Where to Ski And Snowboard - Dolomite resorts open with new snow, new lifts

Dolomite resorts open with new snow, new lifts

6th December 2011, by Chris Gill

Cortina

You can ‘ski nearly everywhere’ in the Dolomiti Superski region apparently: nine of the 12 regions have declared themselves open and offering 124 lifts and 210km pistes for starters.

Cortina, Kronplatz, Trevalli and San Martino and resorts in Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Alta Pusteria, Val di Femme (Obereggen) have now opened for the new winter season. The most terrain available is at Kronplatz (60km) and the Alta Badia resorts of Corvara, San Cassiano etc (30km).

It has been snowing in the Dolomites over the past couple of days, with temperatures sufficiently cold to spur the extensive snowmaking operation into action. And over the course of the summer, resorts in the area have been investing once again in upgrading lifts in preparation for the season ahead.

New lifts

One place that really stands out for lift improvements, and a high proportion of gondolas, is Kronplatz – north of the Sella Ronda area. This conical-shaped mountain has opened up from another village, complete with train right to the new lift station. The new gondola starts from the railway station of Perca, on the opposite side of the mountain to San Vigilio (other reference name for the ski area and village) and closer to Brunico / Bruneck. The lift is a long 7km ride, but a new piste back to the village has also been created. Existing gondolas: Miara and the one to Col Toron have also been upgraded.

Over in Cortina d’Ampezzo, glamour puss of the Dolomite ski world, there is also a new lift. Maintaining the resort’s relaxed and slow-paced reputation, this lift is not a super-fast gondola or six-pack but a two-seater named Alpe Potor - Nuvolao. It replaces an old chair and draglift in the Lagazuoi / Cinque Torri sector. In Cortina’s Faloria sector, there is a new piste ‘Scoiattolo’ that is served by the quad chair at Pian de Ra Bigontina. A slow-ski slope is being introduced this season too: the Vitelli run will have ‘relax’ zones along its length, to encourage breaks to admire the scenery (not that you need encouragement really).

A smart 4-star hotel opens its doors in the Cortina area this winter too. The Rosapetra Spa Resort opened in Zuel in November, a mountain chalet of 35 rooms, wellness centre and gym, beauty spa and swimming pool.

There’s also a new lift due above Val Gardena, to replace Sasso Levante chair at Passo Sella, and the Bamby quad between San Cassiano and La Villa becomes a six-pack. Above Arabba, a new quad is to replace one of the double chairs at Arabba / Campolongo.