 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello everyone,
I am looking into skiing Italy in the future. I have skied the Sella Ronda from Arabba in the last 2 seasons and loved it but want to try somewhere new. Have narrowed it down to Madonna di Campigilo (possibly staying in Pinzolo to save money) Bormio or perhaps Cervinia (although this could be a stretch budget wise) Any thoughts on which is the best option or even any different suggestions. TIA
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@andyfunski, Welcome to Snowheads!
It would be helpful if you could outline the sort of skiing you do and what you like vs. dislike. People will then be able to give advice based on the fit of that and the resorts yoy mentioned - and maybe others
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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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Pinzolo is a good option. Nice town with lots of restaurant options and typical Italian hotels. Its own ski area is pretty good and not as busy IME as the "main" side at MdC and the gondola across to the Cinque Laghi area at MdC. Also possible to stay down in Val di Sole and access the same area from Daolasa/Marilleva. Can also take a bus from that side (or drive if you have a car) up to Pejo or Passo Tonale on the same Skirama pass
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Skied the Sella Ronda on five different rips and loved it too.
Skied Cervinia last year on a lads trip but found reasonable accommodation difficult to find. Was good though and the ski into Zermatt was out of this world. (coming back was also out of this world, for different reasons.)
Skied Bormio a few years back and enjoyed it, but the journey to and from the airport was rather torturous. Peak to creek is awesome, but a leg killer.
You haven't mentioned Courmayeur which is another great Italian resort and pretty easy to get to.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Pinzolo is nice as DOTM said but is a long horizontal gondola trip up the vally to MDC.
You can't really go wrong in any of these areas though, the scenery is amazing and the snow making in the event of a dry spell is pretty good.
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La Thuile is an under-rated resort and is quite cheap too IIRC
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I take it that you have already read Where to Ski in Italy by Chris Gill which covers the major resorts. Without knowing what exactly you want from your ski trip and when you plan to travel it is hard to make any reccomendations. There are lots of Italian resorts barely known in the UK, some, such as the Zoldo Valley are easily reached from Venice, some such as Livigno are quite a long transfer but has a long season. Then of course you have the Apennine resorts.
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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.
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Valtournenche has a fast connection to Cervinia and a sizeable area of itself.
Authentic village. Accomodation a LOT less expensive than Cervinia, eating out as well.
As for me. Ticking off a bucketlist item.
Going to Gressoney!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@andyfunski, Via Lattea or Monterosa are both great.
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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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@Onnem, You'll enjoy the Monterosa, especially if you like a bit of Off-Piste.
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Loved Monterosa.
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You know it makes sense.
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@andyfunski,
What time of year?
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Well I finally booked Peak Week (Carnival) in Val Gardena. Completely blew the budget but in the last 10 days all the earlier more reasonably priced possibilities have just disappeared off the market  .
What I found this morning was two rooms for two each is ok, but two rooms including a single (my wife will go elsewhere while I take daughters) is apparently unacceptable.
The one I booked has free cancellation for a couple of weeks in case something else comes up.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Thanks everyone,
As you can see I'm new to all this and not even sure how to reply to individual comments so hope this is seen by all.
Some of you, quite reasonably, asked for more detail so here goes.
It will probably be the 26/27 season as unfortunately funds are tight this year, thankfully I live in Bansko so will still get a full season's skiing in albeit in a relatively small, often crowded resort sooo.....
Looking for larger ski areas 100+ km minimum especially interested in linked resorts for sense of travel
Preferably not too crowded although probably looking to go early to mid Jan to help with this
Varied terrain as my wife and I are experienced skiers who enjoy the occasional challenging black but love cruising/carving long blues and reds.
Don't require lots of lively apres but would be nice to have a choice of bars including at least one with live music.
Not too pricey or pretentious (hence haven't considered Courmayer)
Hope this helps 
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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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@andyfunski, Does it have to be Italy?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| DCG wrote: |
@andyfunski, Welcome to Snowheads!
It would be helpful if you could outline the sort of skiing you do and what you like vs. dislike. People will then be able to give advice based on the fit of that and the resorts yoy mentioned - and maybe others |
Thanks, I have added more detail lower down
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| Pinzolo is a good option. Nice town with lots of restaurant options and typical Italian hotels. Its own ski area is pretty good and not as busy IME as the "main" side at MdC and the gondola across to the Cinque Laghi area at MdC. Also possible to stay down in Val di Sole and access the same area from Daolasa/Marilleva. Can also take a bus from that side (or drive if you have a car) up to Pejo or Passo Tonale on the same Skirama pass |
Thanks for the info
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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.
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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| @andyfunski, Does it have to be Italy? |
No, but I've skied quite a few French resorts and several Austrian as well as having done several seasons in Switzerland.
I was very impressed with the Sella Ronda and feel like Italy has a lot to offer with well groomed pistes, good lift systems and affordability so have decided to focus my search there
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| Rockape63 wrote: |
Skied the Sella Ronda on five different rips and loved it too.
Skied Cervinia last year on a lads trip but found reasonable accommodation difficult to find. Was good though and the ski into Zermatt was out of this world. (coming back was also out of this world, for different reasons.)
Skied Bormio a few years back and enjoyed it, but the journey to and from the airport was rather torturous. Peak to creek is awesome, but a leg killer.
You haven't mentioned Courmayeur which is another great Italian resort and pretty easy to get to. |
Thanks for the info
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| @andyfunski, Via Lattea or Monterosa are both great. |
Thanks I am looking into them now
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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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| Kenzie wrote: |
@andyfunski,
What time of year? |
Probably early Jan 26/27.......I know, planning well ahead
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| Orange200 wrote: |
Well I finally booked Peak Week (Carnival) in Val Gardena. Completely blew the budget but in the last 10 days all the earlier more reasonably priced possibilities have just disappeared off the market .
What I found this morning was two rooms for two each is ok, but two rooms including a single (my wife will go elsewhere while I take daughters) is apparently unacceptable.
The one I booked has free cancellation for a couple of weeks in case something else comes up. |
Nice, I had Val Gardena on my wish list but was a bit pricey so decided to do it as part of a Sella Ronda stay in Arabba, the area is amazing I'm sure you'll have an amazing time but I found the town a little busy for my personal preference so was happy to visit rather than be based there.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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Varied terrrain, link to larger area, inexpensive, uncrowded. La Thuile fits the bill apart from the live music (I'm sure someone could correct me if I'm wrong)
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
What I found this morning was two rooms for two each is ok, but two rooms including a single (my wife will go elsewhere while I take daughters) is apparently unacceptable.
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That sounds strange, @Orange200. Generally in Italy, like France, you pay for the room and whether you put one person in it or two is up to you. Same price either way.
I suppose if it's a "half board" arrangement the hotel is counting on making their dosh on the evening meal. One of the reasons I don't like half board.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| andyfunski wrote: |
| RedandWhiteFlachau wrote: |
| @andyfunski, Does it have to be Italy? |
No, but I've skied quite a few French resorts and several Austrian as well as having done several seasons in Switzerland.
I was very impressed with the Sella Ronda and feel like Italy has a lot to offer with well groomed pistes, good lift systems and affordability so have decided to focus my search there |
Don't say that too loudly on here! 
Apparently it's 'controversial' in some quarters to say you prefer the offering you find in the Dolomites...and similar to me, it's not like you haven't sampled the alternatives either!! 
Now we know what you like and when you want to go, you are going to struggle to replicate some of the particular qualities of the Sella Ronda areas, the sheer size of the area, the lift investment and with Arabba being the least busy corner too, you have already hit on one of the best spots in Italy.
You could try one of the other corners of the Sella Ronda. Val Gardena can be busier, but 2nd-3rd week Jan should be less so. Corvara/Alta Badia, gentler terrain, so not quite the same challenges as Arabba. Canazei/Val di Fassa, more affordable, but not quite as convenient, though I like it because it has some great quieter areas to discover down the valley away from the SR.
There are other enjoyable areas in the Dolomiti Superski like Civetta, Cortina, 3 Zinnen, Kronplatz, Falcade, Latemar, S Martino di Castrozza, etc but they are smaller so wouldn't offer the same sense of travel on skis you get around the SR. But place yourself within striking distance of a few and you could have a great week if you don't mind hiring a car from the airport and doing a short commute every day.
Madonna di Campiglio ski area in the Brenta Dolomites may also be a good alternative. Similar Dolomites scenery, good lift infrastructure, scrupulous grooming, large ski area. As @Dave of the Marmottes mentioned you could stay in Val di Sole and team it with Passo Tonale & Pejo for a bit more interest.
MonteRosa would suit a competent skier like yourself, spread across 3 valleys with long verticals, wild high alpine feel with the 4000m peaks looming, never that busy, but not quite the sense of travel that you get on the SR.
Cervinia/Valtournenche is an amazing ski area set in a high alpine bowl with the Matterhorn looming, long runs with massive verticals, plus you get that back door into Zermatt which opens up even more. You need to try it once. Not much shelter from wind and snow though.
La Thuile is a very varied area, nice runs out wide and over the back onto the St Bernard Pass. The option of skiing over the border at La Rosiere too. Very worthwhile!
Those are the options I would suggest!
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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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Thanks for that certainly given me some food for thought
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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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| dobby wrote: |
| Varied terrrain, link to larger area, inexpensive, uncrowded. La Thuile fits the bill apart from the live music (I'm sure someone could correct me if I'm wrong) |
I've taken a look at Thuile and it definitely looks like a contender, thanks for the tip
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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If you’re looking for that “sense of travel”, then perhaps check out Folgarida. Less expensive than MdC (and quieter, with less nightlife), but a nice base from which to ski the Folgarida/Marilleva/McC (Brenta Dolomites) ski area. Stay in Folgarida 1400 as opposed to 1300….its a bit livelier and there are some ski in/out accommodation options.
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| Onnem wrote: |
If you want to know why MonteRosa (Gressoney) should be on any serious skiers bucket list.
What sets it apart?
1. Dramatic scenery. The south wall of Monte Rosa, at Gressoney, rises a Himalayan 3000 vertical meters (9000 feet) over the valley. That is 3 times the size of your average Austrian resort.
2. Authentic villages. Gressoney is over 1000 years old.
3. Not industrialized. Instead of plastering the hill with multiple lifts and 4-6 descents. One lift, and one of 2 slopes.
4. Masssive, no MASSIVE height difference. Each slope is 1000, often 1200, and sometimes (Indren) 1400 vertical meters. Compare that to your average 600-700.
You only live once, so decided we deserved it.
This february going here https://www.residence-walsertal.com/en/
View from the terrace https://www.residence-walsertal.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ristorante-piste-gressoney-480x480.jpg
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Look like you found a nice spot there near the lifts at Staffal, it gives you options to go either way, over to Champoluc or to Alagna. There are indeed long thigh burning descents and down in the valley it does feel quite hemmed in by the mountains.
The Walsertal name tells you that this valley, along with others surrounding the Monte Rosa massif has a Germanic influence. It was settled by people that migrated over the mountains from Switzerland in the early middle ages, so the culture is quite different to other parts of Valle d'Aosta region, which has more of a French/Savoyard influence. The language is recognisably Germanic, but spelling and vocabulary look very different to standard German and it is dying out among the younger generations who tend to only speak Italian. The Walser culture lives on in the architecture, local traditions and costumes, the language appears in signage and local place names.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walser_German
I found it fascinating when I visited
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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.
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For me, going back to Gressoney is a bucketlist item and a childhood dream in one.
I've been there as a teen, the when I was in University. I went up to Salati when they still had those colourful "egg" cabin lift.
And yes, the Walser history makes it all the more special. I do not know a more beautiful valley, and I've been in all the Alps from Bovec (Slovenia), via Schladming, all Austria, all Switzerland, till Briancon.
Can't waut, counting down, 82 days.
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FAQ
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