3 Zinnen Dolomites

The pistes there are amazing. The kind you want to get lost on and explore without a plan: each one beautiful, tucked away in the forest, each one different, more or less demanding. Children and beginners will enjoy polishing their skills on the blue pistes, while advanced skiers can head for tougher slopes, including the Holzriese, the steepest piste in Italy. And that is no idle talk! The piste is so steep that even the piste bashers that work on it in the evening are attached by cable to keep their grip and be able to work! An attraction everyone should try is the Giro delle Cime. It is a remarkable ski tour that links 34 km of pistes into one trip, a kind of younger sister of the famous Sellaronda ski circuit. It is a great option for a full-day outing and an alternative to skiing the same slopes up and down. You will not repeat any runs, you will slip away for a while from the area where you are staying, you will see the wild and beautiful Dolomites, listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for good reason, and you will feel the varied character of the slopes there. One thing is certain: you will not be bored! If you insist, you can choose the shorter version and ski it in a short time, but it is really worth choosing the full version, which takes you to the neighbouring resort, from where you return by ski bus. Around lunchtime, stop at one of the South Tyrolean huts for a tasty local meal. Every chef has their own specialities, but everywhere you will clearly notice an unusual mix of Mediterranean and Alpine flavours. Keep that in mind and think twice if you are tempted by chips. Dumplings, Schlutzkrapfen or any pasta will certainly impress you more! Alternatives to downhill skiing are cross-country skiing or snowshoe outings. The extensive cross-country network has about 200 km of trails spread through the Dolomite forests and nature parks. Often described as the best in all of Italy, and despite being crowded with cross-country fans, it has kept its beauty, intimacy and the soothing silence that reigns everywhere. Clearly you choose this place for the skiing, but it is worth setting aside some free time to explore the local towns, especially San Candido/Innichen and Sesto/Sexten: charming places where you can simply go for a walk and see the distinctive mountain architecture, squares, boutiques, markets and other events. Depending on the date and location, these are small but beautiful Christmas markets, ice sculpture shows, concerts by local musicians and much more. You can also plan a visit to a museum, for example Dolomythos in San Candido, which children will certainly appreciate! For a walk around Sesto, on the other hand, go during the day: that is when the mountain peaks, which form an unusual skyline there known as the Sesto Sun Dial, are best seen. Not only is it beautiful, but on cloudless winter days it can be used as a clock!