Colfosco

Italy

Colfosco is a small and charming Süd-Tirolean village in a prime location on the famous Sella Ronda ski circuit.

The resort offers easy access to one of the world’s most extensive and beautiful ski areas, from an unspoilt and unhurried village base. 

Transfer time:  Insbruck 2hr, Verona 2hr45, Venice 2hr45
 

Colfosco is located just above Corvara on the road up to the Gardena Pass in Süd-Tirol region of north-eastern Italy.

Colfosco is one of a number of ski resorts (including Corvara, San Cassiano and one or two other small resorts) which make up the ski area marketed as ‘Alta Badia’. 

Resort height:  1645m

Colfosco is a quiet Süd-Tirolean village magnificently set under the imposing Gruppo del Sella, one of the most iconic clusters of mountains in the Dolomites.

Although small, Colfosco has all the amenities of an independent year-round village and offers excellent access to the slopes. 

Colfosco’s local ski area offers long, wide and mostly easy runs running right by the village. There is also a huge amount to explore locally in the Alta Badia.

The resort is also on the celebrated Sella Ronda circuit, which you can take either clockwise or anti-clockwise, with numerous variants en-route. In one direction you can ski down to Corvara, and on to Arabba and beyond, towards Canazei and (eventually) Selva. In the other direction you can catch lifts up towards the Gardena Pass from where you can ski directly to Selva.

All in all, the Dolomiti Superski lift pass allows you to ski dozens of resorts, covering well over 1000km of pistes. 

Our snow rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability is mistakenly underrated in most of the Dolomites, at least for piste-skiers. Yes, natural snowfall can be erratic, but snow-making and piste management are as good as it gets, with good snow coverage guaranteed even in the leanest of early seasons. 

The best snow quality in Colfosco is often found in the (relatively) high, shady slopes of Porto Vescovo above Arabba. Even better still is the Marmolada glacier (a 60-90 minutes ski away), if you can get there.

In the event of bad weather or poor visibility, stick to the lower parts of the Alta Badia ski area (Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano) where there are plenty of trees.

Our rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

The most challenging terrain in the area is in Selva and Arabba, both of which are around 30 minutes ski away from Colfosco and have a number of steep(ish) red and black runs.

Good off-piste opportunities are not obvious - not least because it is banned in a number of areas – but off-piste skiing is possible with a guide. 

Our rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

The whole of the ski area is an intermediate’s paradise. Much of the local terrain offers easy cruising, with some excellent long blues running right past the village. Indeed, most of the Alta Badia area (Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano) favours leisurely types looking for flattering runs.

However, more challenging intermediate terrain can easily be found in nearby Selva and Arabba. Keen skiers will also want to ski the Sella Ronda circuit, manageable in either direction in about four to five hours, or indeed some of the more outlying areas such as the excellent Marmolada glacier (near Arabba) or the impossibly scenic Alpe di Siusi (above Ortisei). 

Our rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Colfosco is an ideal ski resort for beginners. Not only are the nursery slopes excellent, but there are also lots of long, wide and gentle blues to progress to.

Colfosco is a good resort for cross-country skiers with a 10km loop just below the village and plenty more skiing trails around the Alta Badia area. 

The choice and quality of mountain restaurants in the Colfosco/Corvara area is excellent.

Close to Colfosco, recommendations include Rifugio Jimmy (above the Gardena Pass) and, for a slightly more gastro, table-service experience, the Edelweiss Hütte.

Our rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Colfosco does not have a huge number of activities for non-skiers. There are, however, some beautiful walks in the area and many of the lifts are accessible to pedestrians. 

Our rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Colfosco is a relatively quiet, family orientated resort but there are a handful of après-ski options, including the Matthiaskeller which can be busy at the close of play. 

Colfosco has number of good dining options, one of the best of which is the restaurant at the Hotel Kolfuschgerhof, just off the main road above the village.

For simpler fare, The Black Hill is also recommended and does excellent wood-fired pizzas.

Colfosco, and its larger neighbour Corvara, are home to some of the best hotels in the whole of the Alta Badia. In Colfosco, we offer tailor-made luxury ski holidays at two of the area's finest, the wonderful 4 star Hotel Gran Ciasa in the centre of the village and the more secluded Hotel Kolfuschgerhof with its fabulous leisure facilties, both of which offer plenty of traditional Alpine charm.

Prices here start from £1595 per person at the Gran Ciasa and £2095 per person at the Hotel Kolfuschgerhof, including flights, transfer and half board.

Don’t forget to explore the excellent local Edelweiss/Col Pradat ski area, easily missed as it is just off the main Sella Ronda circuit.

Considering a luxury ski holiday
or short break in Colfosco?

Call us on: +44 (0)20 3397 8450

Email us at: info@snow-wise.com

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