Introduction to the Val di Fiemme

he geographical location of the Val di Fiemme was kept been separated from the rest of the world for many centuries, protected by mountains, wolves and bears. The local populations went through the settlement of ancient Romans who left many testimonies and spread their rules and habits as well. When the Roman Empire fell apart and the barbarian invasions started, the valley became a shelter for fugitives desperately looking for a hidden and inaccessible haven. The valley is situated in the north-east corner of the Trentino flanked by the streams Travignolo and Avisio, amid the deer reserve and the Forest of the violins of the natural park Parco di Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino and the Parco Naturale del Monte Corno, populated by the most curious species of birds. Between the two preserves, there is the lovely Laogorai mountain chain. The Valley is surrounded by two natural parks and the dolomitic peaks: the mount Corno Bianco, the Gruppo del Latemar with its incredible pinnacles, and Pale di San Martino that provide the theatrical background of Val di Fiemme. The dolomitic mountain rock sets the landscape ablaze at sunset, with nuances that vary from orange to purple, red and violet. ski slopes caress the boundaries of the natural park Parco Naturale di Paneveggio Pale di S. Martino. The slopes at Passo Rolle lie at the base ofthe majestic Pale di S. Martino. From the Ski-area Alpe Cermis, with its super long slope Olimpia (4.5 miles), one can enjoy amazing views of the Dolomites. Other special vistas to see are the chalky mountains that reflect the sunrise and sunsets colors, are at Passo di Lavaz-Occlini, where the alpine skiing meets cross-country skiing. This valley impresses one with its close and intimate relationship with the surrounding natural features. The cross-country skiing brings you straight to the core of Val di Fiemme. Thanks to two well-equipped cross-country stadiums and more than 150 kilometres of tracks in woods and dolomitic sceneries, Val di Fiemme managed to host three editions of the Nordic World Ski Championships. The ski center Passo Lavaz-Oclini is one of the most beguiling natural locations for cross-country skiers. Its altitude is favorable (over a mile high) to lets you ski from December to April. The Stadium of Lago di Tesero, lighted at late afternoon-night, is a modern facility and offers the emotion of skiing on the tracks of the World Championships competitions. In Val di Fiemme, you can practise this discipline even in the spruce and larch forests around the little village of Bellamonte (1 mile in altitude) and along the ski-rings around Predazzo, Ziano, Masi di Cavalese and Molina. Much appreciated is the legendary track of the worldwide famous race Marcialonga that goes from Predazzo to Molina di Fiemme.

The Val di Fiemme is recognized as The Valley of Harmony for its precious resonance trees that are used to create harmonic boards for pianos and violins, already appreciated by Stradivari and now by flute makers from any corner of the world. The natural melody can be heard in the Forests of Violins or in the Sounding Forest, where international musicians come every summer to adopt their resonant spruce. This valley enjoys the oxygen breathed by 60 million trees (according to a survey, there are 200 trees for each tourist) and puts itself out to conquer several records. More than one-third of the twenty thousand inhabitants makes daily use of thermal or electric energy from alternative resources. There are 11 villages in Val di Fiemme: Capriana, Valfloriana, Castello-Molina di Fiemme, Cavalese, Carano, Varena, Tesero , Panchi , Ziano di Fiemme, and Predazzo.

Val di Fiemme's economy is mainly based on tourism. There are 110 kilometers of ski slopes in the surrounding mountains. While skiing, you are living the natural Written by Beatrice Calamari heaven at the Ski Center Latemar, up and down the 50 APT, Val di Fiemme km of slopes that connect Pampeago to Predazzo and Obereggen. At the Ski-area Bellamonte-Alpe Lusia, the 18

When the snow peeps out, Fiemme becomes The Cribs of Tesero, The Witches of Cavalese, Marcialonga and Tour de Ski. In March, the ski slopes are transformed into the stage for well-known jazz players during the original festival Dolomiti Ski Jazz. The summer is the theatre of concerts at high altitudes Suoni delle Dolomiti, of The Family Weeks, Corti di Tesero, Fiemme senzauto, Marcialonga Running, Marcialonga Cycling and Desmontegade delle capre e delle mucche.