Arabba, An Unspoiled Ski Area in the World's Greatest Ski Domain: The Dolomites

Nested in the heart of 1,200 km of ski slopes, the little town of Arabba is the place where find untouched tracks and enjoy one of most breathtaking sight

By Massimo Terracina

Arabba, (https://www.arabba.it/) the main ski center of the Fodom valley, in the Veneto province of Belluno, sits on the crossing of three regions: Veneto, Trentino and Alto Adige, nested in the amazing Dolomiti Superski network, more than 1200 km of slopes and 450 ski lifts of any kind, constantly enhanced.

The little town area, under Livinallongo of Col di Lana, offers only 2.800 beds, and is one of the 12 ski areas composing the network of Dolomiti Superski, (https://www.dolomitisuperski.com/) the most amazing ski kingdom of the world that allows to ski under just one ski pass on all the domain.

The 2019/20 season has already started with a lot of snow falls, perfectly managed by the keepers, utilizing snow cannons to keep the slopes in perfect conditions.

Leandro Grones, mayor, underlines a concept the is very welcome from the hardcore skiers: "We offer unspoiled slopes, still hidden in our valleys, wide and funny to ride, easily reachable from every corner of Arabba, (60 km, 29 lifts) perfectly connected to the other areas, on the “Sella Ronda” circuit which is the “circumnavigation” of the huge and massive Sella mountain massif that sits in the middle of the Dolomiti."

It is true, you can ski out of the crowd and still be close to all of this: Marmolada, Porta Vescovo, and all the other ski venues.

"We try to provide a stress free environment - adds Manuel Roncat, president of Arabba Fodom Tourism - all devoted to host our guest in the best way. On the slopes you can find great refuges for a stop to enjoy the tipical regional and international food: Rifugio Luigi Gorza (https://www.dolomitiportavescovo.it/food/rifugio-luigi-gorza/) just refurbished with a panoramic terrace facing Sella, where you can indulge yourself at sunset to admire the Enrosadira when the dolomites turn its colors from pink to purple nuances, offers you a variety of typical food “km zero”, or “Rifugio Burz” (https://www.burz.it/) an amazing wooden structure proposing a variety of food offer. Once finished the ski day you can visit one of the great restaurant in Arabba, as the “Micky’s Grill” (https://www.mikysgrill.it/en/restaurant-arabba.htm) turned from Hotel Mesdi home restaurant to a gourmet venue by the passion of Michela, the owner. All of it meant to please the guests, our mission."

Arabba area offers three magnificent ski tour: the town is part of the “tour of the great war” almost 80 km rounding Col di Lana, an open air museum on the 1915-18 conflict, staged in this area among trenches, forts, war leftover, for a very intense day immerged in a majestic nature and dramatic history.

You can also climb on the 2478 meters of Porta Vescovo, from where you can admire an unforgettable panorama: behind the “Marmolada” in front the Arabba ski area and the “Sella”.

Here is the kingdom of the stamina downhill like the “Fodoma” slope (a black one starting with a vertical wall) part of the “Sella Ronda” circuit or the Bellunese, 12 km down from 3,269 mt of the Marmolada top station.

Sellaronda, (known as well as the “four passes tour”) is a total ski opportunity, the better known of Dolomites and gors through the Sella, Campolongo, Pordoi and Gardena passes, and the respective valleys (Alta Badia, Fassa e Gardena). This circuit will remain open till April 14, 2020.

Arabba’s winter does not end with those proposal: there are the innovations of the snow panorama as the Funslope, as well as the “extra-sci” offer improves in many possibilities as ice climbing, assisted by expert Alpine guides or excursions with snow shoe or by snow mobile. All of this in an unspoiled environment!