Alta Pusteria borders Austria and is the northernmost Italian valley. What was a disadvantage in the past is now a plus, as the cost here is much lower than in the Central Dolomites. Moreover, there are much fewer people on the lifts. The season starts quite early – already in November. The trails in the Alta Pusteria region are only 50 kilometers long, which is why this region is of no interest to professionals. The resort is most suitable for large families with children, for skating, sledding, as well as ordinary walks.
In 2016, the Alta Pusteria ski resort was renamed and it is now officially called Tre Chime Dolomites, named after one of the most famous mountain ranges, Tre Chime (or Drei-Zinnen in German), located precisely in this area.
The Tre Cime ski resort is the easternmost among the Trentino/Alto Adige and Dolomites Superski resorts, located on the border with the Italian region of Veneto and neighboring Austria.
Skiing areas
- Altitude difference – 1310-2200 m
- Lifts – 19
- Panoramic funicular -1
- Suspended cableways – 5
- Rope and chair lifts – 7
- Tracks – 85 km (58% – “red”, 26% – “blue”, 16% – “black”).
- 3 toboggan runs – 12 km
- Tracks for cross-country skiing – 200 km
- Giro-tour route on the Sexten Dolomites. A one-day tour through four mountains, 30 km of descents and 10,000 meters of altitude
- Lisospusk is the steepest prepared ski track in Italy
- Rout is a “black” track with a length of 3.9 km
- Helmissimo is a 4.5 km long giant slalom course in Pustertal
The Alta -Puste ria Valley is very large, occupies a significant area and offers more than 50 km of tracks in total. However, they are all spread over seven small resorts: Monte-Elmo, Monte-Barfnci, Croda-Rocca, Dobbiaco, Baldheim, Passo Monte-Croce and Brajc – each of which is not of great interest to experienced skiers. Rather, Alta-Pusteria resorts can be recommended to those who want to have a comfortable and diverse vacation in the fresh air in the mountains in winter.
Monte Elmo is the largest ski area in Alta Pusteria, located in its eastern part. You can climb to a height of 2,400 meters from the village of Biersakh on one side of the mountain and from the villages of Cesto and Moso on the other side. This part of the resort is better for those skiers and snowboarders who feel confident on the slopes – here they are mainly “red” and “black”. Their total length is slightly more than 20 km. The descent from the top of Monte Elmo in Biersha stretches for 5 km, and from the observation deck at the very top of the mountain there are impressive views of the Dolomite Alps.
On the opposite slope in the village of Moso, there is another skiing area – Kroda-Rossa. “Red” and “black” tracks also prevail here. There is a project of two tracks and two lifts that will connect Kroda-Ross with Monte-Elmo in the future. In any case, those who feel confident on the tracks and stop to rest in Moso will enjoy riding on rather steep and interesting descents. In addition, Moso has a good children’s park and a 5.5 km long toboggan track.
From the top of Kroda Rossa, from a height of 2,000 meters, an easy and long “blue” track is laid to the skiing area of Passo Monte Croce, which is unlikely to attract foreign tourists. The tracks are difficult, short, the total length hardly exceeds a couple of kilometers, the height difference is 1656-1807 meters. This place is mainly designed for training professional athletes.
Between the villages of Moso and Cesto on the opposite slope from Monte Elmo, there was a very tiny area of Baldheim. With a length of 1.5 km of tracks and a height difference of about 200 meters, Baldheim can attract only those who are completely afraid of high mountains, but really want to learn to ride.
The Monte Barancha skiing area is located in the very center of Alta Pusteria . There are only 8 km of easy tracks with a height difference of 1175-1610 meters. Monte Baranci has excellent conditions for learning, both for children and adults. The routes are mainly “blue”, served by one chairlift and four rope lifts. There are a couple of “red” descents, where those who have already mastered the basics of skiing will be able to hone their skills. The slope is equipped with lighting for night skiing. At the foot of the skiing area is the village of San Candido.
A little to the west is the town of Dobbyako. At altitudes of 1,200-1,410 meters, 4 km of “blue” and “red” tracks are laid here. A good place to learn and improve skills.
The westernmost skiing area – Brajc offers only 2 km of short tracks of medium difficulty. For tourists, this place is not of interest.
Ski passes can be purchased both for individual ski areas and for the entire Alta Pusteria resort. In addition, Alta Pusteria is included in the combined Dolomites Cuperski ski pass, which offers skiing in 12 resorts and 1,200 km of pistes in the Dolomite Alps.
That is why Alta Pusteria is considered an ideal place for tourists who are confident on skis, as well as suitable for beginner skiers and lovers of quiet skiing. The season lasts from December to April.
How to get there
The Alta Pusteria ski resort is located in the north-east of Italy – in the province of Alto Adige (South Tyrol).
Distances to Bolzano – 105 km, Innsbruck – 130 km, Venice – 195 km, Verona – 255 km.
Monuments
Undoubtedly, the main natural attraction of Alta Pusteria is the three famous peaks – Tre Chime with a height of about 3 thousand meters, which are part of the national park. In the Austrian town of Hochpustertal, you can explore the medieval square and the fabulous Heinfels Castle, which rises above the city center. Also worth noting are the ancient churches of the region, such as San Vito, built in the 14th century, San Candido and the church in Ferrara di Brice with its 18th-century frescoes. And on the shore of Bryce Lake stands a church built at the beginning of the 20th century and notable for the fact that it once held prisoners from the Dachau concentration camp.
Après-ski and infrastructure
Shops, restaurants, pizzerias, mountain refuges, bars, taverns, post offices, banks, gas stations, museums], night clubs, cinemab.
For accommodation, the towns of San Candido, Sesto, Sillian or Hochpustertal are usually chosen.
Hotel Kreuzberg Monte Croce 4-star hotel
Hotel Passo Monte Croce is spread over 2 buildings. Guests can visit the indoor pool and health center, and a ski lift is located right in front of the hotel. Most rooms have a balcony.
Hotel Passo Monte Croce offers a beautiful view of the Dolomites. Only 6 km away is the village of Sextoy, part of the Alta Pusteria ski area with a total length of ski slopes of more than 77 km.
In the second building of the hotel there is an indoor swimming pool and a health center with a sauna, a Turkish bath and a hydromassage bath.
The Passo Monte Croce hotel restaurant serves mouth-watering dishes of traditional cuisine; more than 300 brands of wines are presented in the winery. In good weather, tables are set on the terrace with a view of the mountains.
The hotel offers a skiing and snowboarding school, as well as equipment rental.
Apparthotel Germania 3 star hotel
This family-run aparthotel is located in Dobbiaco, in the Alta Pusteria region, with a unique view of the Dolomites. Its building, decorated in a mountain style, has a health center, as well as rooms and apartments with country decor.
Germania Aparthotel offers rooms and apartments with warm parquet floors and modern tiled bathrooms. The apartment is equipped with a fully equipped kitchenette with a dining area.
The spa includes a sauna, hot tub and Turkish bath. In addition, you can visit the gym.
The Germania Aparthotel’s restaurant serves specialties of local cuisine. Breakfast is served in the form of a varied buffet.
Hotel Tolderhof 3-star hotel
Hotel Tolderhof is a 10-minute drive from Inniken and 3 km from the nearest ski lift of the Sextner Dolomite ski area. It offers free Wi-Fi and a spa center with a sauna and a Turkish bath.
The hotel rooms are decorated in an Alpine style with beamed ceilings. They feature a balcony with mountain views, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a private bathroom.
In the morning, the hotel serves a buffet breakfast with homemade pies, snacks and sweets. In turn, guests will be offered Tyrolean and international cuisine in the à la carte restaurant of the Tolderhof hotel.
Hiking trails and mountain bike routes start right next to the hotel building. Lienz is also a 30-minute drive from Hotel Tolderhof. Alta Pusteria is especially popular among families with small children. Discounts are always provided for them here, and in a number of hotels, children are regularly entertained by professional animators. Excellent conditions for a quiet stately vacation, combined with well-maintained trails and a rich excursion program, allow guests of the resort to spend time with maximum benefit and in a comfortable environment, providing solutions to everyday problems of the staff of the ski complex. During the entire season, many fans of winter sports come to Alta Pusteria, supporting the high reputation and authority of this resort region.
Sports opportunities of the region
Cross-country skis. Alta Pusteria with the villages of Sesto, San Candido, Dobbiaco and Villabaza Bryce offers a total of 200 km of cross-country skiing trails. It is part of the largest Dolomite Nordic region (1,300 km of trails). Illuminated tracks at night (from December 23 every day from 6 pm to 8 pm). The cross-country stadium in Dobbiaco is an ideal place for cross-country skiers. Hiking. For lovers of walking, picturesque routes for winter walks have been prepared. Hiking on snowshoes. Here you can familiarize yourself with the proposed hiking routes in Alta Pusteria. Sleds and skates. Alta Pusteria is a family ski resort. Here you will find several playgrounds for children. For example, the WinterWarderWorld site on the Prat di Croda Rossa in Sesto: giant snowmen and ice castles are famous far beyond the resort, a 5-kilometer adventure sled run, excursions on reindeer sleds and a playground for children. Ice rinks in Sesto, San Candido, Dobbiaco and Villabaza provide a good alternative to alpine skiing. The resort has at its disposal grounds for curling, tennis, squash and rock climbing. Interesting family walks on a horse-drawn sleigh. SPA and wellness. Indoor swimming pool, different types of sauna, jacuzzi, treatment with alpine herbs, fitness rooms, massage, cosmetic procedures and much more.
