Dolomites for family / mixed abilities

[SimoneSpeaksSoftly]

Considering a ski holiday in Dolomites for next year (Feb. 2027). There's a lot to choose from and wondering what locations others have enjoyed? We've mainly been to Austria and Slovakia. DH and older DC are intermediate level and ski mostly reds, younger DC is more of an adavnced beginner who can ski blue slopes but isn't as much of a thrill seeker as older brother- would likely go to ski school at least part of the week, potentially older DC as well as he's close to surpassing DH in ability. I'm a uncoordinated adult beginner who is most comforable on wide gentle slopes (and would also take lessons). So looking for somewhere with good family hotels, good conditions, and close proximity to a nice range of beginner and intermediate slopes. From my early research I think I would love Alpe di Siusi, however I worry DH and older DC might get a bit bored. Would Alta Badia be better? Or somewhere else?

selva would have the biggest range of hotels by far. I think from there, beginner slopes easily accessible, some are right next to the hotels. The much steeper reds of the sella ronda also to hand. Could be a good option for a mixed group although I haven’t actually stayed there.

The Dolomites are gorgeous , by far the best ski station I have ever been, but it is more for intermediate to advanced. There are of course blues but you would enjoy the Dolomites more in a couple of years, when you all more proficient.
It is so big, it is confusing at times. A lot of the connecting slopes between villages are challenging for beginners.
Have a look at Madesimo. It fits your family’s abilities, there are very long blues, reds and blacks, but you won’t get bored. The Hotel Meridiana is right at the departure/arrival of the cabin and you can arrive skiing to the hotel door without having to walk for ages carrying skis.

Thank you! Where do you typically fly into for Madeismo- Milan?

(TBH, I am probably never going to be a proficient skier, lol. Just trying to hang as the rest of my family enjoys it!)

Yes, Milan , then a couple of hours drive. The Meridiana has an undercover carpack if you are renting a car to get there.
We picked Madesimo years ago based on blues length. We just looked for a place that offered a lot of different slopes. You mention ski abilities not age, but Madesimo is good for younger skiers, pre- or early adolescents.

The Dolomites are truly amazing and you should definitely go at some point. We stay in Selva di Valgardena (also called Wolkenstein in German) . The Sellaronda is fantastic, you go around a massif through four valleys. It is an all-day trip going up and down. It can be done clock wise and anti-clock wise (this one is easier) . The Sellaronda is what makes the Dolomites unique as we have never experienced it anywhere else.

If there is a big divide between abilities, then the Dolomites might be a bit big, because you could be very far one from another. At the same time, be aware, that once you experience the Dolomiti superski, everything else will look a bit shit. It is so big, there is so much, you can be out all day, and not ski the same slope twice.

The Dolomites are the best! Gorgeous mountains and the food and the hospitality is second to none. It’s not always ideal for beginners though as a PP said. Corvara could work. It has a few nice cruisey blues. Have been skiing the Dolomites for 25 years and never actually done the Sellaronda. It’s fantastic for intermediate/experts though, so many long beautiful reds and blacks. The run down from Marmolada glacier is my favourite run ever.

Pila is lovely too over in the Val d’Aosta but not as stunning scenery as the Dolomites.

Never done the Sellaronda! You must!! Put it on your bucket list!!
We now race each other ! At first it was who gets back first, now we are at how many times can you do it in a day!
To the OP @SimoneSpeaksSoftly money spent on individual ski lessons is an investment for life! You can tell which kid got ski lessons vs who learned on their own even as adults. When I look at my kids, now older of course , go down with their friends, fearless, filled with the joy only speed demons know exists.
And get lessons yourself too. Private lesson, you can still improve. At any age!

I’d love to but my DH is Italian and knows the mountains there like the back of his hand and he’s always said nah, you spend more time on lifts than anything else! Will see if I can convince him this year. We’ve got our favourite runs and favourite restaurants that we keep going back to. There’s a black Super G run, the Gran Risa that the kids race down whilst I take the alternate empty wide red through the trees, singing to myself. God I love it. 😊 This time next week!

Have a wonderful time @massistar !

This. Places like Selva are gorgeous, but both expensive and more for intermediates. I'd personally wait until you are all capable of skiing Sellaronda.

I'd personally stick with Austria or try somewhere like Tignes which is great for mixed abilities. Andorra is also good for mixed abilities, and lessons are also very cheap with mainly English speaking instructors.

Thanks all! Where we went in Austria was also more geared to intermediates as well so I'd be on the hunt for somewhere differnt there too (ski school was great though). DH is now thinking France for next year, something like Les Gets or Avoriaz, but hadn't even considered Andora so will check out that too.. We'll probably wait another year of two for Dolomites just to get younger DC with another year under her belt, I'm always going to be the weak link but really only need a couple easy slopes and some other activities to keep me happy. 😂

I really disagree about the Dolomites! So much easy skiing. Madonna di Campiglio could be another good choice for you. Stay at aCampo Carlo Magno if you want easy runs on your doorstep.

Oooh thank you, I'm going to check this out!

Cervinia

If you check out the skipodcast.com there is likely to be a pod on this area. Some of the episodes about lesser known areas are really interesting.

When people speak of the Dolomites being more expensive, can you elaborate? I can’t do another February half term in France, it’s too crowded. I’ve been looking at some accommodations in Austria and Italy for next year and the 4* hotel prices don’t seem all that different , and often include half board. Seems like lift tickets are a bit more in Dolomites, I haven’t looked at lessons yet. Am I missing something? Does it tend to be less busy than the French resorts during the half term weeks? I like the idea of combining skiing with a couple days in Venice or Verona.

I find lots of France very expensive - particularly if you’re going to a mega resort like Val T etc. Their child lift passes are not as generous as in Italy (reductions and age cut offs) and the standard of accommodation is often shoe box. Of course there are also some uber flash hotels and chalets.

On the ground prices in Northern Italy can be low, although glitzy and very upmarket places like Cortina, Colfosco, Corvara, etc are expensive places to stay and eat out.

Business varies. Resorts frequented by lots of Germans and Dutch and Italian families can be busy at half term if it coincides with Carnevale and Northern European holiday weeks. Val Thorens produces a massive calendar thing that collates all the dates for each country, if you google Vacances Scolaires Val Thorens you should find it.

But I’ve never found it as busy as France during French school holidays, nowhere near. I’ve been to cortina (not really suitable for mixed groups tho) at half term and it was practically deserted on the slopes as everyone was busy shopping and posing and eating.

San Candido/ Drei Zinnen has always been quiet regardless of when I’ve been - less well known to UK tourists and definitely no French hordes. Bit spread out though. Has an amazing toboggan run plus a nice municipal pool with spa area and lazy river for the kids.

Dolomiti Superski regional tickets are pricey, but tickets for individual resorts are a bit more reasonable.

Can I just counter the point about France bring expensive. Yes 3V and Vd’I etc are. But some of the less well known resorts are much more reasonable. I can still get a coffee for under €2 where I ski. That said, pop into Italy and a wonderful cappuccino on the piste is €2.

That is true about French resorts, there are plenty of affordable ones (they just aren’t that popular with brits). Val Cenis + Bonneval, Valfrejust, Aussois and La Norma is large if you have a car and you can get a season pass for less than €500.