And if you’re searching for some new thrills this season, where better to be than the Dolomiti Superski area with 2 memorable Snow Parks both in Alta Badia and Kronplatz. Snowpark Alta Badia has become well-known on the freestyle enthusiasts’ circuit for offering something for everyone, whatever your level, and one of its greatest assets is the ease with which you can make lots of runs in one day, with a convenient chairlift delivering you to the entrance in no time at all. If you’re staying with our friendly crew at Albergo Frohsinn, this will be the nearest snowpark for your enjoyment.

If you’re staying with the Mountain Sun crew at the Chalet Hotel Diamant in San Martino in Badia, you are within easy access of the Kronplatz Snowpark located at directly off the Belvedere cable car. Stationed in full sun at 2230m and 800m in length, this snowpark is not only the largest in South Tyrol but is also considered by many to be the coolest.

So if it’s freestyle fun you looking for then look no further and whether you’re a newcomer to snowpark action or a professional, there are well-designed lines for every skill level. From the beginner level Family Fun Line with wups, banked corners and various obstacles, up to the Pro Line with 3 consecutive kickers with one table each, roughly 25m in length with long, difficult rails, and everything in between to suit all skill levels.

So calling all snow lovers..with all this fresh snowfall it would be a shame not to head to the local snowparks for some fun and thrills when you book your ski holiday in the Dolomites this year. Check out late availability and special offers with Mountain Sun and book yourself a great ski short break or Easter family ski holiday.

Kronplatz

1. Let’s start with the indisputable fact that you have 1200km of interconnected skiing (including our local favourites Alta Badia, Kronplatz and Arabba/Marmolada, to name just a few) providing hours, or even weeks, of varied skiing for beginners through to advanced..30% of the runs are designated blue, 60% red and 10% black…and all groomed to perfection - the Italians have high standards on the looking good front!
2. My next favourite highlight of skiing in the Dolomites is the distinct lack of queues, even in the peak season. It makes a refreshing change from other popular destinations and if you head out later in the season, like I did last year, early in the day you can ski for miles without seeing a soul..what a rare treat.
3. I really must to pay hommage to the idyllic weather in this beautiful region, especially as we head into the Spring. With guaranteed sun on 8 out of 10 days, your ski break is sure to be blessed with a healthy dose of sunshine and memories of sitting on sunny terraces enjoying the local cuisine make me yearn to return every year.
4. Oh yes, the glorious food..now this has to rank high on my list of favourite things about the South Tyrol region. With an impressive 18 Michelin Stars awarded to restaurants dotted throughout this area, the Dolomites continues to attract world-class chefs and visitors here are really spoiled for choice when it comes to sampling local gastronomic delights.
5. Upgraded lift systems and top notch pistes make the Dolomites an excellent choice of ski destination; the local hosts have invested a great deal of time and money into widening the slopes and even creating new pistes, to give you even more skiing choices, as if you weren’t already spoiled for choice!
6. Talking of choices, there really is something for everyone here in Italy with an exhaustive list of snow-based activities to suit just about anyone; skiing, snow-boarding, cross-country skiing, tobogganing, snow-shoeing, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, winter walking…get my drift?
7. Guaranteed snow is another big draw of the Dolomites; this is in part due to the vast majority of slopes being at an altitude of between 1500m and 3300m but also because the Dolomiti Superski area is home to some of the most sophisticated snowmaking facilities in the World, recreating fine snow particles from the crystal clear waters of the mountains’ streams and rivers.
8. Getting there is easy and not an expensive option, especially if you book nice and early with the budget airlines. You have the choice of flying to either Venice or Innsbruck and Mountain Sun organises transfers from both airports to take you to the Chalet Hotel Diamant or Albergo Frohsinn.    
9. The Dolomites are widely regarded as being one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world and words like ‘breathtaking’ or ‘unforgettable’, which are heavily overused in modern vernacular, are definitely appropriate when invoking the awesomeness of these mountains. A region with well-deserved UNESCO World Heritage recognition, the intrinsic beauty of the Dolomites comes from the unique blend of spectacular vertical pinnacles, criss-crossed with craggy ledges and featuring sheer limestone rock cliffs  rising up to 1500m in height. Quite simply the most stunning backdrop to any holiday on the slopes.
10. Did I mention the weather? or the vast ski area? or the food? or the delightfully empty pistes? or the sophisticated lift systems? or the ease of getting there?… always worth reiterating these things! But I don’t think I mentioned the mid and late season special offers currently being offered by Mountain Sun so please check them out if your snow antenna are twitching..apparently this region is currently experiencing the BEST SNOW IN YEARS!

A short road journey through an eerie landscape of vast scattered boulders (the result of a huge bombing raid on soldiers hidden deep in the mountains during the First World War) will bring you to the Falzarego Pass and from here you take the Lagazuoi cable car up to the starting point of the renowned Hidden Valley. On the way you will be rewarded with stunning 360′ panoramic mountain scenery and when you reach the top the adventure begins for real.

The 11km descent through this beautiful, isolated valley is ideal for any intermediate skier who is comfortable on reds and after an initial steep descent the route becomes friendly and relaxed giving you ample opportunity to take in the awesome scenery and get your cameras out..remember this is a run with no quick way to get back to the top so really take your time to enjoy the journey - you wouldn’t want to miss the best views in your rush to descend or miss out on the tranquility that comes with crowd-free pistes.

With the majestic Dolomites towering above you and icy waterfalls lining your route you will not be disappointed with your blissful journey through the fairy-tale Hidden Valley and in case you still can’t decide if it’s worth venturing out to, there is one more very good reason to make this day out part of your holiday..

The Rifugio Scotoni is a hugely popular choice for diners in the area and a key motivation for many to actually head up to the Hidden Valley; a busy restaurant at times but well worth the wait, whether you opt for the ample mixed grilled steak platter or the delicious traditional pancake dessert.

With your taste buds and tummies well-satisfied you’ll head out again onto the slopes and be rewarded almost immediately with some of the most magical scenery - as the snowy valley continues to carve its way through the high peaks, be sure to look out on your left for the huge frozen waterfall..yet another great photo opportunity.

And finally, as the valley flattens out, your adventure is completed by a rather unusual choice of transportation to head back towards San Cassiano...an age old horse-drawn drag lift! One word of advice though for snowboarders..this might be a long walk for you as they will only tow skiers! Maybe this would be a good day to leave the board back at the chalet!

So let’s hope that’s whet your appetite for some worthwhile skiing in the Dolomites this season; there’s still plenty of time to book an affordable short ski break with Mountain Sun at either Albergo Frohsinn or Chalet Hotel Diamant or why not check availability for a week’s skiing at Easter where you’ll still find great skiing conditions - thanks to both world class snow-making facilities and beautiful late Spring snow.

Look out the next blog, where I’ll be giving you ‘10 great reasons’ to ski in the Dolomites this season..as if you needed persuading!

]]> http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2013/02/revealed-secrets-of-the-hidden-valley/feed/ http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2013/02/in-the-spotlight-marmolada-queen-of-the-dolomites/ http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2013/02/in-the-spotlight-marmolada-queen-of-the-dolomites/#comments Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:12:27 +0000 Mountain Sun http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/?p=164 Standing at an impressive 3309m and  270 million years coming into being, the peaks of Marmolada are the highest in the Dolomites; offering both breathtaking scenery and hours of fun for skiers and snowboarders alike.

Ascending to the peak of Punta Rocca is not an altogether straight forward journey from the valley resort of Arabba, but you’ll be glad you ventured out as soon as you are on the first cable car up from Malga Ciapel. As you ascend to the summit in series of 3 cable cars you are treated to spectacular panoramic scenery and the arrival at the stunning Marmolada Glacier will quite literally take your breath away - this altitude will test even the fittest of skiers!

Whilst being relatively flat, the glacier offers deep powder off piste potential and the return journey down to Malga Ciapel is a single 12km run of pure downhill adrenaline; a manageable combination of red and blue runs best suited to intermediate snow lovers who are confident skiing reds.

Don't get lost in that lovely powder!

Before you venture into the oh-so-inviting deep powder, you can always take in a bit of culture at the top with a visit to the Museum of Marmolada  (the highest museum in Europe no less..) found at the cable car station on the edge of the glacier. Perched high on the border between Austria and Italy, Marmolada was a bloody mountain front of the First World War with soldiers both hidden deep in tunnels under the glacier and quartered high up on the rocky precipices. Even today, as the glacier retreats, remnants of those fierce battles are unearthed and remind us of the many thousands who died in these icy mountains.

On a more cheery note, the snow conditions are looking as good as ever with ‘packed powder snow’ and another 60cm due tomorrow which will put a smile on the faces of this week’s new arrivals at the Hotel Chalet Diamant in San Martino in Badia. For adventurous skiers a day out at Marmolada is one not to be missed, so whether you’re looking at an affordable short break to lift your winter spirits or at a mid-season special in the Dolomites, get in touch with the team at Mountain Sun..

Look out for our next blog where we’ll be taking you deep into the heart of the Hidden Valley..

With significant recent snow falls on a good base, the slopes in the Dolomiti Superski region in Sud Tyrol, Italy, are living up to their usual high standards, with all runs open and perfect ski conditions. The trademark well groomed pistes & sunny blue skies make this winter paradise one well worth exploring, whether for an affordable short break or a longer winter vacation with friends or family.

Across the border in Tignes, Espace Killy, the message we’re getting loud and clear is that the snow is fantastic and skiing conditions are excellent. The glorious sun continues to shine but temperatures have been low recently, around -15C, make sure you pack enough thermals!

If you’re tempted by the thought of a last minute ski holiday or an affordable short break in Italy or France, check out Mountainsun’s catered chalets in great locations in Kronplatz, & Alta Badia, Dolomiti Superski; Les Coches, Paradiski; and Tignes Les Boisses, Espace Killy.

Look out for our next blog where we’ll being taking a closer look at some of the most popular ski runs in the Dolomiti Superski area, such as the celebrated Sella Ronda in Alta Badia or the well-groomed slopes of Kronplatz, giving you the low down on what’s hot and what’s not on the slopes this season!

Blue sky & perfect snow

Espace Killy have opened up the link between Val Claret & val d’Isere as well as parts of Tignes Le Lac. It is expected that most of the area will be open by the weekend or soon after.

This picture was taken on Les Melzes’s terracee this morning.

The terrace is under there somewhere!

Meanwhile in Dolomiti Superski, Italy, it has been snowing heavily all day & more is forecast. Lifts & runs opened as planned this week & conditions are wonderfully powdery. Our first winter guests arrive this week - they’ve got a treat in store!

San Martino this afternoon 04/12/12

Come & escape the grim UK weather - we still have some space after 16/12/12 & over Christmas /New Year!

If you want to see it for yourself we’ve got some last minute availability left on www.skiandboardcamp.com in November from £135 for transfers, catered accommodation, lift pass and equipment!

]]> http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2012/10/first-snow-of-the-winter-tignes/feed/ http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2012/10/sunday-mirror-on-short-ski-breaks/ http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/2012/10/sunday-mirror-on-short-ski-breaks/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:15:47 +0000 Mountain Sun http://blog.mountainsunltd.com/?p=143 The Sunday Mirror published an article about our short ski breaks on 7th October 2012.

See the article here: http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/europe-short-haul/ski-in-france-for-just-99-pounds-1369511

The opening weekend is sold out, but there’s still plenty of other dates through October & November where you can enjoy a 3 night bargain short break & take the opportunity to out some of the new kit we’ve got coming in!

Prices start at £99 for 3 nights catered accommodation, Geneva airport transfers, lift pass and use of equipment.

Contact Joanne to check availability or make a booking

Tel: UK 01273 257008 ext 2

Email: reservations@mountainsunltd.com

Fresh snowfall - Grand Motte glacier, Tignes