Latest posts for the topic "Arabba 2011"

Arabba 2011

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 08:58:50 GMT

Having booked to return next year, thought I would post a short review of our 2011 trip to Arabba.

We booked a self catering apartment through Colletts who I can thoroughly recommend. The apartment was spacious, sleeping 5 even though there were only two of us, well equipped and central (~5 minutes walk in ski boots to either lift). Transfers from Venice were included in the price of the holiday, though we arranged our own flights.

Despite the conditions throughout most of Europe being far from perfect this year we were extremely lucky with the weather. We had a massive snowfall the day we arrived so skied in about a foot of powder on our first day. Whilst this would be a bonus for many, I have the problem that I can just about ski in powder when I can see where I'm going, and can manage in bad weather on a groomed piste but am useless with the two combined . We were lucky to be skiing with one of the Colletts' reps as a 'guide' so headed to Corvara for some easy blues amongst the trees to try and improve the terrible visibility. All in all, a knackering day but fun non the less.

Day two dawned with clear blue skies so we headed out to explore the areas of Alta Badia we had not previously skied. There are so many great reds in this area but personal favourites were those down into San Cassiano and La Villa. There is also a fabulous red down from the top of the Col Alt gondola but this is part of the Orange Sella Ronda so gets busy and is best first thing on a morning.

Sitting with our afternoon beer outside Micky's Bar we watched as a helicopter pilot landed on the adjacent black run to pick up an injured skier. The helicopter was so close that we were caught in a blizzard - an impressive piece of flying and hopefully the skier in question made a full recovery.

Day 3 we also woke to bluebird conditions so decided to do the Orange Sella Ronda route. Whilst I enjoyed it and there were without doubt so some great runs, there were too many cruisey track sections for my taste so not sure it is something I would do again. Sadly forgot the camera so no photos. The signposting in and around Selva leaves a lot to be desired and the link down into the village is a black run, the alternative being a short side step up to the Gondola which will take you down. Next to this is the Sasslong Men's downhill which we ended up doing by accident. The run starts off black (and rightly so) then splits into red and black forks. We took the red route and it's fabulous, well worth doing.

Day 4 more heavy snow and poor visibility so kept to the tree lined runs and easier slopes.

Day 5 Perfect conditions and headed in the direction of the Marmolada glacier and the slopes around Passo Pordoi. Red 1 from the top of the gondola is a great run though the pistes in this area are more challenging, particularly those down into Arabba itself. The Marmolada glacier is well worth doing, however we decided not to this year due to knee problems on the part of my OH. It's worth noting that the slopes in this area are very exposed so not advisable in poor weather (speaking from a whiteout experience last year!)

The final day also gave us perfect conditions and we covered a huge area over the course of the day. The tree-lined Dantercepies run into Selva is a must do (there is also a nice looking black running parallel to this which is on my list for next year).

The Colfosco area also has some great reds.

Overall the Dolomites has something for everyone, from the easy blues and tree-lined reds of Corvara to the steep reds and blacks of Arabba itself. We have been twice and have still only explored a fraction of what's on offer. The lift pass also covers areas such as Cortina which are a short drive away, giving even more variety should you get bored with the hundreds of km of lift-linked pistes. Looking forward to ten days in January to explore more of this beautiful area.

Re:Arabba 2011

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 09:04:59 GMT

Great report - thanks Lynn! Arabba's on the "one day" list; did you get a feel for how much freeride / away from the piste stuff there is in the area?

Re:Arabba 2011

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:05:34 GMT

Nice photos. Scenery is as impressive as I had imagined. Its definitely somewhere I've been toying with going, and must visit it soon. Jan 2012 may be the time as I am looking to book something as a late deal at a big discount.
I've been looking at an excellent chalet hotel in La Villa, so interesting that you said the runs down there and in Corvara are good.
Thanks

Re:Arabba 2011

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:59:27 GMT

The limit of my off piste experience is playing in the powder at the sides of the runs so I'm not really the best person to comment on this. From what I remember there are some challenging off piste options, such as the Val Mesdi, for which I guess you would need a guide. I assume there are plenty of others if you know where to look...

The areas are so well linked in the Dolomites that it really doesn't matter where you stay. If anything the Alta Badia area is better in my opinion as it's right in the middle with easy access to Arabba in one direction and Selva in the other. It would also be perfect for anyone with a group of varying abilities as all would be able to find something to suit in close proximity. If I remember correctly, the Alta Badia Women's Downhill course is in the La Villa area so a challenge on the doorstep.

The main reason we didn't look into this area further is that we found a 10 day deal to Arabba and with only 1 apartment left we wanted to book before we lost it.

Downsides are that accommodation in Corvara is generally more expensive (though I assume this isn't the case for outlying villages such as La Villa or San Cassiano) and the slopes are a bit lower and sunnier than those in Arabba so maybe not as snow sure in a bad year (however the snow has been fantastic in this area the previous two years we have visited.) It would also be quite a hike to ski the Marmolada from La Villa, but still easily do-able for decent skiers.

Good luck with the holiday hunting

Re:Arabba 2011

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:26:42 GMT

Thanks Lynn super report! I really enjoy skiing in the Dolomites, the scenery's fantastic, there's something for everyone and the tree lined runs make skiing in bad weather much more pleasant.

Admin, Arabba along with Malga Ciapela - Marmolada has some of the best off-piste skiing in the Dolomites. Some of the descents are described in the guide book 'Freeride in Dolomiti' http://www.versantesud.it/INGLESE/dettaglio.asp?id=254 but, the authorities often put signs up prohibiting off-piste skiing, if you ignore them you risk being fined and having your pass confiscated. Although not in the Dolomites Solda all'Ortles (Sulden am Ortler) west of Bolzano has equally good if not better off-piste and is less authoritarian.

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:58:31 GMT

Thanks Lynn a nice read

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 19:31:28 GMT

That brings back some memories, great resorts, great area. I must go back some day.
The scenery is something else. As good as those photos are, no photos really do it justice.

Re:Arabba 2011

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 08:27:32 GMT

Great stuff. Not sure how the roof is not colasping in the first piccie.

Re:Arabba 2011

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:40:38 GMT

Good information, Lynn, and you really took advantage of the conditions with your pictures. The Sella Ronda provides strong skiing interest. It is a great area for me ~ apart from the skiing, the Dolomitic effect provides great painting opportunities. Arraba does have a good snow record, so generally seems good to book ahead.

Re:Arabba 2011

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:31:19 GMT

Thanks for a great report. I haven't skied the Dolomites since I was a kid. It's definitely on my list of places to go.

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:17:32 GMT

Looking distinctly possible for a Jan 2012 trip for me now!!! Might be looking to stop in La Villa/Corvara area though.

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 19:22:06 GMT

Just bare in mind the travelling time around the circuit to reach either Arabba or Selva Gardena where the best runs are.
Corvara is well placed (right on the circuit), La Villa is a bit of a trek.

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:49:32 GMT

Lynn,

Thank you for a superb reporting on Arabba and Dolomites
Hopefully we will be heading there in January too

Re:Arabba 2011

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:01:01 GMT

Hi Lynne,

Thanks for that report it has brought back some fantastic memories! We're off Arabba in February (95 sleeps) for the 5th time. I learnt to ski there in 2008 for my 40th birthday, not an ideal place for a beginner (at that age) but my instructor advised me 'if you can ski here you can ski anywhere!' With 1200km on the same pass we haven't skied the same area twice, (apart from the route back to our hotel)and there is still more to discover. We have a guide each year from the Arabba ski school which doubles up as lessons so you manage to go further afield without having to stop and look at the piste maps! The Hidden Valley is a must with the bonus of the horses pulling you along the flat section at the end! For something different try the Serrai di Sottoguda opposite the Marmolada cable car, quite a spectacular foot path wide trail through a ravine with frozen waterfalls and ice climbers.

We have the 'e-skipass' on the www.dolomitisuperski.com website which you load from home so are straight off on Day 1! Happy days

Reference to the off piste, although we are not 'off pisters' I believe that it's not allowed in the dolomitisuperski area without a guide. Reference to helmets, in Italy it is law to wear them under 14 years of age so the Italians grow up with them. You seem to be in the minority if you don't wear one.

We are off the Les Arcs in January but have never been there before!(60 sleeps) Can't wait!

Lisa