Alpine skiing: Dolomites. Italy, Dolomites

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The Dolomites are perhaps the most beautiful in the entire mountain system. Previously, they were called Monte Pallidi, which means Pale Mountains in Italian. Indeed, the Dolomites are not like other Alps. Rocky, with bizarre, tower-like peaks, they are built of light stone. Its mineral composition - CaMg[CO3]2 - was described in the 18th century by the French geologist Deodat de Dolome. In honor of him, the mountains began to be called the Dolomites. This rock is of sedimentary origin. Many millions of years ago, a shallow warm sea splashed here, inhabited by corals and mollusks. When the earth's firmament began to rise, the water left, leaving behind a memory in the form of lagoons, fjords and reefs. As a result, high mountains appeared, more than three thousand meters above sea level, melting in their depths the warmth of the prehistoric ocean.

Dolomite Effect

In this region, as in the entire mountain system, there are many ski resorts. But it is by no means because of this that the Dolomites, the photos of which, probably, everyone saw, were included in the list in 2009. UNESCO as a unique natural site. What is their phenomenon? How is Monte Pallidi different from the rest of the Alps? This phenomenon is called Enrosadira - this is how the inhabitants of the high- altitude Ladin valleys call it. And the Austrians call it Alpengluhen - Alpine ignition. What does it mean? At dawn and sunset, the sun, hanging low above the horizon, illuminates the dolomite mineral for several minutes with its light. And it reflects the rays of the luminary, visually becomes purple-orange, later changing color to creamy pink. And now imagine this landscape in winter, when the sparkle of alpine snows is added to the riot of colors! Indeed, Le Corbusier was right when he called these mountains “the most beautiful natural architecture in the world.”

Legend of the Dolomites

Inhabitants of high mountain valleys explain the effect of Alpine ignition in their own way. There is a legend that once in these places there was a beautiful kingdom of gnomes, ruled by King Laurino. Its territory was entirely planted with beautiful roses. The state of the gnomes did not have fortress walls, ditches, anti-tank "hedgehogs". Only a thin silk thread marked the cordons of the kingdom. In vain the gnomes hoped for the decency of their neighbors. They were not slow to invade and capture the beautiful region. The legend is silent about whether it was Austria or Italy. The Dolomites bristled with harsh peaks because Laurino had cast a spell on his garden. From now on, roses could not be seen day or night. But Laurino forgot about sunrise and sunset. It is at this time that you can within a few minutesadmire the wonderful garden of the lost kingdom.

Dolomites resorts

On such a beautiful area, God himself ordered to build places for recreation. Previously, some valleys were part of Austria. They were transferred to the Italian Republic only after the First World War. In these lands, the Ladian language is still spoken, and Austrian is heard more often than Italian. Accuracy and punctuality also distinguish the valleys from other lands in Trentino, Val d'Adige and Veneto. Tourists from all over the world come here all year round. Rock climbing, trekking, river rafting, mountain climbing - outdoor enthusiasts will not be bored here. But still, the most common type of local entertainment is skiing. The Dolomites are home to interesting know-how. To attract winter tourists, twelve ski regions decided to join forces and set up a single ski pass.

Dolomiti Superski - vacation without limits

The Dolomites cover two areas of Italy - Alto Adige and Trentino, as well as the province of Belluno in Veneto. And now, looking at the map, imagine the scale of this gigazone of skiing! Without taking off your skis and with one ticket, you can ride 470 cable cars and try 1220 kilometers of excellent ski slopes. The ski area includes twelve valleys and resorts: Arabba / Marmolada, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Val di Fiemme, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fasa, Alta Pusteria, San Martino di Castrozza, ValleIsarco, Tre Vali and Civetta. Some towns are in close proximity to each other, others are at a considerable distance. Then there is a bus service between them.

Sella Massif

On the slopes of this peak, reaching 3152 meters, there are four ski areas. These are Araba, Alta Badia, Val Gardena and Di Fasa. They are interconnected by a network of lifts and cable cars. You can travel along the slopes without taking off your skis. Therefore, the Sella Ronda route is very popular among winter tourists. Since this is a circle, you can move both clockwise and counterclockwise, and start the journey from any point. The Dolomites in Sella form, as it were, a crown, a monolithic group of impregnable peaks with sheer cliffs. The abysses reach 600-800 meters. Moving along a circular route, you can bypass all the peaks - Miara, Meisulez, Kimu Pissadou, Lek, Sass Pordoi and the highest mountain of this ridge - Boe (3151). You don't even have to buy guidebooks - the trail is well marked. The length of Rondo is about forty kilometers. The entire journey will take approximately five hours.

Other ski resorts

The total number of ski spots in Dolomiti Superski is hard to count as new artificial villages and even towns spring up every year. Now there are about forty of them. All of them are good: with well-equipped slopes, fast lifts, excellent tourist infrastructure. But there are also local features. For example,Civetta is located on the slopes of the mountain of the same name with a height of three thousand two hundred and twenty meters, and the highest skiing point in this resort does not exceed 2100 m. In Kronplatz, they praise the ultra-modern system of lifts. The Dolomites in terms of ski holidays are very diverse. There are resorts with noisy après skis, and there are quiet, family-friendly villages (they are preferred by the Italians themselves). Some of these places have become famous for their sports, they host international competitions, while others are chic, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is called the Queen of the Dolomites.