Skiing in Arabba, at the heart of the Dolomites

In Arabba, winter isn't simply a season — it's a rhythm. Clip on your skis, take a few steps to the lifts and you're already standing in one of the most coveted corners of the Dolomites: reliable snow, pistes for every level and views that catch your breath. From here, you glide straight into the largest ski area on earth.

Before setting off, take a look at the Arabba webcams, with live images from Porta Vescovo, Passo Pordoi, Bec de Roces and Monte Burz.

At the heart of Dolomiti Superski

Arabba is part of Dolomiti Superski: 1,246 km of pistes reached with a single ski pass, the largest ski carousel in the world. Facing north, the Arabba basin keeps its fine snow for longer and is loved by expert skiers and families alike, thanks to its broad, sweeping descents and effortless connections to the entire ski area.

To take your first steps on skis or refine your technique there is the Arabba Ski & Snowboard School, with private lessons, group courses and equipment hire; if you prefer a ready-made package, consider the ski safaris by Arabba Holidays.

Two smiling skiers, one in red and one in white/black, pose next to signs for Fodoma and Sellaronda, with the snow-covered Dolomites in the background.

The Sellaronda circuit

Arabba is the gateway to the Sellaronda, the legendary ski tour around the Sella massif: a circuit of more than 500 km of pistes linking the four Dolomite passes — Pordoi, Gardena, Sella and Campolongo — comfortably completed in a single day, clockwise or anti-clockwise, gliding from one valley to the next without ever unclipping your skis.

Skiing on the Marmolada glacier

Arabba enjoys a direct link to the Marmolada, the “Queen of the Dolomites”. You climb to 3,342 m, where one of the longest and most spectacular runs in the Alps begins: a 12 km descent unfolding over the glacier and, further down, the turquoise waters of Lake Fedaia. A skiing experience worth the journey in itself.

Wide panoramic view of the snow-covered Dolomites of Arabba, with skiers on the slopes and the Marmolada on the horizon.

Beyond the pistes: ski touring and snowshoeing

Those in search of the quieter mountain will discover in the Fodom Valley countless climbs towards untouched, snow-clad slopes, perfect for ski touring. And to take in the Arabba panorama in pure silence, all you need is a pair of snowshoes: a route that reveals the Bec' de Mesdì, the Piz Boè, the Col di Lana and the Portavescovo, Arabba's home mountain rising to 2,600 m.

Where to stay in Arabba

Just a few steps from the slopes, the three Royal properties await you: the Chalet Royal, the Garni Royal and the Apartments Alpenroyal. Choose your home in the Dolomites.

Garni Royal

Appartamenti Alpenroyal in Arabba: White building with wooden balconies and Dolomite mountains in the background.

Apartments Alpenroyal

Chalet Royal

Frequently asked questions — Skiing in Arabba

Where is Arabba and how far is it from the slopes?

Arabba lies in the Dolomites, in the Fodom Valley. It is a ski-in/ski-out village: the lifts set off from the centre and the Royal properties are just a few steps from the pistes, between 50 and 250 metres depending on the property.

What does the Dolomiti Superski pass include?

With a single Dolomiti Superski pass you gain access to 1,246 km of pistes spread across 12 connected ski areas, including Arabba-Marmolada. It is the largest ski carousel in the world.

Can you ski on the Marmolada starting from Arabba?

Yes. Arabba has a direct link to the Marmolada, the “Queen of the Dolomites”: you climb to 3,342 m and ski down a 12 km run, one of the longest and most scenic in the Alps.

What is the Sellaronda?

It is the celebrated ski tour around the Sella massif, linking the four Dolomite passes — Pordoi, Gardena, Sella and Campolongo. From Arabba it can be comfortably completed in a single day, either clockwise or anti-clockwise; it is best to set off in the morning.

When does the ski season open and close?

The season generally runs from early December to mid-April, depending on snow conditions. The official opening and closing dates of the lifts are announced each year by Dolomiti Superski.

Can you go ski touring or snowshoeing in Arabba?

Yes. The Fodom Valley offers numerous climbs towards snow-covered slopes ideal for ski touring, while on snowshoes you can discover the Arabba panorama — from the Portavescovo to the Piz Boè — in pure silence.