The Settimana Bianca for the Italians has got more expensive as per Il Corriere/Altroconsumo

Starting to ski, by La Baraka. This past season (23-24) it was closed. For me it was the best bar, more when Freddy was in charge (a rockabilly kind of guy with great music and hot chocolates!) Food was great too. Lovely terrace. Hopefully this is re-opened by the 24-25 ski season. Just off the top of Chamolé lift (by piste 2).

Sky-high prices for ski weeks- here are the costs to go for the Settimana Bianca in nine ski resorts, as per an article published at Il Corriere della Sera with AltroConsumo.

Italians tend to go skiing on their Settimana Bianca in two different weeks. First week is for the New Year’s Eve week and the second week is during Carnival.

My youngest with my husband after his ski lesson in Madonna di Campiglio. 7 things that can help you when taking kids skiing.
My youngest with my husband after his ski lesson in Madonna di Campiglio.

Between travel, accommodation and ski pass. New Year’s week is more expensive than Carnival week, like 40% more.

Prices for New Years have increased 14% in respect with last. And the year before, the prices already have increased by 20%. For Carnival Week, rates have increased by 5%

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New flight from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps

SkyAlps airways. Photo by Armin Pixner- Alta Badia Brand. New flight from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps

New flight from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps

A new flight is launching on 15 December 2021 from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps. This flight will operate weekly on Wednesday in December. It will then operate twice weekly on Wednesday and Sundays from Jan 5-16 March, 2022.
Prices start at £116 each way. Bolzano is only 90 minutes from renown resort Alta Badia. This is as well as all the different resorts from Sudtirol and Trentino.
Usually people going to Sudtirol or Trentino tend to go to Verona or Innsbruck or Bergamo. This new route opens a much easier connection to the heart of the Dolomites. People going to Trentino or Belluno (home of Cortina d’Ampezzo), use Venice or Milano (MXP or LIN).
Santa Croce in Alta Badia. Photo by Paola Finali- Alta Badia Brand. New flight from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps
Santa Croce in Alta Badia. Photo by Paola Finali- Alta Badia Brand. New flight from London Gatwick to Bolzano airport with Sky Alps

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Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?

Alto Adige - Trentino. Photo Iuliia Boiun- Unsplash. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?

Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?

 

The coming 2021-22 ski season might bring the use of the Green Pass to get on the lifts of Sudtirol and the Aosta Valley.

 
This is what it looks like at the moment. It is at least, as per what I’ve read on Neveitalia and as reported by ANSA, La Stampa and the portal Trentino.
Alto Adige - Trentino. Photo Iuliia Boiun- Unsplash. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?
Alto Adige – Trentino. Photo Iuliia Boiun- Unsplash. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?

The case of Alto Adige. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?

 
In Alto Adige (Sudtirol), the president of Dolomiti Superski wants to impose the Green Pass. Dolomiti Superski is a big carrousel of interconnected lifts that is located east of the Autopista del Brennero. It comprises 1,200 km of pistes, including Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val di Fassa, Val di Fiemme, Kronplatz, amongst others.
 
Helmuth Sartori, the president of Dolomiti Superski supports this motion. He said: “We support political efforts to introduce the Green Pass as a pre-requisite for access the ski lifts.” This was at the assembly of the Association of South Tyrolean cable car operators held in Bolzano. “Winter 2020/21 could have been a record season, considering the early snowfalls and the optimal Easter date, it will instead go down in history as a total failure – added Sartori – and we can no longer allow another to occur a situation of this kind”.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Will the Green Pass be the new normal on the South Tyrolian and Aosta Valley lifts this coming season?
 
More than 360 million euros in turnover is missing. Companies that did not have been operating during the summer have been without income for 20 months. They are fighting for economic survival. All these solutions have to be looked in advance for the 2021/22 season. Sartori wants that the legal framework is set up in advance.
 
South Tyrolean lifts engineers estimate that lift capacity can be reduced to 80% in closed cablecars. This was reported on the online portal Trentino. They agree to the Green Pass and other measures such as obligation of use of masks and providing desinfectant gel. They want to act now to plan security in advance to the season.
 
 

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News of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2021-22 ski season.

News of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2021-22 ski season. Photo credit: Pietro Albarelli. Cortina Marketing.

News of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2021-22 ski season.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is preparing for the 2021-22 ski season. Here you have the news of the Queen of the Dolomites.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

A classic in Cortina d'Ampezzo- Bombardino in a terrace absorbing great views! Photo credit: Cortina Marketing.
A classic in Cortina d’Ampezzo- Bombardino in a terrace absorbing great views! Photo credit: Cortina Marketing.

New chairlift: Ra Valles

There will be a new four-seater chairlift in the area of Ra Valles. This is the highest in Cortina. You reach it with the Freccia nel Cielo Gondola and cablecar from the town centre. This new chairlift will replace two lifts.
It will reduce transport time dramatically. You will be able to reach much faster the top of the Bus de Tofana slope. This is the highest slope in Cortina,starting at 2,743m.

Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

The Gran Risa piste gets ready for the Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia- Freddy Planinsche- Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

Alta Badia to host the giant slalom and slalom of the Ski World Cup. It is the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 
This Sunday 20th December on the Gran Risa slope, there will be the traditional men’s giant slalom. This is part of the Alpine Ski Club. Also, on Monday 21st December, the FIS has assigned a slalom to Alta Badia.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
Alta Badia. Gruppo del Sella. Photo: IDM Südtirol- Alex Filz- Alta Badia. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 
This year the fans can support their favourites racers on the TV, and not in person. This is to guarantee safety for the athletes, their teams and media representatives.
 

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The first run of the Giant Slalom will start at 10AM on Sunday 20th December. The second run will do so at 1.30 PM.
 
On Monday 21st December, the slalom racers will start at 10 AM and the second run will do so at 1PM. All the races will broadcast in world vision.
Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia. Alex Moling. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
Alta Badia Ski World Cup. Photo: Alta Badia. Alex Moling. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.
 

The 2020 Trophies: A Celebration of Sport and Life. Alta Badia will host a Giant Slalom and a Slalom. This will be the 35th edition of the Ski World Cup in Alta Badia.

 
The trophies given to the top three racers are done by Danielle Basso. She has done the gigantic sculpture at the start of the Gran Risa slope to celebrate 30 years of the event. The trophies “are metaphors – explained Basso – of a history of passion, sport and beauty that is renewed every year in this magical event in the heart of the Dolomites”.

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Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.

Tofana, ISTA. Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo: www.bandion.com- 3. Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.

Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.

Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships are set to go ahead. Dates will be 7th to 21st February 2021 as planned.
 
The FIS have decided to go ahead after seeing CONI and FISI gave the ISF their assessment. This assessment showed the financial impact of Covid-19 to the local area. The area risks not being able to enjoy the event to the full but will host it in the best way possible.
This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.
 
Ski Tofana. Credits: Ute Dandrea. Cortina d'Ampezzo. Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.
Ski Tofana. Credits: Ute Dandrea. Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.

The Infrastructure for Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

The majority of the infrastructures projects for Cortina 2021 are at the Tofana ski area. This is where the competitions will take place.
The area has completed slopes on the pistes Olympia, Vertigine and Druscié A.
Lino Lacedelli is a new slope built in the Cinque Torri area. This is the first Italian slope dedicated to training sessions and competitions. The slope has all safety features for doing so. The building of the new cable car has finished – Cortina – Col Drusciè “Freccia nel cielo”. This project counted with public and private investment.
Tofana. ISTA. www.bandion.it. Cortina Marketing. Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.
Tofana. ISTA. www.bandion.it. Cortina Marketing. Cortina 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships to go ahead.

Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia

Alta Badia. Sas dla Crusc Lavarela. Photo: Ffreddy Planinschek. Alta Badia Tourism Office. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia

Alta Badia is in the province of Sudtirol . It is composed of five villages: Badia, La Villa, San Casiano, Corvara and Colfosco. Alta Badia is a great starting point if you want to go around the Sella Ronda. The Sella Ronda is a circuit that goes around the Sella massif. Now is the time to start planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

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The Sassongher. Photo by Paola Finali. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.
The Sassongher. Photo by Paola Finali. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

How to get to Alta Badia- Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

By Plane

Arrive in Innsbruck, Verona, Venice, Bergamo, or if not Milano Linate or Malpensa. Then drive to the route del Brennero north and get off. From Innsbruck drive south to the Brenner Pass. Soon after passing it, you’ll find directions to Alta Badia on the east of the route del Brennero.

By Car

From Austria: Drive south to the Brenner Pass. When you pass it, follow the route del Brennero, and you’ll find the exit to Alta Badia which will lie to your left.
From Verona, drive north to the Route del Brennero. Before arriving into the crossing with Austria, you’ll be able to turn right to Alta Badia.
4 Peaks by Alex Moling. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Alta Badia offers you lots of hiking trails amidst pastures at altitude. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.
4 Peaks by Alex Moling. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Alta Badia offers you lots of hiking trails amidst pastures at altitude. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

Summer season in Alta Badia. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

Alta Badia will open lifts on the 27th June and close on 27th September. The Gardenaccia lift will close one week later, on 4th October.
Hiking in Alta Badia. Photo by Alex Moling. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.
Hiking in Alta Badia. Photo by Alex Moling. Alta Badia Tourism Board. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

The Alta Badia Summer Card. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

The Alta Badia Summer Card includes use of all the lifts in the region. The price starts at EUR 54 per adult and EUR 28 per child (8-18 years old). Under 8ts go free. A three out of four days start at EUR 68 per adult and EUR 48 per child for a five out of seven days.

E-Biking excursions at 2,000 metres. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

If using a push bike is not your thing, you can ride the lifts up and enjoy lots of adrenaline coming down. More on this later. But also, you can hire an e-bike on the Piz Sorega, Piz La Ila or Col Alto plateau, and enjoy an easier ride. Or rent any bike in town and take them up on the lifts! Those not wanting to do much exercise, might enjoy this option. They will be able to ride with amazing views of the Dolomites.
Road biking in Alta Badia. Photo from Melodia del Bosque Biker Hotel. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.
Road biking in Alta Badia. Photo from Melodia del Bosque Biker Hotel. Planning your summer in the mountains of Alta Badia.

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Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking

Passeggiata ex- convento. Credits Cortina Marketing. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.

Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking

If you like trekking in the mountains, you would love to do this ultra-trekking. The Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking. What does it entail?
All in all, 132 km and more than 6,700 vertical drop. The Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking is a trek of 7 days/6 nights. You stay in mountain lodges and traditional malga mountain huts. This is a great way to see the Dolomites and taste their amazing local produce.
Lago Misurina. Credits: Pietro Albarelli. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.
Lago Misurina. Credits: Pietro Albarelli. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.

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Cortina Marketing and the Guide Alpine Cortina have put this trekking together. The Tourism Board of Cortina d’Ampezzo also participated. This project enjoys the patronage of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation.
The idea of this trek is to find some hidden locations around Cortina. You will experience the Dolomites, going from hut to hut, amongst forests, rivers and lakes. You will be able to see malga mountain huts, and traditional Ladin villages. And the peaks! Peaks here are amazing! The Enrosadira is an effect that make you see the mountains with pink hues in the alpenglow. This is due to the large quantities of calcium and magnesium carbonates in the Dolomites.
Rifugio Città di Carpi. Credits: Pietro Albarelli. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.
Rifugio Città di Carpi. Credits: Pietro Albarelli. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.
You can see the details of this ultra trekking with a 3d map at the official website of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Stage 1 – From Cortina d’Ampezzo to Rifugio Son Forca

Starting point: Piazza Angelo Dibona, at the foot of the Cortina bell tower. Follow Via del Castello (which starts at the end of the pedestrian road). Go on till you reach the intersection with the road leading to the hamlet Cadin on the left of the state road. After crossing the state road, go uphill towards Cadin. Pass the Village’s church and reach the end of the village of Cadin di Sopra. There take the CAI track number 410, which leads to Lago Ghedina.
You need to have refreshments/water with you, as there will be nowhere to get anything for about 3 or 4 hours.
Lago Ghedina. Credits: PIetro Albarelli. Cortina Marketing. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.
Lago Ghedina. Credits: PIetro Albarelli. Cortina Marketing. Cortina Dolomiti Ultra Trekking.
Take track number 409 till you reach Posporcora Pass. Then go downhill on track number 408. Keep on until you reach the intersection with track number 417 to Pian da Ra Spines. You have to go on until San’t Uberto car park. From there you take the path leading to the cycle path that brings you to Rifugio Ospitale. This was a welcoming venue that once hosted the pilgrims on the way to Santiago di Compostela.
Then continue for about 7 km, with a total ascent of 700 m, on track n° 203, along the Padeon valley. Spend the night at the mountain lodge Rifugio Son Forca, on mount Cristallo.

Stage 2 – From Rifugio Son Forca to Rifugio Città di Carpi

The second day starts at the mountain lodge Rifugio Son Forca: follow track  203 to the Tre Croci Pass. Cross the state road on the pass and follow track 215. Keep on going until you reach the beautiful Lake Sorapis and the Rifugio Vandelli. Here there is an exposed road on places, so be careful. Once there you can either spend the night at Rifugio Vandelli or carry on. You can go towards Federavecchia on track 217, through the enchanting Somadida forest. Once in Federavechia, cross the road and take track 120. This will bring you to the Rifugio Città di Capri, where you can stay overnight.

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Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season

5 Torri. Cortina d'Ampezzo. Credits Luca Menardi. Cortina Marketing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season

Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready to open this summer season. Tourist lodgings, eateries and attractions are working on a safe and relaxing summer. The Dolomites is a great destination to enjoy and relax on spectacular settings.

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The Lagazuoi cable car. Photo: Nicolò Rinaldi- @nclrnld. Cortina Marketing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season.
The Lagazuoi cable car. Photo: Nicolò Rinaldi- @nclrnld. Cortina Marketing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season.
 
Italian borders have opened  on June 3rd and Cortina is waiting new guests with open arms. The Lagazuoi cable car has opened on 30th May. Hikers and sightseers can access the top of Mount Lagazuoi to enjoy the vistas. In June the lifts of 5 Torri, Tofane and Cristallo will follow, and in July the Faloria will reopen. (See all dates here).
 
Some mountain lodges, hotels, restaurants and shops are already opened. Many others will do so in June. There are guidelines and regulations laid for safety in all types of situations.
Imagine being yourself here.... I can dream of it... Sauna Croda da Lago. Photo: www.bandion.it. Cortina Marketing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season.
Imagine being yourself here…. I can dream of it… Sauna Croda da Lago. Photo: www.bandion.it. Cortina Marketing. Cortina d’Ampezzo is ready for a new summer season.

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A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol

Copyright: IDM South Tyrol / Valentin Pardeller. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The rose garden glows impressively in the evening glow on the horizon of the regional capital of Bozen.A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol – Sudtirol.

South Tyrol (or Sudtirol) is open for visitors this summer. On June 3rd, borders will start opening for regional tourism within the EU and Schengen countries (all depending on Covid-19 cases keep on being down), so, I’ve thought I could put together a Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

A classic South Tyrolean village with the impressive Dolomites in its backdrop. Photo: © IDM Südtirol. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.
A classic South Tyrolean village with the impressive Dolomites in its backdrop. Photo: © IDM Südtirol. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

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South Tyrol is the northernmost province in Italy, bordering the Tirol and Östirol regions in Austria. Actually, it used to be part of the Austrian-Hungarian empire as part of the Tirol region (it was actually called Mittletirol). It changed hands to Italy after the defeat of the central powers on WWI in 1918.

How to get to South Tyrol

Fly to Innsbruck in Austria or Verona in Italy. If not, you have the options of Bozen/Bolzano airport, that is a smaller regional airport, or Bergamo, Venezia, Milano Linate, Milano Malpensa or Munich.

Copyright: IDM South Tyrol / Harald Wisthaler. Rowing boats at the Lago di Braies Nature Park, one of the most beautiful lakes I've seen in my life, worth a visit and a walk around the lake, which is easy for anybody! A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.
.Copyright: IDM South Tyrol / Harald Wisthaler. Rowing boats at the Lago di Braies Nature Park, one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve seen in my life, worth a visit and a walk around the lake, which is easy for anybody! A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

Driving to South Tyrol

 

Coming from Austria, just pass Innsbruck and take the Brenner Pass, and you’ll be there. From Verona, go up the Brenner Motorway (A22 Autostrada del Brennero) and drive north. South Tyrol is part of the Trentino Alto Adige province, located in the northern side (the Alto Adige side).

Copyright: IDM South Tyrol / Clemens Zahn. From St. Zyprian in Eggental there is an impressive view of the rose garden, here against a clear blue sky. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.
Copyright: IDM South Tyrol / Clemens Zahn. From St. Zyprian in Eggental there is an impressive view of the rose garden, here against a clear blue sky. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

Languages in South Tyrol

70% German, 25% Italian and 5% Ladin. The Ladin is a mountain language, what is considered a Romansh language spoken in the Dolomite valleys of Val Gardena and Alta Badia.

Photo: IDM South Tyrol / Clemens Zahn. Autumn is colorful in the Meraner Land, like here at Lebenberg Castle above Tscherms, where thanksgiving is celebrated. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.
Photo: IDM South Tyrol / Clemens Zahn. Autumn is colorful in the Meraner Land, like here at Lebenberg Castle above Tscherms, where thanksgiving is celebrated. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

What to do in South Tyrol in the Summer.

Go to the area of Kronplatz and Brunico.

 

Kronplatz is a mountain in the border of what is Dolomites and Alps. The mountain itself has a shape of a Panettone with a punch in the middle. It is a very interesting mountain, which is connected with four villages around and lifts to each one on each sides.

Kronplatz in the summer. Photo: Kronplatz. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.
Kronplatz in the summer. Photo: Kronplatz. A Must-Read Guide to Summer in South Tyrol.

Kronplatz is not only interesting for skiing in winter or hiking and mountain biking in the summerr. There is a good reason to go to the top of the mountain all year round, even if you don’t ski, ride, hike or bike! It is the only mountain, that I know of, with two really grand museums on its peak! These museums are Lumen Museum and MMM Corones.

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