San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle

The San Martino di Castrozza – Passo Rolle ski area enjoys a unique location: at the southern edge of the Dolomiti Superski network, it benefits from mild temperatures, countless sunny days, and an unparalleled view of the Pale di San Martino skyline, the largest group of the Dolomites, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 60 km of slopes, ranging from 1,400 to 2,400 m in altitude, are set within the Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino Natural Park, an exceptional natural landscape nestled between the Dolomites and the Lagorai range. Runs vary in difficulty: thrilling pistes with steep sections and fast stretches like Direttissima, Tognola Uno and Paradiso, as well as easier blue runs and several ski schools, satisfying both families and experienced skiers.

An evolving ski area

Over the past decade the ski area has seen major upgrades: four lift systems replaced, two snowmaking reservoirs built, and the snowmaking system enhanced, now more energy efficient. The Colbricon Express 10-seater cable car in the Ces area, the Cigolera six-seat chairlift on Alpe Tognola, and the modern, fast 10-seat Val Cigolera cable car have made the Malghe Carousel more accessible and dynamic. With its 45 km of perfectly groomed pistes, the area offers memorable descents, interspersed with relaxing moments on high-altitude sun terraces and in mountain huts and refuges along the runs, always ready from dawn till dusk to delight both skiers and non-skiers with local cuisine.

Passo Rolle

Fun is assured even at Passo Rolle, where the season starts already at the end of November: here you’ll find the additional 15 km of slopes, framed by the unmistakable profile of Cimon della Pala, the Matterhorn of the Dolomites. Above 2,000 metres there are 5 km of blue runs, 4 km of red, and 3 km of black, including the unmissable “Paradiso” piste, homologated for international competitions, plus a ski school area and a sled run—perfect for families with children! The Passo Rolle ski area is connected to San Martino di Castrozza and Primiero by a ski bus service, while preparatory work continues in full swing for the San Martino–Passo Rolle lift link, a long-awaited project that will not only connect the two resorts but also offer a sustainable mobility alternative in the Alpine context.

San Martino di Castrozza – Passo Rolle Connection: the project

The project envisions a ropeway infrastructure with five connection stations, a total length of 1,650 metres and a vertical drop of 500 metres, which the 10-seat gondolas will traverse in 17 minutes (speed of 6 metres per second and wind resistance up to 75 km/h), with a capacity to transport up to 1,500 people per hour. Like all lift systems in the ski area, these new installations will be powered by local clean energy, produced by the 13 hydroelectric plants in the area.

An Alpine Pearl

The municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza has recently joined Alpine Pearls, the association that brings together some of the most beautiful Alpine destinations committed to promoting eco-friendly vacations and innovative mobility solutions. In this area, protected by the Paneveggio – Pale di San Martino Natural Park and declared by Legambiente to be “100% renewable”, environmental stewardship comes first. Whether skiing, snowshoeing, sledging, hiking, horseback riding or paragliding: the ways to discover the charm of the Dolomites—without stress and in full harmony with nature—are almost endless. Get ready to explore them all!