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The Queen
Arabba and Malga Ciapela bring you the sight of wonderful giant
mountain formations and the experience of spectacular excursions as
well as skiing runs you can only dream about, such as the legendary
Sellaronda or a day trip on the 3,342 metre high Marmolada, the 'queen
of the Dolomites'. None of the Dolomite peaks is higher, none makes
such an impression. From Malga Ciapela there are cable cars which lead
right to the peak. We start off in Arabba, then the tour moves on to
Porta Vescovo, which is formed just like a bishop's cap. This point
offers a breathtaking view of the majestic Marmolada glacier. To warm
ourselves up the very fast 'Ornella' run leads us towards Pescoi. Over
the ridge of the Passo Padon the tour follows on to the Passo Fedaia
and from there in three stages to Punta Rocca covering more than 1,300
metres in height, reaching at 3,269 metres the highest point in the
whole of the Dolomiti Superski resort area, just a few metres under
the Marmolada summit.
Conquering the peak
The scene before us is unforgettable. Just like a real queen the
mountain receives visitors, her snow covered head held high. On the
summit you have the feeling that the whole world lies at your feet !
Seeing this for the first time takes one's breath away. It took 270
million years for all of this to come into being. To the south an 800
metre cliff stands vertical, to the north we can make out the
glistening sugar coated silhouette of the giant on Lago Fedaia. Yet
another colossus, Monte Pelmo, makes its presence felt here, once
conquered as the first three thousand metre peak. We simply have to
sit up and take notice of the 12 kilometre long run ! Worldwide there
are very few of this length and even fewer are so lovely. This is
skiing in its most spectacular form!
Tip: the Museum of the Great War (1915-1918)
in Marmolada.
The Museum of Marmolada, the highest in Europe, is placed at 2.950 mt.
in the
cable car station of Serauta, on the edge of the glacier. It recalls
the mountain front of the First World War (1915-18). The fallen and
those who fought are remembered here regardless of nationality or
ideological persuasion. They struggled and many died on these icy
mountains. War relics, photographs and historical documents are on
show. |
