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downhill skiing holidays in the Dolomites
The Sella Ronda, Arabba & the Marmolada, the Val Badia, the Val Gardena, the Val di Fassa,
the Gran Risa, the Hidden Valley and so much more...
Nowhere in the world do the ingredients of the perfect day's skiing co-exist so harmoniously as here in the Dolomites. Beautifully maintained tree-lined pistes wend their way down to enchanting Tyrolean villages amidst breathtaking scenery.
at reasonable prices
on the Sella Massif above Corvara
For years the Dolomites has been a world renowned centre for winter sports. Inevitably, downhill skiing takes centre stage and thanks to the vision and 'state of the art' infrastructure of Dolomiti Superski, this is an area of unique and wonderful opportunity for the skier. Amazing distances are covered in the same day without ever repeating the same piste. A single liftpass provides you with access to over 1200km of perfect pistes across 12 neighbouring valleys, each one characterised by the most dramatic scenery. Many of the descents are simply unforgettable.
Scattered across the Dolomiti Superski network are cosy and welcoming mountain huts, some just next to the piste, others hidden away in the woods off narrow pisted tracks. The rifugios are a delightful feature of the skiing here. They all have sun terraces with absorbing panoramas. Or you can go inside and wallow in the warm and sociable atmosphere that characterises the hospitality and rustic nature of these huts. Food and drink is reasonably priced and you don't have to wait long for a hearty lunch. One is often reluctant to return to skis and move on.
Skiing in Arabba
Unquestionably one of the best ski resorts in Italy.
When people ski from Pedraces or Corvara to Arabba, they follow a vast network of pistes that span the Val Badia culminating at the Campolongo Pass, one of the famous Four Passes on the Sella Ronda and also the point where you pass from the South Tyrol into the Veneto, giving Arabba a slightly more Italian character than the Val Badia.
From the pass, you make a dramatic descent into Arabba under the sheer walls of the south eastern flanks of the Sella Massif. Halfway down, the village comes into view, first the spire of the church and then the village itself huddled around it. However often you make this descent (and for people staying in Arabba, it is often the last run of the day), this view remains one of the most heartwarming and exhilarating ways of appreciating this cosy alpine village, nestled under the Sella's awesome walls and a chain of other impressive peaks.
and arguably the best ski resort in the Dolomites...
From these massifs a series of thrilling pistes, each one obvious to the eye by its brilliant white manicured snow, wend their way down from 2500m, high above the tree-line (and then through it), eventually spilling their more-than-satisfied skiers into the various lift stations that await them in this classic and picturesque ski resort.
In downhill skiing terms, Arabba is a centre of excellence and arguably the best ski resort in the Dolomites. It satisfies the advanced, intermediate and novice skier. It is one of the highest of the villages on the Sella Ronda ski circuit and has its own exciting network of challenging north facing slopes, which more or less guarantee superb snow conditions well into April, as does its proximity to the area's highest peak, the Marmolada (3300m), Queen of the Dolomites, which rises impressively just to the south of the village. You can ski from the Marmolada's summit on a breathtaking 12km descent right to the valley bottom at Malga Ciapela.
Yet Arabba is perfectly placed for exploring the whole region, so if you choose not to ski locally, you can leave the village in whatever direction you please and explore either the Val di Fassa (Canazei, Campitello), the Val Gardena (Selva, Santa Cristina) or the Val Badia (Pedraces, Corvara, La Villa, Colfosco, San Cassiano), using the Sella Ronda as a sort of orbital freeway and then veering off into whichever valley takes your fancy, each one an extensive and attractive ski region in its own right.
Skiing in Corvara
Chalet Verena, Corvara - New to Collett's for Winter 2009
For skiers, it provides superb access not only to the Sella Ronda, which comes right to the village on glorious pistes from Arabba in one direction and the Val Gardena in the other. Indeed, each morning skiers set off from Corvara to explore the Sella Ronda and its many exciting tributaries on itineraries that take them many miles from the village.
Nevertheless, the on-the-doorstep skiing options are also magnificent and locally people can explore the blues and reds of the extensive Pralongia plateau, the Colfosco Bowl, the Grand Slalom World Cup run at neighbouring La Villa and beyond to one of the longest runs in the Val Badia at Pedraces – as well as all the amazing runs that branch off the Sella Ronda as it approaches Corvara clockwise and anti-clockwise.
A little further afield, there is the Marmolada with its 12km descent, the outstanding north facing runs of Arabba and the renowned Val Gardena. This vast ski area is, of course, interspersed with characterful rifugios, where the views are breathtaking and good food and drink can be enjoyed at reasonable prices.
Skiing in Pedraces
La Villa in the background
La Villa. Good access to the Sella Ronda, Corvara and Arabba.
Pedraces is dominated by the colossal walls of the Fanes Massif. From just below these walls, one of the Val Badia's longest and quietest ski runs wends its way gently down to the village. Here, intermediate and advanced skiers link into the vast Dolomiti Superski area and within minutes find themselves at the foot of the daunting World Cup run in La Villa, the 'Gran Risa' - by no means compulsory, but a spectacle all the same.
From here you can press on to the villages of Corvara, Arabba or the Val Gardena covering miles of well manicured pistes, each one set against its own magnificent backdrop. Or, if building your confidence, you can head for the nearby Pralongia plateau, an extensive network of more gentle pistes.
You can ski directly from Pedraces or use our ski shuttle service as a springboard allowing you to begin your ski day in La Villa.
once a week or on request
at Rifugio Scotoni in the 'Hidden Valley'
Organised Ski Days
Five days a week our guests in Arabba, Corvara and Pedraces can set off with us on memorable ski days, venturing into the spectacular and extensive terrain of Dolomiti Superski. We will take you from village to village and valley to valley, on one of several majestic itineraries, such as the 'Hidden Valley', the Marmolada (highest peak in the Dolomites) and the much celebrated Sella Ronda. The sheer pleasure on offer on these ski days is immense and you can see it clearly on the exhilarated faces of the skiers as they return to the village in search of well earned refreshment, having skied in good company through miles and miles of overwhelming winter landscapes. We can also arrange guided days out for off-piste enthausiasts - See Other Winter Activities.
Ultimately, you do exactly as you please, we are available to help, but careful not to interfere. If you prefer to organise your skiing itineraries independently, we will leave you to your own devices. Itinerary ideas and information are always at hand at Office Hour from our organisers and in our chalets ~ These describe several magnificent local snowshoeing itineraries.
