Dolomiti Powder!

We awoke this morning to a fresh blanket of snow here in Campitello di Fassa. The town received around 6" of wet snow. This was the early morning view from our condo. A gorgeous change of scenery!

Walking to the tram.

The guys at the ski rental shop brought out the fat skis for me today!

I needed them! Up high there was around two feet of new snow. Fantastic.

I had heard that most skiers at European resorts forego the powder and stick to the groomed slopes. It's true! I was surprised by the number of really solid skiers who stayed on the groomed while the off piste stayed untouched. Not at all like Mammoth!

It worked out well for Mary and I too as she could ski the groomed runs, sample a little powder, and we could ski together all day. Here Mary carves nice piste beneath the Sassolungo.

Thankfully the clouds lifted now and then allowing glimpses of the dramatic mountains.

We enjoyed a great lunch here at this rifugio.

The sun made a few short lived, but dramatic appearances.

Late in the day the clouds rolled in. We enjoyed a fine glass of Prosecco here before boarding the tram back down to Campitello.

There wasn't a lot of terrain open due to the big snow fall, but the off piste remained only lightly tracked throughout the day. High north facing snow stayed nice, although slopes that were touched by sun were getting heavy in the afternoon. Another incredible day here in the Dolomiti!!

Dolomites: Over to Sella Brunech

Our third day in the Dolomites dawned cloudy and wet with the precipitation switching from rain to snow and back again. It was nice to enjoy a leisurely morning in our cozy condo, but by late morning I was eager to get out and ski.

Hoping for some pleasant skiing in new snow I boarded the nearby Col de Rodello tram literally only a few minutes from our place.

The higher ski runs were completely in the clouds, but the lower runs in the trees were alright. I found anywhere between 2" and 8" of new snow during the day much of it untracked.

Where the snow was deeper and the slope not too steep I enjoyed fine skiing, not scraping the firm snow beneath.

I also wanted to explore a new area, so after a few runs above Canazei I hopped on the tram down to the small town of Alba.

Once in Alba I took a very short walk to the gondola which took me up into the Ciampac area, which had a distinctly different character. More open, a bit less dramatic and more relaxed.

 I found completely untracked snow next to this surface lift. Good lighting too. So fun!

Next I rode the chairlift to the top of the ridge at Sella Brunech and marveled at the views down into Val Jumela.

Looking down into Ciampac. More nice untracked snow here!

After a long, leg burner of a run back down to Alba I hopped back on the tram to Col del Rossi and got a good perspective on Alba (bottom left), Canazei (right) and Campitello (distant)

Fine wintery views!

By the time I skied over to the slopes above Campitello my legs were completely thrashed! Another terrific day skiing here in the Dolomites and completely different from the first two.

With more snow forecast I am hoping some good off piste options open up. Stay tuned!

Dolomites: Sella Ronda Ski Tour

Today Mary and I set out to ski the famed Sella Ronda ski tour over four passes via groomed ski slopes, ski lifts, gondolas and trams. The route circumnavigates the high terrain of the Sella Massif.

The first runs of the tour were in yesterday's familiar terrain, but soon we were north in the Val Gardena area. We stopped at this small refugio for espresso and strudel.

We soaked in the views of the Sassolungo

and massive rock faces below.

We skied past the modern refugio near Passo Gardena

 More great views and fine skiing.

The dramatic north end of the Sella Massif.

The mouth of Val Mesdi, a popular off piste ski run when there is more snow.

 A pair prepare to launch their paraglider.

Even though the sunny south facing slopes were mostly snow free, the snow making and grooming made for super skiing.

Looking south to our route, we would take a tram to the snowy notch left of center, Porta Vescova then down and right to the valley of Arabba.

 The big tram car approaches the dock before we loaded.

The views from the top were extra spectacular!

 More great skiing too!

Next stop was the Passo Pordoi with an interesting monument to bicycle racers who have won here. A rather nice Wilier bike complete with a Campagnolo Record group!

We took another tram up to Sasso Pordoi for more incredible views.

Another monument. This one to the famed Fausto Coppi, one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

One of the last runs back towards Belvedere and Col Rodello

 We enjoyed a glass of Prosecco before boarding the tram down to Campitello.

One last breathtaking view before descending into the valley.

Another simply wonderful day!

Dolomites: Skiing from Campitello

Yesterday we took the bus from Venice to Campitello di Fasso in the Dolomite Mountains. We arrived in time to get groceries, settle in to our condo, and stroll around town.

This morning dawned bright and clear. The high mountain peaks as viewed from the valley floor were stunning.

We rented skis and boarded the tram up into the magnificent alpine world of the Dolomites. Mary with the Sassolungo Massif behind.

We enjoyed classic spring skiing on well groomed slopes. So fun!

It's the last week of the season and there's no one around! One of those skiers is Mary the other an interloper on our run.

The views at nearly every turn are breathtaking.

Rifugios (restaurants, frequently with rooms for the night) dot the landscape at the top or bottom of the major ski lifts. Somehow we found ourselves hungry at one of the more posh spots.

Sorry to throw a pic of a man peeing but had to get a pic of the restroom in here.

 We both had fine meals. Both north of $20, but certainly memorable.

After lunch, more empty slopes, more fun skiing!

The clouds built a bit during the afternoon. Looking over to the Marmolada.

and the Grand Vernel above Canazei

Afternoon light on the Sassolungo before heading back down to Campitello di Fassa.

I love mountain scenery and must say this is among some of the most beautiful I have seen. To ski here in good conditions, no crowds with Mary was truly special!