Category: Ski Italy

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Breuil-Cervinia: chairlift failure: 27 skiers recovered by helicopter

Breuil-Cervinia: chairlift failure: 27 skiers recovered by helicopter

From Aostasera.it

VALTOURNENCHE – Due to a strong and sudden gust of wind the ski lift stopped and it was necessary the intervention of the Valle d’Aosta mountain rescue for the evacuation of skiers.

It took about fifty minutes for the recovery of 27 skiers stuck yesterdat morning on the Cretaz chairlift in Breuil-Cervinia. As explained by the President of Cervino Spa, Federico Maquignaz, a strong and sudden gust of wind blocked the ski lift, in the valley station, and it was necessary the intervention of the Aosta Valley Alpine rescue for the evacuation of skiers, all in good condition.

On the spot, with the help of the helicopter, technical guides of the Valdostano Alpine Rescue and of the Guardia di Finanza and, on the ground, operated by cableway operators have worked.

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Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol

Baita Sofie on Monte Seceda in the Dolomites of Val Gardena on a sunny day. Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.

Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol

Last weekend I was skiing in the Dolomites, specifically in Kronplatz, Alte Badia, Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi, all in the Sudtirol province.

We were a group of very good skiers (except myself, that I am worst each year that goes by), and the Dolomites have received the biggest storm this year – between 50 and 80 cm in one go. This made that all the passes in the Sella Ronda were closed. But last Saturday, we left our lovely 5 stars hotel in Corvara (the Sassongher) to get up to the top of Alta Badia- The snow was soft, really nice, and deep. For being on piste, it was a bit tracked up, which was difficult for me, but slowly – really slowly, I get to meet my group, who were fresh of waiting for me! I’ve thought this year I was really in shape, but I guess that, as I am getting into my 50’s, it means that I need to do much more to be really fit!

Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.
Lunch at Baita Sofie in Seceda, Val Gardena, Dolomiti Superski, Sudtirol.

Anyways, from Corvara, after a pit-stop at the Rifugio Bioch for a grappa – (I’ve stayed with a doppio espresso cappuccino decafeinatto- that is what I was drinking these days), we braved the windy morning and kept our way towards the Passo Gardena and then down into Selva in Val Gardena. From there was up again and down to Santa Cristina – the neighbouring village in Val Gardena. From down Santa Cristina we took an underground funicular to then take another gondola and a chairlift up to the Seceda.

From up there we skied a bit down to Baita Sofie- stuck pretty much at the top of Seceda, at 2,410 meters over sea level, with magnificent views of the Sassolungo and the Gruppo della Sella.

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Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

Photo: Hotel Petrus. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here.

The Hotel Petrus is located in Riscone, in one of the bases for Kronplatz ski resort, just outside of Brunico in Val Pusteria It is a lovely family hotel run by three sisters (Brigitte, Christina and Daniela Aichner) and their parents (Hans and Gerti). They are very much involved in making you feel welcome. From taking you hiking or playing golf, to skiing and making you feel at home away from home.

Photo: Hotel Petrus. Outside pool. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.
Photo: Hotel Petrus. Outside pool. Review of Hotel Petrus in Kronplatz.

I had the chance to go and visit it last week and I was very impressed, definitely somewhere I’ll suggest people to go.

Kronplatz is a very interesting mountain, looks like a Panetone punched in the middle. It is famous for its good snow and long runs to the four resort villages. Also it is a great viewing point of all the Dolomites, you see what is Dolomites and what is Alps from the top. And is renown also for its two museums – the Messner Mountain Museum Corones, which design was created by the late Zaha Hadid, and the new LUMEN Museum of photography, created on a disused tram top station.

The Hotel Petrus is 5’ by transfer from the base of Riscone, and if you can ski down a black run, it is ski in as well. A transfer offers rides every 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon to go to the base area.

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Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge

The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge - White Deer- Photo: The-Ski-Guru. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge

This past long weekend I was lucky enough to visit Sudtirol and four of its resorts: Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi. It was a bit like a marathon, or a ski-safari, with a chance to see a bit of all the things Sudtirol has to offer.

The first night we were there, we went out of town of Brunico, into the mountains, to visit the San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge - White Deer- Photo: San Lorenzo Lodges. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.
The entrance to the San Lorenzo Lodge – White Deer- Photo: San Lorenzo Lodges. Spot on White Deer – San Lorenzo Mountain Lodge.

This specific lodge of the  San Lorenzo Mountain Lodges, called White Deer, is one of the three properties of Stefano and Georgia Barbini. It is located high up the mountain, in the Val Pusteria, over the towns of Brunico and S. Lorenzo di Sebato and near the big mountain that looks like a Panetone punched in the middle that is Kronplatz ski resort (or Plan de Corones, as is called in Italian).

The house is an old lodge that has been refurbished in an authentic way, with four bedrooms, three doubles and one bunk bed rooms for 4 – all lovingly decorated with lots of beautiful details. The front of the house is as it used to be when it was built in the 1600.

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7 killed as helicopter and light aircraft crash over the Ruitor Glacier near La Thuile in the Italian Alps

7 killed as helicopter and light aircraft crash over the Ruitor Glacier near La Thuile in the Italian Alps

7 killed as helicopter and light aircraft crash over the Ruitor Glacier near La Thuile in the Italian Alps.

From CNN and AFP/NST

Emergency services on Saturday found the bodies of two people missing after a helicopter and a small plane collided above a glacier in the Italian Alps the previous day, taking the total number killed to seven.

The crash occurred over the Rutor glacier near La Thuile, in the Aosta Valley, close to northern Italy’s border with France and Switzerland.

7 killed as helicopter and light aircraft crash over the Ruitor Glacier near La Thuile in the Italian Alps. Photo: Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico.
7 killed as helicopter and light aircraft crash over the Ruitor Glacier near La Thuile in the Italian Alps. Photo: Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico.

Five people were confirmed dead and two injured on Friday.

The two people who remained missing were found after the search resumed Saturday morning.

Two helicopters were sent up carrying medical personnel and emergency rescue workers to scour the area, the officer said. All those on board the two aircraft are now accounted for.

The helicopter was carrying six people — the pilot, an alpine guide and four passengers who were heli-skiing. Three people were aboard the light aircraft, all of them pilots who were training in mountain flying.

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THE-SKI-GURU TRAVEL takes you to a long Ski Safari in the Dolomites

The-Ski-Guru Travel takes you to a Long Ski Safari in the Dolomites. Photo: Giuseppe Ghedina.

 The-Ski-Guru Travel takes you to a long Ski Safari in the Dolomites. If you are one of those that likes variety, and want to know lots of places in one go, and perhaps, gets bored to ski in one area all week long, then you should come and do a ski safari with us. The place, the mighty Dolomites, with their sun drenched pink mountaintops – caused by the Enrosadira effect. This Ski-Safari takes you from hut-to-hut in the Dolomites, using the lift-serviced pistes and having your small luggage delivered for you every day so you can concentrate in your skiing.

The-Ski-Guru Travel takes you to a Long Ski Safari in the Dolomites. Photo: Giuseppe Ghedina.
The-Ski-Guru Travel takes you to a Long Ski Safari in the Dolomites. Photo: Giuseppe Ghedina.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Experience the Dolomiti Superski – a “carousel” of 12 inter-connected resorts with 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) of prepared pistes!
  • Ski “hut-to-hut” staying in family-run mountain rifugios and charming hotels – the perfect combination of mountain accommodations
  • Savour the delicious, hearty cuisine the Dolomites are known for as you taste your way from valley to valley…
  • Enjoy superb skiing with our world-class, certified ski mountain guides, who will show you the best of the Dolomites on skis!

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The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged.

Ski map of Passo Rolle and San Martino di Castrozza. The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged.

The Ferrari chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. – from Adige News.

Almost in record time, the Ferrari chairlift reopened yesterday, after the sabotage that risked compromising the winter season.

Two weeks ago, the San Martino Rolle spa planters, the company that owns part of the Passo’s facilities as well as the ski areas of Ces and Colverde-Rosetta, were preparing to start the ski season. A bad surprise, however, had forced them to stop one of the lifts. It was the morning of December 1, when, after a routine check, the lift maintenance personnel discovered that the rope that supports the Ferrari chairlift was sabotaged.   Two of the strands, that is, the tangles of metal wires that make up the string, were cut with a battery-operated disc wheel. Given the rarity of the tool in question, it was immediately clear that this was the work an expert hand. A few days later, another ski area lift, the Paradiso chairlift had an attempt of sabotage.

The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. Photo: Val di Fiemme. Passo Rolle. Trentino Marketing.
The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged. Photo: Val di Fiemme. Passo Rolle. Trentino Marketing.

This attack left lots of anger amongst the personnel of Passo Rolle. The workers did not get discourage but this drawback but worked together non-stop with the companies and technicians charged to quickly restore the damaged plants.

Help came also from other tourist destinations. The replacement rope came from Andalo, in Trentino. Yesterday morning the Ferrari chairlift returned to work. However, this is a temporary solution: in spring the rope will have to be replaced completely.

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Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season

A skier with the Monte Cervino in its background. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season. Photo: Enrico Romanzi. Cervinia Ski Paradise.

What is new in the Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season. Cervino Ski Paradise is comprised of 5 resorts, 3 districts and 2 nations (counting Cervinia, Zermatt and Valtournenche)

The ski lifts open early in Cervinia- by mid-October for the weekends and then they started on 27th October opening daily and they will remain opened until 5th May. This network of trails from both sides of the Monte Cervino -(or Matterhorn) allows you to never take your skis to admire the Cervino from both the Italian and Swiss sides, while being ‘captured’ to stop at any of the many rifugios for a quick warm up and to admire the views – people on both sides like to stop in Cervinia due to the rates being much cheaper in EUR than in CHF.

Fireworks with the Monte Cervino in the background. Photo Cervino Ski Paradise. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season.
Fireworks with the Monte Cervino in the background. Photo Cervino Ski Paradise. Spot on Cervino Ski Paradise for the 2018-19 ski season.

On top of Cervinia, Valtournenche and Zermatt, there are two other locations – Chamois, a magnificent village reached only by cable-car, and Torngon- a village that dominates the valley and is affectionately known as “pays du soleil” – or sun village. Both hamlets are more quiet, great places for families to stay and experience nature at first hand.

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Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie is opening two new slopes with amazing panoramic views.

Arp - Courmayeur Mont blanc Funivie - Photo: Lorenzo Belfrond. Courmayeur Mont Blanc Opening Days of Italian Ski Resorts.

Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie (Courmayeur’s lift company), will be opening this winter season two new slopes with priceless panoramic views.

Guests will be able to ski down the new Arp slope, which overlooks the wonderful southern side of the Mont Blanc. After the dismantling of the Arpetta ski lift, for decades, the only people able to enjoy the magnificent panorama of the 2,750 Arp ridge were free-riders, who did the off-piste routes reachable via the Arp cable car.

Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie is opening two new slopes with amazing panoramic views.
Courmayeur is renown for its territory for free-stylers, usually accompanied by Alpine Guides. Now, there will be two new pistes for expert skiers. Photo: Courmayeur Alpine Guides.
Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie is opening two new slopes with amazing panoramic views.

The new slopes consist of a section of a path that can be skied of about 700 m., which gives access to a north facing slope where a very challenging 600 m. long black piste, with a gradient of 70%m, has been created in addition to the numerous off-piste trails already in place.

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A couple of lifts were sabotaged in Passo Rolle.

Ski map of Passo Rolle and San Martino di Castrozza. The Ferrari Chairlift has been reopened in record time at Passo Rolle, after being sabotaged.

A couple of lifts were sabotaged on Passo Rolle on the night of November 30th, between Friday and Saturday, on the eve of the opening of the season.

The first lift that the operators realised has been sabotaged during a test drive, was the Ferrari lift. The lift has to remain closed for opening day. One of the six trefoil, cables that make up the rope, has been cut. Checks were also taking place on the Paradiso lift, next to the Ferrari lift.

This has been a ‘considerable damage, changing the rope of that type costs hundreds of thousands of Euros’ said the President of the Engineering company Giacobbe Zortea, ‘but we will not die, we will guarantee the safety of the facilities for tourists and operators of the Passo (Rolle)’.

A couple of lifts were sabotaged in Passo Rolle.
A couple of lifts were sabotaged in Passo Rolle.

It is ‘fair’, he concluded, that these people pay for an ‘irresponsible gesture’.
Complaints were immediately raised to the Carabinieri of Primiero, which together with the colleagues of the Compagnia di Cavalese, have arrived at the site for an inspection. They were assessing the site soonafter, investigating the damage done.

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