Campo Carlo Magna

Hi, I am off to Madonna soon and most of the group are complete beginners and will get some lessons I believe they will go to the above area. How long will they stay there? I am a beginning intermediate so will not have lessons, ok on blue runs. Will I be able to ski from this area as I will be transporting the others around? Any info on this area would be great, including costs of lifts for this area.

Mark

Hi Mark - I have never had lessons in Madonna, but remember Campo Carlo Magna as a very gentle (almost flat) beginner area opposite some hotels. I think there is a ski bus running from the town up to the gondola and then onto the beginner slopes. Up on the Groste, there are some great blues and reds and the link over to Folgarida/Marilleva (red there and back) are worth doing. You don't need to buy the whole week's extension pass, as there is a little hut between the two red links where you can buy a day extension pass. This is one of our favourite ski areas and the Dolomites make stunning scenery.
Where are you staying?

Hi we are actually staying in Pinzolo, but thats not through choice, we are going at half term so cant find any apartments in madonna. I believe the drive isn't too bad or long.

Any other feedback would be welcome

Mark

There was going to be a link from Pinzolo across to Cinque Laghi but I don't know if it went ahead. I think you will find yourself in a few long queues at half term unfortunately. The area has some lovely long blue runs which you should feel quite happy on, but there are a couple of superb reds at the top of Groste (can't remember names) one of which is like a roller coaster ride and is great fun at speed! If you feel tempted by a black run, there is one called Amazon/Amazonia? which I seem to remember as quite wide and tree-lined. The mountain restaurants were all pretty good but I think they are mostly self-service - which surprised me in a somewhat upmarket resort like Madonna.
Hopefully someone will come along and have info on Pinzolo and more up to date info re Madonna.