The Hidden Valley Run, often known as the Armentarola piste, is a purple ski slope that stretches from the Lagazuoi cable automotive’s mountain station all the way in which right down to Armentarola in Val Badia within the Dolomites.
It’s as a lot a scenic journey as a ski run, winding previous a procession of putting peaks. That is a type of descents you’ll need to take slowly, not out of warning, however to totally take within the Dolomites views.
The Hidden Valley Run is a bucket-list Dolomites expertise for skiers staying in each Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alta Badia. I skied the Hidden Valley Run throughout our keep in Posta Zirm Lodge (my evaluation: Posta Zirm Lodge) within the Alta Badia Ski Resort and once more throughout our ski journey to Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Logistically, it’s a bit extra sophisticated than most runs, so I’ve damaged down the way it works, so you may head out with far fewer questions than I had the primary time.
Ski Run Size: 8.5 km
Ski Run Problem: Medium
When to Ski: Finish of December – Finish of March
Bathrooms: There are bogs on the Lagazuoi mountain station, Rifugio Lagazuoi, and Rifugio Scotoni
The place to Eat: Rifugio Lagazuoi or Rifugio Scotoni
The place to Keep in Alta Badia: Lodge Ciasa Salares (4-star lodge in Armentarola), Lodge Ciasa Ai Pini (3-star lodge in San Cassiano), Lagació Lodge Mountain Residence (4-star lodge in San Cassiano)
The place to Keep in Cortina d’Ampezzo: Ciasa Vervei (3-star lodge in Pocol), Lodge Tofana Cortina (5-star lodge in Pocol), Camina Suite & Spa (4-star lodge in Cortina d’Ampezzo)
Hidden Valley Run Important Data
When to Ski | The Armentarola piste (#1) sometimes opens in late December, simply after Christmas. Earlier than setting out, verify that each the Falzarego-Lagazuoi cable automotive and the Armentarola run (#1) are working. Present standing for each is offered on altabadia.org.
Problem | The Hidden Valley Run is a purple piste, indicating intermediate issue. It alternates between steeper pitches and flatter sections, providing a assorted descent. For knowledgeable skiers, it poses little problem, however some stretches may be slender and susceptible to icy situations. It’s not advisable for inexperienced persons.
What to Convey | Convey money for the taxi and horse tow. These providers aren’t included in your ski go.
Step 1: Navigate to Passo Falzarego / Lagazuoi Cable Automotive Valley Station
Alta Badia to Falzarego Cross
When you’re primarily based in Alta Badia, make your solution to Armentarola close to San Cassiano.
Instantly in entrance of Lodge Armentarola, there’s a bus cease (see Google Maps) the place taxi shuttles wait to take skiers as much as Passo Falzarego. Employees will direct you right into a car primarily based in your social gathering dimension. In excessive season, buses may run this path to the go.
Your complete course of is clean and properly organized. Upon arrival at Passo Falzarego, the motive force collects the fare: 8 EUR per individual, money solely.
Optionally available Detour | Because you’ve made all of it the way in which as much as Passo Falzarego, it’s price taking the time to ski Cinque Torri, a part of the Cortina d’Ampezzo space, earlier than returning to Alta Badia through the Hidden Valley Run. Word that whereas the Alta Badia ski go covers the Lagazuoi cable automotive, it doesn’t embody Cinque Torri. To ski there, you’ll want a Dolomiti Superski go.
Cortina d’Ampezzo to Falzarego Cross
Take the Cortina Skyline gondolas from the Tofane Ski Space to the Cinque Torri Ski Space.
To get to Passo Falzarego, comply with the Super8 ski tour from Cinque Torri to Forcella Nuvolau (Averau elevate #5), the place Rifugio Averau is situated. After crossing Croda Negra (Croda Negra Elevate #8), ski down skiweg Croda Negra (purple #92) adopted by Limides (purple #7) to Col Gallina.
Experience the Falzarego Chairlift (Elevate #2) adopted by the Col Gallina draglift (Elevate #3) to entry the Falzergo slope (blue #4), which leads you all the way in which right down to Passo Falzarego. The ultimate stretch to Passo Falzarego traverses an ungainly, slender path throughout the hillside. It’s easy sufficient on skis, however much less best for snowboarders.
If you arrive on the go, cross the road to succeed in the Lagazuoi cable automotive.
Step 2: Experience the Lagazuoi Cable Automotive
This aerial cable automotive runs each quarter-hour from 9 am till 4:40 pm. It’s the one elevate that serves the Lagazuoi ski space. The experience takes 3 minutes.
If you attain the highest station (2,732 m), situated slightly below the summit of Mount Lagazuoi (2778 m), the trail opens onto a terrace, which results in the place to begin of each the Lagazuoi (purple #2) and Armentarola (purple #1) slopes.
Think about strolling up the steps to Rifugio Lagazuoi for the view and/or a refreshment.
Step 3: Ski the Hidden Valley Run
After the preliminary descent, the Lagazuoi and Armentarola runs diverge, with the Armentarola run veering to the left. That’s the one intersection you have to look ahead to.
The rock partitions of the Fanis group, and later Piz dles Conturines, tower round you all through the run.
Finally, the slope eases right into a valley, the place the vigorous Rifugio Scotoni welcomes hungry skiers. When you can snag a desk, don’t hesitate: the meals is great, particularly the grilled meats. In my expertise, the service is far quicker indoors than outside.
Past the hut, the run narrows right into a steep canyon, passing a frozen waterfall alongside the way in which.
The ultimate stretch carries you right down to the Capana Alpina Hut, marking the tip of the descent.
Step 4: Arrive in Capanna Alpina
If you arrive at Capanna Alpina, the Hidden Valley Run is kind of over.
Right here, skiers and snowboarders can take a direct shuttle taxi to the Piz Sorega valley station in San Cassiano. For Alta Badia primarily based skiers, that is probably the most environment friendly choice. It’s additionally the best choice for those who’re brief on time, otherwise you’re a snowboarder. The experience prices 5 EUR per individual (if the taxi is totally crammed up).
The opposite choice is to proceed snowboarding right down to the horse tow start line.
Word: When you’re primarily based in Cortina d’Ampezzo and also you need to get again to Passo Falzarego, proceed snowboarding right down to the horse tow. Or, you might ask the Capanna Alpina taxi drivers in the event that they’ll take you on to Passo Falzarego (seemingly potential, although dearer).
Step 5: Horse Tow to Armentarola
From Capanna Alpina, proceed snowboarding right down to the course of the Sciarè bridge to the horse tow start line. This stretch is flat and slushy.
A horse-drawn carriage tows a line of skiers to a drop-off level simply earlier than Lodge Valparola. It prices 5 EUR per individual.
On the finish of the tow, ski right down to Lodge Valparola. Take off your skis right here.
Cortina d’Ampezzo skiers heading again to Passo Falzarego must stroll alongside the highway for 350 meters to the taxi pick-up level at Lodge Armentarola. It’s the quickest approach.
Skiers primarily based in Alta Badia can attain the Alta Badia ski space by making their solution to the Armentarola drag elevate. From Lodge Valparola, flip left and comply with the highway, conserving a watch out for the elevate indicators. Quickly, you’ll be able to set your skis down and make your solution to the Armentarola drag elevate.
Are you able to Skip the Horse Tow?
Some skiers select to succeed in Armentarola with out utilizing the horse tow. Impatient as I’m, I made a decision to ski it too, pondering the space can be insignificant.
It’s doable, however the terrain is both barely uphill or fully flat. With slushy snow under-ski, it takes a good bit of arm power to push your self to the tip. It’s a stable exercise, however not precisely probably the most enjoyable solution to end the run.
The place to Keep close to the Armentarola Piste
Alta Badia
Alta Badia is seamlessly interconnected by lifts, so whether or not you keep in Colfosco or Badia, you may attain Armentarola on skis.
Naturally, Armentarola and San Cassiano are the closest to the Armentarola taxi pick-up level. Nevertheless, you may base your self nearly anyplace in Val Badia. The one exception is La Val, which requires a bus or a drive to La Crusc valley station in Badia to entry the Alta Badia ski resort.
Armentarola
4-star family-run Lodge Ciasa Salares is situated throughout the highway from the Armentarola taxi shuttle pick-up level, on the base of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park (UNESCO World Heritage Web site). Along with downhill snowboarding, friends are well-positioned to go winter mountaineering and cross-country snowboarding in Armentarola. Company love this lodge for its dramatic setting, distinctive culinary choices, and heat hospitality.
San Cassiano
2-star B&B Lodge Frohsinn is a ski-to-door mattress and breakfast on the Piz Sorega valley station.
3-star Lodge Ciasa Ai Pini is a well-kept lodging with a small wellness space (ages 16+), ski room, conventional Tyrolean-style rooms, and breakfast.
4-star Lagació Lodge Mountain Residence is a 4-star aparthotel in San Cassiano, situated above a ski rental store (friends get a reduction). A personal ski shuttle to Piz Sorega runs each half-hour within the morning and upon request within the afternoon. From the Piz Sorega mountain station, you may ski right down to the Armentarola taxi pick-up location.
Extra lodging in San Cassiano | Surega Idyllic Farmhouse (ski-in ski-out above Piz Sorega valley station), Plang Farmhouse B&B (farm keep), Lodge Steinrösl (3-star lodge), Lodge Conturines (3-star lodge), and Lodge Fanes (5-star lodge).
Study Extra: Finest Alta Badia Motels
Cortina d’Ampezzo
The closest lodging to the Lagazuoi Ski Space are 5-star Lodge Tofana Cortina and 3-star Ciasa Vervei in Pocol, above Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Study Extra: The place to Keep in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Dolomites Winter Journey & Snowboarding
Snowboarding:
Winter Journey:
Dolomites Journey:
