Arabba and Dolomites 2013

Great review, Lynn. Love the Dolomites. As I keep on saying, 'The rest are 'just' mountains in comparison. Add to that top notch Italian hospitality and food and drink (at great prices) and you can't go wrong. Great skiing in Arabba, Selva and Ortisei but I find the Corvara/Colfosco section a bit too tame (must have missed Gran Risa), so I don't think I'd bother with the Sella Ronda circuit again. As you explained to Tony, the best skiing is actually off the Sella Ronda, which I now view as means to an end to get me where I want to ski. Been twice in March and never found it horrendously busy either :-) .

Alba/Pozza on the other side of the valley is a terrific day's skiing and one that you can do confidently relying on the ski-bus. Some of the other areas require a bit more planning or, better still, a car. I like the look of Alta Badia/Kronplatz to ring the changes next time. We had good snow on both our trips but I was green with envy looking at your pow-piccies! We made a schoolboy error on our powder-day, choosing to go to the Marmolada, where the pisteurs had been unable to cope with the 'shedloads' of snow that had fallen overnight, leaving it looking like a mogulled battlefield with bodies all over the place :lol: . We had done it two years previously in nicely groomed snow and glorious sunshine and it still remains one of my favourite skiing memories; well worth the slightly tedious cable-car ride. In fact it was so good we did it twice -) .

I'm not sure it's the place to be getting the most from your imminent new 'fat-boys'. As you say, the conditions have to be just right and we were told that the nature of the Dolomite terrain means that, while most of the piste skiing is not too demanding, the off-piste is very steep. There aren't many places for improvers to practise. Also agree with Ian Wickham; avoid catered chalets in Italy. Not saying they are all 'carp' but the competition between the hotels and
restaurants is fierce and the standards are so high that it's hard to go wrong. HB or SC is the way to go.

Glad you enjoyed it, but you knew you were going to before you went -) .

I'm shocked some one just agreed with me :twisted:

Thanks LynneD, great review, we returning for our 6th trip to Arabba on Saturday and I can't wait! :mrgreen:

Gaz C wrote: Some of the other areas require a bit more planning or, better still, a car. I like the look of Alta Badia/Kronplatz to ring the changes next time.

GazC do you mean Alleghe? Alta Badia is the Corvara area.

We skied Alleghe last year with a guide. You ski to the Marmolada cable car, cross the road and ski through the Serrai di Sottoguda (a fantastic canyon with ice waterfalls, Make sure it's open before you go!) then a short walk through the village and catch a bus to Alleghe (about 20 mins down the valley). Our guide arranged the transport home so we weren't relying on the bus back. We are probably going to Kronplatz this year and then I think we have done all the area on the pass. I agree, you don't need to do the Sella Ronda or the Hidden Valley as there are plenty of other fabulous areas to ski. :thumbup:

Gaz - they'd had so much snow when we were there that they closed the Marmolada runs for a couple of days until the piste bashers could get on top of it. As an indication our guides were skiing (well, trying to...) chest high (I think) powder underneath Porta Vescovo so there must have been a massive amount at the top. :shock:

I skied Kronplatz last year and it's fantastic, well worth a trip if you can get there. I believe there is a bus from Pedraces but from Arabba you would need your own transport (the Collett's mini bus in our case). In particular the black run back to the car park is a 'must do' but there are some other great reds and blacks here too.

Also skied in Alleghe last year (we drove there) and there are some great runs. Unfortunately we didn't have the best of conditions so would love to return when the snow was better.

Cortina is my 'must do' for next year if we can get there. Unfortunately there isn't any public transport so we would be reliant on getting a lift.

Have fun Caltonhat - the snow is the best I've known it this year so you should have blast.

VERY jealous. I nearly booked a return trip for March this weekend but husband wasn't to be convinced. Apparently we need blinds for the conservatory and a new front door, spoilsport. :(

Anyone think I should just go without him? :mrgreen:

Lynn_D wrote: Also skied in Alleghe last year (we drove there) and there are some great runs. Unfortunately we didn't have the best of conditions so would love to return when the snow was better

We stopped of at Alleghe to ski for a day in the Civetta area last month on the way back from Pedraces then caught the late BA flight home to Gatwick. Fantastic conditions and some nice runs. Will definetly grab a day there next year when I'm back in the area. It was nice to feel that we'd got almost a whole days skiing in on the 'travel home' day to.

Dave

Lynn
I was already excited about my trip to Dolomites next week but am even more excited now after reading your great report. :wink:

Having read your report and others on here, I have concluded that the Sella Ronda should be treated as a means of getting from area to area rather than a trip in its own right. I'm staying in Moena so a little off the main circuit but with some attractive areas (from what I've read) nearby including Lusia and San Pelligrino areas. Will probably head over to Campitello to access the Selva area. Undecided about whether it is worth trying to get over to th Hidden Valley :roll: . I note you didn't rate it but Gaz has sung it's praises. It is along way from where I will be based so may skip.

Thanks for great report :lol: :lol: :lol:

caltonhat wrote:

GazC do you mean Alleghe? Alta Badia is the Corvara area.

Er, yeah. I knew that :oops: :lol:

I fancy Alta Badia for it's ski-bus links with Kronplatz. While I like the look of Kronplatz, I'm not sure there's enough there to keep me occupied for a week. I'd quite like some opinions on this from people who have been. It's also handy for both Arabba and Selva.

I knew virtually nothing about Alleghe, but it sounds interesting from your description. I think we're agreed it's hard to go wrong in the Dolomites -) .

Off to the Dollies for the third time on Saturday and this superb report has me champing at the bit. Salivating like Pavlovs dog. First trip was Val Gardena, second trip was Hochpustertal and this time we are headed for Corvara. Nice and close to Arabba and if it is as good as my two other Dollie trips I will be happy.
Kronplatz looks enticing and hopefully we will get to Cortina this time.

It really is a great place to ski and the food and drink is simply the best in the world. Great report Lynn, leave hubby behind and come join us. You know it makes sense.