Arabba and Dolomites 2013

Very jealous Lynn. The Dolomiti Superski area is my favourite place, from Kronplatz to Cortina, or around Sella Ronda - accommodation is good, people friendly, food excellent, skiing great, the mountains and views fantastic, prices ok, lift system varies from very modern in Kronplatz to some awful chairlifts in other places - well, in overall it is hard to beat. Never have come back from the Dolomites with a negative feel. Maybe been lucky? So tempted to have a look for the end of March get away - been to the Dolomites 2 times this season already!!! Never been by the end of a main season though, would I be disappointed if I go? I mean the snow/skiing conditions, I have no doubt the rest is great as usual.

Normally neither would I, for any flight. However:

KLM from Newcastle: over £500 return and that wasn't the flights I wanted, which would have been even more. Normally pay £300 with skis and sensible flight times.

Ryanair from East Midlands: £200 including luggage but not skis.

We need to be careful with flight times to tie in with free transfers (need to land by 5pm and not leave before 11 am) which limits some routes that would otherwise have been an option.

It was basically Ryanair or don't go and I'll put up with a lot if it gets me more time on skis. -)

Flat country skier:

Normally I wouldn't go so late in the season as the snow in the area can be a bit erratic (last year would have been a nightmare late March). I certainly wouldn't book this late a year in advance. However the snow is so good this year (which you'll know having been twice) that I would say go for it if you can get a good deal for mid March.

Personally I wouldn't risk very late March or April but you could be lucky, especially given there is currently over 1m on the lower slopes in Arabba and over 6m at the top of the Marmolada. :shock:

I guess the end of March/early April will be Easter holidays so probably more expensive anyway.

Also depends on where you're going as somewhere like Arabba is likely to be more snowsure than say Pedraces as it's much higher and many slopes are north facing.

If you do go hope you have a lovely time. :D

Thanks, Lynn. Tied to the school hols. Was thinking of 23/3. May I ask which airport do you fly to get a free transfer? We normally fly to Innsbruck and take a train or hire a car, have had a private transfer too.

Yes, the snow conditions are really good this season but agree Arabba/Marmolada will be better bet than for example Kronplatz or Pedraces or even Corvara. Although Kronplatz is all covered by snow canons thus I would think they keep all the links open. We once skied there during Christmas when it was raining and no snow around but the runs were all open, not at this years perfect standard but it was very acceptable considering the weather.

Have a lovely time!!! And let us know how did you do.

I'd be very surprised if snow cover late March (on the pistes) were an issue. We went mid-March last year (the snow-base was nowhere near as deep as this year) and while it was looking a bit grim at resort level as we drove through Cortina, all the runs in the resorts on the Sella Ronda were open. The 'pisties' sure know a thing or two about making the snow last. Go for it! -)

As for flights; we flew East Mids to Treviso (booked early and got it for less than £100), hired a car at the airport (£100 between 3) and picked up hire skis en route (£55). That's why I never say 'Never' to RyanAir. -)

We normally fly to Venice Marco Polo and the transfer is included in our holiday (we go with Collett's). They also provide transfers from Venice Treviso for free or from Innsbruck for a cost (£45 per person, return). They are based in Arabba, Corvara and Pedraces.

I think they will provide transfers for non guests, space permitting, but I'm not sure how much this would cost. School holidays probably will have space as they'll maybe run coaches, rather than the usual minibuses. You're more likely to be able to do this from Venice than Innsbruck as more transfers run here. I think they would only pick up in Innsbruck if already collecting other guests.

May be worth ringing them to ask as likely to be cheaper than car hire or a private transfer.

23rd may be OK this year provided the weather doesn't change dramatically. There will be snow but may become slushy in an afternoon if it warms up. Depends if you're happy to give up mid afternoon if necessary?

Will post some pictures when we get back. -)

Lynn, Gaz many thanks for info/advice!
Looking forward to your report,Lynn :) Have a fab time!