Missed the opportunity to ski during your winter break? or you want to return because it’s never enough? High up on the border with Austria, in north-eastern Italy’s South Tyrol, the stark and jagged Dolomites are mysterious mountains seemingly hewn into towers and pinnacles of rock. This year you can enjoy a beautiful Easter break skiing on the Italian Dolomites! The slopes will be open until the 8th of April and there is plenty of skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, ice hockey and the sound of jingle bells if you fancy a sleigh ride in the snow.
The main resorts are linked by the famous Sella Ronda that runs around the Sella Group of Mountains, near Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. They are all covered by the Dolomiti Superski Pass (1200km of slopes). Do not forget to register to get your stats every day!
Here you will find some of Italy’s top ski resorts, which can cater for everyone from absolute beginners to expert skiers. Choose places like the Active Hotel Olympic in Vigo di Fassa; the Hotel Col Alto in Corvara (Val Badia); the Residence Sassela with holiday apartments and a beautiful pool in Ortisei (Val Gardena).
The villages in the Val Gardena and in the Val Badia guard their local traditions and the little known language of Ladin is widely spoken. Stop to admire the artisans carving woods and take home one of their beautiful sculptures.
Local food is delicious! Dine on local salami, polenta with cheese and mushrooms or canederli alla tyrolese, a classic dish of bread dumplings. Finish your meal with a glass of Tyrolean grappa.
If you rather prefer to come in summer, there are 1,500 varieties of plants here along with a rich wildlife. The mountains are home to chamois and ibex. Keep a look out for golden eagles soaring above as well as owls and ravens. The Parco Naturale dello Sciliar has some particularly fascinating rock formations, among them the remains of coral reefs from the ancient Mediterranean. Himalayan mountain climbers have traditionally trained here and the peaks are especially challenging.
In 2009 the unique natural setting of the Dolomites was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must for any mountain lover.
The Dolomites – nature’s playground!