Today is a big day in the Dolomites with a big jump in the amount of terrain open ahead of one of Italy's major early-December public holidays.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is observed across Italy on Friday 8th December, and Milan also has a holiday on Thursday 7th December in honour of St. Ambrose whilst today, Wednesday 6th, Bari in the south of the country celebrates this life of St. Nicholas—Santa Claus!
So as of today all 12 skiing areas of Dolomiti Superski will be open.
These include the first openings for 17-18 of Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi (opening 161km of runs); Val di Fassa (with 90km of runs) and Arabba-Marmolada (58km of runs).
Tomorrow, Thursday 7th December, the Gitschberg-Jochtal and Plose in Valle Isarco will start the season, followed by more lifts in San Martino di Castrozza-Passo Rolle on December 8th.
In total, Dolomiti Superski will provide 844 km of slopes and 367 lifts open from 7th December 2017.
Also from today, 6th December, the famous Sellaronda circuit is open in the anti clockwise direction and will be available in both directions from Friday 8th December (interrupted between Arabba and Pordoi Pass because of a wait for technical approvals at a new lift).