Ski resorts Dolomites in Italy it is one of the most large regions for skiing, which includes 12 ski resorts with pistes with a total length of 1260 kilometers and 460 lifts.

We are talking about the Dolomiti Superski complex with a single ski-pass valid at all resorts of the alliance: Treve Valley, Val di Fassa, Vale Isarco, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alta Pusteria, Kronplatz, Civetta, Alta Badia, San Martino, Arabba-Marmolada , Val di Fiemme. Tens of thousands of ski fans come here every year. Just look at the numerous photos of Dolomiti Superski to make you want to visit these popular places.

The grandeur of nature, expressed in the giant mountains, amazes even more when, a few seconds before sunset, the rocks change their usual color to orange-pink. The mineral dolomite has this property.

In the valleys of the Dolomite Alps there are small villages that, despite their apparent simplicity, offer tourists all the benefits of civilization - comfortable accommodation, an excellent level of service, a variety of entertainment programs. The lakes in the Dolomites are stunningly beautiful - Lake Braies, Lake Garda.

basic information

Location

The resorts included in the Dolomiti association are superbly located in three regions of Italy - Alto Adige, Trentino and Veneto. To appreciate the scale of this ski alliance, just look at the map of the Dolomites.

How to get to the Dolomites

Given the large flow of people wishing to relax in these regions, when the ski season begins, charter flights are added to regular flights that will take you to the airport closest to Dolomiti Superski: Bolzano, Innsbruck, Verona.

Another option is travel. by rail from Verona, Innsbruck, Munich. From airports or railway stations you can get directly to your destination by regularly running buses.

Weather, season

Most of the year the weather in the Dolomites is sunny. On such days the temperature approaches zero. If the day is cloudy, the temperature can drop to minus 15, less often to minus 20 degrees. Thanks to the low humidity, vacationers feel comfortable even at fairly low temperatures.

Depending on the zone, the winter season begins from November-December and lasts until mid or late April.

Trails, slopes, lifts

The Dolomites are the largest ski association, with a total length of ski slopes of 1,220 kilometers. For fans alpine skiing In the Dolomites, there are so many lifts installed that they can transport up to 620 thousand people to the peaks every hour.

The Sella massif unites four areas – Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Marmolada Arabba, Val di Fassa. All of them are connected by a network of cable cars and trails, which allows tourists to move freely between resorts. This is the well-known Sella Ronda carousel.

Prices

Throughout the Dolomites ski resort, the Dolomiti super-ski pass is valid, which allows vacationers to use all the ski lifts, and the total length of accessible slopes is 1,200 kilometers.

Ski-pass prices are at the beginning of the season (prices are in euros)

Accommodation, other activities, après-ski, attractions

The Dolomites are the most grandiose architecture from Mother Nature herself. Each of the Dolomiti Superski resorts is unique and interesting in its own way, and each visitor will find something of their own here. Meanwhile, all resorts, without exception, have a well-developed infrastructure and are ready to provide tourists with a wide range of services.

If you decide to just relax, then you have a wide variety to choose from additional services and entertainment. We offer you numerous SPA salons, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, shops, and night discos.

You will also have the opportunity to admire local attractions, of which there are many. This is the Bruneck castle-monastery of the Ursulines, Vicenza - the creation of the famous architect Andrea Palladio, Lake Garda, etc.

Thanks to trekking tours, Dolomiti Superski is no less popular in the summer. This is evidenced by numerous positive reviews about the Dolomites. You can be convinced of this just by watching our video:

Advantages and disadvantages

An excursion to the Dolomites can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. Of course, every winter sports lover will appreciate the large number of trails present here for tourists of all skill levels. Numerous restaurants, both in the mountains and in cities, will not be left without proper evaluation.

The disadvantages of the Dolomites Resort Alliance include a ban on skiing outside official routes and a large number of tourists on the slopes during the high season. But despite this, tours to the Dolomites are not becoming less popular.

The Dolomites are a unique natural complex that deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime. The created network of resorts is truly capable of satisfying the needs of everyone who decides to spend a vacation or weekend here.

The Dolomites are a piercingly beautiful mountain range more than one hundred and fifty kilometers long. It is part of the Southern Limestone Alps and is located in northeastern Italy. It is framed on all sides by river valleys, creating a landscape that is breathtaking in its splendor. A map will provide an opportunity to appreciate the true scale of the Dolomites complex, where only the famous alliance of ski resorts Dolomiti Superski includes over 1,200 kilometers of slopes of varying difficulty. What is so special about these amazing mountains?

History of the Dolomites

Tens of millions of years ago, waves of a tropical sea splashed on the site of this mountain range. However, the displacement of continental plates led to the fact that it began to become shallow until it completely disappeared, and its coral reefs turned into mountain system. Initially it was named Monti Pallidi, which means “pale mountains”. This is explained by their peculiar milky-gray tint. But as the sun sets, they miraculously change color and turn into warm peachy-pink tones, casting flashes of orange highlights on the sparkling bluish snow.

The Dolomite Alps owe their current name to the valuable mineral discovered there - dolomite, which, in turn, was named in honor of the geologist de Dolomier who discovered it. Today, the infrastructure of ski resorts is superbly developed in the Dolomites, but these regions are interesting both for fans of mountaineering and simply for travelers who want to capture in photos all the amazing beauty of the mesmerizing landscapes.

What attractions are worth visiting?

Basically, the Dolomites in Italy attract lovers of ski resorts, and the ideal period for such a pastime is from late November to April. However, at any time of the year there is something to see here.

Marienberg Abbey in Malhas

The centuries-old history of this abbey dates back to Charlemagne himself, who founded the Benedictine monastery in the 8th century. Over the years, the abbey underwent many changes, and in the 15th century it was burned to the ground, but was revived again. The building, built in the Baroque style, rises more than 1300 meters above sea level. Many ancient frescoes have been preserved in its halls.

Tyrolean Castle in the village of Meran

This ancient structure on a hill in the Dolomites is almost a thousand years old. Thanks to restorers, you can still admire Romanesque portals, marble statues and wonderful frescoes. There is also an interesting museum of the history of South Tyrol.

Castle in the village of Meran

Trautmansdrof Castle

South of Meran there is another old castle. Despite the fact that it was significantly rebuilt in the 19th century, its southwestern side has been partially preserved in its original form. The castle houses the Touriseum Museum, which houses original and witty collections dedicated to travelers, and the striking botanical gardens of Trautmansdrof are open throughout the warm season.

Trauttmansdorff Castle

Mount Marmolada

This ridge, consisting of several peaks, includes the highest peak of the Dolomites, reaching 3343 meters. In clear weather it can be seen even from Venice. On its northern side there is a large glacier, on the western side there are steep cliffs.

It is also worth paying attention to the peaks of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Cinque Torri ridge and the mesmerizing beauty of Lake Santa Croce, whose mirror surface, reflecting the mountain peaks, just begs to be photographed. In addition, the Dolomites have magnificent nature reserves, including the Dolomiti Bellunesi Park.

Holidays in the resorts of the Dolomites

The climate in the Dolomites is mild in winter average temperature from zero to -5 degrees, in January and February it sometimes reaches -20, but due to the low humidity, even in the cold, holidays at resorts remain comfortable. In the Dolomites you can find a huge amount various resorts– from high-class ones, characterized by excellent service and comfort, to small ski stations. There are about forty of them in total, but the most famous is the Dolomiti Superski complex, which unites a number of large resorts. All their routes are connected convenient system lifts and ski buses (ski shuttles). There are several of the most famous resorts.

Kronplatz

In terms of skiing, this is one of the best resorts in the Dolomites, uniting 13 villages. There are a large number of modern ski lifts and over 100 km of excellent trails of varying difficulty levels. There are also two parks for snowboarders. And after an active holiday, you can visit numerous entertainment centers and cozy cafes.

Resort Kronplatz in the Alps

Val Gardena

This fabulous resort in the Dolomites is an ideal place for a family holiday, from where you can bring back a lot of pleasant impressions and a huge number of memorable photos. In addition to equipped slopes for children, there are also routes for experienced skiers, as well as snowboard slopes and many different entertainments.

Resort Val Gardena

Arabba

This resort is for truly fearless and experienced extreme sports enthusiasts. The trails of the highest difficulty are located here. There is also a skating rink, a snow park and the best observation deck in the alliance at an altitude of 2.5 km.

Tre Valley

The slopes of this resort are suitable for beginners. Slopes with slight differences in height will make skiing safe and enjoyable.

Civetta

This is a great place for fans of mountaineering. There is a magnificent natural climbing wall, as well as cross-country trails. The Sella Ronda route has become very popular among tourists. Its uniqueness is that it is circular. Here you can move only forward all day, without repeating a single route, and then return to the same point from where you left. The total length of the route is about 40 kilometers. Trails of medium difficulty. This route includes all the most important resorts of the Dolomites.

Also, almost every resort can offer:

• ice arenas;
• routes for children;
• toboggan runs;
• excursion tours;
• discos;
• cafes, restaurants;
• sports complexes;
• child care in special kindergartens;
• training with an instructor.

Less than an hour's drive from some Dolomites resorts are Milan, Verona, Venice, where you can go on an excursion or just for some exciting shopping.

Video: trekking in the Dolomites, part 1

Trip to the Dolomites and accommodation there

To travel to Italy you will need a passport and a visa. If a child travels abroad with one of the parents, permission from the other parent will be required.

How to get there

You can get to the Dolomites by plane or train. During the ski season, a large number of charter flights fly there. Nearest airports and railway stations are located in Milan, Venice, Innsbruck, Verona. Regular buses depart from the stations and go directly to the resorts. It is also possible to rent a car.

Accommodation

Resorts in the Dolomites can offer wide choose hotels. The most budget option is the so-called mountain shelters, refuges. There are both rooms for 3-4 people and shared rooms for 20 or more guests. This option is suitable for lovers walking routes, when you just need to spend the night in order to move on the next morning. The cost of living in resort hotels ranges from 3 to 12 thousand rubles. Photos of hotels and reviews about them can be viewed in advance on the Internet.

To ensure that your holiday in the Dolomites leaves only the best impressions, it is advisable to prepare for it thoroughly and know some points.

1. It is most profitable to purchase a universal ski pass (subscription) Dolomiti Superski. It gives access to all cable cars and slopes that are part of the resort alliance. By purchasing a ski pass for an adult, you can additionally receive the same one for a child under 8 years old for free.
2. Skis, snowboards and other accessories can be brought with you or rented.
3. Most resorts do not have Russian-speaking staff, so it’s worth learning English or Italian before your trip.
4. In the restaurants of the Dolomites resorts, you should definitely try the local national dish - polenta. This is by no means a simple corn porridge, but an interesting dish with many options for additives and fillings. They also serve delicious cheeses.
5. Shopping at the resorts themselves will be expensive, so it is better to go to the nearest city - Bolzano. There are boutiques and huge supermarkets, as well as markets. You can purchase branded items at various outlets with significant discounts.
6. In the Dolomites in Anterselva, at the famous Südtirol Arena, you can attend biathlon competitions and see athletes compete live.

Video: trekking in the Dolomites, part 2

The Dolomites are not only magnificent resorts for active winter recreation, but also magically beautiful landscapes, wonderful nature, vivid impressions, and fabulous photos for memory. This is a real gem, in every unique facet of which everyone will see unique beauty and find exactly what they like.

Last year, one extremely significant event happened in my life - I fell in love! And finally, irrevocably and at first sight - in general, in the best traditions. The object of my feelings was the northeastern part of the Italian mountains, which bears the beautiful name Dolomiti, in Russian - the Dolomites. I remember them not only for their incredible beauty, but also some authenticity - this place is not yet completely teeming with tourists.

By car

Many tourists travel to the Dolomites region directly by car from Russia - I saw many cars with Moscow and St. Petersburg license plates.

From Moscow

If we take the city of Bolzano as the end point - although not the very heart of the mountain range, but a fairly large settlement, then you can see that the route from the capital of our vast homeland is almost 2600 km, and in time it will take more than a day.

From Saint-Petersburg

The distance to Bolzano is shorter in terms of mileage - a little more than 2500 km, but in terms of time, on the contrary, it is longer - 28 hours.

If you follow this route, you will pass through the territory of all three Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Poland, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Clue:

Dolomites - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Dolomites in summer

In the summer in the Dolomites, the mark on the thermometer stays around +20-25°C. As for me, this is ideal weather - when you don’t need to look for shade to hide from the stuffiness. This temperature is perfect for various active activities (hiking, cycling) and even for a regular walk around the cities.

It would also be useful to say that sometimes it rains in the region and the sky becomes cloudy - in such weather there is no point in going to the mountains, it is better to try to wait a little - the weather can change in just one and a half to two hours.

Dolomites in autumn

In autumn, it becomes much cooler in the mountains; the thermometer usually drops to +15°C in September-October, and to +10°C in November. It can be especially chilly in the mornings - on the 10th of October, it was only +5 degrees outside the window. In addition, the first snow may fall as early as the middle of this month, although this usually occurs closer to November.

I think that the first weeks of autumn are almost the best time to visit the region, since most of the tourists go home, but the nature is still beautiful and the temperature is comfortable. By the way, the golden autumn here really shimmers with all shades of this color.

Dolomites in spring

In spring, it is still cool in the region, and especially in the mountains, and the temperature warms up only in May - to about +15°C. In March it sometimes still snows, and in 2016 at night the thermometer showed about 10°C below zero.

However, gradually there are more and more sunny days, flowers bloom, various plants begin to bloom, and soon skiers in the mountains are replaced by hikers - this, one might say, symbolizes the approaching summer season in the Dolomites.

Dolomites in winter

Winter in the region is usually not too cold - the temperature usually stays around -5-10°C, but sometimes drops to -20°C. However, according to statistics, there are more sunny days than cloudy ones - 8°C versus 2 out of 10.

On the mountain tops the sun shines so brightly that most skiers and snowboarders are forced to use sunscreen, but still return home after a vacation with slightly tanned faces.

Clue:

Dolomites - weather by month

Conditional areas. Descriptions and features

In fact, there are no regions in the Dolomites - except that the region can be roughly divided into “mountains” and “cities”.

Mountains

In fact, this is where the main attractions of the region are located - lakes, hiking trails, cycling routes, amazing views. From December to mid-spring, ski resorts operate here, attracting thousands of winter sports enthusiasts to the region. I will tell you more about them at the very end of the article, but one thing you need to know for sure is that the local resorts are not inferior in quality of pistes and infrastructure to those located on the border with France, and they are somewhat more pleasant in price.

The only peculiarity I can note is that in the warm season the weather here, as I already said, can change in an hour and a half. Therefore, when going to the mountains, be sure to check the forecast for the day, even if the sun is shining brightly in the morning. In addition, it is worth knowing that there is wonderful hotels with high-quality service, a magical view from the windows and, as in any other place, an appropriate price - from 120-130 EUR per night and ad infinitum (you can compare room prices and book the one you like conveniently at). But I advise you to look at something else - try staying at least one night in a gasthaus. They can usually be found in Germany or Austria, but given their proximity to the latter and their shared historical past, it is not surprising that they appeared here too. A gashouse is a house whose owners live in it or somewhere nearby, and the rooms are rented out to guests. This housing option will help you truly feel the atmosphere of South Tyrol, and fresh pastries in the morning from the hostess will leave the most “delicious” impressions! In addition, for those traveling by car, a pleasant moment will be the fact that, unlike city hotels, there is free parking near guesthouses in 99% of cases. You can search for offers, for example, .

Cities

As for recreation in cities, it should include large settlements, which, although not located directly in the Dolomites, are still surrounded by them - these are, first of all, Bolzano, Brixen, Trento, Udine, and dozens of smaller ones . There is more choice of places to live here, but, as a result, there are more “urban” problems - we immediately felt this when we had to pay 20 EUR for parking next to our hotel in Bolzano. There are, of course, positive factors - more options for cultural pastime - museums, exhibitions, in the end, a regular walk around the city and sightseeing, a large selection of cafes and restaurants.

In a word, unlike the mountainous areas, you can always find something to do here if you are unlucky with the weather. It seems to me that those who travel around the region by public transport, you should definitely stay in a hotel near the train or bus station.

What are the prices for holidays?

As in any other place, prices in the Dolomites region directly depend on your pastime and your preferences - there are always many different options to suit every taste and budget. I’ll tell you briefly about the most important ones in this section.

Hotels

Prices for one night in a double room in a two- or three-star hotel range on average from 50 to 80 EUR, but you can always find a cheaper option or, on the contrary, an expensive and luxurious one. As I already said, consider staying in a gasthof - very authentic and quite budget-friendly.

Active pastime

As for, for example, hiking - my favorite form of recreation in the mountains in the warm season, here you can also save a lot if you start your journey not from the last stop of the ski lift, but from the very bottom - but you need to understand that this method will take much more time , and it requires a certain amount of physical training.

Getting around the region

You can greatly ease your travel budget when it comes to moving around the region. The sooner you buy train or bus tickets, the cheaper they will be. Also, if you are planning to rent a car, try to make a reservation as early as possible - the closer to the desired date, the more expensive the rental will be. I strongly advise you to find free or at least inexpensive parking lots in advance near the places where you are going to leave your car - as practice shows, this expense item is often omitted by travelers, and then, parking after parking lot, more than a dozen EUR are spent on it.

Cafes, restaurants and their alternatives

If you eat in cafes and restaurants 2-3 times every day, even small and inexpensive ones, there is a high probability of spending a fabulous amount of money on food during the entire trip. To avoid this, consider staying in an apartment. In this case, you will have to spend time preparing food, but you can save a lot of money on restaurants, which is usually the largest component of the travel budget after spending on tickets and accommodation.

Main attractions. What to see

You could probably spend your whole life in the Dolomites and still not have time to see everything that the region is so rich in. In this section, I will try to talk about what must be included in the must-see list when planning a trip to northern Italy in order to get the most complete picture of this area in a relatively short period of time.

Top 3

The main attraction of the Dolomites is nature and everything that has been created by it. That is why all three points in my “top” are connected specifically with it, and not with the results of human activity.

By the way, a little hint. If you suddenly worry that you won’t be able to take a souvenir photo from this place from the right angle, write down: (I think that you will find the church itself without problems, so I’ll start from there) stand facing its entrance, turn left and further, keeping a little to the left, walk literally 500-600 meters uphill. When the road turns left, you will see a bench - it was the view from this place that I found most photogenic.

Beaches. Which ones are better

Since the Dolomites do not have access to large water, there are no sea beaches here - for them you need to go to neighboring regions (you will read about them in just a few paragraphs). And you won’t surprise anyone with a holiday at sea - it’s hot, stuffy, crowded. It’s either the lake’s fault – the pleasant coolness, the absence of flashy sweet sellers and massage therapists. That's what I thought until I faced reality :)

The fact is that I have been to Austrian lakes more than once and I absolutely love this type of vacation - peace and quiet are guaranteed, for me this is the best way to relax. Inspired by this experience, I dedicated one day of our trip to relaxing on the lake. My “victim” was Lago di Braies - I read somewhere that in the summer there is very little there. Alas, my expectations were not destined to come true.

Firstly, the water there is not only cool, but very cold. Secondly, yes, I dreamed of privacy, but I never expected that it would be only on the water - that is, there were numerous tourists walking around the lake itself, which did not contribute much to the authentic atmosphere. And thirdly, there was no infrastructure for swimming - no sun loungers, no sand, no changing cabins... perhaps I expected too much, or maybe I chose the wrong lake. But on none of the others where I was later, I did not see people swimming - and after that I concluded that the lakes of the Dolomites are not very suitable for relaxing on them - it is much better to sail on them by boat or admire them from the shore.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Since Italians are one of the most religious peoples in Europe, there is at least a small church in almost every city. Personally, I was most impressed by two religious sites.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Frankly speaking, I am not a “museum” person, and the Dolomites are not with the Louvre or the Prado, where museums are part of the compulsory program. The Dolomites are primarily about nature. But since nature sometimes throws up unpleasant surprises in the form of bad weather, instead of the planned hiking we had to quickly come up with an alternative pastime on the spot.

• Somehow it turns out that despite the fact that I am not a lover of contemporary art, I visit the relevant museums quite often - and Bolzano was no exception. Museumon, or Museum of Contemporary Art Bolzano was opened in 1985. The first exhibitions were dedicated to the history of Tyrol, then works by Italian artists were presented there, and today's exhibitions tell visitors about modern cinema, architecture, and even theaters. The museum building itself receives special praise - made in a futuristic style, it is a work of art in itself. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursday until 10 pm. For adults, admission costs 7 EUR, for students and pensioners - 3.50 EUR.

• In addition, we managed to visit Archaeological Museum Bolzano. It will certainly appeal to history buffs, since it presents various things that seem to themselves retell the stages of development of the region since ancient times. Particular attention of visitors is paid to the mummy of Otzi - the ice man, Iceman. This exhibit, for a second, is more than 5 thousand years old - it was discovered in the early 90s in the Dolomites. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm in all months except July, August and December - during which time it is open daily. The entrance ticket costs 9 EUR, for students and pensioners - 7 EUR.

Parks

On the territory of the Dolomites there are several national and natural parks - both large and very small. The most famous and at the same time the most beautiful (in my humble opinion) are the Dolomiti Bellunesi Park and the Tre Cime Park.

Neighboring regions

At the very beginning of the article, I said that according to the administrative-territorial division of Italy, the Dolomites are not a separate region. They are located in the territories of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, which in turn border Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.

Nearby Islands

Since the Dolomites, as I already mentioned, are landlocked, talking about the nearest islands is completely pointless :)

Food. What to try

The proximity to Austria and shared history greatly influenced the traditional cuisine of the region. While in a restaurant, at some point it may seem to you that you are far from being in Italy - traditional pizza and pasta are not on the first pages of the menu, and for some reason the waiters do not say “prego”. Instead of lasagna, you will be offered national Tyrolean dishes - dumplings, dumplings, various soups (they even eat goulash here!), and you will be advised to replace tiramisu with - what would you think? Of course, apple strudel - it will certainly be served with ice cream. But don't think that local kitchen represents exclusively borrowings from its German-speaking neighbor - there is also a lot of Italian here. For example, antipasti - traditional Italian snacks - have been preserved here. Most often these are olives, black olives, bruschetta with a variety of flavors, cheeses, and baked vegetables. The region's favorite Italian dishes are risotto, ravioli, meat and fresh fish dishes.

The owner of the guesthouse where we stayed for a couple of nights gave us one very important hint in choosing the right place for lunch or dinner. He said that if you want to try the real traditional cuisine of the region, and not end up in the usual tourist place, of which there are plenty all over the world and which are impossible to distinguish from each other, first, pay attention to the language of the menu. Only German? Great, you've come to the right place! German and Italian? Also very good. But if the menu is provided in English, or worse, in Russian, then you should look for another place. Secondly, according to him, everyone’s favorite pizzas and pastas at the very beginning of the menu can be an alarm bell. He argued that after the multilingual menu, this is the main signal that the establishment is aimed at tourists who are not too interested in the culture of the region. However, this indicator did not seem very important to me personally - if I love pizza and enjoy eating it in Russia, why shouldn’t I eat it in its homeland? Even if they don’t speak Italian there.

Features of mentality

The proximity of Austria also influenced the mentality of the local residents - they are much more hardworking, law-abiding and less hot-tempered than, say, southerners. In general, the population of the Dolomites is very similar to the people who live in neighboring regions -,. Residents of provinces such as Campania claim that the northerners are so immersed in their work that they do not know how to enjoy life at all, that they are boring, unfriendly and inhospitable people. Perhaps the author of such a statement met with some wrong northerners, but always when we, getting lost or simply in need of help, asked local residents for advice, they happily gave answers to all our questions. Therefore, we did not notice any snobbery, but perhaps this manifests itself in other situations - I cannot say. But I’ll tell you for sure – they definitely won’t leave you alone here in trouble.

Holidays

To be honest, I have never heard of any unique holidays that are celebrated exclusively in the Dolomites and nowhere else in Italy. However, how the New Year celebrations take place here is talked about everywhere! Since a huge number of skiers come to the region precisely on the eve of the main winter holiday, local resorts try to put on an incredible show for their guests. Fireworks, restaurants, concerts, festive celebrations until late at night, colorful, magically decorated streets will be remembered by tourists for a long time. At the same time, it must be said that the local population itself does not particularly celebrate the New Year - Christmas is much preferable for them. It, like almost everywhere else in Europe, takes place with family, no one goes out to restaurants, but at the same time the streets are magically decorated, but you yourself have probably heard a hundred times about the cozy pre-Christmas Europe.

New Year's holidays in the Dolomites have two disadvantages, and quite significant ones - prices and the number of tourists. Not only does the cost of a room in a more or less decent hotel start from 100-120 EUR per night, but it is almost impossible to get it shortly before the required dates. Therefore, start looking for a place to stay almost a year in advance - this is the only way to book a room in a good hotel at a good price. But, alas, nothing can be done about the queues on the slopes.

Safety. What to watch out for

Since Bolzano has been leading the list of the most comfortable cities in Italy for several years, I think there is no point in talking about safety in the city itself - this is not something you need to worry about. Another thing is safety on the slope.

• Be sure to purchase a special health insurance , which covers injuries from extreme sports.
• Moreover, no matter whether you are a professional or a beginner, always ride with a helmet.
• Arriving at ski resort for the first time, don't be stingy and invest in a few lessons with an instructor. After this, do not overestimate your capabilities and do not try to conquer black slopes right away - start with simple flat ones, and then slowly move on to steeper ones.
• Even if you like to leave the main roads and, so to speak, conquer the unconquered, I ask you, be sure to follow the signs, because they are there solely for your safety.

Things to do

Despite the fact that mainly people come to the Dolomites in order to enjoy all the gifts of nature and solitude with it, this region can offer many alternative recreation options - active and not so active.

Shopping and shops

Well, I'll be honest. For me, the Dolomites are about active pastime, about conquering mountain peaks in trekking boots, and shopping somehow didn’t really fit into such a program. But if suddenly you want to combine almost incompatible things and have a couple of days left, then, of course, you are welcome to. Fortunately, it is not so far away - only 3 hours drive from Dolomites. You can read more about shopping in the world fashion capital.

If you think that leaving Italy without shopping is not comme il faut, and for one reason or another you are not going to go to, then go to. There are two streets here - Lauben and Dr Streiter Lane, where you will find boutiques of world-famous clothing and shoe brands, as well as shops of unknown local designers with very cute and high-quality items. In addition, take a look at the Greif Center shopping center - during the discount period you can find branded clothing at ridiculous prices, but the rest of the time it amazes with the variety of brands.

Bars

In more or less large cities, you can go to a bar in the evening and spend a couple of hours trying local cocktails. Spirits drinkers should check out the Flieger, a mix of Red Bull and vodka, while those who don't want to get too crazy tend to drink cocktails like the Estivo (white wine + sparkling water) or Bellini (prosecco + peach puree). In most establishments the prices are not high - from 3 to 6 EUR per cocktail. As such, there are no special rules for visiting the region - but it is better to replace hiking boots and a tracksuit with jeans, a shirt or a T-shirt.

Clubs and nightlife

They say that there are so many clubs in Bolzano that people even come here to “hang out” on weekends. Frankly speaking, I am not at all strong in this area of ​​recreation, so I suggest you familiarize yourself with the list of recommended establishments in the article.

Active pastime

In this area, guests of the region definitely have somewhere to roam! In winter, this is, of course, alpine skiing and snowboarding, but I will talk about them in detail at the very end of the article.

If you are traveling in the warm season, first of all, you have at your disposal the already mentioned hiking and trekking a thousand times. By the way, if suddenly you don’t know the difference between them, it lies in the fact that the first is a short walk through a mountainous area, most often it is a one-day route, but sometimes it involves spending the night in a tent or house (rifugio). Trekking is a much more serious activity, you go to the mountains for several days with a large backpack filled with provisions, and spend the night in houses or special base camps. Hiking is much more popular in the Dolomites, but trekking lovers will also be able to find routes to suit their taste.

In addition, hiking can sometimes be combined with relaxation on the lakes. So, on Lake Braies, which I already mentioned, you can not only freeze in the water, but also ride a boat and walk around the lake. Usually people come to the lake for some 15-20 minutes, take a couple of photos as a souvenir and move on, but I strongly recommend that you spend two hours on Braies - during this time you will have time to move away from the crowd of tourists and examine the lake from all sides - It is from there that the most beautiful, seemingly unearthly views open up. In addition to Braies, I highly recommend seeing Lake Misurina, which is not far from Tre Cime - very peaceful and quiet place.

Cycling enthusiasts will appreciate the cycling routes in the Dolomites. In almost all large settlements you can rent such a vehicle and ride it both around the city and in the mountains. The rental cost always varies, but on average does not exceed 7-12 EUR per day. I rented a bike from the official travel agency in , and this pleasure cost, if I’m not mistaken, about 5 EUR per day.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

No one can do without this tourist trip, of course. Frankly speaking, the Dolomites did not surprise me personally with anything special in this regard - but in addition to the standard magnets and postcards that you will find in any souvenir shop, take a closer look at wines like Vino Santo and Trentodoc and local cheeses in delicatessen shops.

But in fact, the best thing you can bring back from a trip to the Dolomites is hundreds, if not thousands of photographs, gigabytes of videos, many interesting stories and vivid memories.

How to get around the region

The easiest way to get around the region is by car, but the public transport system is very, very well developed, so don't be upset if you can't rent a car.

Taxi. What features exist

In the mountains, the taxi system is not developed at all (which is logical), and in local cities it is best to travel on foot. But, for example, if you need to get from the airport to the city, then this is a good option. However, this pleasure is expensive - for example, a taxi from Bolzano airport to the city center costs about 30 EUR.

Public transport

The Dolomites have an excellent public transport system, and this site will help you figure it out. In addition, I advise you to use the RomeToRio website. Using them you can create a route from almost any point in the region to the place you need, since they cover not only the railway line, but also the bus line.

Travel tickets are not too expensive - for example, the route from Brixen to Lake Braies costs about 11 EUR, and the bus from Ortisei costs only 6 EUR.

Transport rental

A car is, of course, the best opportunity to see everything there is in the Dolomites and to get to places that cannot be reached by public transport. There is no need to adjust to train schedules that do not always run at the right time for you. The car also allows you to select attractions on your trip route based on your interest rather than transport accessibility.

You can rent a car at any airport immediately after arrival, as well as at any big city region. The following documents are needed for this:

• Driver's license.
• International passport.
• Credit card.
• Moreover, it is necessary that your driving experience be at least one year.

You can search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example,).

During vacation, of course, you don’t want to think about possible problems and difficulties and relax as much as possible. But if you travel by car, and especially in the mountains, then you automatically take on some responsibility, so I think it would not be amiss to remind you of the important points for drivers.

Driving in the mountains requires some preparation, so don't expect that you can just relax and drive along an empty highway to your favorite music - you always need to be extremely attentive and careful.

Rules traffic in the Dolomites and Italy are generally quite similar to Russian ones. In populated areas you can drive at a speed of no more than 50 km/h, on country roads - 110 km/h, on toll highways - 130 km/h. Fines in Italy are quite high - for speeding you have to pay from 40 to 3300 EUR, for illegal parking - from 35 to 90 EUR.

As for toll roads, there is only one - A22. There is no set price, so to get an idea of ​​how much you will have to pay, multiply the fare unit, which depends on the class of your vehicle(for example, for a passenger car this is 0.08432 EUR/km) for the number of kilometers traveled, and then add 22% VAT.

And finally - as of July 2017, one liter of 95 gasoline costs 1.62 EUR, diesel - 1.51 EUR.

Dolomites - holidays with children

In the Dolomites I saw many families with children, and they all looked quite happy with life, did not cry or scream. Based on this, I can conclude that you can and should go here with little travelers! If your children love active pastime, then they will like walks in the mountains, but choose not too difficult paths - the kids can get tired and ruin the mood for both themselves and you. If you are traveling to the region in winter, be sure to enroll your children in school skiing or to a separate instructor. In a word, there is freedom here for little fidgets - they often return to the hotel in the evening already half asleep, which is rather a good sign. As one of my friends says: “Sleeping children make happy parents!”

As for the cultural program, in the aforementioned Museum of Contemporary Art in Bolzano, various educational programs are organized for the youngest connoisseurs of beauty, where children are told about the history of art and the importance of cultural development and are given the opportunity to create something wonderful themselves in various master classes.

Ski holiday

Ski resorts are the main reason why travelers from all over the world travel to the Dolomites in winter. This region is called Dolomiti Superski, and it unites 12 ski areas - Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Arraba Marmolada, Val di Fiemme, San Martino, Civetta, Alta Pusteria, Vale Isarco and Tre Valley. In such a large space you will find tracks for both professionals and not yet fully experienced athletes.

It doesn’t matter if you are completely new to this area - here you have the opportunity to learn skiing or snowboarding completely from scratch - there are several people working at the resort ski schools, where you can sign up for a group or take a personal instructor. This is not a cheap pleasure - an hour of private lessons costs from 30 to 40 EUR. But it is very important not to skimp on this in order to avoid injuries and other unpleasant situations.

Ski passes

The Dolomiti Superski system combines 12 ski areas, 1,200 km of pistes of various levels and 450 lifts, and all this requires a single ski pass. Sounds like a dream vacation, doesn't it? With just one card you get so much variety and amazing options.

It is not very profitable to buy a ski pass for one day - it costs 47 EUR. It’s a bit expensive, and you won’t have time to appreciate all the diversity of the resort. It would be more correct to immediately purchase a card for the entire duration of your stay in the region - for example, a ski pass for a week costs 250 EUR, and in this case one day of skiing will cost you only 35 EUR, and for 10 days - 335 EUR, and then a day pass will cost you to you at 33.5 EUR.

Trails

The slopes in the Dolomites are very well maintained, equipped with modern lifts and, importantly, quite varied! Beginner skiers and snowboarders will feel comfortable here, and professional and experienced athletes will enjoy the large selection of black and red slopes, where they can hone their skills and really tickle their nerves - I hope, only in the good sense of the word. To avoid unpleasant situations, firstly, be sure to purchase special insurance in advance, even if you “ride a hundred times and everything was fine.” And secondly, adequately and soberly assess your strengths and capabilities. Even if you are confident on skis/snowboards, ski down the mountain on a new section for the first time carefully and slowly, so to speak, get to know the route. And after a successful “acquaintance” you can ride like a breeze :)

5 must-do things in this region

1. Fulfill the must-dos of every tourist and climb to three peaks in natural park Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
2. Stroll through the cozy streets of small towns, as if lost among the mighty Alps.
3. Take a photo with a classic view of the village of Santa Maddalena.
4. Take a boat ride on the magical Lake Braies.
5. Fall in love with the Dolomites and promise yourself to come back here again!

Val di Fiemme, San Martino di Castrozza, Valle Isarco, Civetta and Tre Valli.

Dolomites at night. Photo by Thinkstock

Dolomites

Many millions of years ago, the waters of a hot tropical sea splashed across the Dolomites. As the continents - Africa and Europe - came closer together, the tropical sea became shallower and shallower, and one day its waters completely dried up. All that remains of the sea is the bottom, consisting of depressions and depressions, coral reefs and fjords. This is how the Dolomites, or simply the Dolomites, were formed, mountains of amazing beauty.

Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

The Dolomites got their name from the mineral that makes up the rock - dolomite, named after the French geologist Deodat de Dolomier. It was he who, for the first time in history, studied the chemical composition of the mineral from which the Dolomites are formed - mountains with sharp and inaccessible peaks, reaching heights of more than 3000 meters above sea level.

However, the Dolomites were not always pale and cold as they are today. According to legend, the king of the gnomes, Laurino, who once lived on the green peaks, is to blame for their inaccessibility and insensibility. The myth of the mountain peoples says that the land of the gnomes was previously decorated with flower carpets and greenery, but one day evil invaders came here and took the gnomes and their king captive. King Laurino decided that the flowers, whose beauty attracted the conquerors, were to blame for everything, and immediately turned them into gray stones. While reciting the spell, Laurino ordered the flowers to remain stones day and night, but the magical formula was not “planned” for the transition time between day and night - twilight. Thus, a few seconds before sunset, the Dolomites came to life - and continue to come to life. On the eve of twilight, the mountains change their color to pink-orange: this phenomenon has its own name: Enrosadira or Alpenglùhen.

Appengùhen. Photo by Thinkstock

Dolomiti Superski

The Dolomiti Superski ski region includes 12 ski resorts, united by a common ski pass, which are located in two regions of Italy - and (Belluno province). Dolomiti Superski can offer athletes and winter sports enthusiasts more than 1,220 kilometers of pistes and 470 funiculars, which have a total capacity of 620,000 people per hour!

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The Dolomiti Superski area includes the following most important ski resorts:

Cortina d'Ampezzo - 140 km of pistes, 45 lifts,

Kronplatz - 105 km of slopes, 31 ski lifts,

Alta Badia - 130 km of slopes, 51 ski lifts,

Val Gardena / Alpe di Susi - 175 km of slopes, 83 lifts,

Val di Fassa / Carezza - 120 km, 59 lifts,

Arabba / Marmolada - 62 km of slopes, 27 lifts,

Tre Valley - 100 km of slopes, 23 lifts,

Alta Pusteria - 54 km of slopes, 28 ski lifts,

Val di Fiemme / Obereggen - 107 km of pistes, 45 lifts,

San Martino di Castrozza / Passo Rolle - 60 km of slopes, 24 lifts,

Valle Isarco - 80 km of pistes, 26 ski lifts,

Civetta - 80 km of slopes, 25 lifts.

Holidays in the Dolomites. Photo dolomitisuperski.com

These resorts - there are about 40 of them in total - are scattered over a huge area among the Dolomites. There are resorts that are very close to each other - like Arabba, Val di Fassa, Alta Badia and Val Gardena, adjacent to the Sella massif, others are independent ski areas and traveling between them is only possible by car or bus.

Each of the Dolomiti Superski ski resorts is interesting in its own way: there are small stations where mainly only Italians ski, but there are also those where prestigious international competitions are held, villages offering tourists a quiet family holiday, and urban with a bustling nightlife and après-ski activities.

Arabba and the church in the Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

History of the Dolomiti Superski ski area

The Dolomiti Superski Alliance was formed in 1974. At the beginning it included Cortina d'Ampezzo, Val Gardena/Alpe di Susi, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Arabba, Val di Fassa and Carezza. At the end of 1974, the total length of pistes offered to skiers by the resort was about 740 kilometers; The ski areas were served by 250 funiculars. One year later, Alta Pusteria joined the ski alliance, and a year later - Val di Fiemme / Obereggen and San Martino di Castrozza, thus the total length of ski slopes approached 930 kilometers, and there were 347 cable lifts.

In 1979, Bressanone and several resort villages of the Valle Isarco valley entered the zone - so the length of the descents exceeded 1000 km. The last members of the Dolomite alliance were the Tre Valli region, in 1984, and Civetta, in 1994.

Funicular in the Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

The most important ski areas of the Dolomiti Superski alliance

Cortina d'Ampezzo

This most famous mountain resort in Italy, located in the heart of the Dolomites, is called the “Queen of the Dolomites”. Surrounded by magnificent mountains, the valley is always full of sun, Cortina is the only Italian resort that is included in the prestigious group of the best Alpine resorts "Best of the Alps". The first Italian alpine skiing competitions were held here in 1902.

Cortina d'Ampezzo is located in the province of Belluno, in the north, just 44 km from the Austrian border.

Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Thinkstock

Cortina d'Ampezzo is a kind of winter Saint-Tropez, where instead of yachts, owners show off luxury cars. This is a place for the elite. Luxury and wealth reign here. Here, beauties walk along the snow-covered streets in fur coats from Fendi and shoes from Sergio Rossi, accompanied by gallant companions in suits from Valentino and Armani. Multimillion-dollar deals are concluded in expensive restaurants, luxurious celebrations are held, and the latest business and fashion news are discussed.

Cortina has a wonderful microclimate: there is always a lot of sun, and the Dolomites mountain ranges protect the town from the cold wind.

Situated in the wide and sunny Ampezzo Valley, the resort has three main ski areas and is part of the Dolomiti Superski system. Cortina is a very nice town, indirectly confirmed by the fact that two out of every three Italian tourists who come to Cortina do not even ski. If you want to watch rich Italians take to the Alpine stage, then best place you can't imagine.

Dawn on the slopes near Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Thinkstock

By the way, this is where the filming of the movie “Cliffhanger” with Sylvester Stallone took place.

If you want to ride, then you can always go for a whole day on a circumnavigation of the Sella Ronda, which we will discuss below.

Cortina d'Ampezzo can be called the sunny valley of the Dolomites, because the sun shines here for at least 7 hours every day. Seventy hotels offer their services for those who want to go skiing or just relax. Snow cannons keep the snow cover in perfect condition throughout the season In Cortina d'Ampezzo there are more than 70 restaurants and bars, 300 shops, and a cinema. For lovers of active recreation: 130 km of cross-country ski trails, 70 km of cross-country trails, indoor tennis court, swimming pools, Olympic jumping hill, Olympic Ice Palace. Extreme sports: bobsleigh, snow rafting, canyoning.

Slopes, pistes, lifts: Cortina d'Ampezzo in numbers

Height difference: 1224 - 2939 m

Total number of lifts: 54

Funicular: 5

Cabin: 0

Chairlifts: 27

Tow bars: 19

Educational: 3

Total length of trails: 140 km

Light: 46 km

Medium: 87 km

Heavy: 7 km

Snow cannon in the Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

How to get to Cortina D'Ampezzo?

By plane

Airports closest to the resort:

Dolomiti Bus:

Calalzo Di Cadore - Cortina D'Ampezzo

Venice - Cortina D'Ampezzo

Mestre - Cortina D'Ampezzo

Treviso - Cortina D'Ampezzo

Cortina Express - transfers to Cortina D'Ampezzo:

from Treviso airport

from Venice airport

from Venice-Mestre railway station

Val Di Fassa - Carezza

The Val di Fassa valley, lying in the heart of the Dolomites at an altitude of 1440-2550 m above sea level, in the northeast of the region, 175 km from, attracts the traveler today as much as in time immemorial. They say that the Fassa Valley was once the home of good spirits - the Selvans. The inhabitants of the valley have preserved their folklore and the ancient Ladin language. Surrounded by the Cattinaccio, Sassolungo and Marmelada mountain ranges, Fassa offers unforgettable mountain walks and in winter turns into a realm of skiing and skating. After skiing, Campitello di Fassa, Canazei, Mazzin di Fassa, Alba and other villages open the doors of their bars, pizzerias, saunas, disco clubs, and cinemas to you.

Val di Fassa. Photo by Thinkstock

If you try to describe the resort in a few words, then the most suitable words would be: “huge”, “picturesque”, “colorful”, “diverse”.

It is unlikely that a week of skiing will be enough to cover all the slopes that can be accessed directly from Val di Fassa. If you suddenly get bored with the twin towns of Campitello and Canazei, you can take a car or ski bus to the towns of Vigo di Fassa, Mazzin or Moena, as well as to the town of Predazzo, which borders the Val di Fiemme valley. Each place has its own lift system, its own ski areas with their own features, attractions and tens (and sometimes hundreds) of kilometers of varied trails.

The length of the Fassa Valley, which continues the Fiemme Valley, is about 20 kilometers, the area is located at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters above sea level. The steep slopes of Val di Fassa are covered with dense coniferous trees, and the Avisio River flows along its bottom.

Beautiful nature, along with local architecture, which is slightly different from the classic Alpine style, as well as the behavior and language of the local population give the resort a unique flavor that is unique to this place.

There are 9 ski resorts in Val di Fassa: Moena, Soraga, Vigo di Fassa, Pozza di Fassa, Pera, Mazzin, Campitello, Canazei and Alba. There are about 300 hotels here that can accommodate more than 50,000 guests.

Saslong. Photo by Thinkstock

Everything here is beautiful, elegant, but a little noisy and disorderly. There are always a lot of people on the streets, it seems that people came to have fun, and not to ski. Moreover, cities do not die out in the evening, probably because there are no problems with evening entertainment; bars, pizzerias, restaurants and discos are found at every turn.

Highest point - 2,951 m

Lowest point - 1,000 m

Height difference - 1,950 m

220 km of trails

20% for beginners

56% average difficulty

24% difficult

81 lifts

snowboard park

How to get to Val di Fassa?

By plane

Nearest airports

Bolzano - 50 km.

Verona - 200 km.

Venice, Marco Polo - 210 km.

Treviso - 200 km.

By car

From the North: highway A22 through Innsbruck - Brennero - Bolzano, exit at Bolzano Nord, then follow the SS241 highway through the Passo Castalungo pass (37 km.).

From the South: A22 highway via Verona - Trento - Ora/Egna, exit at Ora/Egna, then follow the SS48 highway through the Passo San Lugano and Val Di Fiemme (45 km).

By bus

Buses run along the route - Vigo Di Fassa; to get to other resorts of Val Di Fassa, you need to change to a Trentino Transporti bus.

Bus schedule on the website www.sad.it.

In addition, the Fly Ski Shuttle runs to the resorts of Val di Fassa from the airports of Verona, Bergamo, Venice, Treviso and Milan.

Val di Fiemme

The resort of Val di Fiemme is the “gateway” to the Dolomites. Resort towns are scattered throughout the wide, sun-drenched valley. The largest among them are Cavalese and Predazzo.

Val di Fiemme, located in the Trentino region, like no other resort in the Dolomites, provides rich opportunities not only for skiing, but also for all other winter sports. Competitions of the highest level took place here: World Cup stages and world championships in disciplines such as cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, and figure skating.

In Val di Fiemme there are three main ski areas: Alpe Cermis (reached by funicular from the town of Cavalese), Bellamonte (this area is connected by a system of trails to the Tre Valle ski area) and the most interesting and varied ski area Ski -Center-Latemar. The latter is easily accessible by a new gondola lift from the town of Predazzo. All ski areas of Val di Fiemme are connected by ski shuttles (ski-buses), so from any resort town it is easy to get to the slopes you like.

On the territory of Val di Fiemme there are about 20 restaurants, 11 bars, a night club, 2 indoor swimming pools, and a sauna. Cavalese is an old medieval town where you can see the Franciscan Monastery, the Church of San Vigilio and other attractions. Predazzo houses the Museum of Geology and Ethnography.

Slopes, pistes, lifts: Val di Fassa in numbers

Resort altitude: 1000 m

Total length of g/l tracks: 100 km

Skiing altitude difference: 1000-2400 m

Number of lifts: 40

Blue (medium): 38 km

Red (difficult): 51 km

Black (very difficult): 11 km

Val di Fiemme. Photo by Thinkstock

How to get to Val di Fiemme?

By plane

Nearest airports

Bolzano - 50 km.

Verona - 160 km.

Venice - 230 km.

Milan - 290 km.

By car

From the North: take the A22 motorway via Innsbruck - Brennero - - Ora/Egna, exit at Ora/Egna, then follow the SS48 highway through the Passo San Lugano to Cavalese (23 km) and other resorts in Val Di Fiemme.

From the South: take the A22 motorway via - Trento - Ora/Egna.

By bus

SAD buses run on the Ora - Cavalese route; to get to other resorts in Val Di Fiemme you need to change to a Trentino Transporti bus.

Transfer buses run to the ski resorts of Val di Fiemme from the above airports.

Kronplatz or Plan de Corones

An amazingly picturesque area with plenty of offers for winter sports enthusiasts is located in South Tyrol. From the villages of Olang, Reischach and San Vigilio di Marebbe, ski lifts take skiers to the mountain plateau. This region is imbued with the spirit of Tyrol, and sometimes it seems as if you are in neighboring Austria. This is facilitated by the very widespread use of the German language, which is unusual for Italy. And it’s much closer to Innsbruck from here than from some Austrian resorts.

Kronplatz. Photo dolomitisuperski.com

The main skiing area is Mount Kronplatz (2275 m, which became the site of the coronation of Princess Dolassila, which gives it its name), from which “blue-red” trails spread out in all directions. On its northern slopes, opposite Bruneck, there are a couple of very decent “black” slopes, but it is necessary to clarify the current state of the snow: ice or bumps sometimes appear on these slopes, ice sometimes occurs in the first half of the day, and bumps occur towards the end of skiing, so it’s a pleasure may be in question.

Interesting slopes are located in the Val da Ora area: the length of the most difficult of them is about 6.5 km, and the elevation difference is 1170 m. An easier descent, 6 km long, leads to San Vigilio di Marebbe. But the most exciting “black slope” leads to Reischi, you can ride it even in the first half of the day. And the highest ski track runs at an altitude of 1500 - 1650 m and lasts 20 km, since there are many unexpected turns. Snowboarders will also find entertainment on the plateau; there is a 110 m long halfpipe. For cross-country skiers, there are about 200 km of ski trails.

After skiing, guests can enjoy bowling, 49 tennis courts, a cinema, aqua and wellness center "Cron4", fitness centers, indoor swimming pools, ice stadiums, horse riding, mountaineering schools, 5 discos and night bars, many restaurants with national cuisine and small cozy cafes. Unlimited shopping opportunities.

San Vigilio di Marebbe. Plan de Corones. Photo by Thinkstock

Slopes, pistes, lifts: Kronplatz in numbers

Height difference: 838m - 2275m

Total number of lifts: 32

Cabin: 14

Chairlifts: 9

Towbars: 7

educational: 1

Total length of tracks: 90 km

Lungs: 30

Average: 50

Heavy: 10

Route in the Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

How to get to Kronplatz?

By plane

Nearest airports

Bolzano - 75 km.

Innsbruck - 105 km.

Verona - 230 km.

Venice - 205 km.

Treviso - 295 km.

Milan Malpensa - 390 km.

By car

From the North: highway A22 via Innsbruck - Brennero - Bressanone, exit at Bressanone/Alta Pusteria, then follow the SS49 highway to Brunico (30 km) or other resorts of Kronplatz.

From the East: after crossing the Austrian-Italian border, take the SS49 highway to Brunico (39 km) or other resorts of Kronplatz.

From the South: highway A22 via Verona - Bolzano - Bressanone or highway A27 via Venice - Treviso - Belluno. Exit at Cadore/Dolomiti, then take the SS51 to Dobiacco, then take the SS49 to Brunico (25 km) or other Kronplatz resorts.

By bus

SAD buses make regular trips:

Bressanone - Brunico

Fortezza - Brunico

Alta Badia - Brunico

Alta Pusteria - Brunico

Official website of the resort: www.kronplatz.com

Val Gardena

This valley of fabulous beauty, more than 15 kilometers long, is located near (35 km), in the northwestern part of the Dolomites. The 1970 World Alpine Ski Championships brought the Val Gardena resorts to the highest level of sports, and since then World Cup stages have been held here every year.

The Val Gardena ski area consists of three resort villages: Ortisei, located at an altitude of 1,236 m, Santa Cristina - at an altitude of 1,428 m and Selva Gardena - at an altitude of 1,536 m. Together they form the largest resort in the Sella Ronda massif with total length 175 km of trails.

Val Gardena. Photo by Thinkstock

Each of the resorts is bustling with cheerful life: bars and restaurants are open, discos are noisy, fashionable boutiques await customers. Val Gardena offers 45 restaurants, 20 bars, 2 night clubs, 50 shops, a bowling alley, a sports center, a swimming pool, and a sauna. The largest disco is called "Umbrella", it is located in front of the Wolkenstein Hotel. Here they dance in their ski boots until the morning. The wine library and B&M Auer's fine Italian Wines and Grappas store are located in Selva.

Santa Cristina hosts the men's downhill World Cup every December.

Val Gardena is historically part of South Tyrol, which until 1918 was part of Austria-Hungary, and after the collapse of this empire became part of Italy. Here the seemingly incongruous is combined: German pedantry and Italian artistry.

The Tyrolean dialect of German, traditional for the Alps, often intersperses with the state Italian, and no less traditional Tyrolean clothing coexists with the latest trends in Italian fashion. They can also serve wine with sausages, sauerkraut and beer, and that goes without saying. The names of streets and towns are still written in two languages, and the indigenous people speak a peculiar dialect that is difficult to understand even for those who know Italian and German.

New Year in Ortisei. Photo by Thinkstock

Slopes, pistes, lifts: Val Gardena in numbers

Resort altitude: 1236 m

Total length of g/l tracks: 175 km

Skiing altitude difference: 1060-2518 m

Number of lifts: 81

Features of g/l tracks

Blue (medium): 50 km

Red (difficult): 100 km

Black (very difficult): 25 km

How to get to Val Gardena?

By plane

Nearest airports

Bolzano - 40 km.

Innsbruck - 110 km.

Verona - 205 km.

Venice - 280 km.

Treviso - 215 km.

Bologna - 300 km.

Milan Malpensa - 365 km.

By car

From the North: take the A22 motorway via Innsbruck - Brennero - Chiusa.

From the South: take the A22 motorway through Verona - Bolzano - Chiusa.

Exit at Chiusa - Val Gardena, from there you can drive to Ortisei in 20 minutes, and then to San Cristina and Selva.

By bus

Routes:

Bolzano - Chiusa - Val Gardena

Bressanone - Chiusa - Val Gardena

There are also shuttles from the above-mentioned airports to the resorts.

Sella Ronda ski route

The Sella Ronda route is a real “must” for skiers holidaying in resorts in the Dolomites. As soon as ski lovers master the routes close to the resorts, every even not very well prepared skier has a desire to go on a trip along the Sella Ronda ski route.

Sella is a mountain range with steep walls up to 800 meters high, reminiscent of an impregnable fort. Sella Ronda, on the other hand, is a circular closed route, which can be driven in both directions, as if patrolling the territory ("Ronda" literally translates as "Patrol"). The possibility of traveling along the route in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions arose in the mid-80s of the last century, when the Sella mountain range was surrounded by funiculars. (Passo Gardena (2137), Passo Campolongo (1875), Passo Pordoi (2239) and Passo Sella (2244)).

Sella Ronda massif. Photo by Thinkstock

The total length of Sella Ronda is about 40 kilometers, if you do not deviate from a straight line, it will take the average skier about 5 hours to overcome it, and 3.5 hours for a professional.

Either way, riding the Sella Ronda is always quite a pleasant stroll through some magnificent scenery. In addition, it is almost impossible to lose your way here - there are so many signs and signs, and if you get hungry along the way, there are dozens of good mountain chalets at your service, popping up here and there along the way.

Family holiday in the Dolomites. Photo by Thinkstock

As for the disadvantages of Sella Ronda, professionals note that the tracks here are monotonous and not very interesting, long sections pass with virtually no turns, and you won’t be able to accelerate much here.

It is possible to start the tour along the route from each resort located near the Sella Mountains.

Ski pass Dolomiti Superski

The universal Dolomiti Superskipass is valid for all 12 major resort areas Dolomites. By purchasing a ski pass, you have the right to use all cable cars located in the region and access to all slopes.

Ski pass Photo by Thinkstock

At each resort you can also purchase a "local" ski pass, valid for the lifts at only one resort. It will cost about 10-15% less than the general Dolomiti Superskipass.

Prices for the Dolomiti Superskipass winter 2016

Junior - tariff for young people, people born after November 28, 1999

Senior - tariff for elderly people born before November 28, 1950

Children aged 3-8 years (born after November 28, 2007) can receive a free ski pass if they simultaneously purchase a ski pass of the same validity period for one adult. The offer operates on the principle of “one paid ski pass for an adult - one free ski pass for a child.”

What to try in the Dolomites?

Alto Adige has long been part of the Kingdom of Austria, which is noticeable everywhere - local residents in the Dolomites speak German and a dialect derived from the German language, and in literally every mountain restaurant on the menu you will find goulash, dumplings, dumplings, cream soups, strudels, etc. and so on. In general, you feel the same here as in neighboring Austria. However, don't worry. Local chefs are not limited to Austrian cuisine.

Traditional products of Alto Adige. Photo dolomitisuperski.com

At dinner in one of the Dolomites restaurants you will be offered a wide range of appetizers - antipasti, typically Italian, by the way, then - your choice: if you don’t want hot goulash, choose the most aromatic one with boletus, truffles or even apples!, polenta, pasta, gnocchi or ravioli . The main course is game, fish, rabbit or traditional Ladin cuisine such as pearl barley soup, kapoons (something like cabbage rolls), pies with honey and nuts.

Note that the polenta in the Dolomites is simply excellent. This is not an ordinary corn porridge, as many people think, but a full-fledged dish with meat, anchovies, porcini mushrooms or hundreds of other fillings.

Lunch break. Photo dolomitisuperski.com

Be sure to try "speck" and cheeses, and you can warm up with a glass, which is also excellent here.

Among the wines in Alto Adige, it is worth trying Blauburgunder, Soave, Graufernatsch, Lagrain, Teroldego, Marzemino, Gewürztraminer, Weissburgunder, Goldmuskateler and Chardonnay.

This is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The Dolomites in Italy have long been called the “eighth wonder of the world.” They form part of South Tyrol, formerly belonging to Austria. These lands changed hands more than once, and are now the property of the Italians. If you need to imagine more precisely geographical position– The Dolomites lie in the north-east of Italy, where the provinces of Bolzano-Bozen are located: Trento, Belluno and South Tyrol. They also invade the Veneto region a little.

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The Dolomites are separate mountains and small massifs. Millions of years ago there was a warm sea here. When it retreated, fjords and reefs, unusual rock formations remained. At the end of the 18th century, the Frenchman Dolomier described these mountains, collected samples, and Swiss scientists responded to a request that they had not yet explored such soil. Therefore, the mountains were named after Dolomieu. The Dolomites are most beautiful during sunrise and sunset, when they turn into different colors - from yellow to purple. Of course, this effect is provided by the minerals that make them up. However, the extraordinary spectacle gave rise to many legends.

One of the most poetic legends says that the Dolomites were once inhabited by good gnomes. They planted a beautiful garden, and from the numerous roses growing on the slopes, the mountains from afar seemed red, yellow, or pink. No walls enclosed the magical valley - the territory was limited only by the thinnest thread, like a cobweb. Evil people captured the dwarves and their king Laurino. But the ruler managed to enchant his flower garden. He told him to be invisible day and night. And only at the moment of twilight one can imagine how beautiful the mountains and lowlands in these places once were.

Another legend says that the mountains, which have such an unusual shape, were once beautiful castles. One of the princes who lived here fell in love with a beauty who descended from the moon. The girl married him, but continued to yearn for her homeland. And then the gnomes, in order to replicate the lunar landscape on Earth, covered everything around with magic threads. Because of this, the Dolomites appear light gray during the day. Even the former name of the mountains Monti Pallidi (Pale Mountains) appeared in connection with this beautiful story. And legends also call the most high peak Marmolada as an “enchanted girl”: allegedly, the stepmother cast an evil spell on her stepdaughter, envying her beauty. And, of course, according to legend, gnomes, fairies and sorcerers still live in the caves and grottoes of the Dolomites, who sometimes appear to people.

Dolomites in Italy: resorts and attractions

Today the Dolomites are known as a ski resort that unites a dozen regions. The most famous are: Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba. They are connected by ski slopes and cable cars. This gives tourists the opportunity to visit all resorts in a short period of time. In total, there are about four dozen towns and villages here – large and small. Among them there are large ones, where guests will find all kinds of amenities and a lot of entertainment, and very small ones, without developed infrastructure. The main attractions of the latter are only the stunning mountain landscapes.

Most resorts are designed for guests of all ages; both beginner skiers and families with children can come here. But there are also places that are aimed mainly at professionals. They have a system of the most difficult trails that require a high level of training. This region is also rich in sights that are worth visiting.

The unusually beautiful abbey resembles an ancient castle, drowning in the greenery of the forests. To visit here, you need to come to the town of Mals in South Tyrol. The abbey was founded at the beginning of the 12th century. Its architecture has Baroque features, and its ancient frescoes, preserved in good condition, give it additional historical value. Throughout its long life, the abbey experienced difficult times more than once. It was robbed, monks died during plague epidemics, and fires occurred here. Only in the 16th century, under the German monks, did it begin to grow.

One of the novices wrote a history of the abbey, listed the names of its abbots and the privileges that the kings and Popes granted to the monastery. In the mid-18th century, under the auspices of the abbey, a humanist school was opened, which is still run by monks. You can see the abbey from the inside by booking a special excursion.

The castle was named after its owners - the Counts of Tyrol. Moreover, the counts immortalized themselves not only in the name of the castle. Later this entire region in Italy became known as South Tyrol. This place was inhabited in ancient times. Archaeologists have found historical finds here dating back to antiquity and the early Middle Ages. The first Christians even built their own church in this area. The castle was built over a long period: from the beginning of the 11th to the end of the 13th century. Each subsequent owner tried to expand and decorate it. In the 15th century, the rulers of Tyrol lived here, then their residence was moved to Innsbruck (Austria).

In the 18th century, the beautiful castle almost ceased to exist. Part of it collapsed into the gorge, and everything that remained had to be dismantled into stones. But, after a while, it was decided to restore the Tyrolean castle; this work was finally completed in the first years of the 20th century. The decision to restore it was the right one: after all, the castle is valuable not only as a building - there are rare frescoes and sculptures here. Today everyone can view them - the Museum of the History of South Tyrol is opened in the castle. Nearby there is a nursery where falcons are raised, preparing them for hunting - another fun that came from the darkness of centuries.

In clear weather, the snowy peak of Marmolada can be seen from Venice - the city is only a hundred kilometers away. Marmolada is the most high point Dolomite Mountains, exceeds 3300 m. Now it is no longer possible to know whether people climbed it in ancient times, but of the officially recorded ascents, the first to set foot on the top of Marmolada was the Austrian Paul Grohmann. This happened in 1864. At the same time, the mountain was called the “Queen of the Alps.” It is not only impressive with its height, but it is the only one where the glacier has been preserved, crowning it like a royal crown.

During World War I, Austrian and Hungarian troops dug tunnels into the glacier to reach Italian positions undetected. The work was hard and required rest. In tunnels made in the ice, rooms were equipped where soldiers could sleep and eat. Now there is nothing left of these tunnels - the glacier is moving. In fact, Marmolada is a mountain range, each of its peaks exceeds 3 thousand meters. Here in winter season real paradise for skiers and snowboarders. You can ride here seven months a year. Modern lifts and trails are equipped.

An ancient castle dating back to the 14th century is also located in South Tyrol. In the 19th century it underwent significant reconstruction at the behest of its owner, Count von Trauttmansdorff. For many years after the Second World War, the beautiful structure was neglected; restoration work began in the first years of the 21st century. Today there is a museum here, attracting a large number of visitors.

You can look at the rooms where Empress Elizabeth of Austria (Sissi) lived, admire the ancient chapel, a spacious hall decorated in the Rococo style, and also get acquainted with exhibits telling about the development of tourism in South Tyrol. The park surrounding the castle has now been turned into a botanical garden, where plants from all continents are collected, and an aviary is open.

Unusual peaks, shaped like teeth. There are three of them, each almost reaching 3000 m. At the beginning of the 20th century, the “Three Prongs” separated Austria and Italy; today they serve as the border between Italian provinces. The mountains were first conquered by man in the second half of the 19th century: the same Paul Grohmann climbed Cima Grande, and Michael Innerkofler climbed the other two peaks.

Today, anyone who is in good physical shape can do this - there is a lot of hiking trails, along the way there is the opportunity to relax in shelters and mountain huts. On the mountain slopes there are traces of the First World War: remains of fortifications, memorial plaques.

Cinque Torri is located in the east of the Dolomites and is a small mountain range consisting of 5 peaks, the highest of which is a little over 2300 m. This place is very attractive for tourists. Firstly, it’s possible to climb each of the mountains. Secondly, you can have a very special holiday by relaxing in shelters and mountain huts. Beautiful groves, roads from the First World War, the unusual colors of the mountains in the evenings - all this attracts many guests here. And in winter, skiers come here to ski using the well-equipped slopes.

Translated into Russian, the name means “Lake of the Holy Cross”. Even those who come to Italy to explore Venice try to get here. After the city noise, you want privacy. Silence, peace and pristine beauty - that’s what travelers find here. You can admire the centuries-old trees and mountain peaks reflected in the water surface. Tourists have boats for rent, and the bravest ones will be offered paragliding.

Ski resorts of the Dolomites

The resorts of the Dolomites are in demand at any time of the year. Rock climbers and mountaineers come here, as well as those who like to raft on rivers and simply wander along mountain paths. And yet, this place is, first of all, a ski resort. There is a single ski pass for 12 regions.

This resort is called a “winter dream” for its extreme picturesqueness: the mountain slopes are covered with dense forest. The tracks stretch for more than 220 kilometers. Designed for both beginners and professionals.
There are sports schools for beginners. There are also skating rinks open at the resort, you can go ice skating or work out in indoor sports complexes, go on an excursion. The infrastructure is developed. Guests stay in 3-4 star hotels, many cafes, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Hotels in Val di Fassa near ski lifts:

Near the resort there is an unusual peak “Sassolungo” (“long stone”). So people come here not only to ski, but also to look at this wonder. Val Gardena is one of the best resorts in Italy. The small town is provided with everything necessary. There are excellent hotels, developed infrastructure, and excellent ski slopes. From any hotel the road to the ski lift takes just a few minutes.

The local population speaks their own dialect, which is a mixture of Italian and German languages, and is very welcoming to tourists. All the necessary equipment can be rented here, and if necessary, you can use the services of an instructor who will teach you how to ski. Val Gardena has hosted international alpine skiing competitions more than once. Climbers also come here to conquer the local peaks.

Hotels in Val Gardena near ski lifts:

Russians are still just discovering this picturesque resort, while residents European countries it has been appreciated for a long time. There are all conditions here to have a good time. There are many comfortable hotels, and simple slopes are perfect for families with children and those who are just starting to learn the basics of skiing. Special buses deliver tourists from hotels and boarding houses to the ski lifts. The resort also offers a varied excursion program.

The name means "three valleys". The resort unites the small towns of Moena and Passo San Pellegrino. Every year more and more not only skiers, but also nature lovers come to Moena - the local landscapes are unusually beautiful. At sunset, the mountains are painted in a fabulous pink light. You need to go to the ski lifts by bus for about 10 minutes - they are located outside the city. Tourists have 15 km of trails for beginners, there are also “red” and “black” trails, the latter for experts. 8 lifts are in operation. Those interested can go snowboarding, and children's playgrounds are open.

Passo San Pellegrino is also popular with tourists, and hotels here are located near the slopes. It is in this town that you can fully appreciate the beauty of the Alps. The local slopes are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers, and the landscapes opening from the mountain slopes will not leave anyone indifferent. You can also go ice skating, race through virgin snow on a snowmobile, and play snowballs. In summer, many guests also come to this town. This is where various tourist routes, are organized mountain hikes, tourists visiting the sights of the First World War.

Hotels in Passo San Pellegrino near ski lifts:

Val di Fiemme

This resort is also called the “gateway to the Dolomites” if you come here from Milan or Verona. Many tourists do not want to go further, since Val di Fiemme has many advantages.
There are beautiful, well-lit pistes, modern ski lifts, a wide selection of hotels, cafes and shops, reasonable prices, very tasty cuisine and friendly attitude of the locals.

The town may be the best choice for families who come on vacation with children. Skiers have about 100 km of slopes at their disposal, as well as toboggan runs and snow parks. It’s also worth noting that there is an artificial snowmaking system here, so the weather won’t be a problem active recreation. Also come here are those who simply love skiing on snow-covered plains. The tracks here are so good that major competitions are regularly held in these parts. You can ride both during the day and in the evening, and twice a week - even at night.

Hotels in Val di Fiemme near ski lifts:

This small town is located somewhat isolated, in the valley of the Boite River. There are practically no trails designed for experts, but all other skiers will enjoy the skiing. Young people love this place - it’s a great place to hang out, sit in nightclubs, and have a blast at discos. Lovers of a refined holiday will find fashionable hotels here.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go on excursions to Venice or Verona and visit local museums. In a word, this is a very beautiful and ancient resort, where everyone will be welcome - wealthy guests, young people, and families with children.

Hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo near ski lifts:

It occupies a leading place in the list of resorts, as it unites 14 settlements located at different altitudes. All of them serve the ski area of ​​the same name. The center is the town of Reischach in the lower part, from where skiers begin their climb on cable cars. The trails run down from the top of the mountain in different directions, so if you wish, you can choose a “sunny” road or ride in the shade. In addition, there are two famous “black” slopes that make up the glory of the Dolomites. The ski area of ​​this resort has recently been connected to the Alta Badia resort.

Hotels in Kronplatz near ski lifts:

Here, perhaps, is the most extreme of all the resorts in the region. Experienced skiers should prefer steep mountain slopes; beginners should choose another place for training. The Marmolada glacier is located nearby; this is especially valuable for freeriders, since they can ride here throughout the year. But if beginners still come here, they should start skating under the supervision of an instructor: there are two schools here. In the village itself there are about 2 dozen small hotels. There is no influx of tourists - the resort is for professionals who are ready to ride from dark to dark.

Hotels in Arabba-Marmolada near ski lifts:

This is a whole valley that unites about 10 resorts. Skiers can note 2 places for themselves: Plose and Gitchberg. There are comfortable hotels and equipment rentals are available. People have lived in this valley since time immemorial, merchants stayed here, so they always think about guests here. They offer shops, cafes, wine cellars, and various entertainment options. And, of course, 85 km of slopes await skiers.

Sella Ronda ski route

Almost all skiers who come to the resorts of the Dolomites, at least once, pass along the famous route. This route has received various names. Some call it a “carousel”, others a “round the world”. But it really gives you the opportunity to see a lot. After all, a skier who sets off goes around the Sella mountain range in a circle. Ascents alternate with descents, but in general, the route is not difficult, and even beginners can ride here. Just be sure to take your camera with you – because you won’t see such landscapes anywhere else.

It is difficult to give directions from where and how best to get to this route. It’s worth taking a map and seeing where you are at the moment, and then finding Sella Ronda. It is marked with green and orange colors. If you are not too confident in your abilities, it is better to start on the “green” path. It goes counterclockwise, the signs are close to each other. There are about 23 km of ski slopes and 15 lifts. Difficulty is minimal and panoramic view very beautiful. The journey will take from 3 to 4 hours.

More experienced skiers, as well as snowboarding fans, prefer the “orange” track. It’s a little more difficult to navigate here; the signs are located further apart. There are 11 lifts in operation, and the direct length of the route is also about 23 km. On average, the route can be completed in 2.5-3 hours.

Dolomiti Superski – holiday without limits

To provide maximum comfort for guests, 12 resorts located in the Dolomites have decided to combine their ski areas. The result is simply a huge territory, which includes 1,200 km of trails served by 450 ski lifts. To take advantage of all this splendor, you need to buy one ski pass.

When is the best time to go on vacation?

People come to the resorts of the Dolomites all year round. There is plenty to do here in both the warm and cold seasons. In summer it rarely gets hot here; usually the temperature does not rise above + 25 C. You can walk, ride bicycles, go to the mountains, and just wander through the streets of ancient cities. All you have to do is carry an umbrella or a light raincoat with you - it suddenly rains. In autumn it becomes cooler, the thermometer can show + 10C, and snow often falls in November. This good time for those who expect peace and quiet from their trip, since most tourists are leaving. Mountains covered with forest are very beautiful in the first half of autumn, before the leaves fall.

In spring, the air warms up quite late - by May. This benefits skiers. But all tourists are pleased with the abundance of sunny days, and entire meadows of flowers that you can admire. In winter, the Dolomites are a real Mecca for skiers. Noticeable frosts, down to -20-25 C, are rare; more often the temperature stays around -5-8 C. The bright sun provides skiers with a wonderful tan. The Dolomites are an extraordinary place on the planet. It's worth visiting here and seeing for yourself.