I may have had the luxury of claiming to spend Riding Day #20 on Vermont’s highest peak, but before that I was frolicking around Italy’s limestone Alps in a land known as the Dolomites.
The Dolimites boast 1200 km of groomed ski runs, 12 resorts, and around 90 ski lifts; all accessible with one ski pass. You need a background in cartography just read the piste map.
Of notoriety in the Dolomites is the Sella Ronda. It’s a beautiful, rocky, plateau formation that you traverse around. The ski lift carousel around the Selle Ronda is 42 km long. Using a map, along with color-coded signs to make sure you don’t get lost, you continuously ride-up and ski around the magnificent nature-made structure. It’s truly breathtaking…and fun. The Sella Ronda was the first time I’ve been to a resort with a plan. You’ve got to start the loop early, and be sure to not take too many lunch, bathroom, or beer breaks for fear of not completing your task.
In addition to the Sella Ronda there are many other routes and loops you can explore. It’s a nice place to be when enjoying spring-skiing conditions. Just be prepared to get a bit lost, get a little silly, get a lot of pizza, and get a bitchin’ goggle tan.
