Dolomites italy piste map. Dolomites: the best Italian ski resorts in the Alps. How to get to the Dolomites

Last year, one extremely significant event happened in my life - I fell in love! And finally, irrevocably and at first sight - in general, in the best traditions. The object of my feelings was the northeastern part of the Italian mountains, which bears the beautiful name Dolomiti, in Russian - the Dolomites. I remember them not only for their incredible beauty, but also for some authenticity - this place is not yet completely teeming with tourists.

By car

Many tourists travel to the Dolomites region directly by their car from Russia - I have seen many cars with Moscow and St. Petersburg numbers.

From Moscow

If we take the city of Bolzano as the end point - although not the very heart of the mountain range, but a fairly large settlement, then you can see that the route from the capital of our vast country has almost 2600 km, and in time it will take more than a day.

From Saint-Petersburg

Before the same Bolzano, the path is smaller in terms of mileage - a little more than 2500 km, and in terms of time, on the contrary, more - 28 hours.

If you follow this route, you will pass through the territory of all three Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as Poland, Germany, Austria and Italy.

Clue:

Dolomites - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Yekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

Dolomites in summer

In the summer in the Dolomites, the mark on the thermometer is kept in the region of + 20-25 ° С. As for me, this is the ideal weather - when you do not need to look for a shade to hide from the stuffiness. This temperature is perfect for various activities (hiking, cycling) and for a regular walk around the cities.

It would also not be superfluous to say that sometimes it rains in the region, and the sky is covered with clouds - in such weather there is no point in going to the mountains, it is better to try to wait a bit - the weather can change in just one and a half to two hours.

Dolomites in autumn

In autumn it becomes much cooler in the mountains, the temperature on the thermometer usually drops to +15°С in September-October, and to +10°С in November. In the mornings it is especially chilly - in the 10th of October, somehow it was only +5 degrees outside the window. In addition, the first snow may fall already in the middle of this month, although this usually happens closer to November.

I think that the first weeks of autumn are almost the best time to visit the region, since most of the tourists go home, but the nature is still beautiful and the temperature is comfortable. By the way, the golden autumn here really shimmers with all shades of this color.

Dolomites in spring

In the spring in the region, and especially in the mountains, it is still cool, and the temperature warms up only by May - up to about +15°C. In March, it sometimes still snows, and in 2016, at night, the thermometer showed about 10 ° C below zero.

However, gradually there are more and more sunny days, flowers bloom, various plants begin to bloom, and soon skiers in the mountains are replaced by hikers - this, one might say, symbolizes the approach of the summer season in the Dolomites.

Dolomites in winter

Winter in the region is usually not too cold - usually the temperature is around -5-10°C, but sometimes drops to -20°C. However, according to statistics, there are more sunny days here than cloudy ones - 8 ° C versus 2 out of 10.

On the tops of the mountains, the sun shines so brightly that most skiers and snowboarders are forced to use sunscreen, but still return home after a holiday with slightly tanned faces.

Clue:

Dolomites - monthly weather

conditional areas. Descriptions and features

In fact, there are no areas in the Dolomites - except that it is conditionally possible to divide the region into "mountains" and "cities".

Mountains

In fact, it is here that the main attractions of the region are located - lakes, hiking trails, bicycle routes, amazing views. Ski resorts operate here from December to mid-spring, attracting thousands of winter sports enthusiasts to the region. I’ll tell you more about them at the very end of the article, but you need to know one thing for sure - the local resorts are not inferior in terms of the quality of the tracks and infrastructure to those located on the border with France, and they are somewhat more pleasant for the price.

Of the features, I can only note that in the warm season the weather here, as I said, can change in an hour and a half. Therefore, when going to the mountains, be sure to check the forecast for the day, even if the sun shines brightly in the morning. In addition, you should know that there are excellent hotels with high-quality service, a magical view from the windows and, like in any other place, the corresponding price - from 120-130 EUR per night and up to infinity (you can compare room rates, and book the one you like comfortable on ). But I advise you to look at something else - try to stay at least one night in a guest house. Usually they can be found in Germany or Austria, but given the proximity to the latter and the shared historical past, it is not surprising that they appeared here too. A gasthouse is a house whose owners live in it or somewhere nearby, and the rooms are rented out to guests. This accommodation option will help you truly feel the atmosphere of South Tyrol, and fresh pastries in the morning from the hostess will leave the most “delicious” impressions! In addition, for those who travel by car, a pleasant moment will be the fact that, unlike city hotels, there is free parking near guesthouses in 99% of cases. You can search for offers, for example.

Cities

As for recreation in cities, it is worth including large settlements, which, although not located directly in the Dolomites, are still surrounded by them - these are, first of all, Bolzano, Brixen, Trento, Udine, and, well, dozens of smaller ones . There is more choice of places to stay, but as a result, more "urban" problems - we immediately felt this when we had to pay 20 EUR for parking next to our hotel in Bolzano. There are, of course, positive factors - more options for cultural pastime - museums, exhibitions, in the end, the usual walk around the city and sightseeing, a large selection of cafes and restaurants.

In a word, unlike the mountainous area, here you can always find something to do if you are not lucky with the weather. It seems to me that those who travel around the region by public transport should definitely stay at a hotel near the railway or bus station.

What are the prices for holidays

As in any other place, prices in the Dolomites directly depend on your pastime and your preferences - there are always many different options for every taste and budget. The most important ones will be briefly discussed in this section.

Hotels and hotels

Prices for one night in a double room of a two- or three-star hotel range on average from 50 to 80 EUR, but you can always find a cheaper option, or vice versa - expensive and luxurious. As I said, consider staying in the Gasthof - very authentic and quite budget.

Active pastime

As for, for example, hiking - my favorite form of recreation in the mountains in the warm season, here you can also save a lot if you start your journey not from the last lift stop, but from the very bottom - but you need to understand that this method will take much more time , and requires some physical training.

Movement around the region

You can greatly ease the budget of the trip in the field of movement around the region. The sooner you buy train or bus tickets, the cheaper they will be. Also, if you plan to rent a car, try to make a reservation as early as possible - the closer to the desired date, the more expensive the rental will be. I strongly advise you to find free or at least inexpensive parking lots in advance near the places where you are going to leave your car - as practice shows, this expense item is often omitted by travelers, and then, parking after parking, more than a dozen EUR are spent on it.

Cafes, restaurants and their alternatives

If every day you eat 2-3 times in cafes and restaurants, even if in small and inexpensive ones, it is likely that you will spend a fabulous amount of money on food for the entire trip. To avoid this, consider staying in an apartment. In this case, you will have to spend time preparing food, but you can save a lot on restaurants, which is usually the largest component of the travel budget after spending on tickets and accommodation.

Main attractions. What to see

You can probably spend your whole life in the Dolomites, and still not have time to see everything that the region is so rich in. In this section, I will try to talk about what must be included in the must see list when planning a trip to the north of Italy in order to get the most complete picture of this area in a relatively short time.

Top 3

The main attraction of the Dolomites is nature and everything that was created by it. That is why all three points in my "top" are connected with it, and not with the results of human activity.

By the way, a little tip. If suddenly you are worried that you won’t be able to take a photo from this place from the right angle for yourself, write down: (I think that you will find the church itself without problems, so I’ll start from it) stand facing its entrance, turn left and go further, keeping a little to the left, go literally 500-600 meters uphill. When the road turns left, you will see a bench - it was the view from this place that seemed to me the most photogenic.

Beaches. Which is better

Since the Dolomites do not have access to high water, there are no sea beaches here - you need to go to neighboring regions for them (you will read about them in just a few paragraphs). And you won’t surprise anyone with a vacation at sea - it’s hot, stuffy, crowded. Whether the matter of the lake is a pleasant coolness, the absence of screaming sellers of sweets, masseurs. That's what I thought until I faced reality :)

The fact is that I have been to the Austrian lakes more than once and I really love this type of vacation - peace and quiet are provided, for me this is the best way to relax. Inspired by this experience, I spent one day of our trip just relaxing on the lake. My "victim" was Lago di Braies - somewhere I read that in the summer there is even nothing there. Alas, my expectations were not destined to come true.

Firstly, the water there is not that cool, but very cold. Secondly, yes, I dreamed of solitude, but I didn’t expect it to be only on the water - that is, numerous tourists walked around the lake itself, which did not contribute much to the authentic atmosphere. And thirdly, there was no infrastructure for swimming - no sun loungers, no sand, no changing cabins ... maybe I expected too much, or maybe I chose the wrong lake. But on none of the others where I was after, I did not see people swimming - and after that I concluded that the lakes of the Dolomites are not very suitable for relaxing on them - it is much better to swim on them in a boat or admire them from the shore.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Since the Italians are one of the most religious peoples in Europe, there is at least a small church in almost every city. Personally, I was most impressed by two religious sites.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

Frankly speaking, I am not a “museum” person, and the Dolomites are not with the Louvre and not with the Prado, where museums are part of the mandatory program. Dolomites are primarily about nature. But since nature sometimes throws up unpleasant surprises in the form of bad weather, instead of the planned hiking, we had to quickly come up with an alternative pastime on the spot.

• Somehow it turns out that despite the fact that I am not a lover of contemporary art, I often visit the relevant museums - and Bolzano is no exception. Museumon, or Museum of Contemporary Art Bolzano was opened in 1985. The first expositions were devoted to the history of Tyrol, then the works of Italian artists were presented there, and today's exhibitions tell visitors about modern cinema, architecture, and even theaters. The museum building itself deserves special praise - made in a futuristic style, it is a work of art in itself. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Thursday - until 10 pm. For adults, the entrance costs 7 EUR, for students and pensioners - 3.50 EUR.

• In addition, we have visited Archaeological Museum of Bolzano. It will certainly appeal to connoisseurs of history, as it presents various things that, as if by themselves, retell the stages of development of the region since antiquity. Particular attention of visitors is given to the mummy of Otzi - the ice man, Iceman. This exhibit, for a second, is more than 5 thousand years old - it was discovered in the early 90s in the Dolomites. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm in all months except July, August and December - at which time it is open daily. The entrance ticket costs 9 EUR, for students and pensioners - 7 EUR.

parks

On the territory of the Dolomites there are several national and natural parks - both large and very small. The most famous and at the same time the most beautiful (in my humble opinion) are the Dolomiti Bellunesi and Tre Cime parks.

neighboring regions

At the very beginning of the article, I said that according to the administrative-territorial division of Italy, the Dolomites are not a separate region. They are located on the territory of Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, which, in turn, border on Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.

nearby islands

Since the Dolomites, as I already mentioned, are landlocked, talking about the nearest islands is completely pointless :)

Food. What to try

Neighborhood with Austria and shared history has greatly influenced the traditional cuisine of the region. Being in a restaurant, at some point it may seem to you that you are far from Italy - traditional pizza-pasta is not on the first pages of the menu, and for some reason the waiters do not say “prego”. Instead of lasagna, you will be offered national Tyrolean dishes - dumplings, dumplings, various soups (they even eat goulash here!), And they will advise you to replace tiramisu - what would you think? Of course, apple strudel - it will certainly be served with ice cream. But do not think that the local cuisine is exclusively borrowed from the German-speaking neighbor - there is also a lot of Italian here. For example, antipasti, traditional Italian snacks, have been preserved here. Most often these are olives, olives, bruschettas with a variety of flavors, cheeses, baked vegetables. From Italian in the region, risotto, ravioli, meat and fresh fish dishes are especially loved.

The owner of the guesthouse where we stayed for a couple of nights gave us one very important tip in choosing the right place for lunch or dinner. He said that if you want to try the real traditional cuisine of the region, and not go to the usual tourist place, of which there are a lot of them all over the world and which are impossible to distinguish from each other, first, pay attention to the language of the menu. Only German? Great, you've come to the right place! German and Italian? Also very good. But if the menu is provided in English, or even worse, in Russian, then you should look for another place. Secondly, according to him, everyone's favorite pizzas and pastas at the very beginning of the menu can become an alarming bell. He argued that after the multilingual menu, this is the main signal that the institution is designed for tourists who are not too interested in the culture of the region. However, this figure did not seem very important to me personally - if I love pizza and eat it with pleasure in Russia, why shouldn't I eat it in her own homeland? Even if they don't speak Italian.

Features of the mentality

The proximity of Austria has also influenced the mentality of the locals - they are much more hardworking, law-abiding and less quick-tempered than, say, southerners. In general, the population of the Dolomites is very similar to people who live in neighboring regions -,. Residents of such provinces as or Campania assure that the northerners are so immersed in their work that they do not know how to enjoy life at all, that they are boring, unfriendly and unfriendly people. Perhaps the author of such a statement met with some wrong northerners, but always, when we, getting lost, or simply in need of help, asked for advice from the locals, they were happy to give answers to all our questions. Therefore, we did not notice any snobbery, but perhaps this manifests itself in other situations - I can’t say. But I will say for sure - in trouble you will definitely not be left here alone.

Holidays

To be honest, I have never heard of any unique holidays that are celebrated exclusively in the Dolomites and nowhere else in Italy. However, everyone is talking about how the New Year is celebrated here! Since a huge number of skiers come to the region on the eve of the main winter holiday, local resorts are trying to put on an incredible show for their guests. Fireworks, restaurants, concerts, festivities until late at night, colorful, magically decorated streets will be remembered by tourists for a long time. At the same time, it must be said that the local population itself does not particularly celebrate the New Year - Christmas is much more preferable for them. It, like almost everywhere in Europe, takes place with the family, no one goes out to restaurants, but at the same time the streets are decorated in a magical way, but you yourself have probably heard a hundred times about the cozy pre-Christmas Europe.

The New Year holidays in the Dolomites have two drawbacks, and quite significant ones - prices and the number of tourists. Not only does the cost of a room in a more or less decent hotel start from 100-120 EUR per night, but it is almost impossible to get one shortly before the desired dates. Therefore, start looking for a place to stay almost a year in advance - this is the only way to book a room in a good hotel at a good price. But with the queues on the slopes, alas, nothing can be done.

Safety. What to watch out for

Since Bolzano has been leading the list of the most livable cities in Italy for several years, I think it’s pointless to talk about safety in the city itself - this is not the thing to worry about. Another thing is safety on the slope.

• Be sure to purchase special medical insurance which covers injuries from extreme sports.
• Also, whether you are a professional or a beginner, always ride with a helmet.
• Arriving at a ski resort for the first time, do not be stingy and invest in a few lessons with an instructor. After that, do not overestimate your abilities and do not immediately try to conquer the black slopes - start with simple gentle ones, and then slowly move on to steeper ones.
• Even if you like to move off the main roads and, so to speak, conquer the unconquered - I ask you, be sure to follow the signs They are there for your safety only.

Things to do

Despite the fact that mostly people come to the Dolomites in order to enjoy all the gifts of nature and retire with it, this region can offer many alternative recreation options - active and not very active.

Shopping and shops

Well, I'll be honest. For me, the Dolomites is about active pastime, about conquering mountain peaks in trekking boots, and shopping somehow didn’t really fit into such a program. But if suddenly you want to combine the practically incompatible and have a couple of days left, then you, of course, are on the road to. Fortunately, it is not so far away - just a 3-hour drive from the Dolomite. You can read more about shopping in the fashion capital of the world.

If you think that leaving Italy without shopping is not comme il faut, but for one reason or another you are not going to go to, then go to. There are two streets here - Lauben and Dr Streiter Lane, where you will find boutiques of world-famous clothing and footwear brands, as well as shops of unknown local designers with very cute and high-quality things. In addition, check out the Greif Center shopping center - during the discount period, you can find branded clothes here at ridiculous prices, but the rest of the time it impresses with a variety of brands.

bars

In more or less large cities, you can go to a bar in the evening and spend a couple of hours tasting local cocktails. Hard liquor lovers should check out Flieger, a mix of Red Bull and vodka, while those who don't want to lose their minds tend to drink cocktails like Estivo (white wine + sparkling water) or Bellini (prosecco + peach puree). In most establishments, prices do not bite - from 3 to 6 EUR per cocktail. As such, there are no special rules for visiting the region - but it is better to replace hiking boots and tracksuit with jeans, a shirt or a T-shirt.

Clubs and nightlife

They say that there are so many clubs in Bolzano that people come here to “hang out” for the weekend even on weekends. Frankly, I am not at all strong in this area of ​​\u200b\u200brest, so I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of recommended establishments in the article.

Active pastime

Here in this area, guests of the region definitely have where to roam! In winter, this, of course, is skiing and snowboarding, but I will talk about them in detail at the very end of the article.

If you are traveling in the warm season, at your disposal, first of all, already mentioned a thousand times hiking and trekking. By the way, if suddenly you don’t know the difference between them, it lies in the fact that the first is a short walk through the mountains, most often it is a one-day route, but sometimes it means spending the night in a tent or house (rifugio). Trekking, on the other hand, is a much more serious activity, you go to the mountains for several days with a large backpack filled with provisions, spend the night in houses or special base camps. Hiking is much more popular in the Dolomites, but trekking enthusiasts will also be able to find routes to their taste.

In addition, hiking can sometimes be combined with recreation on the lakes. So, on Lake Braies, which I have already talked about, you can not only freeze in the water, but also go boating and go around the lake. Usually people come to the lake for some 15-20 minutes, take a couple of photos as a keepsake and go on, but I strongly recommend you spend two hours on Braies - during this time you will have time to move away from the crowd of tourists and explore the lake from all sides - it is from there that the most beautiful, as if unearthly views open. In addition to Braies, I highly advise you to see Lake Misurina, which is not far from Tre Cime - a very peaceful and calm place.

Fans of cycling will appreciate the corresponding routes in the Dolomites. In almost all major settlements, you can rent such a vehicle and ride it both around the city and in the mountains. The rental price is always different, but on average does not exceed 7-12 EUR per day. I rented a bike from an official travel company in , and this pleasure cost, if I'm not mistaken, about 5 EUR per day.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

No trip is complete without it, of course. Frankly speaking, the Dolomites didn’t surprise me with anything special in this regard - but in addition to the standard magnets and postcards that you will find in any souvenir shop, take a closer look at wines like Vino Santo and Trentodoc and local cheeses in gourmet shops.

But in fact, the best thing you can bring from a trip to the Dolomites is hundreds, if not thousands of photos, gigabytes of videos, many interesting stories and vivid memories.

How to move around the region

The easiest way to get around the region is by car, but the public transport system is very, very well developed, so don't be upset if you can't rent a car.

Taxi. What features exist

In the mountains, the taxi system is not developed at all (which is logical), and in local cities it is best to travel on foot. But, for example, if you need to get from the airport to the city, then this is a good option. However, this pleasure is expensive - for example, a taxi from Bolzano Airport to the city center costs about 30 EUR.

Public transport

The public transport system functions well in the Dolomites, and this site will help you figure it out. In addition, I advise you to use the site RomeToRio. On them you can make a route from almost anywhere in the region to the place you need, since they cover not only the railway, but also the bus line.

Tickets for transfers are not too expensive - for example, the route from Brixen to Lake Braies costs about 11 EUR, and the bus from Ortisei - only 6 EUR.

Transport rental

A car is, of course, the best way to see everything that is in the Dolomites and get to places that cannot be reached by public transport. There is no need to adjust to the schedule of trains that do not always run at the right time for you. Also, the auto allows you to select attractions in the travel route by interest, and not by transport accessibility.

You can rent a car at any airport immediately after arrival, as well as in any major city in the region. And the following documents are needed for this:

• Driver's license.
• International passport.
• Credit card.
• Moreover, it is necessary that your driving experience is at least one year.

You can also search for offers in advance on the Internet (for example,).

During the holidays, of course, you don’t want to think about possible problems and difficulties and relax as much as possible. But if you travel by car, and even more so in the mountains, then you automatically take on some responsibility, so I think it would not be out of place to remind drivers of important points.

Driving in the mountains requires some preparation, so do not expect that you can just relax and drive along an empty highway to your favorite music - you must always be extremely careful and careful.

The rules of the road in the Dolomites and Italy are generally quite similar to Russian ones. In built-up areas, you can drive at a speed of no more than 50 km/h, on a country road - 110 km/h, on toll motorways - 130 km/h. Fines in Italy are quite high - for speeding you need to pay from 40 to 3300 EUR, for improper parking - from 35 to 90 EUR.

As for toll roads, there is only one - A22. There is no set price, so to understand how much you will have to pay, multiply the fare unit, which depends on the class of your vehicle (for example, for a passenger car it is 0.08432 EUR/km) by the number of kilometers traveled, and then add 22% VAT.

And finally - as of July 2017, one liter of 95 gasoline costs 1.62 EUR, diesel - 1.51 EUR.

Dolomites - holidays with children

In the Dolomites, I saw many families with children, and they all looked quite satisfied with life, did not cry or scream. Based on this, I can conclude that it is possible and necessary to go here with little travelers! If your children like active pastime, then they will like walking in the mountains, but choose not too difficult trails - the kids can get tired and spoil the mood for themselves and you. If you are traveling to the region in winter, be sure to enroll your children in a ski school or with a separate instructor. In a word, there is expanse for little fidgets - in the evening they often return to the hotel in a half-asleep state, which is rather a good sign. As one of my friends says: “Sleeping children are happy parents!”

As for the cultural program, the aforementioned Museum of Modern Art in Bolzano organizes various educational programs for the smallest connoisseurs of beauty, where children are told about the history of art and the importance of cultural development and are given the opportunity to create something wonderful themselves in various master classes.

Ski holidays

Ski resorts are the main reason why travelers from all over the world travel to the Dolomites in winter. This region is called Dolomiti Superski, and it combines 12 ski areas - Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Arraba Marmolada, Val di Fiemme, San Martino, Civetta, Alta Pusteria, Vale Isarco and Tre Valley. In such a large space, you will find trails for both professionals and not yet quite experienced athletes.

It does not matter if you are completely new to this area - there is an opportunity to learn how to ski or snowboard completely from scratch - there are several ski schools in the resort where you can enroll in a group or take a personal instructor. This is not a cheap pleasure - an hour of private lessons costs from 30 to 40 EUR. But it is very important not to save on this in order to avoid injuries and other unpleasant situations.

Ski passes

The Dolomiti Superski system combines 12 ski areas, 1200 km of pistes of various levels and 450 lifts, and all this requires a single ski pass. Sounds like a dream vacation, right? By purchasing just one card, you get such a wide variety and such amazing features.

It is not very profitable to buy a ski pass for one day - it costs 47 EUR. It’s a little expensive, and you won’t have time to appreciate all the diversity of the resort. It would be more correct to immediately purchase a card for the entire stay in the region - for example, a ski pass for a week costs 250 EUR, in which case one day of skiing will cost you only 35 EUR, and for 10 days - 335 EUR, and then a day pass will cost to you at 33.5 EUR.

Tracks

The slopes in the Dolomites are very well maintained, equipped with modern lifts and, what is important, quite diverse! Beginner skiers and snowboarders will feel comfortable here, and professional and experienced athletes will enjoy a large selection of black and red sections of the slopes, where they can hone their skills and pretty tickle their nerves - I hope, only in the good sense of the word. To avoid unpleasant situations, firstly, be sure to purchase special insurance in advance, even if you "ride a hundred times and everything was fine." And secondly, adequately and soberly assess your strengths and capabilities. Even if you are confident skiing/snowboarding, the first time you go down the mountain in a new section, carefully and slowly, so to speak, get to know the track. And after a successful "acquaintance" you can ride with the breeze :)

5 things to do in this region

1. Fulfill the must-do of each tourist and climb up to the three peaks in the natural park Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
2. Stroll through the cozy streets of small towns, as if lost among the mighty Alps.
3. Take a photo with a classic view of the village of Santa Maddalena.
4. Go boating on the magical lake of Braies.
5. Fall in love with the Dolomites and promise yourself to come back here again!

Once upon a time there was a sea. Warm, tropical... Gradually the continents moved, the sea became shallow, and, in the end, disappeared completely, leaving behind only a wonderful mountain landscape, which today is the Dolomites mountain complex.

But the Dolomites are not only a nature reserve in Italy, included in the World Heritage List, but also a unique complex of ski resorts.

general information

Initially, the complex of mountains had a different name - Monti Pallidi (i.e. Pale Mountains). They got this name because of their milky-gray color. There is even a legend about this: once an Alpine prince lived in these parts, and he married a beautiful moon princess. But she missed her lunar mountains so much that she withered from day to day. Seeing this, the dwarves wove a special blanket of moon threads and covered the mountains with it.

Its own current The name of the mountain was named after the French geologist Deod de Dolomier., who in the 80s of the XVIII century discovered a unique mineral here, later called dolomite.

The Dolomites are the largest ski alliance, which includes 12 major ski regions:

• Alta Badia
• Valle Isarco
• Alta Pusteria
• arabs
• Val Gardena
• tre valley
• Val di Fassa
• Kronplatz
• Cortina di Ampezzo
• San Martino di Castrozza
• Val di Fiemme
• Civetta

The largest and most famous resorts (Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Arabba, Sappada) are to the Sella Ronda ring road, around the Sella mountain range (in total, the length of the route is 500 kilometers). These resorts are interconnected by cable cars and ski slopes - from one resort you can easily get on the ski track to another.

The Dolomites is a complex of almost 40 resorts. Some of them are more famous and extensive, others are small ski stations without any infrastructure.

The climate of the resort is sunny and mild. The air temperature in winter is on average between 0 and -5 degrees. January and February are considered the coldest months: the temperature can drop below -20. Humidity in these parts is low, so even at low temperatures, vacationers can feel quite comfortable.

The skiing season directly depends on weather conditions (snow cover thickness, air temperature). The beginning of the season falls on the end of November - December, when the snow cover is already stable, and ends in mid or late April.

Main resorts and photos

The largest ski resorts are distinguished by highly developed infrastructure and excellent service.

• Arabba- the most extreme resort. The most difficult tracks are located here, most of the tracks on the slopes are “red” and “black”. One of the best places for freeride (free skiing) in the entire region, but only trained skiers can ride here, as the terrain of the slopes is particularly difficult.

  

  There is also a snow park, a 5-kilometer flat track, and an ice rink. At an altitude of about 2500 kilometers (Sass-Pordoi peak) there is the best observation deck in the entire complex. The average cost of a ski pass is 45 euros.
  

• Val Gardena. This resort has the longest pistes. The skiing elite prefers to gather here, especially after the alpine skiing championship was held here for the first time in 1970.

  

  There are trails for night skiing, cross-country skiing, children's trails, a huge ice rink. The average price for a ski pass is 39 euros.
  

• Val di Fassa. There are 13 small towns in this valley, most of them have their own ski bases and resorts. The slopes of this valley are part of the famous "ring" route "Sella Ronda".

  

  Here are the 2 most prestigious resorts - Campitello and. Both resorts are quite developed. The slopes in the valley are classified as blue and red, but there are also slopes for off-piste skiing.
  

The hallmark of the valley is Chiampak peak, the descent from it is considered quite difficult, so many experienced athletes consider it their duty to conquer this peak. The average price for a ski pass is from 36 euros.

• Kronplatz- a relatively young, but already quite popular resort. Skating here is suitable for trained athletes - the tracks are categorized as "blue", "red" and "black".

  

  In addition to skiing from the mountains, athletes will be able to do paragliding and snowboarding, snow tubing, snow rafting, and visit a climbing wall. The average price of a ski pass is 45 euros.
  

• tre valley more suitable for beginners, as well as for those with minimal riding experience. The tracks of this area are of the "blue" and "red" categories, there are "green" ones.

  

  Wide and gentle slopes with a minimum height difference will help all beginners learn to feel confident on the slopes. The cost of the ski pass is 37 euros.
  

• Civetta will gladly welcome all fans of rock climbing. The area offers more than 80 kilometers of prepared cross-country trails and an excellent natural climbing wall. The average cost of a ski pass is 40 euros.

  
  

Entertainment and excursions

Any of the resorts included in the Dolomites complex has a developed infrastructure and is ready to offer vacationers maximum comfort and all types of services. Almost at each of the resorts of the Dolomites there are restaurants and discos, entertainment centers and shops.

For those who prefer sightseeing holidays along with sports, you can contact resort tour desk.

In the summer, Trentino hosts the Sounds of the Dolomites music festival, a series of open-air concerts.

You can go for impressions in neighboring cities. In Verona, you can walk along the places of romantic meetings of Romeo and Juliet, in Bruneck you can get acquainted with the monastery of the Ursuline nuns and the old castle, and the brilliant Venice will present a whole cascade. On Lake Garda, it is worth visiting the two largest entertainment centers - Gardaland and Movieland (you will find a description of the sights in another article)

Do you definitely want to go skiing or snowboarding in Italy? Then take a look at and describe the best of them before choosing where to go on vacation in the winter.

Find out about another amazing ski resort in Italy - Cervinia, its features, slopes and prices in a separate publication.

Accommodation

Each of the resorts included in the Dolomites complex has a lot of options for living. Depending on financial capabilities, vacationers can choose their own option - from a room in a guest house to a luxury apartment.

Approximate cost of living:

• Single room hotel 3-4 * - from 2780 rubles / day.
• Double room hotel 3-4 * - from 4310 rubles / day.
• Family hotel room 3-4 * - from 4990 rubles / day.
• Suite hotel 3-4 * - from 7270 rubles / day.
• Apartments - from 9560 rubles / day.
• Chalets, cottages - from 12830 rubles / day.

The most economical option of all is refugees, mountain huts. Here you can rent rooms for 3-5 people, or you can stay in a room for 20-30 people. This option is suitable for those travelers who only need to spend the night and move on. As a rule, lovers of hiking routes use this option. The cost of such accommodation is from 1480 rubles.

The Dolomites are a beautiful creation of nature in Italy. Patriotic Italians claim that their country has everything that is necessary for happiness. Some tourists are skeptical about such a statement, but after seeing the creamy peaks of the Dolomites, they dream of returning here again and again. In the vicinity you can enjoy the purest air and beautiful nature. Fans of active sports will be pleased with the kilometers of ski slopes. Moreover, the Dolomites are divided between several resorts and regions, each of which has its own flavor.

Geographic characteristics

Millions of years ago, instead of high mountains, a warm sea splashed in this area. Gradually, the movement of the continents and seismic activity led to its drying up and the formation of mountain ranges. In memory of those times, the remains of coral deposits have been preserved. The Dolomites got their name because of dolomite - the main rock of which they are composed. They also contain a lot of lime deposits.

The mountain range is located in the east of the Alps and covers an area of ​​​​almost 16 thousand km². The highest point is Mount Marmolada (3342 m). In total, there are 16 mountains in the ridge, the height of which exceeds 3 km.

The mountains look very picturesque. There are many gorges and rocky cliffs among them. Landslides and avalanches often occur in this area.

The peaks have a rocky structure, and below the slopes are densely covered with vegetation. Between the mountains are narrow plains covered with emerald grass. Among the meadows there are pine and deciduous forests. In spring, the slopes are covered with orchid flowers. Of the representatives of the fauna, marmots, martens, ferrets, hares and squirrels predominate. Sometimes you can meet brown bears and mountain goats.

Historical facts

On the slopes of the Dolomites, there are traces of fierce battles that unfolded nearby. Some consider this area an open-air museum. During the First World War, fierce battles unfolded near the mountains between the Italian and Austrian armies. From a height it was convenient to attack and track the actions of the enemy, so the number of victims was quite large. In total, about 8,200 soldiers from both sides died in 1915-1917.

Among the natural landscapes, many trenches and tunnels were found, forming a huge labyrinth. Entire fortresses and forts were built near the mountains, which were then destroyed by the enemy army. To preserve the memory of terrible events, routes have been laid here to the Marmolada glacier, the mountains of Tofane, Chincu, Pelmo, Lacagua and others.

Regions of the Dolomites

In the cozy plains there are many small villages, as if descended from the pages of a book. However, they are inhabited by ordinary people, busy with everyday worries. The whole territory is divided into several regions. Tourists can purchase a single pass for all routes, their length is more than 1200 km.

Valley di Fiemme

At the very entrance to the Dolomites lies the wide Val di Fiemme. Cozy villages are scattered on the emerald plain. The most popular with tourists are Predazzo and Cavalese.

The slopes of Val di Fiemme are suitable for all winter sports. Tourists can practice skiing, sledding and snowboarding, as well as figure skating. Periodically, international competitions are held here. In the valley there are trails from medium to more difficult, their total length is 100 km.

In between skiing, you can explore the sights of medieval Cavalese or visit the museums in Predazzo. More modern entertainment options include saunas, swimming pools, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.

Valley di Fassa

It is located quite high and occupies the central part of the Dolomites. The lowest point is located at a level of 1 km above sea level, and the peaks of the peaks reach up to 2.95 km. The valley is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges. Local residents claim that these lands have long been a haven for good spirits. People cherish ancient legends and the language of their ancestors. The most popular resorts are Moena, Canazei, Vigo di Fassa, Campitello.

The valley has a huge selection of trails of any complexity from the easiest to the "black" slopes. More than half are medium-difficulty tracks. The total length of the slopes of the di Fassa valley is 220 km.

After an active holiday, you can relax in small taverns or SPA centers. There are many of them in the small towns of the center of the valley. Sitting on an open terrace under the sun, you can enjoy amazing mountain views and rocky peaks, painted in reddish tones.

Gardena Valley

A very beautiful and wide valley at an altitude of 1236 m above sea level. For several decades, Val Gardena belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Residents still combine Italian emotionality with German pedantry. Tyrolean traditions are expressed in colorful German food and unusual outfits.

The most popular resorts are Santa Cristina, Ortisei and Selva. 175 km of trails of varying difficulty are suitable for beginners and extreme sports enthusiasts. There are also excellent downhill runs.

Kronplatz

Another area with Tyrolean flavor, where German is spoken more often than Italian. The most popular towns are San Vigilio di Marebbe, Reishach, Olang.

The Kronplatz area is distinguished by beautiful panoramas and varied pistes. There are many slopes for beginners, but more experienced skiers will not be bored either. The total length of the tracks is 90 km. For snowboarders, there is a great halfpipe. For cross-country skiing, a 200 km long track is provided.

After descending from the peaks, you can relax in a restaurant or visit a cinema. More active entertainment options include bowling, tennis or horseback riding.

Ampezzo Valley

Cortina d'Ampezzo is a city and resort for a respectable holiday for wealthy tourists in the Ampezzo Valley. There are many comfortable villas and boutiques. In the evenings, chic holidays are often held, where ladies come in fur coats, and gentlemen flaunt in costumes of famous fashion designers. Most tourists prefer to rest in the valley itself, rather than skiing.

The valley is characterized by an abundance of sun and warm air. High ridges protect it from gusts of cold wind. On the adjacent slopes there are trails for beginners and medium difficulty. The total length of the slopes is 140 km. To ensure comfortable skiing, snow cannons are installed near the slopes. They constantly maintain the desired level of snow cover. Those who wish can practice snowboarding, skiing, bobsledding and snow rafting.

You can take a break from intense workouts in the pool, cinema or SPA-center.

What is a ski pass?

To use the lifts or ski slopes, you should purchase a special plastic card - a ski pass. There are various programs on which the cost of the card depends. The ski pass is valid for 1-28 days. In addition to the standard cost, a system of discounts for students, pensioners and children has been developed. You can calculate the price of various types of cards on the official website of the Dolomites: www.dolomitisuperski.com.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to the ski resorts of the Dolomites:

• By plane. The nearest international airports are in Innsbruck, Bolzano, Venice, Verona. In the season, in addition to regular flights, charters arrive here.
• By train. In the nearest cities there are railway stations, from which tourist buses run to the hotels.
• By car. This method allows you to arbitrarily plan your vacation. It is worth planning a route to the chosen resort in advance.

Kristina Maistrova works as a QA engineer, checks everything she sees for strength, and in her free time she draws illustrations, snowboards and drives blog about drawing and travel. For 34travel, the girl spoke about an eventful journey to Italy - to the Dolomites.

Why Dolomites?

For the last couple of years, I have dreamed of mountains. My husband and I have already managed to hit the road to the Caucasus and the Balkans. For complete happiness, of course, the Alps were not enough. I read about mountain lakes, cozy chalets and maddening landscapes. But the last kick was the legend of the Dolomites. It says that the Dolomites used to be a blooming rose garden and served as a home for the dwarves and their king. But it just so happened that once the roses could not hide their magical ruler from the chase, and he cursed them, shouting that he did not want to see them day or night. Fortunately, the king forgot about sunrises and sunsets, leaving us the opportunity to see how the mountains bloom in the rays of the setting and rising sun. So we went to the mountains in search of a "rose garden", and along the way decided to take a ride around Garda.

“We didn’t rush at all, stopped at viewpoints and followed the rules even when it really annoyed hot Italian drivers”

How to get there?

It is most convenient to fly from Moscow to Verona with a direct flight S7, it will cost about € 200-250 per person. This amount was not included in our budget. It was decided to buy tickets "Victory". She often pleases with prices, but always upsets with quality. At the start of sales, a ticket cost € 60 for both directions per person. But according to the favorite “Victory” scheme, I had to pay extra for everything: luggage (10 kg - € 7), the opportunity to sit next to my husband (about € 5), a commission for paying by card (10%).

Our flight flew into the small airport of Treviso, which is next to. After an hour of queues at customs and another hour of fiddling with papers from a car rental company, we picked up a pre-booked one on the Rentalcars website. They also took out additional insurance with franchise coverage. Its cost was equal to the cost of the car, but peace of mind is more expensive. I also had to pay extra for snow chains on the spot. Chains are required from 15 November to 15 April. Rent with insurance and all expenses for 6 days cost € 120.

From Treviso Airport to Lake Garda you can get cheap, beautiful and long - along the regional roads through Trento - or expensive and fast - on the toll motorways A4 and A22 through Verona (€ 15). We chose a long way and did not regret it, because the road went along picturesque slopes, mountain rivers, small towns and very small villages. We spent about 4 hours on the road, but at the same time we were in no hurry at all, we stopped at viewing platforms and followed the rules even when it really annoyed hot Italian drivers.

Day 1. Fogs on Lake Garda

They decided to live in the town of Torbol in the very north of the lake near Riva del Garda. Both cities stretch along the coast, flowing from one to the other. If you wish, you can go through them, walking along the embankment. Torbol, quiet and peaceful, is loved by Austrian and German tourists from June to August. In April, many hotels are free, restaurants are half empty and prices are 1.5 times cheaper than in the season. If you want to stay in a room with a view of the lake, you will have to pay € 50-60. Or to be cunning and rely on the favor of hoteliers.

The path lay in the capital of the province - the city of Bolzano, aka Bozen. You can get there by the toll motorway A22 or by its free alternate SS12. In South Tyrol, the names of all cities are duplicated in Italian and German, because most of the inhabitants speak either German or the local dialect, Ladin. And even Tyrolean passports are written in two languages. Unfortunately, not everyone understands English.

In the city, if you want to save money on parking, you can leave your car in the parking lot of the shopping center and not worry that it will be evacuated. Usually parking there is either free, or conditionally free (for 1-2 hours), or it is very cheap. Of the minuses: such shopping centers are far from the historical center. We left the car at the mall Twenty (Via G. Galilei, 20). A pleasant walk along the mountain river on which the city stands was a bonus. It took us about an hour to reach the center.

The historic center of Bolzano is not too big (you can get around it in 2-3 hours), but very cozy. It feels like you are in a fairy tale. Forged signs, stucco moldings, arched galleries are everywhere, and every now and then you meet figures of gnomes in red caps. And on one of the streets there is a fair. Products here are much more expensive than in local supermarkets, but those on the market shelves look tastier and more interesting. They say that farm products are sold at the market, and locals prefer them, and especially those that are grown and produced on the territory of their province. And I really understand them, despite all the Italian abundance, Tyrolean mature cheeses and speck are remembered the most.

After walking around the old town, we bought ice cream and went to rest on Walterplatz. Along the perimeter of the square there are cafes, restaurants and even food trucks for every budget. You can dine here for €10 and €100. Although it is convenient to sit under umbrellas, it is still not as interesting as on the edge of the fountain, under the warm spring sun and the shadow of the Walther monument. It is from this square that many tourist routes start and a web of streets diverge - it is not for nothing that it is called the living room of the city. The main cathedral of the region rises here. Duomo di Bolzano and the Christmas market starts in December. The cathedral itself was built on the site of three basilicas, the ruins of which are still preserved inside the cathedral. You can get inside from 10 am to 5 pm for free.

One of the most famous attractions of Bolzano - Renon cable car, connecting Lower and Upper Bolzano with the Renon plateau. Guidebooks promise stunning views and a ride on a historic tram. Alas, we canceled this trip. There was very little time left, and the ticket price of € 14 per person motivated us to return to the car and get to the mountains on our own.

Dwarf paths. Castelrotto

From the fast and direct motorway, we immediately abandoned, as well as its free backup. Adventurers are not allowed on the freeway, they will get bored. Adventurers need to go to the mountains to see narrow paths, overhanging mountains and small villages on their slopes. So we turned off the SS12 regional motorway into the narrow serpentine LS24 that passes through the historic village Castelrotto. That's where we needed to be. The road rises to the mountains almost up to 2000 meters above sea level, and at the pass I began to noticeably storm, which did not stop me from stopping at all viewing platforms. Life hack: if you don’t want fines, don’t leave your car near the curb, it’s better to wait for viewing platforms or roadside cafes.

Tyrolean country roads surprised with their not the highest quality. I firmly believed that there were no bad roads in Europe, but here there was a feeling that we were in the suburbs of Saratov. But for the incredible alpine landscapes, everything could be forgiven. And if the echoes of Italy were still felt in Bolzano, then Austria begins behind it. Nobody here understands Italian anymore, and outwardly the locals are different: fair-haired, tall, with soft features. Prayer islands with the image of the Virgin Mary along the roads are replaced by huge wooden crucifixes. And it's even a little scary. These crucifixes are everywhere: on roads, on houses, inside houses, among cities. We even saw a store that sells these two-meter crosses. In the dining room of the farm where we settled, there was also a full-wall cross.

Castelrotto or Castelrut, translated as "ruined castle" and is located near Mount Schrut. Trostburg Castle there really is, only now it has been restored and is available for visiting. Unfortunately, the tour is only available for groups in Italian and German. The price is € 8. I really wanted to look at the famous frescoed houses, each of which is given 500 years. The painting is based on Christian parables and local legends, so you get the feeling that you are not looking at the city, but at picture books. We were not very lucky with the weather: if in Bolzano it was +20, then in Castelrotto the temperature slipped to 13 degrees Celsius. It took us an hour to explore the city. If it were warmer, we would certainly go for a walk along one of the hiking trails that start from the village.

On an alpine farm

For the night we chose a farm Saderhof (Tötschling, 57, Bressanone) located 15 minutes drive from the city Bressanone(or Brixen). We booked the farm through their website, because it turned out to be much cheaper than through booking. A room for two nights with breakfast cost € 80 for two. Saderhof is a real working farm with horses, goats, sociable donkeys and rabbits. Austrian Monika and her two daughters are in charge here, they all speak English rather poorly, they don’t speak Italian at all, but at the same time they are very friendly and benevolent. Every morning Monica was waiting for us in the kitchen with a huge kettle of coffee and an equally sized pinscher with frothed milk. She literally stole my heart. Hot buns, Tyrolean cheeses, speck and incredible alpine butter relied on coffee. There were also some fruits and pastries, but they did not interest us at all. , which is located in the center of the reserve of the same name. It takes about two hours to get from the farm to the lake along the SS49 road. The traffic in Tyrol is not at all the same as in the rest of Italy. Drivers most often follow the rules, do not overtake and do not press the horn, as soon as you slow down to 60. One gets the feeling that there is a completely different rhythm of life and people are calmer. So we were in no rush at all. Moreover, all the way we were pursued by rain, turning into snow.

The closer we got to the lake, the more I got a bad feeling. There was more and more snow along the roads, and the temperature gauge tended to minus. We arrived at the nearest empty parking lot, left the car and, under the snow, went through the snowdrifts to watch “how the shadows of the trees drown in emerald water.” Hope dies last, right? So, mine is buried under the ice that covered the fabulous Lake Braies in April. Even in winter colors there, of course, beautiful. But expectations and reality diverged in different directions. Nevertheless, a miracle happened to us, but later, when an avalanche broke from one of the mountains surrounding the lake. It was far from us, and only thanks to a good location we could watch how the avalanche oppressed the Christmas tree, and were not afraid to be in its paws.

We wandered around the lake. They completely froze in their light clothes. I really wanted to warm up and drink coffee, but the hotel, standing on the shore of the lake, was closed during the off-season. We had to pay € 5 for 20 minutes in an empty parking lot. Frustrated and tired from the height difference, we drove back.

Day 5. Cities hidden in the Dolomites

In the remaining time, we went to see the mountain towns: brunico(Brunesque) and Bressanone(Brixen). Brunico is located in the Val Pusteria at the foot of the Brunico castle. The old city has almost completely preserved its medieval image. Houses with stucco, forged elements and frescoes on the walls resemble gingerbread houses. Each building, be it a tavern, an apartment building or shop windows, is interesting to look at from various small details from the bell system to river shutters and balconies. The city is filled with shops with overalls for rock climbing and mountain trekking. We eagerly ran into the first one that came across, hoping to buy ourselves everything. But, unfortunately, local prices did not leave us a chance. Even gas for our burner cost from € 8, and the cheapest raincoat € 100. After walking around the city, we went to the castle. This is where you get the best view of the city. The entrance to the castle itself is paid - € 10. But if you wish, you can just take a walk in the park around for free. Several hiking trails start from it, but after the rain we did not dare to follow them.

Bressanone was located next to our farm, from Bolzano it took about an hour to get through the free city and 40 minutes on the A22 motorway. Brixen, the oldest city in Tyrol, was founded in 901 in the Isarco Valley. It is in many ways similar to other Tyrolean towns, just as small, cozy and charming. It does not have large shops and huge shopping centers. But there is a cozy old town, many cafes with affordable prices and a wonderful Assumption Cathedral (Duomo di Maria Assunta) in the Romanesque style. Entrance to the cathedral is free (as well as to other temples in Italy). But if you want to visit the Bishop's Palace and the Diocesan Museum (Piazza Palazzo Vescovile, 2) , will have to pay € 8.

At the end of the day we sat on the terrace

The Dolomites in Italy are a Tyrolean fairy tale that even adults will believe in. But first, some dry statistics. The picturesque mountain range, 150 kilometers long, is located in the northeast of Italy. Its highest point is Marmolada, a mountain that rises more than 3300 meters above sea level. The other 18 peaks are slightly lower, but their height is still over 3000 meters.

History of the Italian Alps: from the seabed to the modern name

Once upon a time (so long ago that it's even hard to imagine), several million years ago, on the territory of modern cliffs and rocks, the real sea splashed. No matter how difficult it is to guess, over time the water left, otherwise there would be no our today's story. Scientists explain this by the fact that Africa, located at a considerable distance from Europe, at some point began to move north. The water gradually receded, exposing the Alps and the territory of the modern European Mediterranean. The fact that the Dolomites at one time were the seabed, we are told by traces of coral reefs found by geologists high in the mountains.

The name of the mountains comes from the name of the French scientist Deod de Dolomieu. In the 18th century, he was the first to explore this alpine region and discovered that the mountains were composed of limestone and another rock previously unknown to the scientific community. This rock, first described by Dolomier, was subsequently named after the geologist - dolomite, and the mountains, respectively, Dolomites.

But this is not the only name of the mountain range. It used to be called Monti Pallidi. The origin of this name is explained by a beautiful legend. A prince once lived in the alpine regions, and he fell in love with a lunar princess of unearthly beauty. Yes, he fell in love so much that he could not imagine life without her, therefore he took the beauty as his wife. But the earthly life did not bring joy to the princess. The royal lady fell ill, she withered day by day. And all because I really missed my native lunar mountains. The gnomes came to the rescue: they wove a blanket from the threads of the moon and covered the mountains with it. So the Dolomites acquired their milky gray color. What about princess? She, of course, recovered, and she and the prince lived a long and happy life.

Despite the uniqueness, and simply the beauty of the Dolomites, they received official recognition relatively recently, in 2009 - UNESCO included them in its famous World Heritage List.

Inhabitants of the Dolomites

Flora and fauna

The lower tiers of the mountains are covered with pine and deciduous forests: centuries-old pines, larches, firs, mighty oaks, birches, willows, ash-trees, hornbeams, maples. However, most of the green cover of the Dolomites is mountain meadows.

Of the representatives of the local fauna, marmots, mountain goats, and chamois are most often found. Particularly "lucky" tourists can also meet a brown bear, he loves to feast on trout that lives in local mountain rivers. There are also many small fluffy animals here: squirrels, martens, hares, ferrets. Eagles soar proudly over the mountains. The crowns of trees were chosen by crows, owls and woodpeckers, and partridges and capercaillie nest in the thick meadow grass. In the green alpine expanses, among the huge number of wild flowers in summer, you can observe no less number of butterflies.

Indigenous people

However, local residents are of particular interest. Although these people live in Italy, they do not consider themselves Italians. Nor does he identify himself with his Austrian neighbors. A small but proud mountain people are called Ladins. According to legend, earlier the lands of the Ladins were inhabited by good spirits - sylvans.

The locals speak their own, Ladin, language, as well as a bizarre mixture of Italian and German dialects, but this mixture is such that neither Italian nor German experts can understand it. They have their own traditions and, of course, food and drinks, which they introduce to tourists from year to year at local festivals.

Santa Maddalena, Val di Funes, South Tyrol. Photo: Alex Cheban.

Italian Alps in winter

Winter in the Italian Dolomites is good (with the exception of some January and February days, when the thermometer shows -20). The temperature is kept within 0…-5 degrees Celsius, and low humidity makes staying in the mountains comfortable even at lower thermometer marks. The sun in Italy shines almost every day, in some resorts for 7 hours.

Photo: IGotoWorld Photo Group.

It is for winter entertainment that tourists most often go to the mountains. In order to have a comfortable stay in ski resorts, the Italians have done their best. They started with the unification of popular resorts in the "carousel" Sella Ronda and ended with the introduction of a single subscription for an unhindered "round the world trip" around the Sella mountain range. But even if you choose quiet, unpromoted locations, simple ski stations (where locals spend most of their time) for your vacation, you still won’t be left without the benefits of civilization.

And now IGotoWorld will introduce you in more detail to the resorts of the Dolomites. We tried to guess your preferences, but the prudent Italians made sure that you will definitely find what you are looking for in their country. There is plenty to choose from: it is difficult to name the exact number of resorts, but you can roughly outline the figure - about 50.

Alpine classic

Famous resorts of the Dolomites:

• Val di Fassa (the center of the Dolomites, this area is protected by UNESCO).
• Bolzano (capital of South Tyrol, gateway to the Dolomites).
• Folgaria-Lavarone (leading Italian ski resorts in terms of size, beauty and infrastructure).
• Monte Bondone (in the list of the oldest European ski resorts).

Val di Fassa. Photo source: turpogoda.ru.

Once in one of these locations, get a Dolomiti Superski pass. With it, you will be able to freely use 450 (!) lifts in 12 resorts.

Photo source: skisport.ru.

The tracks of 4 famous resorts (Arabba, Val Gardena, Sappada, Val di Fassa) are located around the massif called Sella, because this route is often called the "carousel" of Sella Ronda, and the journey along it is "around the world". In addition, ski buses run regularly (weather permitting, of course) between these and other resorts.

Photo source: twlwanpd.appspot.com.

Professional athletes and extreme sports enthusiasts

There are many "red" and "black" runs, as well as places for freeride in the Arabba resort and the young Kronplatz. The Val di Fassa valley (the resorts of Canazei and Campitello) does not lag behind in this regard, here is the Chiampac peak, which every self-respecting professional skier must conquer. Alta Valtellina is considered the most sporting resort, it is beneficial to hone your skills here for two reasons: firstly, the local mountains are the highest, and secondly, the local prices are among the lowest.

Arabba . Photo source: skirest.com.

For family holidays

The slopes of Val Gardena are ideal for families with children. The resorts of the Val di Fassa boast moderate elevation changes, gentle slopes and a mild climate. There are also many safe trails for toddlers in Val di Fiemme and Tre Valli.

Val Gardena. Photo source: yapokupayu.ru.

Lovers of chic, brilliance and bohemian relaxation

Cortina d'Ampezzo is the most elite tourist center of the Dolomites. Here you will plunge into the atmosphere of luxury and pathos. Sometimes it seems that people come here not to ski, but to demonstrate expensive cars, furs, leather shoes and boots, costumes of eminent couturiers. If you have something to surprise the refined local public, this is the place for you.

Photo source: bl.com.ua.

For inexperienced skiers and for those who are afraid of heights

There are flat tracks on Val Gardena, Civetta, Kronplatz and Arabba. If you still want to slide down the mountain, then go to resorts with "green" and "blue" slopes, for example, on Val di Fiemme, Tre Valli - the slopes here are gentle and wide.

Val di Fiemme. Photo source: worlds.ru.

For those who don't like skiing

Val Gardena has a huge ice rink. In the resorts of Kronplatz and Cortina d'Ampezzo, you can enjoy various entertainments with snow-: - tubing, - rafting, - boarding. There are also bobsleigh tracks on Cortina d'Ampiezzo, here is, no less, the Olympic Ice Palace.

Photo source: tez-travel.com.

Sports lovers

The tracks of the Razun-Anterselva resort host the stages of the Biathlon World Championship. In Val di Fassa, the 70 km Marcialonga ski marathon is held. You can watch the Alpine Skiing and Downhill Skiing World Cup (Men) in Val Gardena. Val di Fiemme often hosts world-class competitions in ski jumping, figure skating, Nordic combined and cross-country skiing.

Razun-Anterselva. Photo source: eurosport.ru.

Holidays in the Alps in summer

In the warm season, the resorts are not empty. In spring, more than 50 species of wild orchids bloom in mountain meadows! Just imagine this riot of colors and aromas.

Photo source: newpix.ru.

In the summer in the Dolomites you can:

• Spend time chasing butterflies.
• Go to mountain rivers and lakes for fishing. Despite the severity of European laws and seemingly continuous restrictions and prohibitions, fish in local reservoirs can be caught not only by brown bears, but also by tourists. True, for the latter, this pleasure is paid. Or you can just ride a boat or a catamaran on a crystal-clear water surface.
• To overcome the canyons of mountain rivers, simply go in for canyoning.
• Take off on a paraglider.
• Take a bike and ride along the forest and meadow paths.

Lake Braies in the Dolomites. Photo: Alex Cheban.

• Organize a picnic.
• Visit the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. This place was created by nature and slightly ennobled by man especially for those who want to get around the "mountains, rivers and valleys", inhale the coniferous aroma, look into the crystal clear lakes, and maybe meet one of the representatives of the local fauna.
• Go rock climbing, mountaineering.
• Take riding lessons in Ortisei.
• Watch a 120 km cycling marathon (“Dolomiti Superbike”) on mountain roads or a cycling race (Maratona dles Dolomites).

• To ski. Yes, and skiing again. In the Dolomites, you can go down the slopes even in summer - the glaciers of Marmolada do not melt.

Holidays in the Dolomites at any time of the year

Mild snowy winter, blooming spring, bright summer and colorful autumn... And all this is bathed in generous Italian sun rays. Rest in the Alps is good in any season, and not only on ski slopes or on forest paths. IGotoWorld will advise you on how to diversify your holiday in the Dolomites.

Watch the sunset

This is an amazing sight, which is free almost every evening (except for those few days when it is cloudy in the Alps) by nature. It's really fantastic. If you have ever looked at a photo of the Dolomites at sunset and the thought has crept into your mind that this is a photoshop, feel free to discard it: the stone cliffs are actually so amazing. In the rays of the setting sun, the tops of the mountains are first painted yellow, then darken and light up orange. Then the bright fiery tops turn red and as the sun goes down, they change their color to deep purple and “disappear”, merging with the dark sky.

Festivals

"Sounds of the Dolomites" is a festival that will delight lovers of good music performed by famous world musicians. But not only this. Famous actors also come to the event to recite works of classical literature to the audience.

Photo source: gfhome.ru.

Museums, castles and other architectural antiquities

In the towns and villages of the Dolomites, there are scattered many old churches, castles and just residential buildings, which are several hundred years old.

The open-air museum on Mount Lagazoi will tell about the events of the First World War. In his "funds" - a system of tunnels, which was created for laying explosives, entire military camps. While digging one of the tunnels, a mine explosion of enormous destructive power occurred, its consequences are still visible today.

Photo: IGotoWorld Photo Group.

The history of more ancient times, in particular the Roman Empire, will be told by the so-called Underground Archaeological Space of Sas in Trento (Tridentum). This is an ancient Roman city, from which part of the city wall, a section of a paved road, houses decorated with mosaics, and courtyards, handicraft workshops have come down to us.

Photo source: travel.rambler.ru.

In Piedazzo there is the Museum of Geology and Ethnography.

You can learn about the history and culture of one of the indigenous peoples of the Dolomites at the Ladin Museum (San Martino, Alta Badia Valley). The Museum of Customs of the People of Trentino will tell about the life of other local residents.

Photo source: forum.awd.ru.

How have dairy products been produced by the inhabitants of the Alps for centuries? If you are interested, then look into the museum "Malga" ("Diary of the Mountains"). The museum is located in the stables of Palazzo Lodron Bertelli and consists of three halls: the first is dedicated to pastures, the second to milk production, and the third to the life of local residents. Speaking of the Palazzo, it is nearby. The chic interiors of the palace with the main staircase, skillful stucco and wood carvings contrast sharply with the simple decoration of peasant houses, which can be seen in the museum.

Interested in contemporary art? The Italians have foreseen this option as well. Three branches of the Museum of Modern Art are waiting for you, one in Trento (Torre Vanga) and two in Rovereto (the main building of the museum and the House of Futuristic Art).

Fans of mysticism are advised to go to the Castello di Stenico. According to legend, here, in the castle tower of Hunger, the restless souls of former prisoners roam. If you want to see them or at least hear them, choose a full moon night for the tour. If you just love castles, without "spice", then you will enjoy a walk through the territory of Castel Thun and Castel Beseno. And, of course, you can not ignore the famous Andraz Castle. It was built in the 11th century to defend the Venetian lands, and today it is one of the architectural symbols of the Dolomites.

Castel Thun. Photo source: tr3ntino.it.

• Palazzo dei Rettori. The building of the 15th-16th centuries, in which the rulers of Belluno used to live, and now the local city authorities sit.
• Palazzo Crepadona. The building of the 16th century is now the city library, the property of which is not only rare books, but also frescoes of the 14th-16th centuries, art exhibitions and meetings with interesting people are also held here.
• Belluno Auditorium. The bishop's castle was built in the 12th century. As it is not difficult to guess from the name, the building was intended for bishops. For a long time they lived here. Today, music concerts, performances, conferences, and lectures are held within its walls.
• Palazzo dei Giuristi. In the Palace of Lawyers (19th century) there are museum collections of archaeological antiquities (from the time of the Roman Empire), frescoes, art paintings and even an exposition of paleontological curiosities.
• We advise lovers of sacred architecture to look into the churches Santa Maria dei Batutti(15th century), Santo Stefano(15th century). San Rocco(16th century), San Martino(16th–17th centuries), San Pietro(18 century).
• Palazzo Rosso. The Red Palace is an interesting symbiosis of buildings from the 19th and 13th centuries. The palace was built in 1838. It began to be erected not far from the remains of the 13th century town hall, specifically in order to later connect these architectural structures.
• Palazzo Piloni. Building of the 16th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, the interior was completely changed here, but in one of the rooms on the first floor, frescoes by cousin Titian were miraculously preserved.

Photo source: stock-clip.com.

Walk to nearby towns

Near the resorts of the Dolomites is Venice. Why not take advantage of this and visit the legendary city on the water?

Not far from the mountains is Verona, the city where the famous Shakespearean lovers, Romeo and Juliet, lived.

Verona. Photo source: guides.tonkosti.ru.

SPA and health

The air of the Dolomites in itself is a wonderful medicine for both the body and the soul. But if you want to enhance its influence, then go to Peio - this is the focus of various SPA centers, local mineral waters contribute to this. You can also improve your health in the thermal springs of the town of Levico Terme. The healing properties of the local arsenic-ferruginous water are recognized by official medicine. In the wellness centers of Bormio you will find relaxation rooms, mud baths, hydromassage baths and Roman baths.

Photo source: busandcoach.com.

Gastronomy

On Mount Santa Crocia (in the village of Pedraches, Alta Badia district) there is an unusual tavern. It is unusual in that it is located in the building of an old church (15th century). Here you can taste local delicacies. In winter, delicious mulled wine will come in handy. A sweet tooth at any time of the year will be pleased with the selection of great sweets.

Photo source: garnicristin.com.

At the Malga Filippon farm, you can not only enjoy delicious and healthy food (at a local restaurant), but also play golf, and visit a small botanical garden.

Cheese lovers should head to the Malga Ciauta farm. Here you can taste and, of course, buy such delicacies as "alpine" varieties of cheese - Zigher and Spersala.

Photo source: ru-italia.livejournal.com.

At the end of the article, according to tradition, I would like to wish you a pleasant stay. But in the case of the Dolomites, this wish would be superfluous. Rest here is simply impossible not to like.