Skiing in the 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort: Review

The three Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort is situated in Higher Puster Valley (Hochpustertal, Alta Pusteria) close to the border of Austria. The resort heart is the interconnected ski mountains of Helm, Stiergarten, and Rotwand.

The principle ski bases are Sexten in Sexten Valley and Vierschach in Val Pusteria. Each Sexten and Vierschach have their very own benefits, which I’ll talk about later on this information.

Kati and I snowboarded and skied, respectively, at 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort in mid-January (midweek) and had a incredible time. We beloved the uncrowded slopes, the superbly groomed runs supreme for intermediate skiers, and the seamless connections between the resort’s three predominant ski mountains. 

Right here’s a candid evaluation of snowboarding within the Dolomiti Superski 3 Peaks Resort with recommendations on the place to remain, the place to lease gear, and extra.

Execs and Cons of Snowboarding in 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort

3 Peaks Dolomites Ski Areas: An Overview

Helm – Monte Elmo (2225 m) | That is the first ski mountain of the three Peaks Resort, accessible from Vierschach by way of the Helmissimo gondola and from Sexten by way of the Helmjet Sexten gondola. You’ll discover the very best focus of ski huts on this mountain: Rauthütte, Jägerhütte, Helm Restaurant, Hahnspielhütte, Helmhanghütte, and Lärchenhütte. 

Stiergarten (2100 m) | Of the three predominant ski mountains, Stiergarten has the fewest slopes, however ski run 41 all the way down to Signaue is pure bliss. The views from Stiergarten are additionally among the many finest within the resort. The principle ski huts might be discovered on the Signaue valley station: Zin Fux and Hennstoll. 

Rotwand – Croda Rossa (2000 m) | The Rotwand ski mountain is centered across the Porzen, Signaue, and Rotwand ski lifts. Atop the Rotwand meadows, you’ll discover the ski-in ski-out Rotwandwiesen Chalets and Rudi Hütte (quick service, okay meals). One among our favourite locations to eat in Sexten is Luis Alm (barely upscale), situated on the Rotwand valley station

Kreuzbergpass – Passo Monte Croce | The Kreuzbergpass ski space, situated on the South Tyrol–Belluno border, options one drag carry and two pink slopes. If there may be ample snow, there’s a blue ski run that connects Rotwand with Kreuzbergpass. If not, the one option to get right here is by bus. 

Val Comelico (2000 m) | On the Belluno facet of Kreuzbergpass lies Val Comelico. The ski space at Padola might be reached by way of the Salto 610 shuttle bus from Signaue. Due to its distant location relative to the principle resort, few skiers from Sexten truly make the journey to Padola throughout their vacation. This Padola ski space options the Col d’la Tenda chairlift and Cenerentola drag carry (6 slopes complete). 

Haunold – Baranci | The “Hausberg” of San Candido has a status for being family-friendly, nevertheless it additionally boasts a pink slope and black slope. On Tuesdays and Fridays, you may go night time snowboarding right here. For these staying in San Candido, undoubtedly carve out just a few hours to ski right here. 

Small ski Areas | Waldheim, Rienz, and Prags. 

The place to Keep in 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort

Sexten – Sesto 

The most effective place to remain for snowboarding in 3 Zinnen Ski Resort is the village of Sexten together with its hamlets Moos and Waldheim. Not solely is Sexten essentially the most central and scenic base, it’s additionally completely suited to winter mountaineering and cross-country snowboarding. For essentially the most ease, I like to recommend staying in a lodge with on-site eating.

These lodging supply direct entry to the ski slopes: Villgraterhof farm keep, Gesenhof farm keep, 3-star Lodge Royal in Moos, 4-star Berghtoel Sexten in Moos, 4-star Lodge Alpenblick in Moos, 4-star Unhealthy Moos on the Rotwand carry valley station, and Aparthotel Gamz in Sexten, situated throughout the road from the Helmjet ski carry.

Kati and I stayed in ski-to-door Unhealthy Moos and have been wowed by its intensive spa and sauna areas, type workers, and total consolation.

The reasonably priced B&B Grüne Laterne and ROCCA Flats together with luxurious Ariane’s Guesthouse are situated in Waldheim adjoining to a cross-country ski path and are a 6-9 minute stroll to Helmjet valley station. Should you desire to drive, you may park on the Helmjet Automobile Park (aka Parking 3 Zinnen), which is free if you scan your carry ticket.

Visitors of 5-star adults-only Lodge Monika in Waldheim can make the most of the lodge’s complimentary ski shuttle service. 

Perched at 1,900 m on the Rotwandwiesen Chalets, Rotwandwiesen Chalets present genuine ski-in, ski-out expertise. 

Extra locations to think about: 3-star Lodge Schoenblick, 3-star Residence Königswarte, and 4-star Paramount Alma Suites Sexten.

Vierschach – Versiaco 

Viersach (Versiaco) is a small hamlet in Val Pusteria, located roughly midway between San Candido and the Austrian border.

As a result of I’m a stickler for element, it’s price noting that Viersach sits between the Carnic Alps and the Villgraten Mountains. So, whereas it’s a part of the three Zinnen Dolomites vacation area, it isn’t truly within the Dolomites themselves. That distinction issues if, like me, you wish to get up and gaze out your lodge window at a real Dolomites panorama.

An enormous benefit to staying in Vierschach is public transit entry. Should you’re touring and not using a automotive, you may simply attain Vierschach by practice from San Candido, Dobbiaco, Bruneck, Lienz (Austria), and many others… The Ski Pustertal Categorical (free for skiers) connects Vierschach with Percha (Kronplatz Ski Resort), making snowboarding in one other well-known Dolomites Superski Resort easy. 

I like to recommend staying in certainly one of these ski-to-door lodging: JOAS natur.lodge.b&b, or 4-star Lodge Andermax, or 4-star Put up Alpina: Household Mountain Chalets.

Additionally contemplate 3-star Loewe Dolomites and 4-star Helmhotel. 

Impressions of Snowboarding in 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort

Professional: Lengthy, Stunning Runs 

I beloved the Helm-Stiergarten-Rotwand ski runs: their gradient, width, and size have been spot on. 

In some Dolomiti Superski resorts, it will possibly really feel such as you spend extra time touring by cable automotive than truly snowboarding. That’s not the case right here. On the subject of pure, uninterrupted snowboarding, 3 Zinnen is tough to beat.

The connections between Helm, Stiergarten, and Rotwand are seamless, making it simple and pleasurable to maneuver between mountains with out the cumbersome transfers widespread at many multi-mountain Alpine resorts.

Professional: Newbie Household-Pleasant Areas Don’t Intersect with Fundamental Resort

There are a number of small ski areas, similar to Waldheim, Haunold/Baranci, Rienz/Rienza, and Braies/Rags, that are perfect for novices and households with younger youngsters who’re simply beginning to ski.

These areas present a relaxed studying surroundings, permitting novices to progress with out the stress of sharing slopes with quick, superior skiers.

Con: The Ski Resort Isn’t totally Interconnected

On the coronary heart of the resort are three linked mountains, Helm (Monte Elmo), Stiergarten, and Rotwand (Croda Rossa), which collectively account for 90 km of pistes.

The remaining terrain is unfold throughout smaller, stand-alone ski areas: Haunold (Baranci) in San Candido, Kreuzbergpass (Monte Croce di Comelico), and Val Comelico in Padola, simply over the border in Belluno. These areas are usually not ski-connected however might be reached by shuttle or public transport.

Together with these satellite tv for pc areas brings the resort’s complete to the marketed 115 km of ski slopes throughout 5 mountains.

In apply, most skiers are unlikely to hop on a shuttle from Signaue (the Stiergarten-Rotwand connection) to Kreuzbergpass simply to ski a few runs, or to Padola for under a handful extra.

Additionally, throughout our journey, the Rowand-Kreuzbergpass piste was closed because of inadequate snow, making it even much less more likely to enterprise over there. 

To showcase its extra distant areas, 3 Peaks Dolomites launched the Giro delle Cime ski circuit, connecting all 5 mountains. In contrast to the Sellaronda, although, this circuit isn’t totally skiable; you’ll must hop on the SALTO ski shuttle to finish it.

Con: Ski Huts are Common

After all, all of it is dependent upon your perspective. On a world scale, these huts are means above common. However in case you’ve simply come from Val Badia, you would possibly lean over to your ski accomplice and whisper with a smile, “Nicely… it’s not Alta Badia.” 

The meals is probably not on par with Alta Badia, however I discovered myself having fun with the snowboarding in 3 Zinnen much more. 

Associated | The place to Keep in Alta Badia

Professional: A number of Winter Actions Abound

Top-of-the-line issues about Sexten is the vary of winter actions past downhill snowboarding. There are numerous ready winter hikes round Sexten, which solely require microspikes if situations are icy.

The hike via Val Fiscalina from Moos to Talschlusshütte is a should. Talschlusshütte is open each day besides on Thursdays, and their meals is just glorious. 

Many hikes weave between the assorted alpine pastures of the Carnic Alps, overlooking the Northern and Jap Sexten Dolomites. Kati and I hiked from Stiergarten, which is accessible by the Signaue-Drei Zinnen gondola, to Klammbachalm and Alpe Nemes. The views alongside this mild mountaineering path are breathtaking. The path solely intersects with one slender arm of a ski slope on the very finish. 

There are quite a few cross-country ski trails in Val Fiscalina and Waldheim. 

Sledding followers will benefit from the 5-km toboggan run that connects Rotwandwiesen with Unhealthy Moos and the two.1 km run on Haunold/Monte Baranci. 

The place to Hire Ski Gear 

We rented our gear from Skiverleih Sextner Dolomiten (Google Maps), conveniently situated close to the Helmjet valley station in Sexten, and the expertise was excellent. The workers have been exceptionally type and affected person. After simply two ski runs, I returned to swap out my skis, they usually have been more than pleased to assist.

Should you’re staying in Vierschach, check out Skiverleih Snowspace (Google Maps). 

Dolomites Winter Journey & Snowboarding

Snowboarding:

Seasonal Journey:

Dolomites Journey:

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