80th anniversary ski area of the Alpe di Siusi
South Tyrol is famous for good food, fabulous scenery, and of course its ski resorts. The mountain range of the Dolomites is the location of some of the best ski resorts in the world, including, one of the most popular and well known the Alpe di Siusi. At this resort the wide sunny slopes offer spectacular panoramic views of the Dolomites and guarantees satisfaction for all standards of skiers. Many legendary ski champions such as Martin Fill, Hans Steger and Paula Wiesinger began their careers there.
This area has been popular for skiing for many years. Despite the fact that skiers had to climb the mountain with their equipment and provisions, many races were held there on a regular basis. It was, however, the opening of the “Slittovia Joch-Panorama” sledge ski lift that helped to establish the resort as a world class destination. The lift opened for operation in the winter of 1938/39, exactly 80 years ago.
This UNESCO World Heritage site, now offers 80 cable cars all with state of the art child safety equipment, thus enabling safe transport to the 175 kilometres of slopes. Although a very busy and popular area, the large number of lifts ensure that there is rarely much of a wait to gain access to the many slopes. The variety of conditions means that there are suitable areas for every taste, and every level of expertise. This is now the largest resort in the area.
To celebrate the 80 years of the Alpe di Siusi ski resort there are many activities planned.
Many nostalgic groups, some from as far as Slovenia, have been invited to the resort for a historic jamboree nostalgic race. The contestants, dressed in period costume, will parade from Compatsch (Compaccio) to the valley station of the Panorama lift on the way to the race. There will be plenty of opportunity to marvel at the clothing and equipment from a variety of eras both from watching the parade and by meeting the contestants, who will be available after the race. The contestants will be judged, and prizes given, based on the authenticity of the costumes, the best time achieved in the Giant Slalom and the team that provide the best show.
There will also be a road Show that will be traveling around the area, illustrating the 80 years of progress and change both of the resorts and of the skiing in the area. The exhibition will comprise of four circular exhibition stands that will each display many original photos and historic equipment. One will be showing the original ski lifts and cable cars in the area. Another will show how the cable cars and lifts have developed over the past 80 years. Another will show how the slopes have developed from training grounds as they started, to the professional slopes of today. The final exhibition display will be illustrating the many changes in the food and accommodation of the area over the last 80 years.