Cross Country skiing in Italy Please help
 

My husband and I are arriving in Florence Italy (dates flexible) and want to go xc skiing. We would like to take the train and could include a bus for a nice romantic trip. Are there town's where you could xc ski to restaurants and shops from a hotel/cabin? What are the best months for xc in Italy?

Hi Skitripper - For scenery I'd head for the Dolomites!

There are a number of xc ski areas, but I would think the Alpe di Siusi area is hard to beat. You could base in Ortisei/ Santa Cristina, Castelrotto or one of the nearby resorts for lift access to Alpe di Siusi/ Monte Pana.

http://www.dolomitisuperski.com/en-U...-ski-86EN.html

http://www.valgardena.it/en/ski-trails/page163.html

There are also a number of hotels up on the Alpe di Siusi itself.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thank you Steve for your quick reply we possibly don't have to fly into florence what would be the best route to this area? Also we've always wanted to xc right out of our hotel to cafe and resturant is this possible anywhere?

Where are you flying from? The nearest regional airports are Bolzano, Innsbruck and Verona (- for flights within Europe). If you are flying from outside Europe your options for direct flights will be Munich, Milan, Venice ...

For xc skiing right from your hotel you'd need to stay up on the Alpe di Siusi itself rather than in one of the resorts I mentioned.

Let me know I can be of more help ...

Steve

You are so nice thank you for the help. We just started xc last year and Love it. We live in Oregon and ski the back country at Willamette Pass and the Mt. Bachelor area. Could you recommend a good hotel up on the Alpe di Siusi? I also noticed the Alta Badia area. Were not to fussie people in our 50's but can cut a rug and have fun. Been looking at Ortisei pretty heavy. Have to make up my mind soon. You help is really appreciated.

Oh Steve I guess we can fly in to Verona and bus over to the Val Gardena area. Correcta moondo?

I think from Verona you would take the train to Bolzano and bus from there.

But I have to second Steve's recommendation of Alpe di Siusi. It is a high alpine meadow above the Val Gardena, and you could ski right from your door.

There are two areas up there with hotels and you have many to choose from. Look at the photos on this websie and then go to the accommodations list:

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/l-alpe-di-siusi/alpedisiusi/

Look at the ones with a Compatsch or Saltria address, as the others may be high mountain refugios.

Enzian is right. From Verona, it's train to Bolzano - then bus.
Alternatively from Innsbruck, it's train to Bressanone - then bus.

If you choose to stay up on Alpe di Siusi itself, be aware that public transport access is limited - so you may have to get a taxi up there to your hotel from Castelrotto.

I can't personally recommend a hotel on the Alpe di Siusi as I usually stay in Ortisei (- which has lift access to the Alpe di Siusi).

Enzian has given you a link for hotels Alpe di Siusi hotels in Saltria/ Compatsch.

Here's a link for Ortisei/ Val Gardena
http://www.valgardena.it/en/

Let me know if I can be of more help ...

Steve

Correction

It seems there is now a skiers' bus service from Verona and Innsbruck airports (- as well as from Bergamo)

For details see:
http://www.flytovalgardena.com/new/orari_en_winter.htm

I believe there is also a weekend service from Munich airport.

Hope this helps ...

All great new's and Thank you both so for all the insight. Could you recommend any Ortisei Hotel personally as well as must have resturants

Also I noticed that one of the hotels in Ortisei backed up to the old railway. Do they xc on that like they do in Cortina D'amezzo?

I don't think you will be able to 'xc from your door' in Ortisei (- if that's your No.1 priority you will need to base up in Saltria or Compatsch).

If you choose to base in Ortisei you will need to take the Alpe di Siusi/Mont Seuc lift for your day's skiing (- but you are up there in minutes).

I have stayed in the Villa Park in Ortisei for several years. It's an attractive Tyrolean-style B&B (3*)

http://www.hotelvillapark.com/

But you are spoilt for choice for hotels and guesthouses in Ortisei. What are you looking for - and how much do you want to pay? I can suggest others ...

Steve

The Villa Park looks great sent in a request for there new Bio room. Talking spoilt we would like a balcony, bathtub, robe, slippers, whirlpool, internet, bar, resturant. Price under 220 euro.

Now I've been thinking all of these Garni's, Hotel's, ect.. are so close we don't need to think of half boards do we? We could just pick and choose dinning options, is this what is common? is this what you do?

The Villa Park is just a B&B (- no restauant, bar, whirlpool ...)

It sounds like you're looking for something more in the 4* category. Hotel Grones, Genziana, Adler ... You may find this link useful -

http://hotel.valgardena.it/en/hotelListW/?ResortType=HT

I prefer a B&B as I enjoy eating out somewhere different each night (- very easy in Ortisei) - but it depends what you want ...

Steve

Another one you might want to check out is Hotel Cosmea (- 100m from the Alpe di Siusi lift - so very convenient)

www.hotelcosmea.it

It doesn't have a pool, but offers free access to the Mar Dolomit indoor/outdoor pool nearby (- great if you want to swim in the snow ;) )
www.mardolomit.com

Links for those I mentioned above:

www.hotelgenziana.it
www.grones.info
www.adler-dolomiti.com

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Come around to your way of thinking Steve. Going to go with the B&B as I mentioned put in a request for your Villa Park. I also requested Hotel-Garni Planaces as it offers free pool & suna at the Mar dolomit. What am I missing in other B&B Choices? Is the Hotel Maria a good one if so what Piazza do I request? Oh and I found a link at La Rondula Residence that showed me an active map of how the lifts, toboggan run, and and escalator to the Alpe di Suisi work (too cute) :) Your suggestions are beyond my ability to thank you enough. Kindly Melissa

Correction. Hotel Maria is halfboard. It's snowing here:)

Villa Park - like Cosmea and Planaces - also offers free pool entry at the Mar Dolomit (- as do many Ortisei B&B's).

Villa Park and Planaces are next door to each other - 200m from the centre and 400m walk from the Alpe di Siusi lift. I like the ambience and owners at Villa Park - but both are good. For lift access Cosmea is excellent.

I don't know Hotel Maria but it's right in the centre - as is Garni Snaltnerhof.

All the above are good and conveniently situated - you're spoilt for choice :)

Steve

Thank you again for all of your great help. I've put in requests for rooms at the Vill.a Park and Planaces and have not heard back how long does it usually take? Should I telephone?



Kindly, Melissa

Hi Melissa - November is close season - so you may not get an immediate reply. But the new ski season starts at the beginning of December, so you will certainly hear then.

Steve

ok super I was starting to feel a little left out! Went nordic skiing yesterday..Yeah...Going back today. Would you mind talking about some resturants? I like Italian and my likes German. Best cappuccino in town? Steve you have a great day


Kindly,
Melissa

I usually go for family restaurants in Ortisei e.g Cascade, Tubladel, Vedl Mulin ... For lunchtime views I love the Mont Seuc lift restaurant. Seceda too ...

But you can't go wrong in Ortisei, I think - I've never had a bad meal there. You will find a mix of Tyrolean and Italian cuisine.

Best cappuccino in town? Can't help you there - I'm usually on the gluhwein/ hot Vov ;). My favourite bar is probably Cafe Corso - but there are many.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Fantastic Steve a new beverage and oh does that sound good! need to keep that circulation going!

http://www.seiseralm.it/en/service/m.../webcam/8.html

It's looking good :)

Hi Steve_James!

Still lurking here and absorbing your great posts on all things skiing!! You are very generous with your time and info.

I have to get back over to skiing in Europe. My group of skiers are dwindling and the ones still active have become partial to skiing only the western US slopes..........<sigh!>

Have a very merry holiday season!!

-john

Happy Thanksgiving the snow in Italy looks fantastic are you going to Ortisei soon? I know with all this talk and planning something's got to be cooking!!! We booked our plane fare just waiting for 12/1/2010 to book our Garni. I'd like to leave a gift for you Steve at the Park Villa for all of your help and hand holding. Would this be ok? Would you get it? I'm very grateful for your expertise and willingness to help an obvious clueless traveler:)
Kindly, Melissa

Melissa - I won't be in Ortisei this year, unfortunately (- change of holiday plans!) - but thanks for the kind thought :) I hope you have a great time there. Did you get a reply from Villa Park? I hope so ...

John - I don't even ski!! I'm just a cable-car/chairlift-and-gluhwein addict. But I love the snow - and the atmosphere of the ski season. I usually meet my cousin up there - he's a keen skiier.

Steve

No haven't heard from the Villa Park. Waiting for them to get back in December:)

Hello,

My family will be spending Christmas in Rome, and then, on December 30th my husband and I will come back to the US, while my daughters-- 17 and 19 -- would like to spend 5 days cross country skiing. They will not have a car so will need to use public transportation/taxis, will need to rent ski equipment, and need a place to stay. Any suggestions? They are good travelers, good skiers (love skating as well as classic) one speaks Italian, and they do not really want/need the downhill resort atmosphere, as they prefer beautiful villages etc.

I would love some help in planning their vacation! Thanks so much,

Barbara

Let me get this straight. You are coming back to the USA and your daughters are staying in Rome?? YIKES!

Just kidding :-) You need to confirm your daughters whereabouts so the europe ski group can help you out

-john

And yikes again-- I meant to say that we will be in VENICE for the holidays, not Rome. My husband and I will leave Venice for Rome, and the girls will go skiing from there. I'm thinking they will probably go somewhere in the Dolomites? Transportation will be a big decider of location....

Thanks so much for your help!

There is Cortina D' Ampezzo which you can take a train from Venice then a bus to Cortina. This is where the 1956 Olympics where held. We originally where going here until I read that it is pretty commercialized!!! (however have never been). Oh and talked to Steve. I know I am in love with Ortisei. From Venice the girls would take a high speed train to Bolzano then bus to Val Gardena Area I believe. We are going there next year. Plane tickets (check) Apartment Suite (check). Great Attitude (check)!

Ski, I was just in Cortina and I thought it was beautiful. Your daughters are lucky, the Dolomites is so beautiful, Have a great time in Venice.

Thank you for the good advice--

I've spent hours looking for a place for the girls to stay in Ortesei or Cortina, which both look like great options...but everything is booked! I realize I am very, very late, as it is the holiday season and these are ski areas. But, I'm not ready to give up. Any further suggestions, or lodging ideas that might not be on internet?

Thanks again!

Gari gets breakfast

the quick fix it what you put in to it! I have just learned we can continue trainto chiua

Kindly in search


Melissa

google map ortisei and zero in. it will show you names of hotels, garni's, pensions, ect... right around the city center. and close to the lifts. also go to hotel-garni planaces web site and click on interactive map....omg... last square on bottom left. let me know what you think? :)

Kindly,
Melissa

Hi Melissa - So you heard from the Planaces? I'm sure you'll enjoy Val Gardena. When are you going?

Steve

Hi Steve,

Unfortunately, both the Garni Villa Park and Planaces were booked so We ended up with a really nice apartment not far from the pedestrian zone. Starting to put the travel/bus schedules together and just received the Val Gardena tourist magazine with maps of the nearby city's www.valgardena.it. We will be going after the first of the year. I'll let you know my take on the places in Feb. Thanks for checking back!

Melissa