Dolomiti Superski, where to stay?

From experience, may I recommend Canazei? Yes, the more challenging skiing may be in Arabba and Selva, but Canazei is handily positioned about halfway between the two. It is a pleasant ski to either, Arabba especially, from Canazei and your legs would be nicely warmed up before you hit the Marmolada in the Arabba sector or the FIS men's downhill Sasslong or the 10.5km La Longia if you choose to go in the other direction. Our group found it to be a bit of a drag skiing the section of the Sella Ronda between Selva and Arabba.
If an 'apres' beer or two is a priority, then the bars in the square around the church, (about 100m down from the end of the Lupo Bianco piste) are banging until about 8pm. If you like to stay out late, there is a good nightclub/bar in the basement of one of the hotels, (I forget the name) almost directly across the road from the Belvedere gondola. I can't compare it with Selva because I haven't stayed there, but it is much livelier than Arabba.
The Ciampac gondola in Alba, (5 minutes by frequent and regular ski-bus) gives access to a varied day's skiing between Alba and Pozza di Fassa. If you are hiring a car, the 30 minute drive to Moena is well worthwhile for a day's FAST cruising on wide, almost empty and perfectly groomed red and blue pistes. A slightly longer drive in the other direction, (towards Cortina d' Ampezzo) takes you to the equally empty pistes and stunning scenery of Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri.
I could go on and on about the Catinaccio and San Pellegrino areas but they are not particularly relevant to why you should stay in Canazei. Are you starting to get the impression that I like the place? Oh, and just one other thing; Don't go telling everyone;-)

I like the sound of Arraba and had to cancel a booking a few years ago and want to try it this Jan. I ski with an old mate - do they do twin beds - I seem to remember this area is a bit keen on double beds for some reason ?

Thanks.

Hi Gareth, We stay in Arabba, it's a small village with not much night life. Remember Venice is a four hour transfer and Verona about 3 hours so a long way for a short stay. Innsbruck is much nearer, approx 2 hours if you can fly there.

Corvara is a larger town in the Alta Badia region of the Dolomiti Superski and is on the Sella Ronda circuit.

http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/

Hi Gar, as with so many things, it depends what is importnat to you!

First tip - travel. Most people fly into Venice or Verona as you suggest, but alos look at Inssbruck - its about 90mins from the Val Gardena and a much easier joruney.

Where to stay - Selva, Corvara, Arraba, are all on the Sella Ronda, and tend to be busier than areas just off. Perhaps, as its your first visit one of these areas is a good start. You could also look at the Val di Fassa, or maybe Castelrotto (Kastelruth) as alternatives.

We have lived in the Dolomites for tha last five seasons and cant wait for 1 Dec when we will retunr for our 6th!

Ciao, Tim

We are here NOW! Skied today in Alta Badia - awesome - great snow and no one here!
First thing - if you come to Selva ( or Val Gardena ) fly to Innsbruck. And look at Innsbruck for access to other areas in the Dolomites - much easier that Venice. The answers above are all sound, IMHO. Gte in touch if you need more. Ciao, Tim

Tim IN wrote:We are here NOW! Skied today in Alta Badia - awesome - great snow and no one here!
First thing - if you come to Selva ( or Val Gardena ) fly to Innsbruck. And look at Innsbruck for access to other areas in the Dolomites - much easier that Venice. The answers above are all sound, IMHO. Gte in touch if you need more. Ciao, Tim

How reliable are the flights into Innsbruck and also the road links then between there and Alta Badia ? I generally go there once a year but have always flown into Venice till now. Might be interested in trying a different route in next winter (we are driving over from Austria to Pedraces this coming summer but i guess the roads will be very different in come january compared to june!).

Dave

rustyinn wrote:

Tim IN wrote:We are here NOW! Skied today in Alta Badia - awesome - great snow and no one here!
First thing - if you come to Selva ( or Val Gardena ) fly to Innsbruck. And look at Innsbruck for access to other areas in the Dolomites - much easier that Venice. The answers above are all sound, IMHO. Gte in touch if you need more. Ciao, Tim

How reliable are the flights into Innsbruck and also the road links then between there and Alta Badia ? I generally go there once a year but have always flown into Venice till now. Might be interested in trying a different route in next winter (we are driving over from Austria to Pedraces this coming summer but i guess the roads will be very different in come january compared to june!).

Dave

Have done the opposite direction when I did the Klosters/Davos/Arrabba/Kitzbuhel/Niederau trip. The Brenner Pass is kept well oiled, so, my guess would be, if conditions are good enough to fly into Innsbruck, you will have clear roads through to South Tyrol. And if the conditions are not good enough to fly into Innsbruck, by the time you get there the snow conditions wil be Fabulous!

How reliable are the flights into Innsbruck and also the road links then between there and Alta Badia ? I generally go there once a year but have always flown into Venice till now. Might be interested in trying a different route in next winter (we are driving over from Austria to Pedraces this coming summer but i guess the roads will be very different in come january compared to june!).

Innsbruck flights - all our friends and I use Innsbruck regularly and over the last 5 seasons. We have experienced two diverts and then only to Munich, which is about 3-4hr train ride.
Innsbruck to Val Gardena - train, taxi or dirve are your options. The main raod is dual carriageway and I have never known an issue. Tain to Bressanone is easy too. Some trains are direct, others change at Brenner. Taxi this season is c200Euro to Ortisei - I think they take up to five peoples.
Val Gardena-Alta Badia - this is not a road I have driven often, prefering to ski. However, my impression is that this is a key link and is nearly alwasy open, except immediately after major snow dumps.