Passo Tonale, Italy

Zoe from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

Me and a school group of about 45 skiied in Tonale from 15-22 January 2006.
We stayed at the Hotel Dolomiti, which is literally about 20 steps from the slopes! We have stayed at this hotel for 3 years on the trot now, and we have built up a reputation for being one of the nicest and quietest groups there! Stefano, the hotel owner, is very pleasant and is always talking to you! Our rooms were of a decent size for school groups and had all of the things we needed. Our room had a balcony which overlooked the Paradision black run underneath the glacier gondola and the mountains. What a view!
The resort is lovely. It was my second (and probably last) year there and it was better than last year! Although it is small, it is an ideal place to go for beginners and intermediates! The ski school is brilliant and by day 3 we were going over the moguls at the back of the snowmakers on the long blue run and by day 4 we were on the reds.
The snow was around 1m at village level, although about 3 days in we had a huge snowfall,adding about another 10cm. But then came the wind. It was so strong, it blew all the snow off and left icy patches!
Whilst we were there, we did several apres-ski activites. We were hoping to go ice skating but they didn't have the correct insurance so we went bumboarding instead. It is now my favourite sport (apart from skiing!) If you are going bumboarding be prepared for a long walk up the hills (the lifts are closed!) and go on the far button lift run, opposite the UFO bar. Its great! Cannot fault the UFO bar for their chocolate...which was literally melted chocolate with cream!
We also went to the disco heaven kareoke and the separate disco building. Both were really good apart from the fact the kareoke computer broke! Still we didn't mind.
In Ponte De Legno, we went to the Dolomiti's sister hotel, the Mirella. Staff there were not as friendly, but then again it was a bigger hotel and I can't fault that either!
Overall, people rate Tonale as a bad resort. I say the opposite. I would say for a beginner holiday, go there! Cheap, no lift queues and great atmosphere. I skiied my first black run there this year, the Paradisio, and last year I skiied the red glacier run. Both were brilliant, and the views are awesome!
Top tips for going there:
1) Go earlier in the year. Don't go near to Easter time or later, all the snow is going fast. Go around January and reap the benefits!
2) The Hotel Dolomiti was excellent, and everyone is very friendly. OK, it's not the 5 star standard, but the meals are lovely and it's an ideal base.
3) GO BUMBOARDING!!!
A minor bad point is the equipment. The skis I got were Fischer old style, not designed for carving at all, but they did the trick!
Have a great holiday in Passo Tonale. It's worthwhile! I want to go back already! I give it 10/10!
Zoe

2006-01-28