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Corvara, Italy

By Welove2ski | on September 15, 2012 | 5 Comments
Ski Resorts
Corvara, Italy | Welove2ski

Photo: © Turismo Alta Badia

The Stats

Altitude: 1650m

Top Lift: 2949m

Ski area: 1220km of piste

Adult lift pass: 196-242€ for six days

site Official Site | site Ski Map | site Webcam

In a Nutshell

An attractive, sophisticated village with great hotels and restaurants, and superb scenery. The intermediate-level skiing is extensive, and underrated.

All right, so Corvara doesn’t have the hard-core credibility of the likes of Verbier, Chamonix or St Anton, but how many Brits can actually dodge trees in waist-deep powder? For the average skier, this cute little town in the Italian Dolomites is in many ways a more sensible option. The prices are lower and the general level of cooking and hotel-keeping much higher. Above all, the pistes perfectly suited to anyone who doesn’t want to push themselves too hard, or who needs to build their confidence. What not many people know though, is that the off-piste canali or couloirs are some of the most challenging you’ll find.

Why isn’t this place better known by the Brits?

Corvara’s great strength is that it sits at the junction of two attractive, intermediate-friendly areas. On one side, you’ve got the vast circuit of the Sella Ronda – which girdles the mighty Sella massif and provides one of the best on-piste tours in skiing. On the other, you’ve got the easy-going groomers of the Alta Badia, dotted with sensational mountain restaurants. Admittedly, you won’t want to come here in high season – during the February school holidays, or at New Year – when half of Italy seems to be in town. But the rest of the time – provided skiing and lunching/dining are your priorities, rather than partying – you’ll have a ball. Oh, and there are some fabulous hotels here, too.

See also our feature 8 Things We Love About The Dolomites.

The Loveometer

Where to Ski Loveometer 72% | Welove2ski

We Love

We Hate

tick The gob-smacking scenery.
tick The local snowmaking skills – no matter how dry the winter, there’s always skiing on-piste here.
tick The restaurants, both in the village and on the mountain.
tick The easy, confidence-boosting intermediate pistes.
tick The bargain-basement price of private ski lessons.
tick The quality of the hotels.
cross The way the spectacular scenery limits the off-piste possibilities. You can’t ski down cliffs, can you?
cross The crowds. Come February, especially during Carnival and February half-term, it can get hectic here.
cross The dry climate. Powder pigs should shop elsewhere for their skiing.

Continue Exploring Corvara

  1. Guide to the Mountain

    Guide to the Mountain
  2. Where To Stay

    Where to Stay
  3. Where to Eat

    Where to Eat
  4. Where to Learn

    Where to Learn
  5. Where to Party

    Where to Party
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Author Description

Welove2ski

Expert advice to get the most from your ski holiday for skiers, snowboarders and families. We tell you where to ski, how to ski, and a whole lot more.

5 Responses to “Corvara, Italy”

  1. Avatar

    October 5, 2016

    Sandy Reply

    Hi Corvara seems perfect for our family of four. However we are going around 18th Feb 17. Is this when it will be mobbed as you say? Is there a similar resort elsewhere. Looking for Cosy Hotel with good food, in Improving Intermediate territory. Help!

    • Felice Hardy

      October 5, 2016

      Felice Hardy Reply

      The half term week will certainly be busy. However, when I was there for half term a few years ago, we found that the Corvara end of the Sella Ronda wasn’t nearly as busy as the Selva/Val Gardena area. If you want somewhere less crowded in Italy you could try Madesimo – although the area is much smaller than Corvara’s.

  2. Avatar

    November 17, 2016

    ethan Reply

    Felice, when you say “half term”, are you just referring to UK schools? I looked online and only also see a big chunk of France having half term 13-17 FEB this year.

    Also, I noticed Venice has their Carnival this week. Does this mean resorts closer to Venice will be packed that week of 13 FEB?

    And one more question. My family and I (2 adults, 3 kids, all pretty strong skiers) are trying to decide between skiing Passo San Pellegrino and Alta Badia. We would most like to stay away from long lift lines but also not have to worry about slushy snow at lower altitudes (like last year in Austria in FEB). Any recommendation?

    Thanks,
    Ethan

    • Felice Hardy

      November 18, 2016

      Felice Hardy Reply

      I meant UK half term, which of course varies slightly each year. You’d have to look up the Italian school holiday dates – the French ones won’t make any different to the Dolomites. Re The Venice Carnival: I’m sorry but I can only guess whether it makes a difference to the crowding in ski resorts – I would think not much, as it would attract people with different interests on the whole. And as for Alta Badia vs Passo San Pellegrino: Alta Badia has much the better skiing and a biggest ski area. Pass San Pellegrino has skiing from approx 1300m up to 2483m, whilst the Alta Badia resorts have skiing from 1324m up to 2750m.

  3. Avatar

    February 15, 2018

    Alan Reply

    Interesting, I have read several reports on Corvara ranging from ‘It is very dry do not expect powder’ to ‘Off piste skiing is banned’. Well last year a back country group of skiers I ski with had an epic time off piste with oodles off powder. Maybe this was a one-off. I hope not as I will be there in March hoping to repeat the experience.

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