Civetta is a large, diverse and yet quite cozy ski resort in the Dolomites in the northwestern Veneto region. Tourists are waiting for kilometers of slopes for mountain and cross-country skiing and alpine villages surrounded by picturesque mountain landscapes – some of the most beautiful on the planet, for which the Dolomites were included in the UNESCO Natural Heritage List. In the immediate vicinity are the resorts of Arabba-Marmolada and Cortina d’Ampezzo, which can be reached by regular bus.

The Civetta resort consists of four fairly large villages: Allege, Selva di Cadore, Zoldo and Palafavera. They have been known since time immemorial and preserve the traditions of the local peoples, mainly the Ladins.

Alleghe is located in the north of Veneto, in a small valley, a few kilometers south of the Marmolada peak and west of Mount Civetta. Alleghe has been developing as a ski resort for only 30 years. However, the fact that Alleghe is the smallest settlement in Europe with its own hockey team participating in the national championship speaks volumes about its strong winter sports traditions. In the center of the village there is a frozen lake where you can skate. There are hiking trails around. After a busy day in the village, you can relax in restaurants, bars and clubs.

On the other side of the Civetta peak lies the village of Dzoldo. Since ancient times, local residents have mined iron ore here and produced tools and nails. Now the region is famous not so much for iron as for its ski slopes and … ice cream. It has been produced here since the 17th century, when the region experienced an “iron fever” and an influx of workers from all over the world: one of the visitors was the first to open an ice cream shop in Dzoldo. In the 19th century, climbing enthusiasts began to flock to the village to conquer the Civetta peak. Now Zoldo offers vacationers several dozen hotels and apartments, clubs and restaurants, interesting architectural monuments and the Nail Museum, as well as many shops with both sporting goods and local souvenirs.

Near Zoldo is the Palafavera ski area. It is interesting for skiers and snowboarders, primarily because one of the best “red” runs in the entire ski area descends here. You can stop at the Refugia Palafavera mountain shelter, located at the foot of the mountain. The hotel and restaurant of the refuge are so cozy that not only guests come to it, but also those who want to spend an evening in the atmosphere typical of this part of the Italian Alps.

Located a little apart, in the Fiorentina Valley, the village of Selva di Cadore is the largest in the Civetta resort. The village of Santa Fosca literally adjoins it. They are surrounded by kilometers of hiking trails and cross-country ski runs. Selva di Cadore and Santa Fosca are great places for families with children, for whom numerous entertainment areas are equipped. In addition, there is an ice rink, a sports center and a local history museum.

Where to stay in Civetta

The owners of most hotels in the villages of Civetta are local residents who care about traditions and hospitality. In such hotels, guests can expect home comfort. Breakfasts and dinners are like family meals with delicious and traditional food prepared by a caring hostess. Families with children are always welcome in such hotels.

Sporthotel Europa Sul Lago 4-star hotel

Set on the shores of Lake Allege, this hotel is just 300 metres from the Civetta ski slopes. It offers rooms with a balcony, a restaurant, free parking and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Sporthotel Europa Sul Lago offers heated rooms with carpeted floors, a private bathroom, satellite TV and a minibar.

Guests can start the day with a traditional Italian breakfast. The restaurant serves a range of international dishes and a fine selection of wines.

Other facilities include a hot tub, Turkish bath and a large terrace with lake views, tables and chairs.

Staff can provide information on hiking and cycling routes. Guests can also go fishing or sailing on the lake.

Hotel Alla Posta 4-star hotel

Just 4 km from Alleghe, in Caprile, Hotel Alla Posta is a former 19th-century post office, listed as a historic site in Italy. It features a traditional restaurant, an indoor pool, a Turkish bath and a hot tub.

Set in the Dolomiti Superski region, the hotel is 10 km from the Marmolada ski slopes. In winter, the hotel offers a free ski bus to the Civetta ski slopes, just 4 km away. Guests can go fishing on the Cordevole River, 50 metres from the hotel, or on Lake Allegen, 4 km away.

Rooms at Hotel Alla Posta are decorated in a classic style and feature carpeted floors. All rooms are equipped with a minibar and a TV. Some rooms have a balcony.

The Il Postin restaurant, mentioned in prestigious guides, is open for lunch and dinner. The bar and pastry shop are mentioned in the Gambero Rosso guide. A buffet breakfast is served daily.

Hotel Barance 3-star hotel

Hotel Barance, located a 2-minute drive from the center of Alleghe and in 800 metres from the Civetta ski area, it offers Alpine-style rooms with a balcony, and a free wellness centre. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the ski slopes.

Rooms at the Barance feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and a bathroom with hairdryer and free toiletries. The floors are carpeted. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

A buffet breakfast is served daily, and includes sweet and savoury items such as homemade pastries, biscuits, yoghurt, cereals, cold cuts, cheese or eggs and bacon.

The à la carte restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and serves local and national cuisine. Special dishes are available on request. The bar serves drinks and snacks.

The Barance Hotel’s wellness centre includes a hot tub, an indoor pool and a Finnish sauna. Ski storage is also available. Belluno Train Station is 45 km away. Free parking is available on site.

Hotel La Montanina 3-star hotel

Albergo La Montanina is located in Caprile, in the heart of the Dolomites. It offers a wellness centre with sauna, hot tub and steam bath. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the Civetta ski slopes, 4 km away.

Rooms feature a balcony with mountain views, satellite TV and a private bathroom with hairdryer. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas, and free private parking is available on site.

A buffet breakfast with homemade cakes, cheese and ham is served every morning. The restaurant serves local cuisine.

La Montanina is 8 km from the Marmolada and Quattro Passi ski resorts. The hotel is ideal for skiing in the Dolomites in summer.

The Civetta Mountains offer a ski tour of World War I sites – tunnels, bunkers, forts and fortifications. The resort is surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks: Civetta, Pelmo, Nuvolao Averan, Cinca Torri, Tofane, Lagatsuoi, Fanis, Sonturines, Sasso Croce, Settsass, Saasonere, Sella and Marmolada.

Ski map and description of the slopes in Civetta

The ski resort of Civetta is located in the north-west of the Italian region of Veneto. It is one of the largest and most diverse in the Dolomites. The opportunities for sports and recreation here are so diverse that active young people, families with children, and serious tourists love to relax here.

The ski area between the villages of Allege, Palafavera, Zoldo and Selva di Cadore includes 80 km of slopes equipped for alpine skiing. All slopes are equipped with artificial snow guns and modern lifts. The slopes are laid at altitudes between 1300 meters and 2400 meters, the skiing season lasts from December to April.

Those who are just learning to ski or snowboard should prefer the Allege and Palafavera areas, where there are quite a few easy “blue” runs. There is also a “blue” run in Zoldo – one, but it is very long – a great option to believe in your abilities and then take up the development of more difficult “red” slopes.

Experienced skiers and snowboarders will be interested in all four skiing areas of the Civetta resort. The “red” runs on the local slopes are the majority, and there are enough “black” ones. A real attraction is the 5-kilometer “black” Val Soldan trail, which begins at the top of Piccolo and boasts not only a significant length, but also an interesting terrain. This trail, as well as two others – the “black” Foppe and the “red” Christelin – are illuminated for night skiing.

Among the snow parks of Civetta, the Baldi extreme zone stands out – one of the oldest in the region, it is located in the Allege area next to the La Tizzé area. Another large park for freestylers is located above the village of Zoldo next to the Christelin lift. But freeride in the Civetta resort is not popular – the off-piste slopes are too rocky.

There are five ski schools in the Civetta resort, where children and adults will be taught skiing and snowboarding, and will also help improve the technique of those who have been skiing for several years. You can also take lessons in carving and telemark. Most instructors are specially trained to conduct classes with children.

There are children’s areas in each of the villages. In Alleghe, at the Piana di Pezzi site, which can be reached from the city by gondola lift, Happy Park Alleghe is open. On the slopes above Zoldo, children from 3 to 8 years old are waiting for them in the Zildoland – Aitz Village park. There is a kindergarten next to the Piani del Crepe lift, where children can be left for the whole day with nannies and educators. In Selva di Cadore in the Santa Fosca area, there is a children’s holiday camp where families with children will have a great time.

Civetta resort is part of the world’s largest combined Dolomiti Superski ski area, which includes 12 ski centers – in total they provide skiing on 1200 km of slopes! You can reach neighboring resorts from Civetta by car or bus, the nearest one is Arabba-Marmolada, which is also part of the Sella Ronda “ring”.