 Poster: A snowHead
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From East to West (sort of)
Pejo, Ossana, Pellizano, Marilleva, Madonna di Campiglio, Folgarida, Monte Bondone, etc, etc
Ciao  's
I’ll try and do these at least once a week, but if my PC Anywhere packs in it may be slight more irregular.
The conditions are, depending on your point of view either terrible or brilliant, ie, BIG snow falling.
With the heavy snow that fell over the past week or or so, there is a total coverage of all slopes in the area. Not all are open yet but this is due to the lifties not being able to finish the summer maintenance programme on time. But I’ve been told that everything will be open be this weekend (Christmas).
After just a couple of days of perfect (ski brochure) weather – sun shine and powder – the snow is again falling right across the Brenda Dolomites and, slightly (10km) to the east of here, the Ortles-Cevedale mountain chain has had some of the heaviest pre-Christmas falls in memory (well in the memory of my mate Valter anyway).
The forecast is for heavy snow to continue up to and over Christmas so if you’re DIYing then check, check and check again those snow chains really are in the boot of the car. Anyone arriving with a UK based TO you’ll be fine, as all the Italian coaches that are used for airport transfers now have snow tyres on.
If you’re a school group arriving on a UK coach - in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti good luck
Technical bit
(which is based on the snow here in Folgarida so it's about the same across the region)
50cm In town
1m the Mid-station
1.5m at 2,000m
Last snow fell - Now 
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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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ishay, I'm off to Canazei on 2nd Jan so I shall be following this too. Thanks Wayne.
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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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Indeed, thanks Wayne - shaping up very nicely
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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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The last big snow fell last week on the 28th Dec – regardless of what you may read on some other sites that mention today, the few specks of snow that fell for about 5 mins this morning would only be described as “snow-fall” if it happened in the UK (or on the SCGB snow reports).
Anyway 
All the lift are now up and running and there is shed loads of snow to be had virtually everywhere round here. Of course, being that it hasn’t snowed for a few days, the main runs back to the resorts do get little icy at the end of the day but nothing to worry about.
Not really sure what the snow depths are as in this area as you can ski from 3,000m to 800m, so there are many different conditions.
Generally though all the resorts in the Val Di Sole have excellent coverage at the moment, with even some untracked pow still to be had in places. The sun is shining and the skiing is good.
Next snow fall due on Thursday – will let ya know.
Forecast for round here
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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The expected snow arrived yesterday (06/01/11) around lunch time and it’s still snowing across the region 24 hours later, although only slightly now. Last night across the region we had around 20mm at 1,000m – 25mm at 2,000m and less (accumulation) at 3,000 due to the wind blowing away the quite significant snowfall.
BUT, it’s warmed up so the snow is falling as rain below around 1,500m. Not very hard but enough to slush up the pistes a little. This is mainly affecting the runs back to the resorts so the actually pistes are fine, if a little warm for the time of year.
Of course it’s cloudy above 1,500m in most resorts but not really a white out as the viz is still about 200m, so not too bad.
Amazing to think that during the day it was -18 on Monday at 1,500m and now it’s +1.
All in all still plenty of snow around and no pistes are closed in the Brenta Dolomites. The cold is due to return early next week (Mon) and the next significant snowfall is forecast for next Tuesday
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Wayne, would you say that the best snow conditions may lie over towards/around Madonna at the moment?
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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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Wayne, thanks, I'd enjoy that PM on its way.
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The fog lifted last Wednesday and it’s been ski brochure weather since then.
Unseasonably warm but no worries.
The cold is returning and the snow is forecast to return this Thursday over the entire region.
Will keep you posted
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just back from Andalo where - as Wayne mentioned - Monday and Tuesday were foggy, but there was snow on the mountain (Paganella) after which it was wall-to-wall sunshine, though no new snow. on Monday, Paganella summit was closed due to fog and winds, but re-opened again on Tuesday. Closed also Sat morning due to strong winds. Temperature was a bit high in the town to begin with, but with clear skies the frosts had appeared overnight on Thu, Fri, Sat. The lower pistes in Andalo were getting a bit icy, so the best place to ski was higher up the mountain, towards Sant'Antonio.
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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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I was up in the Grosste col (2500m+) this morning and it was bloody freezing.
The snow that was forecast all week long never came - unless you count the few fluttering bits that fell yester afternoon.
The temp has gone back to Jan norm (in other words Brrrrrrrr -5 at 1000m, -10 at 2,000m and about -15 at 2,500m).
So , cold and cloudy at the mo.
Some runs getting a bit icy lower down and the some higher up have had the top powder blown off - all in all not brill but still OK
BUT - 1st time this year - snow blowers are going 
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I can testify to Wayne's report on the temps here in Folgarida.....he's sitting next to me in the bar! Slopes holding up superbly following some very spring like weather. 4 days of clear blue skies and some outstanding skiing conditions. -7 today and a tad icy in places. Time for another beer apres stylie in the warm......last day tomorrow  (via SMS)
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You know it makes sense.
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A tad on the cold side today. Poss -20 up top over in Madonna with the wind chill. Rarely get cold feet, but did today. A perfect excuse to go to Marilleva and the Refugio Orti, where a log fire and vin brulle awaited along with the best goulash soup quite probably on the planet. As for the skiing, the unswept pistes were in top nick. So some quite outstanding skiing available in much of the area. No brown patches anywhere. The Nera black into Folgarida does have a piste wide 50m pure ice section which was interesting. Other than that, expect some superb skiing if you're out here next week. Happy hour at Eta Beta beckons......large beer and a Williams to sign off the week with B-) =D (via SMS)
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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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The basics
The snow that we have in this region mainly fell during the Christmas / New Year period when we had over 2.5m in a week, and, even though it has snowed on and off since then there has been nothing significant.
But
It’s not all doom and gloom. Due to the almost fanatical devotion the lifties have to bashing the entire area every night the piste are holding up well. There is still between 1 and 2.5m of snow on most upper pistes and even the lower runs are still in good shape. The blowers that were switched on late last month have not been used since. Then.
The rumours.
As always there are various rumours flying around as to when the next big dump is due – but who the hell knows. The Italian Met Office says that it will start to get colder early next week and the snow should return after that. But I’m not holding my breath. When there’s a big dump I’ll tell ya.
Result.
I have taken one layer out of my normal teaching gear and that’s about it. The pistes are fine. The sun is shining. The Germans are dancing on the tables. The Italians are skiing with the feet together. The English are complaining about the weather.
All in all it’s about normal (if a bit warm for the time of year).
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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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Sun 27th Feb
Following today’s heavy snowfall (which hasn't yet stopped) right across the region the slopes should be sporting tomorrow 
The roads are passable with care although snow chains are a MUST on the higher stretches and even in some of the towns if you don't want to be sliding all over the place.
I was over in M Bondone today and the snow was dumping shed loads; 15cm new powder at 1,500m and 25cm at 2,500m. Back here in Folgarida, the town square was shut for a while for the ploughs to do their work but it's open now although chains are still needed if you want to nip over the pass to Madonna with us later this evening – we’re off for a posh meal.
So, powder day tomorrow for the whole area.
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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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There is a major dump going on all over the region. Powder everywhere all the way down to the villages.
What else can I say....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Amazing to think that during the day it was -18 on Monday at 1,500m and now it’s +1. It's very cool ...
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Welcome to snowHeads, Sheldon
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| Wayne wrote: |
There is a major dump going on all over the region. Powder everywhere all the way down to the villages.
What else can I say.... |
Wayne, thanks for all the posts, sounds amazing there. We are planning on coming out to ski in the area March 19th, nothing booked yet and never skiied in the Dolomites - wondered if you could suggest a good centre to stay in where I can access a range of areas? We've got 6 days so would like to spend a couple of days skiing in each place maybe. I'm doing some research online but any tips for the best places to get to would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Mark
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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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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just back from a week in Folgarida - lots and lots of snow and the pistes were beautiful. We had the extended lift pass so spent some time over at Madonna too - skiing over/back rather than driving. We did go to Passe de Tonnale too for a day although it was near enough white out conditions - skiing on the glacier meant not seeing your legs below mid-calf.
Would definitely go back for the actual skiing although the apres ski was a little disappointing. Most fun we had was in the little hut opposite the ski school after coming down Black 5 and finding Umberto 'The Best' singing before doing the cancan with him in our ski boots (that's some workout!). The best thing about Eta Beta was probably the hypnotic lights on the dancefloor.
The Refugio Orti was fabulous too - it was a lovely surprise after coming down Black 25 (given that it was my first black)
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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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| Applespider wrote: |
Just back from a week in Folgarida - lots and lots of snow and the pistes were beautiful. We had the extended lift pass so spent some time over at Madonna too - skiing over/back rather than driving. We did go to Passe de Tonnale too for a day although it was near enough white out conditions - skiing on the glacier meant not seeing your legs below mid-calf.
Would definitely go back for the actual skiing although the apres ski was a little disappointing. Most fun we had was in the little hut opposite the ski school after coming down Black 5 and finding Umberto 'The Best' singing before doing the cancan with him in our ski boots (that's some workout!). The best thing about Eta Beta was probably the hypnotic lights on the dancefloor.
The Refugio Orti was fabulous too - it was a lovely surprise after coming down Black 25 (given that it was my first black) |
Sounds brilliant. I'm just trying to plan a trip there for the end of next week. Did you have a car with you, or did you use public transport to get to Passo? or is it possible to ski between a few of the resorts (besides Madonna)?
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Was with a big group and tour company organised a bus over to Passo. I'm not entirely sure it was worth it although that was partly due to the weather conditions - it's a good 45 minute drive each way and it's quite spread out when you get there unless you've planned where you're going before you get there. We didn't get much skiing in. I suspect if I had my Thursday back, I'd have spent it doing the runs around Marilleva since only really got down there once properly.
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You know it makes sense.
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Applespider, good choice for your first black  That's quite a steep run! The Orti is certainly a welcome and very pleasant surprise. I sat on the terrace late one morning in Jan and watched a fair few people sliding down......either in front or behind their gear....
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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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Thankfully I came down on my gear
It wasn't entirely intentional from my point of view but was with a small group that included an ex-ski instructor who was 'navigating' that morning. He felt that I could do a black and it was only my confidence levels that were stopping me. So... he manipulated our earlier run so that there was the option of sidestepping back up to take the red down... or attempt the black. It worked at least in terms of confidence since after our stop at the Orti, I carried on down 26 rather than take the blue.
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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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Hi I am flying to Belgarmo italia on 2nd April with 2 daughters, to ski until 8th April, we ski most stuff blacks etc I have been reading the posts trying to pick up some ideas, and looking for cheap B&B , in Trento/Bolzano ?, would llike to ski in Cortina, if not too far, we have a hire car. can anyone recommend somewhere to stop and also to hire ski's. Dont mind where we stay I saw on recent post that Folgarida is quite cheap but looks quite a trek from there to Cortina? Any advice on where to ski that week, and names of B&B's and hire shops would be much appreciated
Many thanks
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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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Dnh,
See answer in The Piste section
Someone is going to shout at you for multi posting any min now 
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FAQ
but when there's a tree in front of you (you can see the branches on the right), you have the 3 G's
