Evenin' all, I was resigned on not going snowboarding this coming winter which would be the first time in 15 years. I have an operation due on my shoulder and thought they'd have given me a date by now but silence so I just thought I might be able to get in a cheeky trip with the wife. Something laid back and not full on incase my surgery does come up. I thought Italy would be nice as I've never been for snowboarding. So, here goes.
Must haves: Pretty town, a little apres straight off the hill, good food, nice runs with gentle slopes for the mrs (beginner), quiet but not sleepy, some off-piste for me to maybe get a guide for a day. Advanced+ runs for me to keep me entertained but ease of access for the mrs to greens and wider blues to get around together (tantrums willing)
Looking around most resorts seem 3 hrs from either Innsbruk or Verona which is long but would consider a hire car to maybe explore along the way (if worth it).
Cervinia, Sestriere, Cavalese, Kronplatz, Livigno, Selva Val Gardena, Val di Fassa looked at these but none stand out really. We're planning 5 nights if possible. What's the collective thoughts on this?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 5-11-24 9:25; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Gainz, if you could drop the 'pretty town' criterion, several of these would be promising, I think. With your wife's needs for gentle progression particularly in mind, Pozza di Fassa would be good.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but Pozza is IMHO prettier than Livigno, Cervinia, Kronplatz and probably Selva Val Gardena.
The latter probably has the most skiing easily accessible and reachable but not much of it is easy for your wife, though great for you. Nearby Colfosco would tick your boxes but is probably significantly more expensive than those on your list.
Depends how much you'd be prepared to put up with uglyish and tantrums.
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?
Cortina is a bustling, lively, town but I'd not really describe it as "pretty". Great place for the "passeggiata" though, with more mink coats than you can shake a stick at. And if you want to buy an exquisite small statue, or work of art, after your coffee and cake, it's right there.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
yes i have been thinking of another trip to Cortina. great food, quiet pistes on the whole and plenty of skiing for a few days
Looking around most resorts seem 3 hrs from either Innsbruk or Verona which is long but would consider a hire car to maybe explore along the way (if worth it).
Cervinia, Sestriere, Cavalese, Kronplatz, Livigno, Selva Val Gardena, Val di Fassa looked at these but none stand out really. We're planning 5 nights if possible. What's the collective thoughts on this?
I'll take them in the order you mentioned, except Cavalese:
-Cervinia & Sestriere have very little resort charm as they were purpose built. The ski areas are good though. Turin is the closest airport for these, about 1.5hr
-Livigno is a very long drive from anywhere. Innsbruck is closest, but there's the one way tunnel to negotiate. It is probably the most boarder-oriented of all the ones you mentioned
-Kronplatz, impressive lift infrastructure and Brunico is a pretty town near the base. Not as scenic as areas in the heart of the Dolomites further south. Best accessed from Innsbruck which is about 1.5hr away.
-Selva is a good spot right on the Sella Ronda, but is not a cheap option and the local slopes may be too intimidating for a timid skier. Ortisei may be better spot in Val Gardena with a pretty town and some easy skiing on Alpe di Siusi. Less than 2hrs from Innsbruck, a bit further from Verona
-Cortina is an easy drive from Venice airport, about 2 hrs. Not a cheap place to stay either. There are some really nice blues above Socrepes in the Tofana sector that your wife will love https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kdtj7J32ch7uFS8A6
-Cavalese is about 2hrs from Verona. It has a bit of a historic core and 3 nice ski areas within striking distance. The skiing on the edge of town up to Alpe Cermis is decent. Lovely pretty ski area a few miles out of town at Pampeago (marketed as Latemar-Obereggen). You also have Bellamonte 25mins away. Some lovely long blues here for your wife.
-If you drive past Cavalese further up the Val di Fiemme, it becomes Val di Fassa. Moena has the most charming centre (now bypassed) with access to lovely ski areas like Latemar, Alpe Lusia, Passo San Pellegrino, Carezza and the Sella Ronda at the head of the valley. Pozza is smaller and pleasant enough place, but the main road is busy.
The Dolomites aren't generally snowy enough for steep & deep snowboarding. You can get lucky with snow in March and there is some pretty extreme guide-necessary off-piste to exploit it, but sounds like you need to stay away from that with the dodgy shoulder anyway!
Good food is pretty much guaranteed, it's Italy!!
Get an evening flight home and you can have a few hrs in Venice or Verona on the last day.
Oh and no such thing as a green in Italy. It's a 3 tier system, beginner runs are blue, intermediates are red and advanced are black. So reds tend to be easier than French reds, but no guarantees!!
Another thing I would point out is that it is Fasching/Carnevale/Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day holiday the week 1-8 March 2025. Areas that see a lot of Germans like Val Gardena and Kronplatz will be very busy that week. Italians sometimes a have a long weekend just before Shrove Tuesday, so 1-4 March. In Venice they make a big thing of it too for 2 weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday, costumed people and lots of events. It might affect flight pricing, definitely hotels in Venice.
Maybe you could attend a masked ball...
Seems like you need to work out where you can get reasonable flights to and take it from there
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Corvara. Rather expensive but probably you and your wife will want to return next year.
The views, the pistes, the easy lift connections to more challenging stuff for you
After all it is free
After all it is free
Thanks guys that's some really good advice here. Corvara and Cortina look great and the idea of a few hours in verona or venice would please the mrs (of course it would!) I'll do some more research and narrow it down so will pop back here again soon. A masked ball is something I'd love to do even though it scares the pants off me!!
Last edited by After all it is free on Thu 21-11-24 9:50; edited 1 time in total
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@Gainz, I think either Corvara or Cortina would be a good choice.
If they prove too expensive, Kronplatz (Brunico) could be a more reasonable base, with slopes to suit both of you. It has a decent snow record later in the season. If anything it lacks the unique mountain scenery of the Sella Ronda, looking rather more Austrian in that respect (not at all shabby though!). With a car it would be easy enough to link into the Sella Ronda and enjoy the more northerly parts of that area. You being more advanced you could easily do a whole circuit and back on a full day skiing, starting from Kronplatz.
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Kronplatz is the mountain rather than the town.
San Vigilio / Sankt Vigil / Marebbe is prettier and more convenient than Bruneck / Brunico
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
JHS wrote:
Kronplatz is the mountain rather than the town.
San Vigilio / Sankt Vigil / Marebbe is prettier and more convenient than Bruneck / Brunico
Brunico/Bruneck has a very pretty old town, I suggested it because the OP asked for a 'pretty town', but agree that it's one step (3km) removed from the ski area. You could always stay near the lift at Riscone/Reischach and go into town of an evening...or forego the town idea and take the convenient village setting of San Vigilio.
Brunico
San Vigilio
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@luigi, I will agree with all of that. If the OP wants a town with a pretty part and all of the facilities the Bruneck / Brunico.
If a smaller village then San Vigilio.
It does seem to be an area that covers other requirements. Close to Innsbruck. Mix of runs
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
you could look at Madonna di Campiglio.
Nice town
Can ski right into the town centre for Apres but also some on the side of the piste (which is mainly civilised/tame rather than mad party)
good beginners area and blues to move on to for your wife but some genuinely steep pistes for you
2.5 hrs from Verona
plenty of decent places to eat covering all budgets (Michelin star to standard fare)
But
off-piste limited compared to some areas and you'd definitely need a guide
Decent size ski area but not a massive like Corvara/Selva etc maybe if you're wife is a beginner you wouldn't need a big area and for a short break there should be plenty for you
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I've put a place holder in San Vigilio Piccolo hotel which is ski in not sure about ski out. (Actually looking at the photo I think its the one at the top of the village!) I'm stuck with dates as its my birthday beginning march and would like this week. What is this viliage like? Is there apres, some life or just sleepy?
Also renting a car is cheap from Treviso airport but a 3 hour slog or double up at innsbruk airport but half the distance. Was looking at staying the night in Venice near the mestre train station for easy access to the island but easier access to the main highway. How is the drive up from here? Thanks guys.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Gainz wrote:
I've put a place holder in San Vigilio Piccolo hotel which is ski in not sure about ski out. (Actually looking at the photo I think its the one at the top of the village!) I'm stuck with dates as its my birthday beginning march and would like this week. What is this viliage like? Is there apres, some life or just sleepy?
Also renting a car is cheap from Treviso airport but a 3 hour slog or double up at innsbruk airport but half the distance. Was looking at staying the night in Venice near the mestre train station for easy access to the island but easier access to the main highway. How is the drive up from here? Thanks guys.
If so, you may be able to ski back to it and it's a stone's throw from the short Cianross gondola (206 on piste map below). This is on the Piculin side of the village which has some quite steep runs.
The gentler terrain and the main Kronplatz peak is across the other side. You need the Skitrans Bronta gondola (203) to transit across the village.
Never stayed in San Vigilio, just passed through, so can't comment on apres/nightlife, but my guess would be fairly quiet.
One thing you will hit is the Fasching crowds if you go 1-8th March. Kronplatz is very popular with Germans and that is one of the busiest weeks of the season for German skiers. The orangey-yellow on this bar chart:
Innsbruck is going to be a lot closer and easier, as long as you don't get caught in the Brenner roadworks. You will get winter tyres at Innsbruck, just a set of chains in Italy. There's a whole lot of mountains in the way on a direct route between Venice or Treviso and San Vigilio. Sensible lower altitude routes would be via Cortina d'Ampezzo using A27/SS51/SS49 or via Verona & Bolzano using A4/A22/SS49. But obviously if you've got all day, don't mind winding roads and hairpins and it's a clear day with no snow forecast, you can go right through the mountains (via A27, then Belluno, Agordo, Alleghe, (or via Val di Zoldo and Staulanza Pass), Arabba, Campolongo Pass, Corvara, San Vigilio)
If you're set on using Venice airports, you ideally need something closer in the SE quadrant of the Dolomites... Cortina, Civetta (Alleghe, Zoldo Alto), Falcade, Arabba, San Martino di Castrozza etc (1, 12 , 11, 6 & 9 on map below). There won't be many Germans down there either!!
I expect a lot comes down to flight costs/timings plus car hire plus accommodation. Only you can make that decision
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Gainz wrote:
Was looking at staying the night in Venice near the mestre train station for easy access to the island but easier access to the main highway.
Mestre is not Venice, it's an industrial town on the mainland, but a lot cheaper staying there compared to Venice and the car would be a problem in Venice as you would have to leave it at some very expensive car parks overnight.
You can get a bus or train across the causeway to Venice from Mestre.
Can you not get an evening flight home, even from Marco Polo airport, so you can do a few hours in the afternoon in Venice?? Even parking for a few hours is cheaper than staying overnight.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@luigi, Yes thats the one. Thats very helpful info, grazie. I'll do some more research.
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?
luigi wrote:
Gainz wrote:
Was looking at staying the night in Venice near the mestre train station for easy access to the island but easier access to the main highway.
Mestre is not Venice, it's an industrial town on the mainland, but a lot cheaper staying there compared to Venice and the car would be a problem in Venice as you would have to leave it at some very expensive car parks overnight.
You can get a bus or train across the causeway to Venice from Mestre.
Can you not get an evening flight home, even from Marco Polo airport, so you can do a few hours in the afternoon in Venice?? Even parking for a few hours is cheaper than staying overnight.
Yes I kinda figuered that out. Been to Italy a few times and it can be mayhem in towns and cities. Yes will look at different flights too but not looking good so far.
@Gainz, we found San Vigilio quite quiet. Which suited us. Nice for a stroll in the evenings.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Never stayed in San Vigilio but passed through it. Not an unappealing village but not as attractive as many on, or branching off from, the Sella Ronda circuit. I would think the main advantage is better value accommodation than those, also compared to Brunico. There's quite a challenging black home run to San Vigilio when returning from Kronplatz. Can't recall alternatives but piste map will confirm.
The other main advantage I can think of for staying there is that it's a shorter drive to access the Sella Ronda at Corvara. Also the San Cassiano/Armenterola area, to access the Cinque Torre, Lagazuoi pass and Hidden Valley areas. San Cassiano in particular has some lovely blue runs above it, which could be ideal for your wife to develop skills and confidence. Red piste alternatives too. Colfosco would also be a good little area for you both, as there's a very gentle wide valley piste + some more challenging terrain above it, making it easy to slide around separately but still meet up easily and regularly. Some great lunch and drinks break stops there.
From San Vigilio you can catch the bus to the main Sella Ronda circuit from the bottom of the Piculin black run. This is the one one the other side from the main ski area. We never tried it, as we’d been to the main SR plenty times before and wanted to concentrate on Kronplatz. When our neighbours stayed in SV they caught the bus a couple of times as they had never been to the Super Dolimiti Ski area before. IIRC they said it took you in to La Villa or Corvara.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@Gainz, I’ve driven VCE to Canazei 3 times in last two years, the autostrada bit is very easy relaxed driving, from Beluno to Alleghe is easy if a little slow as you go through plenty of villages, from Alleghe it gets windier and higher over to Val di Fassa, the pass was closed in March due to a landslide, so I had to detour via Arabba, with the pass being similar but added about a hour on the journey, which is normally 2.5-3 hours not including a coffee stop.
We have also had a night in Venice before flying home, stayed in Mestre just off the square by the train and bus station, we used the bus to get into Venice. One word of warning Venice has its share of pick pockets, keep all cash and cards in an zipped inside pocket or document holder under your jumper, their method is to distract you, asking to take a picture etc and whilst talking an accomplice will try to dip your pockets ( we speak from experience unfortunately)
After all it is free
After all it is free
PeakyB wrote:
Never stayed in San Vigilio but passed through it. Not an unappealing village but not as attractive as many on, or branching off from, the Sella Ronda circuit. I would think the main advantage is better value accommodation than those, also compared to Brunico. There's quite a challenging black home run to San Vigilio when returning from Kronplatz. Can't recall alternatives but piste map will confirm.
The other main advantage I can think of for staying there is that it's a shorter drive to access the Sella Ronda at Corvara. Also the San Cassiano/Armenterola area, to access the Cinque Torre, Lagazuoi pass and Hidden Valley areas. San Cassiano in particular has some lovely blue runs above it, which could be ideal for your wife to develop skills and confidence. Red piste alternatives too. Colfosco would also be a good little area for you both, as there's a very gentle wide valley piste + some more challenging terrain above it, making it easy to slide around separately but still meet up easily and regularly. Some great lunch and drinks break stops there.
I agree those areas in the heart of the Dolomites are more appealing, but I think you would be better off staying closer if you planned on visiting those areas regularly rather than using San Vigilio as a base.
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dode wrote:
From San Vigilio you can catch the bus to the main Sella Ronda circuit from the bottom of the Piculin black run. This is the one one the other side from the main ski area. We never tried it, as we’d been to the main SR plenty times before and wanted to concentrate on Kronplatz. When our neighbours stayed in SV they caught the bus a couple of times as they had never been to the Super Dolimiti Ski area before. IIRC they said it took you in to La Villa or Corvara.
The bus runs from Piculin/Piccolino/Pikulein (this is over the hill from San Vigilio, you have to get used to 3 names in Ladin, Italian & German in this area), here...
I've done it the other way to visit Kronplatz, but the route is quite long-winded and time-consuming, esp if you have long waits each time for the bus, so doesn't really allow much exploration whichever way you do it. Maybe once, but wouldn't recommend it as a way of commuting.
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geoffknight wrote:
@Gainz, I’ve driven VCE to Canazei 3 times in last two years, the autostrada bit is very easy relaxed driving, from Beluno to Alleghe is easy if a little slow as you go through plenty of villages, from Alleghe it gets windier and higher over to Val di Fassa, the pass was closed in March due to a landslide, so I had to detour via Arabba, with the pass being similar but added about a hour on the journey, which is normally 2.5-3 hours not including a coffee stop.
We have also had a night in Venice before flying home, stayed in Mestre just off the square by the train and bus station, we used the bus to get into Venice. One word of warning Venice has its share of pick pockets, keep all cash and cards in an zipped inside pocket or document holder under your jumper, their method is to distract you, asking to take a picture etc and whilst talking an accomplice will try to dip your pockets ( we speak from experience unfortunately)
All the high passes in the Central Dolomites are prone to closure in winter, so I wouldn't rely on them absolutely as a means of transfer access.
There are obvious lower altitude routes into each area that follow the valleys up. But that means different arrival airports are better suited to different resorts.
Verona for SW quadrant: Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa, Val Gardena, etc
Innsbruck for NW/NE quadrants: Val Gardena (also), Kronplatz, Alta Badia, 3Zinnen
Venice for SE quadrant: Cortina, Civetta, Falcade, Arabba, etc
Of course, you can go the long way round using the motorways A4/A22, but that makes for some very long transfers.
Wise advice on the pickpockets! Sadly, gangs of East European, predominantly gypsy, thieves operate all over the tourist hotspots of Europe, including London. If you go to Romania and pass by a gypsy village, you see the proceeds of their illicit gains being ploughed into the construction of palatial homes. They operate the shell game too, which is a scam. Fake beggars, fake surveys to distract you too. Sadly, they see the tourists as fair game, with zero concern for the distressing consequences of their crimes. Their attitude is if they are foolish enough to let us, we will take it. Be aware and keep your stuff safe!
Some brave locals try to warn the tourists of their presence in Venice!!
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, I agree entirely that it’s better to stay closer than San Vigilio if you intend to access the Sella Ronda villages much.
However if accommodation were to be significantly better value in SV and you have a car, it’s not a bad compromise. Depends what any saving might be and how flexible the budget is. For a roughly 50/30/20 split between Kronplatz / Corvara & around / Laguzoi pass & around, could it work quite well?
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
PeakyB wrote:
@luigi, I agree entirely that it’s better to stay closer than San Vigilio if you intend to access the Sella Ronda villages much.
However if accommodation were to be significantly better value in SV and you have a car, it’s not a bad compromise. Depends what any saving might be and how flexible the budget is. For a roughly 50/30/20 split between Kronplatz / Corvara & around / Laguzoi pass & around, could it work quite well?
If you had a car and don't mind commuting, I would say stay between the two (maybe San Martino, Pederoa/La Val, Pedraces), will be cheaper than any resort, then you can commute both ways, down to Piculin for Kronplatz, up to La Villa, Corvara, San Cassiano etc.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
@luigi, useful local knowledge again, which I’ll keep for future reference.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
We did a week in St Vigilio last Jan and going back on 15/12
It’s a pretty village with a handful of bars in town but a couple of decent apres - lots of people had a post ski beer at pizzeria la bronta at the bottom of the main home run (Miara - a wonderful long , wide straight blue with consistent gradient - probably the best blue I have ever been on for early intermediates to practice carving and gain confidence). That is in the opposite side of town from Hôtel piccolo but there is a crosstown Gondala to get you back.
Or there are a few bars / huttes at the top of col Ancona (which is on the side of town where piccolo is) and from that point you can have a beer and watch the sun go down - amazing views.
As others said , Hotel piccolo is near Cianross lift from where you can ski down and get the cross town lift to go up towards Kronplatz.
Main mountain at Kronplatz is a few lifts and runs from piccolo but all on blues / easy reds . Once there , the top half of the mountain is blue and although it looks on a piste map that it’s lots of runs , almost all of the top part is skiable - it’s like one huge wide blue…
The further down you go , the steeper it generally gets. There is an amazing long red down to Percha (albeit a long gondala ride back up)
There are also several world class and very long blacks.
To come home you can ski blues (make sure to take blue 9 from the very top and not red 12 which is tricky) and reds. Only tricky bit I would say is red run 34 Col Toron which then leads into blue 36 Miara (as mentioned above)
Tonnes of excellent mountain restaurants.
If you have a car , it’s 20 mins drive to La Villa where there is a large and amazingly cheap carpark next to the main bubble which drops you up into Alta Badia and from there - more skiing than you could want !
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
sheffskibod wrote:
If you have a car , it’s 20 mins drive to La Villa where there is a large and amazingly cheap carpark next to the main bubble which drops you up into Alta Badia and from there - more skiing than you could want !
It is more like 30mins from San Vigilio up to La Villa on a good day, but good point on the free car park!
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@sheffskibod, thanks for the info makes me really want to stay at the piccolo even though its just over our budget. I put a place holder at the hotel plank too in san martino thanks again @luigi, great call and since we'll have the car might aswell make use of it. What about the pass, does one cover it all or its daily pass purchase? I'll probably get a 6 day pass if the former and I can get the mrs a daily when she wants in. I have to work out logistics now and see which to pick. I tried some other resorts but there are some crazy prices going around!
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?
Gainz wrote:
@sheffskibod, thanks for the info makes me really want to stay at the piccolo even though its just over our budget. I put a place holder at the hotel plank too in san martino thanks again @luigi, great call and since we'll have the car might aswell make use of it. What about the pass, does one cover it all or its daily pass purchase? I'll probably get a 6 day pass if the former and I can get the mrs a daily when she wants in. I have to work out logistics now and see which to pick. I tried some other resorts but there are some crazy prices going around!
The 6-day Dolomiti Superski pass covers everything in 12 ski areas across the Dolomites. Kronplatz and Alta Badia will be the nearest to you.
You can buy day or multi-day passes for each ski area. Some areas do a 3+3 pass a bit cheaper, 3 days in local area, plus 3 days DS and you can alternate the days across the week.
You need the Dolomiti pass to complete the Sella Ronda as you cross 4 different ski areas on the route. Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa & Arabba. You can buy a 1 day DS too if Mrs G wants to join.
The villages directly on the Sella Ronda can be very pricey, but if you can commute a few miles you can usually save quite a bit.
I pretty much agree with all the above. I stay regularly at Ciasa Valentin which is virtually next door to Hotel Claudia. It is well placed for the Cianross lift to get into the system and a 200-300 yard walk to the TransBronta Gondola or Pedaga Gondola if you want to get up to Piculin or across to Kronplatz.
I agree that Miara is the best piste I have ever encountered for beginners / nervous skiers.
We always self cater as there is an excellent selection of well priced eateries around and the Spar is within easy walking distance.
A car is useful to get into the Sella Ronda and main Dolomite area but it is possible to get to the Piculin base station (up Pedaga and then ski Piculin which is a STEEP black or take the gondola down) from where a free ski bus takes you to Alta Badia.
La Bronta at the bottom of the Miara piste for a beer after skiing.
Or the K1 bar at Reischach for dancing on the tables but that’s a taxi or drive back to San Vigilio
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Afternoon all, I have finally booked it all up (free cancellation on everything ex flights) So opted for Alpino hotel B&B in Varena (Cavalese) for 6 nights, renting a car from VCE and return flights there plus 2 nights in Venice at the end. I'll be dropping off the car before the stay in Venice as we're staying on the island (saves on hassle i think) This came to £1400 for us both but no pass. That brings me onto the pass and closest areas to snowboard. What is recommended and which pass for me please? I found a 5 out of 6 day dolomiti pass for 380e but is it needed? I'll pay per day for the mrs as she'll have time off. Are the other areas easy to get to and park? Is guided off piste worth it around here? Thanks.
@Gainz, you can get the Valle Silver pass which is a bit cheaper than the Dolomiti Superski. €333 (HS, advance purchase) for a 5 day pass. It covers everything you can easily get to in Val di Fiemme & Val di Fassa, but won't let you do the full Sella Ronda (doesn't include the other 3 ski areas you need).
For 5 days, good spots local to you will be Latemar accessed from Pampeago, Alpe Cermis accessed from Cavalese, Passo San Pellegrino/Falcade & Alpe Lusia/Bellamonte. Further afield there is Carezza, San Martino di Castrozza/Passo Rolle & the Pozza/Buffaure/Belvedere/Pordoi circuit.
There's plenty there and you probably won't be able to do all of them in 5 days, so there are going to be some hard choices...
There is a 2019 trip report from @denfinella who actually stayed in Varena like you...goes into a bit more detail about the ski areas and some great photos...
Not done any guided off-piste, but some have on here. I'll try and find the trip report, it was @horizon. If the conditions are right, there are some amazing routes off the Sella, accessed from Sass Pordoi cablecar. Shane McConkey died base-jumping up there, so you need to speak to a guide in Canazei to help you find a good route.
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Wed 20-11-24 22:44; edited 2 times in total
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Here's the 2009 off-piste TR...pics have sadly disappeared though...
Might be worth messaging @horizon if he's still about!
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.
Gainz wrote:
I'll be dropping off the car before the stay in Venice as we're staying on the island (saves on hassle i think)
Wise move, the car would be a problem if you're staying two nights in Venice. There are public buses, private taxis, water taxis and the Alilaguna boats to get to and from the airport. Not sure which is best as I've not used those services, though the first time I ever went to Venice I was staying near Lido di Jesolo, so I travelled by ferry boat across the lagoon from Punta Sabbioni to St Marks basin, it was an amazing way to arrive
Last edited by You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net. on Wed 20-11-24 19:57; edited 1 time in total
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
From Venice airport, there are various routes, but all involve a climb...and of course there is a bit of a climb up to Varena from Cavalese.
The shortest is via Val Sugana and over the Manghen Pass. Never been that way so I don't know what it's like in winter.
May be better to go up the A27 N to Belluno, then Agordo, Falcade and over Passo San Pellegrino (1900m), they keep the pass open there because of the ski resort.
If the weather is really bad, you might have to go A4 W to Verona, then A22 N to Ora, then up over the lower (1100m) San Lugano pass to Cavalese.
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads on Wed 20-11-24 22:43; edited 1 time in total
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
collective thoughts on this?
