Arabba is a small village confined high up in the Dolomites in the shadow of the Sella Ronda. Arabba and Malga Ciapela at the foot of Marmolade form a base of this ski resort advertised with the catchphrase “from the hotel straight to ski trail”. This is mostly true; basically all accommodation capacities are situated around 62 km of trails or in the near area of one of the 32 ski lifts in total. The most attractive features for all skiers is the scenery, which will take up an entire memory card of your photo camera, and a magnificent view of surrounding mountain massifs from the top of Marmolada.

Trails are intended for more experienced skiers, thus the beginners will feel safer making their first curves in one of the neighbouring ski resorts. They are for the most part well connected, although you will need to go on foot a little when you take the Sella Ronda tour. There are a few demanding black trails which descend from the 2478 m high top of Portavescovo to Arabba at 1602 m of altitude and represent an absolutely “must ski” for an experienced skier. Another trail that captivates with its length and attractiveness is the 12 km long red trail descending from Marmolada's Punta Rocca peak and all the way to the foot of this magnificent mountain. Marmolada, with its highest peak at 3342 m of altitude, represents the “cap” of Italian Dolomites and therefore carries the well deserved title, the “Queen of the Dolomites”.

Descending the trail down the Marmolada is a unique adventure - be sure to experience it! Still, in case of a bad weather watch out for the mountain’s hostility articulated through the icy wind and thick and low clouds (if 3000 m could be called low). Although of good quality, in terms of trail preparation Arabba falls somewhat behind the neighbouring ski resorts of Sella Ronda. At the end of the day, at the top of the Portavescovo area huge bumps appear on a regular basis, which can, with the skiers not used to these conditions, create crowds on the trail. If you crave fresh powder snow, you should set off from the Marmolada top left in the direction of the Lago di Fedaia. However, precaution and a guide are obligatorily since this area is not under surveillance of  mountain rescue service. 

Marmolada was not in the Dolomiti Superski system until the year of 2001. - until then it was a heaven on Earth reserved only for the connoisseurs. Once it became a part of the system, the crowds on the old gondola leading to the top became unbearable. For that reason, in 2004. the renovation of the old gondola system started; now, there is a new and fast three-stage gondola which eliminated crowds building up at the foot of ski lift. At the second interstation of Seraut, you might want to take time to visit the small museum dedicated to the World War One soldiers - in reality the war was fought even at 3000 m of altitude! The altitude difference of 1823 m is worth enduring purely for the magnificent view at the top- providing the weather is sunny. Besides, you also get to ski 20 minutes while descending to the foot of the mountain…

Accommodation facilities (around 6 000 beds) refer to hotel houses in Arabba and Malga Ciapela. The villages (especially Malga Ciapela) still resist the tourist urbanization, so if you are in pursuit of nightlife, give up. The only option left is to jump into a car and drive to the neighbouring valley (Alta Badia or Val di Fassa) taking the alpine road across the passes. Recommendation: accommodate in the surrounding valleys of Sella or in the nearby ski resort of Civetta (80 km of trail) which is connected with the ski bus.

Arabba/Marmolada’s 6 day ski pass reaches €164 (€187 in high season). Dolomiti Superski ski pass for the same period reaches €178 (€202 in high season). The best advice you can take is to buy the Dolomiti Superski ski pass because after two or three days you will definitely wish for additional trail kilometres. Arabba/Marmolada offers some of the best trails in the Sella Ronda area and thus partially makes up for the lack of nightlife and fun off the trails. However, the best option is to stay in some of the neighbouring valleys and ski to Arabba/Marmolada.

More information at:
www.marmolada.com
www.dolomitisuperski.com