Rishin Roy
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Pretty much unparalleled ski area on almost all dimensions compared to anywhere else on planet Earth. 7 days on the IKON PASS.
Massive on a different scale, Italian and Ladin villages, activities and spas , and probably the most savory on and off mountain culinary experiences in the world.
ON-PISTE SKIING: Skiing on piste is superb, the grooming, italian fine; the lift system is very good, with many fast lifts, and gondolas, well-managed. The Sella Ronda circuit is great for transiting from around most of the areas but note places like Cortina, will require a short shuttle, car or bus ride, All villages have charming idiosyncrasies, like Cortina has serious on piste exposed high altitude steep in-bounds terrain, less crowds, and great grooming. Marmolada Glacier is a great place to ski on and off piste. Selva Val Gardena is the most crowded.
OFF-PISTE SKIING: is a sight to behold, a religious experience to be lived . Off the Sella Massif, the terrain is fantastic, some chill but all intimidating and much of it will test one's mettle, and the environment is magnificent. Almost nowhere else can you consistently ski in between massive granite towers like these, and it's an incredible feeling but also creates its own sense of foreboding. Most of the terrain is alpine ie above tree line, just some off-piste exits are through thick steep low profile tree forests, be aware! The whole area is a free-riders paradise. Many require ski mountaineering gear and experience . Get an alpine ski instructor/guide, join a group lesson, to really enjoy. All off-piste is avalanche prone terrain, check the avalanche forecast, have an avalanche bag with shovel, probe (& an airbag is good to have), and an armed active beacon or ARVA as they call it here.
So while the terrain has everything, the big caveat is the Quality of the Snow can be a challenge given the Dolomites southern latitudinal setting.
THE SNOW 1: Snow situation has been iffy in the last decade with climate change & the low latitude location. The riches of the limitless off-piste terrain are only accessible when there is enough snow. Skiing off-piste jewels like Val Mesdi and Val Lasties needs a lot of snow, especially the entrances and the exits.
THE SNOW 2: The other risk factor or characteristic is a high likelihood of skiing into or on what I call Dolomites or Dolomiti Cement, heavy sticky snow like the famed Sierra Cement of US Pacific Northwest.
Rapid altitude change: can cause issues rising from base areas to mountain tops & saddles.
RISK of On Snow HUMAN cannonballs is high as many including adults do not follow basic ski-ride etiquette,
THE FOOD: The on mountain restaurants serve delightful food . It remains a Sherlock Holmes worthy mystery as to how they get the meats and vegetable to be so delectably fresh up high on the mountain. Places to eat are many, like Masi in Cortina, whose delightful cuisine deserved 3 Michelin stars! Other places with superb food, and staff are Fredarola in the Arabba region, Cherz in Arabba, Scoiattoli in Cinque Torri, Grill Strobel in Col Gallina in the Cortina-Lagazoui, Crepe du Munt above Corvara, Rifugio Maria on top of Sass Pordoi is a cool spot, Rifugio Luigi Gorza on the saddle of Porto Vescovo, has a view-for-miles sundeck, and Rifugio Serauta cafe is a good place to acclimate before taking the 3rd gondola up to Marmolada ; Hotel Farolia bar in Cortina is nice and the bar in the Col Alto Hotel in Corvara is very well tended. Stayed at the fine Hotel Col Alto in Corvara.
Best of all, the Italians are wonderful company, fun, charming, gracious and helpful. What a ride, and what an incredible place.
