At Oxford Ski Company, we pride ourselves on having first-hand experience and knowledge of the chalets, hotels, and resorts we feature. We are a close-knit team who are dedicated and passionate about what we do.
Within this series, we’re highlighting each of our specialists across the team as we dive into their knowledge of some of our most popular resorts across the world.
Travelling and going to new places is something I have always enjoyed, but returning to the mountains is something that never gets old for me. I have completed three winter seasons and one summer in the mountains and have now had the opportunity to visit some of the best resorts across The Alps.
One of my favourite resorts is the picturesque San Cassiano in Italy. When spending your week skiing in San Cassiano, I always advise heading up the Piz Sorega lift onto the Pralongia plateau on the first day. This is a wonderful place to start, especially if you're just getting back into ski mode. The skiing here is ideal for beginner levels and the scenery is simply amazing. The Pralongia plateau is the perfect place to orient yourself as you have outstanding 360 views of all the surrounding mountains.
Once you have got your bearings, from here you can really stretch your legs and take on the world-renowned Sellaronda Ski Circuit. This is an incredible network of lifts and runs that allow you to ski around six superb resorts all within one day.
Key Resort Facts for San Cassiano
Domaine: Alta Badia
Resort Height: 1540m
Skiing Elevation: 1400-2700m
Pistes: 130km (link to 500km)
Blue: 53%
Red: 40%
Black: 7%
Getting to San Cassiano
Closest Airport: Innsbruck (INN)
Transfer Time: 2 hrs / 140km
Our Portfolio
Chalet in San Cassiano: Chalet Zeno
Hotels in San Cassiano: 3
Where to Eat
If you're looking for a great lunch spot in San Cassiano, I'd definitely recommend Rifugio Fodom. Situated on the Sellaronda Circuit just under the Passo Pordoi, this brilliant restaurant offers amazing Italian cuisine. The pizzas here are a must try!
Another one to add to the list of great mountain restaurants in the area is the excellent Rifugio Scotoni. Not only do they serve up delicious Tyrolean staples and barbeque specialities, but the location is truly stunning. Situated midway down the beautiful, hidden valley ski run, you can stop off for lunch before skiing all the way to the bottom and getting a horse tow back to the lifts. You'll be glad you visited - it's an experience you won't forget!
My Favourite Places to Stay
First on the list is the incredibly charming Hotel Ciasa Salares. Ciasa Salares is a wonderful family run hotel, and you get that feeling as soon as you walk through the door with the staff welcoming you into the property as if they would their own home. The rooms/suites here are spacious and the property has excellent facilities, including a lovely spa with indoor pool. For dining, Ciasa Salares has a range of options; their main restaurant Sori, and their Cocon wine cellar will both make you feel spoiled, and don’t miss their unique dedicated rooms for cheese and chocolate. In the latter you can find some of the finest chocolates, with cocoa content ranging right the way up to 100%!
Another wonderful property to include on your list is the stylish and contemporary Hotel Fanes. A great option for a romantic retreat, boasting a 2000sqm spa with multiple treatment rooms, a sauna, salt bath, sanarium, and Turkish steam bath, not to mention its indoor and outdoor heated pools with remarkable views of the Dolomites. Hotel Fanes is the perfect place to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
As an honourable mention, I could not speak about San Cassiano and not mention the sensational Hotel Rosa Alpina. This hotel will actually be closed for the 2023/24 winter season which is the reason it isn’t included on the list above. It is currently undergoing a complete renovation that is set to be completed in time for the 2024/25 winter season. When finished, this hotel is sure to become one of the most outstanding mountain hotels in all of Europe. Watch this space!
The Best Après Spots
If you're looking for a lively après ski scene, while San Cassiano is beautiful and has much to offer, you may want to consider checking out other resorts such as Val d'Isere or Verbier as they tend to be more popular for this type of activity. If you’re still keen to find something in San Cassiano however, the prime spot for this would be the exciting Rifugio Las Vegas Lodge. The Rifugio, which can be found at the top of the Piz Sorega lift, has a vibrant and fun atmosphere. Here you can enjoy a refreshing drink and some great music at the end of a long days’ skiing.
My Top Tip for Ski Trips
Cold weather can really have a detrimental effect on your phone’s battery life. To ensure that you stay safe and contactable, I highly recommend keeping a hand warmer in the same pocket as your phone while out on the mountain. This handy little trick will help you preserve your phone's battery and give you peace of mind that you can stay in touch with the world all day long.
