We are planning a ski vacation in the Dolomites in February 2012. We are strong intermediate/advanced skiiers. We'd like to avoid driving, would like a charming village for tame apres ski and dinner. We will be two couples and one or two kids. We would stay in a nice pension, apartment or apart-hotel.

Where do you suggest we stay as a base? if you can recommend particular lodging that would be even better.

We've skiied a lot in Europe- mostly Austria and Switzerland. This will be a first in Italy. if you can give me a sense of how it works in terms of skiing the region, getting around, etc. that would be nice too.

Thanks.

As you are intermediate/advanced skiers then I would suggest staying in Arraba. Small charming village with only a few bars so nightlife is not too hectic. Arraba is right on the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit and can be skied both clockwise and anti clockwise. The actual slopes in Arraba are some of the more challenging ones in the area which should suit you perfectly. Nearby to Arraba is the Alta badia area and the villages of Corvara and Colfosco. Both of these are also directly on the Sella Ronda circuit. Colfosco is the smaller and more charming village of the two. Above Corvara (using the Col Alto lift) is a large ski area consisting of mainly blue and a few red runs. The next best option also directly on the Sella Ronda circuit would be the village of Selva (in the Val gardena valley). Selva is bigger than Arraba and Colfosco and therefore has more amenities. There is also plenty of skiing to be done in the Val Gardena valley which includes the villages of St Christina and Ortisei.

Where you decide to choose may depend on how you plan to get to the preffered ski resort. If you have your own car then any of the ones mentioned above are ideal. If you are going to get there using public transport then I would personally choose Selva as it is much easier to get to using train and bus.

Good advice from jimmybog. We've been skiing the Alps for the last 13 or so years and have been to the Sella Ronda area twice, staying once in Selva and once in Corvara. The Sella Ronda ranks with Ischgl, Austria as one of our two favorite places to ski.

I would also recommend Selva as a base. It's right on the Sella Ronda circuit and also has good access to the slopes off the circuit on both sides of Val Gardena (Seceda to the north behind Santa Christina and Alp di Siusi to the south, across from Ortisei). They're somewhat tame, but much fun with great views. The run off the back side of Seceda to Ortisei is one of our favorites and has a great refugio near the bottom.

In the other direction, it's a quick trip up the Dantercepies lift through Passo Gardena and then down into Corvara. The run back into Selva under the lift can be a bit challenging when it gets bumped up but otherwise is tame. The off-circuit area behind Corvara that jimmybog mentioned is quite easy skiing but has a lot of very nice refugios and can be a pleasant way to spend the day when you're ready for a relaxing day with limited challenge to let those muscles recover. It's also provides access (via a short bus trip) to the magnificent run down from the Lagazuoi tram - highly recommended.

i know a lot of time has passed since my original post, but now i am actively planning this trip and the replies have been very helpful. we will stay in selva. any recommendations for an apartment for the three of us (i'd like to do some-- although not too much-- cooking). otherwise, a pleasant, well-located and reasonably priced hotel.

You need to read this trip report---the best.
Do not miss the pics as well.

http://www.onelittleworld.com/dolomites_1.html

We loved Selva, and the apartment we rented. But I should probably point out that the trip report that bob linked to is from a summertime visit... so I can't really speak to the skiing there.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks. i just sent an inquiry to Residence Carin- hopefully that will work out. it seems that President's Week in the us is also a major ski holiday week there (drats). so finding availability has been tough.

other suggestions are most welcome.

We loved skiing the Dolomites!!

Heed the advice of FlyFish who knows the area very well. We stayed in Selva di Val Gardena, at Residence Carin during my teen's spring break in 2010. The apartment is well-located, walking distance to the Ciampinoi chair lift and not too far from the Dantercepies, where you start your clockwise (orange) Sella Ronda skiing. My DH and DS (who snowboards) enjoyed the Sella Ronda circuit so much, they couldn't stop talking about it for days. Took them roughly 8 hours with lunch and snack breaks in-between. I am advanced intermediate but as I've gotten older became more careful in skiing and less adventurous. I only went as far as Corvara and then turned back, and skied the gentler slopes for the rest of the day.

Hope you aren't too late booking the Residence Carin. We were there two weeks before ski closing and the apartment was fully booked. Try Garni La Bercia or Garni Franca. Those were my other choices if the residence was full.

Good Luck! Getting around on the ground and on the slopes is easy.

Thanks so much. Garni La Bercia and Franca also look great. i put in request for all of these places and am praying that something comes through. i can't believe how hard it is to find an accommodation for February in November, notwithstanding that it is a holiday week there. we are so eager to ski there this year.

More recommendations are still welcome as it seems that i will need to make a lot of inquiries until something comes through.

Good news, it looks like we found lovely accommodations (Hotel Chalet Dlaces).
now I'm looking for guidance on flights. We are flying from NY. Where do you think we should fly into? i found a good flight into Bolzano but the return flight wasn't good. Any other suggestions?

Hi Babs - After Bolzano the nearest regional airports are Innsbruck, Verona, Brescia, Bergamo ...

For flights from New York you might have to consider Munich, Venice or Milan. There is a weekend bus service connecting Munich airport with Val Gardena. Bergamo also has a connecting bus service during the ski season.

Hope this helps ...

Steve