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Resort Guide

Cavalese is the leading resort in the Val di Fiemme, a valley in the Italian Dolomites that is one of a dozen valleys on the Dolomiti Superski pass, one of the world's largest lift pass systems with more than 1200km (750 miles) of runs served by nearly 500 lifts. The small town has the valley's administrative facilities and also the majority of the leisure amenities and shopping in the area.

The main ski area at Alpe Cermis is reached by a succession of three cable-cars (the first of which, unusually, has to descend to the river valley below) which access the mid-sized ski area made up of predominantly easy and intermediate skiing, largely on wide open snowy slopes above the treeline, although with long runs cut down through the trees.

A ski bus links other areas in Val di Fiemme. The largest ski area is the Ski Center Latemar which can be reached from nearby Pampeago, Predazzo or Obereggen. An alternative is Alpe Lusia reached from Bellamonte or Moena (the gateway to the nearby Fassa Valley). A third option is the high altitude ski area of Passo Rolle which opens late in to Spring and is the link to another area at San Martino. A fourth choice, the smallest, is at Oclini Jochgrimm behind the Cimma Ricca / Schwarzhorn you can see across the Valley from Alpe Cermis. There are four drag lifts and a chair and its main attraction is when there's limited snow in the larger areas as it is a high area between 2000 and 2440m. All of these areas are on the Val di Fiemme area ticket and if you want to go further afield the Dolomiti Superski covers adjacent ski areas too.

Beginners

Two cable cars lift skiers up to Dos dei Laresi where nursery slopes are located. A third stage up the mountain lifts up to a firmly snowsure area with more easy slopes at 2000m. The ski school offers group lessons for six – ten people between 11am and 1pm daily or private lessons between 9am and 4.30pm daily. There is a ski race with prize giving at the end of each week.

Intermediates

With 120km (75 miles) of skiing spread between five ski areas, most of it intermediate standard, there's plenty to keep you busy for a week or two. An interesting way to see it all is to take the self guided 'Forest of the Violin' tour which runs from Cavalese on to Alpe Cermis.

From the Paion 'rifugio' you not only have a wonderful view on to Latemar and the Sella Group, but also on to Marmolada and the Pale di San Martino. The tour celebrates the fact that some 300 years ago in the Paneveggio Forest in the valley the Stradivari family from Cremona searched for mature samples of hazel spruce for that right quality of resonance. From this wood the Stradivari violins were fashioned, each one a masterpiece in its own right, which are played to this day by the finest of musicians.

Advanced

Challenges for advanced skiers are perhaps limited on Alpe Cermis, unless you make your own entertainment. However the region's longest run, the two kilometre (one-and-a-quarter mile) long Olimpia II black run is here, the longest and toughest in the valley with pitches of up to 33%. There are other challenges in the area including the black beneath the cable car at Mowena, and below Pala di Santa at Pampeago. Otherwise hire a guide and head off piste.

Snowboarding

The main terrain park in the region is at 2030m above Pampeago where the 90m long halfpipe is maintained three times a week. The pipe is 15 metres wide and 3.5 metres high, and is located next to the 'Toler' piste, approximately 200 metres from the snow park.

The 600m long park, maintained daily by a full-time shaper and accessed by the Obereggen chair, contains a wide variety of structures, including kicks and rails, and pumping music every weekend.

The park has eight rails including four five metre kink boxes, a fourteen metre double S box, an easy box, easy rail and an eight metre Rainbow Box, Easy Kink boxes and others. The park also has four flat kickers from two to 18 metres plus one step up kicker. There are two lines in the park, one easy-medium level line plus a boardercross (the Sepp Cross) course, with jumps, humps and curves.

Other Activities and Facilities

The Val di Fiemme is famous for its cross country skiing and has staged several world championship events. The local trails are at the bottom of the valley and in the Lavazè Pass. In the resort itself facilities include a public 25m indoor pool with a children's pool, a superb indoor ice arena, sports centre, indoor climbing wall, library and museum as well as a choice of around 60 shops.

Outdoor activities include snowshoeing, sleigh rides, paragliding and hang gliding. The old and artistic Bishop's Palace, which is the official seat to the Magnificent General Community of Fiemme, is worth a visit.

Après Ski and Dining Out

There are about 25 bars and restaurants in Cavalese. Après ski spots popular as soon as the lifts close include Birreria Excelsior, the Discopub Mardok, Pub Canton and Pub Polansky. Dining options range from about half-a-dozen pizzerias to the Michelin starred El Molin Wine Bar.

Families

The Asilo Kinderheim opens for five hours a day on Alpe Cermis and accepts children aged three to twelve. Located at Doss dei Laresi, near to the cable car station, a children's fun park, Primaneve, has been created, dedicated to characters from the folklore of the mountains, where kids can play in complete freedom. There's an indoor facility where children can play, draw, listen to music and enjoy cartoons under the supervision of professional staff when not on the snow.

Children four and up can take special children's ski school lessons which operate Monday to Friday for two and half hours daily and receive free access to the Primaneve children's fun park. If three or more members of the family book lessons together the local Alpe Cermis ski school offers a discount. Older children have regular ski school classes.

Piste Map for Cavalese

Accommodation in Cavalese

• Hotel Orso Grigio - 3 star, half board
• Hotel Residence Veronza - 3 star, full board

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