Located in the heart of the Dolomites and bolstered by timeless beauty, the Arabba-Marmolada ski area welcomes tourists and ski enthusiasts with scenery of rare beauty and plenty of proposals to enjoy the snow, pursuing sports and tradition.
The strongest aspect of this ski resort is without a doubt the direct access to the lift facilities without having to use means of transportation: from the hotels, skis on foot, you can conveniently access both the Marmolada as well as the slopes in Arabba – Porta Vescovo.
Her Majesty the Marmolada
You cannot but bow down in front of the highest peak in the Dolomiti Superski with its dominating glacier and its marvellous scenic terrace at 3200 metres on Punta Rocca, which provides sweeping, 360° views from the Austrian Alps to Venice. From here you can admire some of the most beautiful peaks in the Dolomites: from Sassolungo to the Pale di San Martino passing over the Civetta, Pelmo, Tofane, Sella, Puez – Odle, Sassongher, Sasso Croce, the Dolomites in the Fanes National Park, Sennes and Braies. It’s an awe-inspiring observation point that is also easily accessible for people with special needs: once you arrive to the generously – windowed mountain station of the cable lift, there are no stairs and you can go up to the terrace with a lift.
An exciting trip on skis
The Arabba-Marmolada ski area offers slopes served by modern lift facilities and two splendid sides on which to ski. In Marmolada you can take on the 12 km of the “Bellunese”, one of the most spectacular and famous runs in the Dolomites that goes from Punta Rocca (3200 m) over the Marmolada glacier, all the way to Passo Fedaia and Malga Ciapela, where the funicular lift takes off (1446 m). The area of Arabba, accessible from the Marmolada with slopes and lifts on the Padon, is equally favoured by expert skiers. The peaks and ski lodges at Porta Vescovo, del Burz and del Cherz are quite renown; together with the lifts that go to Pordoi they merge straight into one of the most fantastic skiing carousels in the entire Alpine chain: the Sellaronda, a 40 km route on skis that goes all the way around the namesake massif, over the four Dolomite passes at Campolongo, Gardena, Sella and Pordoi.
Arabba Snowpark
On the Bec de Roces slope, in an area protected from the wind and well exposed to sunshine, boarding and freestyle fans can practice their moves in a 500 metre-long snow park served by a quad chairlift. The Arabba Snowpark is made up of 4 parallel lines of easy/medium level (2 with kickers and 2 with boxes/rails), and a woops line: all in all there are 6 terraces with 6 kickers and 9 rail-boxes for all levels. There is also a chilling area, with a shapers hut, music, ski tools and a helmet loan service.
The thrill of adventure
Wide slopes and long descents make Marmolada the queen of freeride: a unique experience featuring breath-taking curves in fresh powder snow surrounded by dreamscape scenery. For ice climbing, the water and ice falls that adorn the Serrai di Sottoguda are perfect. The Serrai is an evocative and fascinating 2 km- long natural canyon carved out through the millennia by glacial erosion and the waters of the Pettorina torrent.
Museum of the Great War
The highest museum in Europe (2950 m) is easily accessible via the funicular lift from Malga Ciapela. It houses artefacts and testimonials from the First World War, which saw Austrian and Italian troops on the Marmolada separated by just a few hundred metres of rock and ice. Here, an immense “city of ice” was built, made up of tunnels, depositories, kitchens and barracks.
Non only skiing
Those who feel a need for speed can try riding a skimobile on a special circuit, while in the centre of Arabba ice fans can enjoy an outdoor ice skating rink that’s also open at night, as well as a climbing gym. Otherwise, from Malga Ciapèla, you can set off on a nature route on snowshoes to discover the traditions of long ago trades, on a path that winds almost entirely through the woods. There are also lots of hotels with wellness centres, where you can indulge in lovely relaxing moments. The craftsmen’s workshops in Sottoguda are also worth a visit: here expert hands transform iron and wood into truly unique objects. The entire area is also one of the primary depositories of the Ladino culture and tradition, looking after the preservation of the language as well as its uses and customs.
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