 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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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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snowshine, we went to Arabba and stayed at the Olympia (Report here and agavin has reported here). Access to the skiing from the resort is great and we liked the hotel, Arabba is really small and quiet though. We went with Inghams flying into Bolzano, transfer by bus to Arabba is 2.5 hours or, if you get a taxi, 2 hours and about 4 serious passes with many switchbacks 
The Hidden Valley is well worth a visit, although best go on a less ordinary pair of skis since the coach up to the pass involves the skis of 50 people being slung into the boot of the coach... glad I don't have Saloman Streetracers! Doing the Sella Ronda is obviously a must - we wanted to get to the Marmolada Glacier as well, but didn't manage it.
Half term in Italy now falls on the week containing Shrove Tuesday, we were there the previous week and experienced very little queuing, slightly busier on the Sella Ronda runs than elsewhere.
We're probably going back February 2008, will try Selva to get us a shorter transfer (an hour from Bolzano), a slightly more lively town and a different view onto the Sella Ronda. That said we would be very happy to go back to Arabba.
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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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snowshine, I was in Selva mid march this year and skiing wise it's the same as Arraba: you can ski from one to the other in an hour (hour and a half if taking your time) which was plenty of time for us to get to Arraba, do all the runs there and carry on round the Sella Ronda. Getting to the Marmolada, weather permitting shouldn't take too long: took us 2 1/2 hrs from Selva so would take about 1 1/2 from Arraba. The problem with both resorts is the lack of easy find your legs runs off the first lift; for Selva you're looking at a steep red and for Arraba probably an even steeper red. All the runs in Arraba off the main cable car are steepalthough wide and had some of the best snow while we were there, basically whatever you do you'll have a great time.
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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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Roy Hockley, Hoppo, Swirly, that's a very big recommendation, thank you all. Are you sure you're not giving the game away and inviting hordes of Snowheads? 
Roy Hockley, a great area then 
Hoppo, if you went back to Arabba, would you stay in the Olympia again? I had previously read your report (and agavin's report) - it was actually your reports that made our final decision Arabba!
Swirly, the steepness of the pistes shouldn't be too much of a problem since, as you say, they are wide. Any recommendations for a first run though (in case one of us has a sudden attack of nerves)?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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snowshine, You could head up to the gondola mid station and then towards the Marmolada there's a couple of blues or the chair heading anticlockwise around the Sella Ronda. Heading to Belvedere might be a good idea too but you would still need to go up the cable car and do the start of the big runs (they all start in the same place) although early on this might not be too bad it got very mogulled and full of nervous people by lunch time.
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snowshine, yes - we'd be happy to go back to the Olympia. Key feature is the ski room which is about 20 yards from the chairlift - they'll take your stuff down for you when you check-in (note that the lockers open using your room key card at a single point, they didn't forget to give you a key  ). Room was quite large and modern, dinner was good, breakfast was okay (standard coffee not so good though), we didn't really investigate any other facilities.
The hotel is about 0.5km up the hillside from the village centre, but there isn't a huge amount in in the centre - couple of small supermarkets, couple of small ski shops.
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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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Roy Hockley, You must have been in Selva the same week I was.
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Swirly, Sunday 11th - Sunday 18th March. Was very enjoyable, had a great time for most of the week, alas on the Saturday we skied over to friends in Kronplatz nice ski but I am not as fit as I used to be. Had a very tough week. Got back to top of Vella and did not have the strength to do the blues in the slush, half tempted to make a snow hole and stay the night, totally b#lloc#ed.
Lovely area and a great town. Although we have a place in France and ski there regularly, we will go back to Selva again, soon if I have my way.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Roy Hockley, We were the week after but Saturs#day to Saturday, I can see why you found it slushy now, fortunately for us it dropped to -10 on the Monday and snowed then stayed cold all week!
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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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snowshine
Do you definitely want to go to a hotel? If you are interested in self-catering, we stayed in Chalet Pradat It was modern, clean, quiet and comfortable. It was about 5-10 mins walk from the town centre and slopes, but they had access to a hotel's boot / ski storage room right on the slopes. It was very good value, and included cheap transfers (about 21 euros each return).
Ant
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tp023, yes I thought the Sport Hotel looked very good too but a bit pricey. Really don't mind stretching my legs a bit at the end of a day's skiing anyway, as long as I don't have to lug skis around with me. Olympia is on my shortlist for that very reason, thanks Hoppo.
antpj, had thought about sc but my better half is insistent on staying in a hotel, mostly for convenience but also for the facilities I suspect!
With no skiing left for me this season, isn't anticipation a great thing!
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FAQ
s have influenced a lot of our skiing decisions in past years and I really would be grateful for any tips any of you might give. 
