Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
Whoever goes skiing for the first time in the Alps and sees one of the huge ski resorts will surely say with delight: how many possibilities are there!
One hundred, fifty, two hundred kilometers of slopes, gondolas, lifts counted in dozens, if not hundreds … After some time, however, he will notice that it is a factory grinding tourists, with thousands of skiers grinding the slopes. Whoever goes skiing in the Alps again, may want to relax in slightly more intimate conditions, so he will look for a smaller resort.
Smaller, not worse
Alta Pusteria in the Italian Dolomites is definitely overshadowed by its powerful neighbors Cortina d'Ampezo and Kronplatz. It gives way to them and the number of queues and the length of ski runs and fame. And yet: it is quieter and calmer here. Empty on the slopes, no crowds in pubs or cramped gondolas - even in the morning, when everyone goes skiing. The slopes, perfectly prepared for the opening of the day, are free from moguls and ice even in the evening. Regardless of the weather. There aren't enough skiers to destroy them, and there's no way you can rip the snow alive. Less often than in the abovementioned behemoth-competitors, we will also hear words that are the easiest way to recognize our compatriots.
Dolomites in the palm of your hand
Closer from here to the mountains. When you leave the cable car to the slopes of Monte Elmo (Helm), you will see truly alpine views: the sea of snow-capped mountains to the horizon. When you decide to ski in the shadow of Croda Rossa (Rotwand), you will feel the charm of this part of the Alps, which we call the Dolomites. Ragged and very close limestone peaks surround us on all sides, amicably illuminated from another side by the sun wandering across the sky. Together, they form a huge natural sundial for the inhabitants of the main town of the Sesto ski resort: their names are consecutive numerals of what time the sun appears above them.
Fun in the snow
Alta Pusteria is the perfect place to remember other snow fun, forgotten from early childhood. And I don't just think about making a snowman, although there are no obstacles to do it as well. Here you will discover a different dimension of tobogganing: a five-kilometer natural track, which is not allowed for skiers and pedestrians, is groomed daily. The descent from the rock face down to the valley is really different than slidingon the estate hills. And if you decide to put the descents into a corner and rent cross-country skis, you will experience the extraordinary pleasure of hiking without the hardships of climbing. All you need to do is take the ski bus to the nearby pass - Passo Monte Croce (there are also two small ski lifts here), and you will slowly hike down the valley, for kilometers, to the historic town of San Candido (Inichen) located in a vast valley on the Drava. After lunch in an atmospheric restaurant, you will return home by ski bus. Or you will stop here for the evening: at the ice rink or in the aquapark.
In Italian and German
Alta Pusteria (Hochpustertal) is part of Alto Adige (Italian Alto Adige, German Suedtirol) is a bilingual area. It has belonged to Italy only since 1919, when the Austro-Hungarian monarchy collapsed. The names of places and mountain peaks are bilingual. In the street and in the store, you will hear more German than Italian, and the same is true for menus in restaurants. German (in the Austrian edition) is in order in the organization and maintenance of the slopes, Italian siesta in shops and restaurants in the afternoon. You can choose Italian or Austrian cuisine according to your preferences.
The text comes from the resources of the Open Sightseeing Guide