Alta Badia Italy: Feb 3

[AHM]

Skied Alta Badia Italy today and will ski there again tomorrow. This is in the South Tyrol, not far (90 km from Innsbruck Austria. This is part of the Dolimiti Super Ski, which features approximately 480 lifts and numerous villiages, all for 35 euros a day. Skiing was good, nothing special could use some snow. Nonetheless, the area was amazing. Skied into a variety of Villages, from my starting point in La Villa. Skied into Arraba, Corvara, Colfosco, La Fassa, Passo Compolongo, and Val Gardena.

Scenery was like Banff national park on steriods. Huge expanses of Dolomite spires, that were just awesome. Staying in La Villa. Not too expensive, basic room in two star hotel is about 60 Euros with breakfast for two. Nice room is 90 euros/person, with breakfast. And that is extremly nice, such as hotel la Villa. Incredible wood work in the entire area. Glass of wine costs 2 euros, far cheaper than Boston, NY, or Philly for a glass of vino.

Over 150 km of groomed terrain, quite a few good tree areas and much above treeline. Best off piste is in Colfosco. For the groomer skier, this would be an absolute paradise. Big, long groomers, with nice steeps and runs that are nonstop for ~ 2500 verts.

Fantastic lift system, numerous gondolas, large trams, excellent high speed quads, equipped with magic carpet starts so you are moviing actually when the lift picks you up.

Give it a whirl if you have an interest in skiing europe. People are a mix of German and Italian.

This would be an excellent area for anyone looking to cruise around a major ski region, similar to Les trois vallee in France, actually easier to get around. Incredible village to village skiing, with excellent bus service in case you end up in the wrong area at the end of the day.

Easy to get to ultimately. Direct from Boston or NYC to Venice, and then 3 - 4 hrs of driving, easy driving also. You can combine it with a bit of sight seeing in Venice and you have quite a vacation.

[RISkier]

Keep the trip reports coming if you find the time. I've always read that the scenery in the Dolomites is absolutely breathtaking. Hope you can post some pics when you return.