Campitello – 5 Day Ski Itinerary Easy Medium Hard Day 1: The Local Fields - Grade: From either Campitello or Canazei ski lifts explore the local ski areas of Col Rodella (Campitello) and Belvedere (Canazei). Both fields offer intermediate terrain with a few steep sections that are easy to see. There are some wonderful long runs with the best being the run to the valley from the cable car at Col Rodella. You can ski to the village of Canazei from both fields. If you want to follow the sun, it is best to ski Col Rodella in the morning and Belvedere in the afternoon. Both ski areas are connected by a telecabine (lift numbers 155 and 105) and so access is easy. Highlights The skiing: From Belvedere make sure you ski down to the Pordoi pass and take the lift to Sass Pordoi for a spectacular view of the dolomites. Sass Pordoi featured in the film Cliff Hanger. You should not ski down from here – all of the runs from the top are off piste, unpatrolled and extremely dangerous. Take the cable car back down and ski. Eating: There are a number of great places to eat on the mountain. Our favourites are Tita Piaz and Ciampolin at Belvedere and Rifugio Des Alpes and Salei on Col Rodella. Stop before 1pm to beat the crowds – Italians religiously stop for lunch at this time. Apres Ski: The round bar at Des Alpes in the afternoon. If you're skiing back to Canazei, make sure you leave before the slopes close. Day 2: Ski Val Gardena - Grade: Val Gardena – the home of the world cup downhill piste is also an easy first tour from the Fassa Valley. Head to the Sella Pass – follow the orange Sella Ronda signs and then ski down into the Gardena Valley. There are stunning views of the Sella Group and the Sasso Lungo from the top of the valley. Take the first chair lift to Piz Seteur. Don't be tempted to ski over the ridge, instead ski down from the lift and take the piste on the left half way down the slope for the run into Plan de Gralba and the Piz Sella Cable car. You could easily spend the day exploring the runs in this area, including the side trip to Monte Pana which is worth while. When heading back, aim to be on the Sella Pass by 3pm, as the lifts can get crowded in the afternoon with everyone coming home. Downhill extension - Grade: If you want the ski the Val Gardena downhill piste, it starts at the top of the Ciampinoi cable car from the village of Selva (check your map as there are 2 possible routes). The run continually veers left first to Sorches and then finishes at Santa Christina lift station. It is worth doing this run a few times, as well as the variant from Sorches, which goes past the Fischburg Castle. We suggest you start heading back by 1.30pm. The return route is by Ciampinoi, Plan de Gralba and the Sella Pass. Highlights The skiing: The world cup downhill piste is a must do for advanced skiers. The variant past the Fischburg castle is spectacular also. Eating: Morning tea at the top of Piz Seteur or the Piz Sella cable car in fine weather is breathtaking. Virtually all of the on slope restaurants are good but we tend to stay away from the restaurants at the top of the cable car stations at lunch time as they can be crowded and noisy. Apres Ski: Piz Seteur has a number of bars that get the sun in the afternoon. Rifugio Piz Seteur at the top of the lift is worth a look as you pass by but can be very crowded. Day 3: The Fassa Valley - Grade: This trip takes you up and over the southern side of the Fassa Valley. You start by catching a bus from the Campitello cable car station up the valley to the Ciampac cable car station. Take the Ciampac cable car to the top for one of the best runs in the valley – the Pista del Boaco. This is a black run so check the conditions from the cable car on the way up. A quad chair takes you from the top of the cable car to the highest point on the field. You can easily spend 1–2 hours skiing both sides of the ridge here. Moving on, make your way over to Sella Brunech and the Bufare ski area. There are several excellent runs here, but the best is the Val San Nicolo run down to Pozza. From here a free bus will take you to the Ciampedie ski area. This is a small compact area with varied runs. Try the Tomba run (black) and the run down to the cable car station in Pozza. You can either ski the reverse from here to head home or ski down to Pera to pick up the free valley ski bus – check the times at the tourist info office in Campitello before you leave in the morning. Highlights The skiing: The Pista del Bosco under the Ciampac cable car, the run from the top of Bufare to Pozza (cabin lift station). Eating: Morning tea in the sun at the Bufare ski area. Lunch at Rifugio Ciampedie. Apres Ski: Afternoon tea at the Rifugio Ciampac in the afternoon sun. Day 4: Sella Ronda - Grade: The Sella Ronda is a circular trip around the Sella Group. You can do the trip either clockwise or anticlockwise. The route is well signposted, the clockwise in orange signs and the anticlockwise in green signs. The Sella Ronda map which you can get from the ticket office is essential. The runs are probably a bit steeper and longer in the clockwise direction and a bit more leisurely in the anticlockwise direction. The town of Corvara is approximately half way round and you should aim to be back in the Fassa valley no later than 4pm. Highlights The skiing: If you have time, make sure you ski the small valley (Stella Alpina) at Colfosco. There are some great runs here and breathtaking views of the Alta Badia region. Eating: If possible lunch at the Post Hotel at Corvara is well worth the effort of finding it. Book and be there by 12.30 to beat the crowds. Day 5: Arabba and the Marmolada - Grade: This is a hard day with a lot of vertical meters and you need to start as soon as the lifts open. Make sure you check the weather forecast and lift status before you leave. From the Campitello cable car, ski across to the Belvedere ski area and then from the top of the Sass Bece lift, ski down to the village of Arabba. Take the cabin lift to the mid station and then follow the series of lifts and pistes to Passo Pardon. From the top of the pass it is a long ski down to the cable car for the Marmolada at Malga Ciapela. Just follow the signs and the other skiers. The cable car to the top of the Marmolada is in 3 stages. You can stop to visit the free museum after the second stage but be careful as skis have gone missing from here. The views from the top of the Marmolada are nothing short of breathtaking. The ski down is long and most will want to stop and take in the views. The return to Campitello involves taking the Capana Bill chair at the bottom of the Marmolada back up to Passo Pardon and then following the pistes/lifts back to Arabba. If you are exhausted at this stage, you can take a taxi to the Pont de Vauz from the main road in Arabba. From here there are lifts all the way back to Belvedere ski are and Campitello. Alternatively, take the table car all the way to the top of Arabba and ski the piste to Pont de Vauz. You need to make sure that you are back in the Belvedere ski area by 4pm at the latest. Highlights The skiing: Without doubt the run down the Marmolada is one you will never forget. If you have time a side trip to the Sottoguda gorge is highly recommended. Eating: There are some great spots to stop. Highly recommended are the Rifugio at the top of Arabba, the Rifugio at Passo Pardon and Bar Maria at the top of the Pordoi Pass. .