Skiing in the Dolomites (Italy)?

[shredbetty]

Has anyone skied the Dolomites or Sella Ronda area in Italy? My partner and I are thinking of going in February, but I'd love to know whether there are any runs with moguls in those parts, and whether snow will be decent from anyone who has been. We usually ski in Colorado, Utah or Tas NM and do enjoy good snow and moguls. We are not expecting it to be the same, but still feel it might be an interesting experience. I have researched and watched some videos online and the terrain looks pretty mellow and all VERY groomed.

 

[Karenfrances]

We have skied in the Dolomites at Christmas the last two years -- so I cannot speak to conditions in February, but December in 2022 and 2023 had pretty good conditions (better snow in 2022). We did not ski the Sella Ronda but we did ski at Alta Badia, which is one of the areas the Sella Ronda goes through. We also skied at Faloria, Misurina, and Tofana, since we stayed in Cortina and those areas are easy to reach from town.

I don't remember any runs with significant moguls, and there definitely is a lot of grooming -- but skiing with my daughter we would not be looking for moguls anyway. Some of the lifts are old and slow compared to the US -- it takes three lifts, I think, to get to the top of the Olimpia della Tofane, for example. (Because I just had to ski the World Cup/Olympic downhill course, although I was nothing like Lindsey Vonn on the way down. And the top of that run is not mellow.) It is an stunningly beautiful place to ski. Plus the food and wine and the overall vibe is so much better than skiing in the US. We had a fantastic time and I would love to go back to do a "ski safari" and stay up on the mountain(s). I would encourage you to go for the entire experience, knowing that it will be very different from the Rockies.

 

[-nat-]

So fun! What is a ski safari?

 

[echo_VT]

Following for Dolomites! Haven’t been but would like to

 

[Chuyi]

So fun! What is a ski safari?

Ski safari

Discover all of our ski road trips which combine free hiking, off-piste itineraries and discovery of unusual routes from the resorts.

9vallees.com

 

[cosmicplanks]

Hi @shredbetty! I have spent two days in the Dolomites in early February this year, inbetween work meetings . It was not a good year for snow, but I decided the best way to make the most out of it was to take a guide and go touring and spend one night on a hut. I did a little bit of resort skiing in San Pellegrino and Val di Fassa as we started and ended at those stations.

Like you, I ski in Taos and because of that, I am always looking for bumps! I didn’t see much in the resorts but it could be because I didn’t spend as much time in them.

I did feel grateful for the technical terrain experience we get in Taos, because it was needed for the conditions we found on the first day. On the second day it snowed and it was a hoot.

The hut experience was amazing with great conversation with other guests and great food, but it was certainly not luxury accommodations.

All in all, I had a blast and would definitely recommend the experience. I know this is not exactly what you were asking about, but might be something to consider!

 

[Mjm11]

Has anyone skied the Dolomites or Sella Ronda area in Italy? My partner and I are thinking of going in February, but I'd love to know whether there are any runs with moguls in those parts, and whether snow will be decent from anyone who has been. We usually ski in Colorado, Utah or Tas NM and do enjoy good snow and moguls. We are not expecting it to be the same, but still feel it might be an interesting experience. I have researched and watched some videos online and the terrain looks pretty mellow and all VERY groomed.

Hello! I've skied the Italian Dolomites. In February. It's impressive because of the awe inspiring mountain range and like others said, the vibe and food is astounding. Skiing is pretty much groomed.. I don't recall moguls at all..
Go!!

 

[shredbetty]

Hi @shredbetty! I have spent two days in the Dolomites in early February this year, inbetween work meetings . It was not a good year for snow, but I decided the best way to make the most out of it was to take a guide and go touring and spend one night on a hut. I did a little bit of resort skiing in San Pellegrino and Val di Fassa as we started and ended at those stations.

Like you, I ski in Taos and because of that, I am always looking for bumps! I didn’t see much in the resorts but it could be because I didn’t spend as much time in them.

I did feel grateful for the technical terrain experience we get in Taos, because it was needed for the conditions we found on the first day. On the second day it snowed and it was a hoot.

The hut experience was amazing with great conversation with other guests and great food, but it was certainly not luxury accommodations.

All in all, I had a blast and would definitely recommend the experience. I know this is not exactly what you were asking about, but might be something to consider!

Thanks - that is really helpful! Do you remember the name of the hut you stayed in?

 

[cosmicplanks]

Rifugio Vallacia. The tour guide was Fabrizio with Free Wheeling Dolomites.

 

[Chute Goddess]

This is making me want to go so bad! I loved Italy when I went but didn't make it to the Dolomites!

 

[Mjm11]

Ok, Just back from 9 day skiing in La Rosiere, France and Thuile, Italy in the Alps. They are all connected by lifts and you just need one ski pass. This is a 10 times bigger ski area than the Domites (primarily shorter groomed blues, some blacks) and more like out west skiing. You can go off piste and back country (not my gig) but with so many long blue, red, black runs it was mind blowing. Get a guide and go to Italy for lunch. My eyes and legs will never be the same.

 

[Mjm11]

Italian restaurant in Thuile.. gotta ski to get there!

 

[Briski]

We skied 10 days at Skirama Dolomiti last March on our Epic Pass. We stayed at Hotel Alpina in Madonna Di Campiglio. Didn’t do any backcountry refuges nor hire any guides. Runs were all groomed. The amount of terrain is so impressive, skiing from town to town for coffee, pastries, and pizza.

We received the excellent advice to check the school vacation calendars to avoid crowds get the most out of trip.

School year calendar

www.eursc.eu

 

[Magnatude]

Ok, Just back from 9 day skiing in La Rosiere, France and Thuile, Italy in the Alps. They are all connected by lifts and you just need one ski pass. This is a 10 times bigger ski area than the Domites (primarily shorter groomed blues, some blacks) and more like out west skiing. You can go off piste and back country (not my gig) but with so many long blue, red, black runs it was mind blowing. Get a guide and go to Italy for lunch. My eyes and legs will never be the same.

We're also just back from a month in the French alps -- mainly Serre Chevalier, but we also had a guided day in Montgenèvre (France) which is part of the Via Lattea linked super-resort (mostly in Piedmont, Italy). So of course we skied into Italy for lunch too! Such a fun experience. We skied a mix of on and off-piste (plenty of both on offer).

 

[elemmac]

Hoping to tack on another question to this thread…slightly off topic, but close…

Any input on which is a better town to stay in: Canazei or Selva? I’m actually looking at summer travel, but figured since they’re ski towns, some people here might have some input?