't many schools off all week. Sunday is usually the busiest day at many smaller Italian resorts and they can be fairly quiet on weekdays.
Corvara and the Dolomites are a long way from Milan, but to avoid crowds in the Dolomites, you might want to try smaller areas at Alleghe (Civetta) & Falcade-Passo San Pellegrino, then head up to Arabba, which is usually the quietest place on the Sella Ronda and not overly frequented by Germans. The Cinque Torri Super8 circuit (part of Cortina ski area) is rarely busy. You can often have the chair and charming runs at Lake Misurina pretty much to yourself. 
https://www.bergfex.com/passo-pellegrino-fassatal-falcade-trevalli/
https://www.bergfex.com/civetta/
https://www.bergfex.com/arabba/
https://5torri.it/EN/p25-Super8-Ski-Tour
https://skipasscortina.com/EN/s12-misurina-neve-srl
There is also Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomites that is a bit easier from Milan
https://www.bergfex.com/madonna-di-campiglio/
Somewhere else more accessible from Milan Malpensa and not affected by the German holidays might be the Aosta Valley and ski areas such as the Monte Rosa or Cervinia, but it is the opposite direction to the Dolomites.
https://www.bergfex.com/gressoney-la-trinite/
https://www.bergfex.com/breuil-cervinia/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
I think if you're totally OK with just skiing and hanging out in your accommodations, then Corvara for sure. We're very attached to Selva but, really, I have to admit that by the end of the day a lot of the home runs are an icy mess.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
| Pasigal wrote: |
| I have to admit that by the end of the day a lot of the home runs are an icy mess. |
I can't say that I agree. During busy weeks it can get a bit chopped heading back into town, but that's normal anywhere. Having said that, I've always considered Selva not great for beginners or less than confident skiers. There are red 'traps' on every in and out for those whom only want to ski blues.
One of my ski buddies is taking his wife to Selva for the first time this season. She's not the most confident. He's pre-planning taxi trips up and down the valley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
It may be that a lot of us that post on here have a few weeks skiing done.
The main thing that comes out re the Sella Ronda is it's an easy half day out.
While it often is there are days when due to the conditions it can be troublesome bump/ ice fest in bits and a total pain if the wind starts closing lifts.
No different to other ski resorts but newcomers should be aware.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
