Photo: © Turismo Alta Badia
The StatsAltitude: 1650m Top Lift: 2949m Ski area: 1220km of piste Adult lift pass: 196-242€ for six days |
In a NutshellAn 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.
|
|
5 Responses to “Corvara, Italy”
October 5, 2016
SandyHi 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!
October 5, 2016
Felice HardyThe 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.
November 17, 2016
ethanFelice, 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
November 18, 2016
Felice HardyI 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.
February 15, 2018
AlanInteresting, 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.