Catinaccio ski area

Catinaccio ski area

Here, it's not about clocking up kilometres: it's about taking the time to ski, look around and perhaps linger a little longer. 

From the centre of Vigo, it takes just a few minutes to leave the village behind and find yourself at 2,000 metres. The cable car takes you up to Ciampedie, the heart of the Catinaccio ski area and a natural terrace overlooking the Fassa Dolomites. You can also reach it from Pera, via the Vajolet and Pian Pecei chairlifts. Once you’re up there, finding your way around is easy: the slopes stretch between Ciampedie, Pian Pecei and Pra Martin, across a sunny mountainside that is particularly sheltered from the wind. 

From Ciampedie, the first run takes you down to Pian Pecei. From here, you head up to Pra Martin, the highest point in the ski area and one of those places where it’s worth taking your time: stop for a moment, take in the view and then decide how you want to make your way back down. You can take a red run, tackle the black run straight away, or follow the blue run as it winds gently through the woods before bringing you back to Pian Pecei. 

Despite its compact size, Catinaccio offers some long descents. The Thöni starts at Pra Martin and runs all the way down to Vigo, changing scenery several times along the way: first the woods, then a section overlooking the village, then back to the mountains and finally an open stretch leading right to the cable car station. Alternatively, a variant from Ciampedie passes the Negritella mountain hut before rejoining the Thöni further down. On the opposite side, two wide runs through the woods lead back to the upper part of Pera. Two directions, two ways back to the village - a feature you might not expect from such a compact ski area. 

If you’re looking for something more challenging, there’s the black Alberto Tomba, named after the Bologna-born champion who trained here in Val di Fassa for World Cup races. Almost a kilometre reserved for experienced skiers, it is a reminder that the size of Catinaccio doesn't tell you everything about the difficulty of its runs. 

For those still learning, Ciampedie has a dedicated area of its own. The Kinderpark allows children, beginners and accompanying adults to spend the day in the same place, each at their own pace. From the plateau, a short ride on the magic carpet takes you up to the slope served by the Campo Scuola chairlift: wide, reassuring and separate from the main runs. There is also a fun trail alongside it, with tunnels, jumps and simple obstacles. 

The ski area can also be enjoyed without skis, and Ciampedie offers mountain huts and opportunities for winter walks. From Pian Pecei, you can continue on foot towards Gardeccia, passing Malga Couler and reaching the Gardeccia and Stella Alpina Spiz Piaz mountain huts, which are also open in winter. It’s a different way to experience Catinaccio, while a little further away skiers continue making their way down the slopes. 

In the mountain huts, it’s worth looking out for sweet Knödeln, Strauben und Kaiserschmarrn in the afternoon - a mountain treat and an excellent excuse to linger a little longer by the windows. Because the view from Ciampedie is far more than just a backdrop. Your gaze takes in the Catinaccio and the Vaiolet Towers, followed by Sassolungo, Sella, Pordoi, Marmolada, Costabella, Buffaure and Monzoni. In winter, they accompany you on every descent; in summer, this same spot becomes one of the gateways to hiking and climbing in the Catinaccio. And when the sun goes down, it’s best not to be in a hurry: Ciampedie is one of the best places to watch the Enrosadira (Alpenglow), as the Dolomite walls change colour in the light of the setting sun. 

In Vigo, the ski lift company’s car parks are free, while the more distant ones are connected to the cable car station by shuttle buses. Alternatively, you can use the ski bus. From Piaz J.B. Massar, an escalator also provides easy access to the lift departure area. 

This ski area is already looking to the future. Plans are underway for a new gondola link between Pera and Meida in Pozza, which will connect Catinaccio with Buffaure without the need for ski buses or the small road train. This development is set to change the way skiing works in this part of the valley: from Ciampedie, you will be able to continue towards Buffaure and Ciampac and join a much larger ski circuit. 

The Val di Fassa/Carezza, Valle Silver and Dolomiti Superski ski passes are valid for skiing in the Catinaccio ski area.