Our usual destination of France was cancelled at the last minute as Covid prevented the UK residents from travelling there. So we decided upon the Italian Dolomites for our annual ski trip, and it was a great choice the scenery, food and people were great. The covid requirements to go were a hassle and even a week before we might not have been able to go if we tested positive! Wearing masks all day did seem to bad when you have a ski balaclava on!!
The Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northeastern Italy, are renowned for their breathtaking, pale-coloured limestone mountains, which feature dramatic vertical walls, sheer cliffs, and jagged peaks. These unique formations are celebrated for a phenomenon known as enrosadira—the spectacular rose and gold glow they emit at sunrise and sunset.
The region, which spans the provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino, and Veneto, offers a rich blend of Austrian, Italian, and local Ladin cultures, evident in the language, architecture, and, famously, the exceptional on-mountain cuisine served in traditional rifugi (mountain huts). This blend of stunning geology, cultural depth, and warm Italian hospitality makes the Dolomites a distinctive destination unlike any other in the Alps.
Skiing in the Dolomites centres around Dolomiti Superski, the world's largest interconnected ski network, which provides access to 1,220 km of slopes and 12 different ski areas, all accessible with a single lift pass. This vast terrain, which is primarily focused on perfectly groomed, mileage-hungry runs, is an intermediate skier's paradise, but also caters well to beginners and experts with challenging World Cup pistes in areas like Val Gardena and Alta Badia.
The highlight is the Sellaronda, a legendary 40 km circular ski tour that loops around the imposing Sella massif, linking four valleys (Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa) and allowing skiers to explore a massive area without ever taking their skis off. The infrastructure is world-class, boasting modern lifts and extensive snowmaking that ensures reliable conditions throughout the season
