Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), Italy

* Largest high altitude plateau in the Alps...

* Breathtaking Dolomite scenery...
* Peaceful, unspoilt setting...

The Alpe di Siusi, also known by its German name Seiser Alm, is not a ski resort as such, but rather a high alpine plateau (the largest in Europe) surrounded by the breathtaking Dolomite scenery of the Italian Süd-Tirol.

The plateau lies in a UNESCO world heritage site and characterised by its unspoilt open views and 'off the beaten track' feel. The plateau is dotted with a number of tiny hamlets, but many of the best hotels here stand in splendid isolation.

Alpe di Siusi at a glance

Resort height:	n/a
Slopes:	1005-2520m	(1005-3270m - Sella Ronda)
Pistes:	175km	(433km - Sella Ronda)
Snow rating:	☆☆☆☆☆

Suitability			Skiing
Beginners	☆☆☆☆☆		Blue runs	●	38%
Intermediate	☆☆☆☆☆		Red runs	●	53%
Advanced	☆☆☆☆☆		Black runs	●	9%

Resort			Transfer time
Charm	☆☆☆☆☆		Verona	2hr
Convenience	☆☆☆☆☆		Innsbruck	1hr30
Après-ski	☆☆☆☆☆
Family	☆☆☆☆☆
Non-skiers	☆☆☆☆☆

Snow reliability

General snow cover	3.5/5
Snow quality – upper	3.5/5
Snow quality – lower	3/5
Resort level snow	3/5 (Ortisei)
Powder potential	2.5/5

The skiing

The local slopes in the Alpe di Siusi are mostly gentle, but extensive and varied, with some of the most stunning vistas in the Alps. The relative lack of challenge is more than made up for by the breathtaking scenery, and seemingly endless supply of irresistible mountain huts.

The St Christina and Selva ski areas are reachable via a short bus journey from one of side of the ski area. From the other, you can descend by cable-car to Ortisei from where you can reach the equally scenic Seceda sector.

The "resort"

The Alpe di Siusi is not a ski resort in its own right, although there are five tiny villages on the plateau, each with their own hotels, shops, bars and restaurants.

One of our featured hotels, the Adler Lodge Alpe, stands alone in a vast alpine meadow, a few kilometres from the nearest of the plateau's villages, and 27km by road from the nearest major ski resort, Ortisei (which is also reachable by cable-car just 20 minutes walk away from the hotel). The other of our hotels, the COMO Alpina Dolomites is located more in the heart of the plateau, next to the ski lifts and ski school meeting point, yet still retains a real mountain hideaway feel.

The Alpe di Siusi is served by minor roads which are normally closed to the public, but open to guests for access to the hotels (permits must be requested from the hotels in advance).

The plateau also offers a wide variety of non-skiing activities, such as winter walking, tobogganing and horse-drawn sleigh rides.