with a skyline dominated
by massive
craggy peaks of sheer rock rising from its
gentle foothills, the Dolomite mountain
range boasts an impressive landscape
that's remarkable even for the Alps. And it's
at its most beautiful late in the day, when
the villages below are cast in shade and
the peaks catch the last of the sun's rays,
resulting in a warm pinky glow.
One of the largest hunks of Dolomite
rock is the Sella Massif. The Sellaronda
route, which winds around the mountain,
is one of the most famous and popular ski
safaris in the world, not least because you
don't have to be an expert skier to enjoy
it. Taking in a total of 26km of ski runs, it
whisks you past the beautiful alpine towns
of Selva, Colfosco, Corvara, Arabba and
Canazei, and will take about five hours –
with a good lunch stop built into the day.
What to eat could well prove the most
difficult and important decision you'll face,
as the region prides itself on having some
of the best restaurants in the Alps. The Alta
Badia valley, which includes Colfosco and
Corvara, is worthy of particular note, with
its network of Michelin-starred venues and
gourmet mountain huts offering the most
fabulous food in the area.
Much of the region's charm comes from
its unique mix of languages and cultures.
Now part of Italy, South Tyrol – known as
Südtirol
in German – belonged to Austria
up until the First Wold War, so German
is still widely spoken, although the old
mountain language of Ladin is still mostly
used by the locals.
The whole area is covered by the
Dolomiti Superski pass and is renowned
for having the best snowmaking facilities
in the Alps. It's possible to ski the entire
route of the Sellaronda in both directions in
a single day, but we wouldn't recommend
it as you might miss out on the stunning
views. They're well worth stopping for –
just be careful you don't get a stiff neck
from gazing upwards too much when
riding the chairlifts!
To find out more information, and to
win a ski trip to South Tyrol, read the new
online magazine
Dolomighty
.
suedtirol.info/win
Ski the Sellaronda
For first-class skiing, amazing views and sublime dining,
look no further than Italy's majestic South Tyrol region
P R O M O T I O N
