Dolomiti Superski – the count down has started

A mountain of wonder
There are many pleasurable experiences, but where they combine for an unforgettable dream holiday you are in the world of Dolomiti Superski: the Peaks of Pleasure. Giant mountains as far as the eye can see, 1,200 kilometres of skiing pleasure, almost 100% guaranteed snow, sunshine on 8 out of 10 days and culinary delights from five traditional cuisine cultures: South Tyrolean, Trentinian, Venetian, Ladin and Mediterranean. There is no better way to enjoy the winter. Heights of pleasure that many look forward to even in summertime!
And this year we can present a number of new features – new cablecars and lifts as well as improved slope connections – so that you should have an even more pleasurable experience.

The magical atmosphere of dinner in a refuge

Special evenings to discover the typical products of Trentino

The unforgettable experience of reaching a refuge on a snowmobile, or with snowshoes, or on foot, in the silence, while the mountains glow with the enrosadira, the special colour the Dolomites assume at sunset, and then the magical atmosphere of an evening seated around the fireplace, enjoying the flavours of Trentino food and afterwards a thrilling torchlight descent on a sledge. This is the magic of the refuges, an original and exciting way to spend a memorable evening.

Dining in the refuges in Trentino is different, an explorative journey among the  flavours of ancient recipes, an occasion for tasting local dishes like polenta with mushrooms, or grilled cheese, strangolapreti (small spinach dumplings) with melted butter, orzotto (barley), venison, sausage meats and local cheeses, without forgetting the delicious sweets and then grappa, the traditional end to a mountain meal.

Tradition in Val Di Fassa – San Nicolò

SAN NICOLO AND THE KRAMPUS

Every year, on December the 6th, the feast of San Nicola, an ancient tradition takes place in all the villages of the valley, which is awaited with anxiety by the local children. Accompanied by two angels, San Nicolò roams the streets of every village to free them of the “krampus”, scary diabolical creatures. Upon entering the homes of the children to hear their prayers and good intentions, he brings little gifts and sweets for them. In the days before San Nicolò’s arrival, especially in the evening, there is a hunt for the “krampus” who like to frighten and chase the people they meet, playing tricks on them and worse!

Dolomites – Hospitality

… join us for your best time of the year

Skiing has a long tradition in the Dolomites. For over 100 years, winter visitors have come to our charming mountain villages. In the early days, farmers earned an extra income by providing accommodation for the first skiers. Today, each location offers plenty of choice, from exclusive luxury hotels and sophisticated spa resorts to cosy huts and guest houses. But what has remained from times gone by is the relaxed, friendly and broad-minded way in which we welcome our guests, aiming to ensure that the time they spend with us really is their best time of the year.

A winter sport with different rythms in Vallunga and Mount Pana.

Val Gardena offers different attractions for lovers of relaxing and romantic sports. The lovers of cross-country skiing find in Vallunga, at the foot of the “Stevia” in the Natural Park Puez-Odle, a network of routes for beginners and experts such as the ring of 12 km that leads to “Pra da ri”. Mount Pana, a sunny plateau has, in addition to the skiing slopes, a centre designed according to the most modern requirements of cross-country skiing. For those who do this sport on an excursion level, there is the “panoramic” route, and for the most demanding or for races there are different routes for a total of 30 km of slopes that follow precise signs and make it possible to change route at any moment. To go back to a holiday with a different pace, there are also different ways to enjoy the beauty that characterizes Val Gardena. To admire the enchanting landscapes that nature has given to this valley with such generosity, one can go to Ortisei, S. Cristina and Selva. All different winter hiking places, some on the margin of the woods, others
link towns.

The Italian National Team chooses the Val di Fassa

For the next 2 years the Italian Ski Team will be in Val di Fassa
This winter as well, Val di Fassa is the federal training centre for the Italian alpine ski teams. The winners of the World Cup Denise Karbon and Manfred Moellg, the giant racers Massimiliano Blardone and Davide Simoncelli, the specialist of the speed disciplines Peter Fill, the Fanchini sisters, the Fassa natives Chiara Costazza and Cristian Deville – this year patronized right from their valley – together with the other members of the men’s and women’s teams, will train on the slopes of Val di Fassa, thanks to the agreement that since 2006 links the effort and the commitment of F.I.S.I. (the Italian Winter Sports Association), Dolomiti Superski, Trentino S.p.a. and Val di Fassa Tourist Board.

Dolomites as a Natural World Heritage

In Sevilla, Spain, on June 26, 2009 the UNESCO has, on their annual meeting, declared the Dolomites as a Natural World Heritage !!

 

UNESCO was enchanted by the beauty of the Dolomites, as were the great poet Goethe, the writer Mario Rigoni Stern and the architect Le Corbusier – pointed spires, jagged summits and glorious colors that change throughout the day. At sunset the Dolomites turn a fiery red, then change to violet before disappearing into the night. This is the “Enrosadira” – a phenomenon caused by the unusual chemical composition of dolomite – a natural spectacle that is beyond compare.

Nature in the Snow – Trentino region

Trentino has always been very sensitive to environmental and ecological issues. The management of its forests is considered sustainable because scrupulous and strict criteria are applied in the administration and production of wood in order to prevent any abuse and to avoid waste. The woods in Trentino cover over half the province and about 25% of the territory, consisting of biotopes nature reserves and parks, is subject to conservation.

The three green lungs of Trentino, that is about 17% of the whole of the province, never go into hibernation. In winter the two provincial Nature Parks (Adamello Brenta and Paneveggio Pale di San Martino) and the Trentino section of the Stelvio National Park offer a number of possibilities for outdoor activities in nature.

The Adamello Brenta Nature Park lies in the western part of the province. This is the largest protected area in Trentino with innumerable views of rare beauty and a rich fauna. The winter programme includes the classic nature evenings and outings in the Dolomites to admire the rocks, snow-covered plants and frozen alpine lakes.

The Nature Park has always been engaged in the development of initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and interest in environmental culture. Within this strategy of sustainable development the ‘Quality Park’ project has been created also to involve tourist operators and guests in the philosophy of quality. The organizations that agree to the project promise to maintain the countryside intact, prevent pollution, reduce their environmental impact and make their guests aware of environmental issues.

Winter Sport for Everybody – Trentino Dolomites

A holiday in Trentino regenerates, frees the mind, relaxes. There are over 800 km of pistes for lovers of Alpine skiing, 500 km of trails for cross-country enthusiasts and districts with ten state-of-the-art fun parks for snowboarders. Other open air sports are also possible, like Nordic walking and snowshoeing, the latest in winter fitness, and then ski touring, ice skating, ice climbing and sleddogging.

 

WINTER EXCURSIONS ON SNOWSHOES

Excursions in the mountains are also possible in winter. All you have to do is put on ‘ciaspole’, the local name for snowshoes, and choose one of numerous pathways in Trentino. Snowshoeing is an activity everyone can do, from the youngest to the oldest, and it offers a splendid opportunity for exercise in the open air. You don’t need a lift pass, special equipment, or any experience because physically it’s just like walking. All that is required is a blanket of snow on a forest road in the mountains, or on a path in the woods, to enjoy a wonderful outing in the snow-clad countryside.

Not to be missed the snowshoe treks planned by the Alpine guides and the excursions in the moonlight with dinner in a refuge and return by torchlight, organised in the main resorts. Where? Weekends are proposed on the Altopiano della Paganella, in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, on Monte Bondone in the Viote plain, and also on the Altopiano di Brentonico with nocturnal outings called «Wandering under the stars». Snowshoe excursions also around Pinzolo, in the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, some lasting 2 days and sleeping in a mountain hut. Walks in the Paneveggio Nature Park, included in the programme «Not only skiing», in the San Martino di Castrozza district. Easy itineraries are signposted in the Panarotta area, with the lovely Fravort – Gronlait traverse and on the Folgaria, Lavarone and Luserna plateaus along the trails of the First World War. Daily excursions are held in Valle di Fiemme and in Valle di Fassa. Lastly, in the largest mountain chain of eastern Trentino the «Lagorai Nature in Freedom» programme offers a calandar of weekly excursions with overnight stays in mountain huts and minitrekking.

 

NORDIC WALKING, OR WELL-BEING IN THE OPEN AIR

Nordic walking is the new way of keeping fit in the open air in the winter season. This activity is practised in areas where the snow has been beaten (for example by the side of cross-country trails or close to mountain refuges) and many excursions are organised by the Alpine guides. Nordic walking is a new and exciting way of moving around the natural environment using special poles that enable you to exercise 90% of your muscles, reduce physical effort by 30% and consume 46% more calories than in ordinary jogging. Thanks to the instructors of this new speciality in Trentino, it is easy to learn the proper posture to gain the maximum benefit. The ingredients of its convincing recipe are simple: unspoilt nature and enchanting panoramas, the ideal mix for regeneration and feeling fit.

 

 

EXPLORING EXCITING SKI TOURING ITINERARIES

Ski touring is a sport that allows you to reach summits and uncontaminated places on skis and traverse mountain slopes and chains accompanied by the silence. With skins under the skis to prevent you slipping backwards, you can climb to the top of mountains and then take off the skins and ski down.

Ski touring is practised almost anywhere in Trentino. There are some cult trails like the Sellaronda (the tour of the four passes in Val di Fiemme); the ascent to Cima d’Asta in the heart of Lagorai; in the Brenta Dolomites starting from Andalo, Molveno and Madonna di Campiglio; the tour of the Valbona Lakes in the Giudicarie valleys; the Maddelene in Val di Non and the area of the Tre Valli and Passo San Pellegrino.

Skiing and Snowboarding in Dolomites

For many people, ski holidays have been a regular holiday activity and for skiers, there aren’t many places they’d rather be than the Alps.

Italy is now proving that it is a destination that has great value for money and with skiing routes ranging from the French border to the amazing Dolomites in the east; it is no wonder why people are flocking to Southern Europe to test out the slopes. In an era where cheap package holidays in the sun have outsold any other kind of holidays, it would have been easy for the ski operators to reduce the level of customer service but it seems that this competition has just urged them on and the offerings are better than ever.

The great nightlife and culture of Italy offers the perfect ending to day of skiing where you can dine at many of the first-class restaurants that Italy has to offer. Many people look for cheap holidays when deciding where to go but the truth is that skiing holidays are not as expensive as some people think.

There are some great deals out there at the moment and if you have never been skiing before why not have a different holiday experience and book your holiday today. All of the mountains and destinations can be reached within a couple of hours of the nearest airport which gives you more time on the slopes.