Arabba Marmolada Ski Resort Guide & Review

Arabba Marmolada ranks among the top ski resorts in Dolomiti Superski, offering a wealth of highlights: long, challenging pistes, the longest skiable vertical in the Dolomites, mindblowing views, and direct access to both the Sellaronda and Grande Guerra circuits. 

With seamless connections to Val di Fassa and Alta Badia, it makes an excellent base for a week of skiing. You’ll find excellent value-for-money accommodations in Arabba, making it an especially appealing base camp for skiers and snowboarders on a budget.

Here’s what it’s like to ski in the Arabba Marmolada resort.

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Pros and Cons of Skiing Arabba Marmolada

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Arabba Marmolada Ski Areas

Porta Vescovo 

The Porta Vescovo ski area towers over Arabba to the south. It’s the steep north-facing mountainside of the Padon mountain chain, which lies between the Sella Group and the Marmolada Group. The Padon chain is unique, because it doesn’t consist of limestone or dolomite but rather a black volcanic rock. In winter the contrast between the black rock and white snow is breathtaking. 

Porta Vescovo is also a specific point, located at 2478 m, accessible via the Pescoi – Forcella Europa gondola and Porta Vescovo cable car (which wasn’t operating during my visit). The views from the mountain station are spectacular. Head to the Restaurant Luigi Gorza terrace for the best views of Sella & Marmolada.

This ski area is also home to Arabba’s legendary black runs, including Fodoma (#3), Sourasass (#5), and Variante Ornella (#13). Having skied the black runs in Carezza and Cortina d’Ampezzo shortly before arriving in Arabba, I found Arabba’s slopes noticeably less forgiving and often icier, likely due to their north-facing exposure. For highly experienced skiers, these groomed black runs offer a thrilling and rewarding challenge.

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Marmolada 

The crown jewel of the Arabba–Marmolada ski area is the Bellunese glacier run (#60), which begins at the Punta Rocca summit on Marmolada. This long, sweeping red descent requires stamina, so it’s best tackled early in the day while your legs are still fresh.

How to get to Marmolada from Arabba

• Ride the Pescoi Gondola to the middle station. 
• Ride the Sass de la Vegla chairlift 
• Ski blue #8 (gorgeous) 
• Ride the Antercrep chairlift to Passo Padon
• Ski red #50 (gorgeous), passing Passo Fedaia (2057 m) along the way. Continue on blue #52 and #53 to Malga Ciapela. 
• Ride the 3-stage cable car to Punta Rocca mountain station. The cable car has two middle stations: Banc (2362 m) and Serauta (2944m), the latter of which has a self-service restaurant and toilets. 
• When you disembark the last cable car at Punta Rocca, walk up to the Terrazza Marmolada for the panoramic views. Collect your skies and then ride the elevator down to the slope (floor -4). 
• Ski down the Marmolada glacier.
• When you get to the top of the Campo Scuola drag lift, veer left to get to the Padon chairlift, which will take you back to Passo Padon. If you miss the turn-off, take the drag lift. If you miss both, you’ll end up in Malga Ciapela again, with the only option to take the 3-stage cable car again. 

During my visit, I waited about 30 minutes for the first Malga Ciapela-Punta Rocca cable car. The subsequent lifts moved quickly, with virtually no wait, as you transition between them in rapid succession.

If you’re prone to claustrophobia, be warned: the cabins can feel quite cramped, packed like sardines. And if you need a restroom, make sure to stop at the Serauta middle station as there are no facilities at the summit.

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Passo Campolongo, Bec de Roces, and Burz

North of Arabba lies the interconnected ski area of Burz, Bec de Roces, and Passo Campolongo. If you ski the sellaronda circuit, you’ll pass through these areas on both routes. 

I particularly loved Savine (red #24), which drops down from Bec de Roces, with views of the stark Padon ridge backed by Marmolada.

Passo Campolongo is the gateway to the Alta Badia ski resort. 

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Where to Stay in Arabba Marmolada Ski Resort

I recommend staying in Arabba so you’re centrally positioned to access the resort’s various ski areas as well as neighboring resorts.  While there are a few accommodation options in Malga Ciapela, you’d need to rely on the three-stage cable car each time you want to move across the resort, or alternatively drive and park at Passo Fedaia.

Just a stone’s throw from the piste, Residence Aspen offers a selection of beautifully appointed one- to three-bedroom apartments in Arabba.

At the Burz slope, ski-to-door Hotel Mesdi is a top-rated 3-star hotel with a small wellness area, on-site restaurant and bar.

Sporthotel Arabba is a comfortable 4-star hotel steps away from the slope. Guests enjoy access to a small spa area and restaurant. 

Chalet Barbara is a cozy B&B with direct access to ski slopes and a small spa. Guests are very complimentary of the helpful hotel management.

Hotel Garni Marilena is another well-reviewed B&B in Arabba, near the  Porta Vescovo lifts,  with spotless rooms. Guests love the breakfast, with the option to order made-to-order eggs. Sauna access included as well. 

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Dolomites Winter Travel & Skiing

Skiing:

• Skiing in the Dolomites: An Introduction
• Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Resort
• Val Gardena Ski Resort
• Alta Badia Ski Resort
• Carezza Ski Resort
• 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort
• Kronplatz Ski Resort
• Ski-in Ski-out Hotels in the Dolomites

Winter Travel:

• Dolomites in Winter: Top Things to Do
• Visiting the Dolomites in December

Dolomites Travel:

• Dolomites Travel Guide

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