SummerSimo Travel Troubles Notes and The Purring Page

Since you’ve already got a taste for the legendary lines of the Dolomites, let’s dive into a 3-day “Gourmet & Peaks” itinerary centered in Alta Badia. This valley is the perfect hub because it connects directly to the Sellaronda and the “Hidden Valley” of Lagazuoi.

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Day 1: The Sellaronda & The Technical Giant

Theme: Mastering the Classics

• Morning: The Sellaronda Orange Route. Start early from Corvara to tackle the clockwise “Orange” loop. This circuit takes you around the massive Sella plateau, crossing four mountain passes (Gardena, Sella, Pordoi, and Campolongo).
• Lunch: Rifugio Emilio Comici (Val Gardena). Famous for its fresh seafood served at 2,154m, it’s a high-energy spot to refuel before heading back into Alta Badia.
• Afternoon: The Gran Risa. Head to La Villa and test your edges on the Gran Risa. This technical giant slalom run is notoriously steep and north-facing, ensuring firm, fast snow even in the late afternoon.
• Apres-Ski: Visit Club Moritzino at the top of Piz La Ila for a sophisticated vibe and panoramic views before the final run down to the village.

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Day 2: The Hidden Valley Adventure

Theme: Cinematic Landscapes & Horse-Drawn Tows

• Morning: The Lagazuoi Cable Car. Take a taxi or ski bus from Armentarola to the Falzarego Pass and ascend to 2,752m. Before skiing, visit the WWI open-air museum at the summit.
• The Descent: The Armentarola (The Hidden Valley). Ski the 8.5km red run that winds through a canyon of frozen waterfalls. This is arguably the most scenic run in the entire Dolomiti Superski area.
• Lunch: Scotoni Hut. Located mid-way down the Armentarola run, this hut is legendary for its grilled meats and cozy atmosphere.
• The Finale: The Horse-Drawn Tow. At the end of the run, grab a rope behind a horse-drawn sleigh to be pulled through the flat meadows back to the Armentarola ski lift.

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Day 3: The Queen & The Marmolada Glacier

Theme: The Highest Point

• Morning: Journey to the Queen. From Alta Badia, ski through Arabba to reach the base of the Marmolada. Take the three-stage cable car to Punta Rocca (3,265m), the highest accessible point on skis in the Dolomites.
• The Descent: La Bellunese. Ski the 12km legendary run down the glacier. The top section is wide and high-alpine, while the bottom winds through the narrow Serrai di Sottoguda canyon (check local access for the canyon).
• Lunch: Viel dal Pan. On your way back toward Arabba, stop at this hut for one of the best views of the Marmolada’s north face.
• Afternoon: Boé and Vallon. Return to Corvara via the Boé run, a long and varied descent that serves as a perfect “leg burner” to end your trip.

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🚠 Logistics for Your Trip

Item	Details
Ski Pass	Dolomiti Superski (Necessary to move between Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Arabba, and Marmolada).
Best Base	Corvara or San Cassiano (Both offer direct lift access to the Sellaronda and the Armentarola).
Equipment	Ensure your skis are sharpened; many of these legendary runs (like Gran Risa and Sylvester) can be icy.