Dolomite Alps: 5 best ski resorts

Dolomiti Superski ski area

Dolomiti Superski is a ski alliance that unites 12 mountain regions into a single ski area for more than 40 resorts. It is one ski pass for 1200 km of slopes and 460 elevators, it is an opportunity not only to see the incredible heights of Italy, but also to visit many mountain areas without taking off your skis. The territory has an excellent infrastructure: there are more than 30 snow parks, dozens of pistes of any complexity, more than a hundred cafes and restaurants, many schools for beginner skiers, entertainment and sports centers.

The region is famous for the internationally popular Sella Ronda, a ski route that covers 4 valleys (Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Alta Badia and Arabbe) and 6 peaks closed in a circle. The total length of the route is about 40 km, and skiing along it is one of the most favorite pastimes of vacationers, because there is an opportunity to see the mountain range from all sides. Even beginner skiers can walk the route, the average time is 3.5-4.5 hours.

How to get there?

You can get to the Dolomite Alps region from different cities, depending on which area you are traveling to. The nearest cities where you can land are. Innsbruck, Bolzano, Venice. Cost air tickets Kyiv-Innsbruck - from €219 (round trip), flight Kyiv-Venice - from €89.

Ski pass price

The cost of ski passes for the entire Dolomiti Superski area:

Low season (9.01. - 29.01.2022; 20.03 - 1.05.2022): 1 day - €60, 6 days - €305

High season (23.12.2021 - 8.01.2022; 30.01. - 19.03.2022): 1 day - €67, 1 week - €339

Find out more about the different rates on the resort's official website.

Popular resorts in the Dolomite Alps

Val Gardena

One of the most popular resorts of the Dolomite Alps, located in a picturesque valley where families and small friendly groups prefer to vacation. There are 3 small towns in the valley: Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva. Val Gardena is famous for its scale (175 km of pistes, 83 elevators) and is considered a great place for beginners, with long, gentle slopes. At the same time there are a lot of black runs here. There are 2 theme parks for snowboarders: Funpark Val Gardena and Snowpark Val Gardena.

Val Gardena is suitable for a vacation with children. Firstly, it is one of the most peaceful regions, and raging night parties are not often organized here. Secondly, for children there are many schools with instructors, "playgrounds" with special short tracks and entertainment centers.

You can book a hotel in Val Gardena with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

In addition to skiing, Val Gardena offers its vacationers a lot of entertainment: spas, gyms, swimming pools, panoramic restaurants on the slopes, stores, skating rinks and interesting excursions. Christmas and New Year's Eve are also celebrated in Val Gardena.

Prices for accommodation: 3* - from €125, 5* - from €360.

Val di Fassa

The resort, which unites about a dozen small villages, has earned the fame of one of the best in Italy, thanks to the quality of service, modern equipment, but at the same time it pleases with somewhat more affordable prices than other resorts of the Dolomite Alps.

The length of the Val di Fassa slopes is 200 km, of which most of them are red (105 km). There are 59 elevators on the territory, the maximum altitude is 2950 km. The most popular skiing area is Belvedere (2425 m), as well as the slopes below it. There are also 2 snow parks: Buffaure Snowpark and Dolomiti Snowpark, and for children - Kinderpark and ski school for the youngest.

Vacationers in Val di Fassa spend their free time actively: they go snowmobiling, dog sledding, skating, relax in spa centers, train in gyms, swim in swimming pools, play bowling, sit in local bars and clubs.

Prices for accommodation: 3* - from €79, 5* - from €179.

Alta Badia

Another picturesque ski region, not inferior to the neighboring ones. There are 4 cozy towns: Corvare, Colfosco, La Ville and San Cassiano, located near the peaks of the same name. The total length of pistes in Alta Badia is 130 km, mostly blue and red, you can move between them and between towns by elevators (there are more than 50 of them here), as well as by ski-buses.

Alta Badia is more suitable for beginner skiers: its peaks are not so high and there are few difficult, steep slopes. Snowboarding is also actively taught here, and there is a snow park, and for hiking enthusiasts there are themed ski trips, for example, to the places where important events of the First World War took place. Such excursions cost from €80.

Of course, like other resorts, Alta Badia has a standard set of apres-ski facilities: sports complexes, swimming pools, spa centers, bars, restaurants, children's entertainment rooms, etc. At the same time there is a lot to see in the region: ancient churches of XIV-XV centuries (Santa Croce and San Leonardo), Ladino Museum, Ciastel de Tor Castle, as well as Renee art gallery.

Prices for accommodation: 3* - from €70, 5* - from €199.

Cortina d'Ampezzo

It enters the category of more prestigious, elite resorts, and is also in the rating of Best of the Alps. It is clear that the prices here are somewhat different from others, but vacationers receive in return decent service and service at a high level. And it is also believed that it is in Cortina d'Ampezzo the best mountain scenery in the Dolomite Alps.

This small resort town is surrounded on all sides by mountain massifs and steep cliffs. There are more than 140 km of slopes and 45 elevators, ski schools and 2 large snow parks, many excursion programs and interesting routes. Most of the slopes are oriented for beginners.

Frankly speaking, Cortina d'Ampezzo is more of an area for a beautiful vacation, and the entertainment here is as popular as the skiing. Curling, snow karting, dog and snowmobile rides, cycling, ice skating, trekking, and of course various water and spa treatments. You can also take a walk in the Natural Park of the Ampezzo, impressive in its nature.

Of course, the prestigious resort has a lot of stores, boutiques with top brands for good shopping, as well as nightclubs, bars, restaurants that will brighten your evenings.

Prices for accommodation: 3* - from €99, 5* - from €225.

Civetta

In an exceptionally good sense - a "typical resort", where Italians themselves prefer to vacation, although it is a bit inferior in size to other resorts. The skiing area is about 80 km, most of the pistes are red, there are 25 elevators, ski schools, a snow park and a children's area in Piani di Pezza. Several pistes offer night skiing.

In Civetta hiking tours are actively practiced, during which you can learn not only about the events of the First World War, but also visit the ice canyon and ride horse-drawn carriages. And, of course, the most active vacationers go to the famous Sella Ronda. Not far from Civetta is Lake Maggiore, which together with snow-capped peaks creates an incredible landscape.

In the towns of Civetta there are many classic hotels, there are also guest houses with a more homely atmosphere, where the hosts not only create a homely atmosphere and coziness, but also enjoy home-cooked meals with real Italian treats.

Prices for accommodation: 3* - from €70, 5* - from €170.

You can book a hotel in Civetta with a discount up to -65% on the website.