The Dolomites in Northern Italy (part of Austria until after WWII) are the largest ski area in the world. Vail Colorado,
which is quite large, has 33 ski lifts. The Superski pass used in most of the Dolomites is good on 460 lifts and that
isn't all of them. The difference is that Vail owns the land you ski on. The land in the Dolomites is owned by hundreds
of farmers, who each get a cut of your ticket price when you use a lift near them. You can ski from town to town to
town in any direction. The area is far too large for any single map; you get an overall map with only gross details and
then as you enter a new zone you pick up a detailed map of that zone. It is extremely easy to get lost. If you do or if
you miscalculate how far you can go and still return before the lifts close, there is always the option of a $200 taxi ride
to get you home. Villages in the Dolomites are usually small and roll up the sidewalks at dinner time; after that your
choices are alcohol or caffeine.
which is quite large, has 33 ski lifts. The Superski pass used in most of the Dolomites is good on 460 lifts and that
isn't all of them. The difference is that Vail owns the land you ski on. The land in the Dolomites is owned by hundreds
of farmers, who each get a cut of your ticket price when you use a lift near them. You can ski from town to town to
town in any direction. The area is far too large for any single map; you get an overall map with only gross details and
then as you enter a new zone you pick up a detailed map of that zone. It is extremely easy to get lost. If you do or if
you miscalculate how far you can go and still return before the lifts close, there is always the option of a $200 taxi ride
to get you home. Villages in the Dolomites are usually small and roll up the sidewalks at dinner time; after that your
choices are alcohol or caffeine.