Arrow in the Sky in Cortina and other Dolomite cable cars. If you did this, which Dolomite cable cars operate in September or April. That's my first and primary spot before proceeding further in Italy. My first day will be Cortina. The next day I plan to drive the Dolomite Road from Cortina, allow 7 hours, stop along with way, get to Castelroto late afternoon, stroll and spend the night. If you stayed Castelroto what hotel do you suggest. The next day I plan to drive from Castelroto to Varenna or Bellagio. If I drive mostly on the Autostrada without stopping, Google maps says this will take 3 to 4 hours. If you did this, how much time will that really take? Thanks
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Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hi Howard, If you can manage it, go in September. As for cable cars and lifts, September things are winding down, but some will be open. In April, probably nothing at all. Id suggest staying in the Val Gardena, either Ortisei, St. Christina or Selva, instead of Castelrotto. We stayed at the Garni Ariston in St. Christina. www.garniariston.com I'd actually suggest basing in the Alta Badia for both nights in the Dolomites. Probably the best scenery in the area. We stayed twice (10/06 and 9/09) at the Ciasa Montanara in La Villa, Alta Badia. The Alta Badia (La Villa) is about 1 hour from Cortina and 1 hour from Castelrotto, basically in the middle. www.montanara.it From Cortina, drive the "long way" over the Giau Pass and then take the Falzarego Pass (Lagazoui cable car is right here) into Alta Badia and La Villa. The next day, spend the day IN the Dolomites, taking a cable car or two or driving the spectacular passes in the immediate area. We have photo's at: http://www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/324504/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/351565/index.html Paul
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, USA
57 posts
Paul, Great photos. I want to see the Dolomites, ride the Arrow in the Sky and other cable cars when they are operational and also travel Italy in pleasant whether, while avoiding the high-season crowds. If cable cars don't run in April, do they start up again in early May. I'm driving, so I could stay wherever.
Thanks
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Hey Howard, A couple of cable cars start mid to late May, but most start running in June. Between April and Sept., September would be my choice. We've been to the Dolomites in mid Oct. twice and late Sept. once, plus late April once, but that was in the Val Venosta, which is west of Meran/Merano, not the area you're looking at. It was VERY quiet in April. Here's a few links to this years schedules. Next years schedules should be similar: http://www.valgardena.it/en/lifts/page65.html http://www.altabadia.org/en-US/lifts_alta_badia_dolomites.html http://www.fassa.com/EN/Lifts-opening-times-and-prices http://www.dolomiti.org/dengl/cortina/laga5torri/info/impianti.html Paul
Posted by
NYC area
3018 posts
Just to clarify, we were in the Val Venosta the last week of April.