Great skiing on the doorstep, lots of ski-in and the best après for young groups, but on the edge of the map.
Skied here
1,602 mForecast at 1800 m today: low / high, modelled snow depth, and new snow in the last 24 hours.
For young groups who like to party, it's great. We've skied through Arabba rather than stayed, but what we saw is a lot of ski-in, great skiing right from the village, lots of après and nightlife, and great restaurants. It's more expensive than most villages in the area.
The downside is position. Arabba is on the edge of the map, so the Alpe di Siusi is out of reach even for good skiers. In return you're the closest Sella Ronda village to the Marmolada.
The Porta Vescovo side above the village has some of the steepest skiing on the Sella Ronda, and a couple of nice reds through the forest. Arabba is also the gateway to the Marmolada: Punta Rocca at 3,265 m and La Bellunese, about 12 km down, long, steep and bumpy.
5 day routes from here, with how to start each one from Arabba.
From here: On the circuit: start from the village.
The circuit around the Sella group, clockwise. It's our preferred direction: a bit steeper and faster than the green, though the difference isn't big. The long, wide red from the Pordoi side down to Plan Frataces, near Canazei, is one of the best runs of the day.
Start before 10:00 and cross the last pass before 15:30. That's the official advice, and missing a link means a long taxi ride home.
From here: On the circuit: start from the village.
The same circuit the other way round, through the Città dei Sassi boulder field under the Sassolungo. The red down from Passo Sella to Plan Frataces is long, wide and scenic, with an amazing vibe.
Same timing as the orange: start before 10:00 and cross the last pass before 15:30.
From here: The shortest approach to the Marmolada of any Sella Ronda village.
The big one. Ride either Sella Ronda direction to Arabba, cross to Malga Ciapela and take the three-section cable car up the Marmolada, with restaurants and souvenir shops on the way. From the observation deck at Punta Rocca you see the Marmolada glacier and the whole Sella group in front of you, often with the clouds below. Then ski La Bellunese down, about 12 km, long, steep and bumpy, and finish the Sella Ronda you started. If you have time, the Porta Vescovo detour from Arabba adds a couple of nice reds through the forest.
The difficulty is pace. Leave by 9:00 (10:00 at the latest, and only if you're well prepared), have lunch in or near Arabba, ideally after the Marmolada, and leave Punta Rocca by 14:30 at the very latest, only if you're fast and skip lunch. It can be very windy at the top even on a clear day.
From here: Out of reach in a day, even for good skiers.
Across the valley from Seceda lies the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm), Europe's largest high-alpine meadow. The runs are mostly basic blues, so beginners and intermediates will love it. Strong skiers should head for the far edge near Compatsch: the combined gondola-and-chair lift goes up to the Puflatsch (Bullaccia) plateau at about 2,100 m, where you ski along the top on a red and turn left onto a short black. It's very steep, streamlined and usually well groomed, a chance to just full send it and check your top speed in your app.
From here: Over Passo Campolongo to Corvara, a short hop.
A nice, easy day trip with lots of blues. From Corvara, take the Col Alt gondola and ski down into the valley where many pistes meet: a good place to just ski and explore. Cross to Piz La Ila and take the red or the black down to La Villa (both are good), ski through towards Badia, then two gondola sections take you up to Santa Croce, the furthest point, by its pilgrimage church. Ski the same way back.
From Val Gardena, Corvara is half a Sella Ronda away, so count the time to get back over Passo Gardena.
Not sure Arabba is right? These villages share the same lift pass and link on skis.
Arabba is the hardest Sella Ronda village to reach by public transport. Most people drive or book a transfer from Venice or Bolzano. Buses run in season over the passes from Corvara and Canazei.