For Powderhounds, Folgarida-Marilleva is one of many ski resorts with very little freeride powder appeal, but still with some strengths. The strengths are the fantastic ski-in ski-out accommodation options & integrated lift system in the Folgarida sector (avoid the accom in the upper Marilleva sector if possible), the affordability (compared with Madonna), and access to public transport, including the train. Note that the ski-in ski-out lodging is spread out well above the gondola base areas where all the shops & services are located.

The resort's appeal is for intermediate piste skiers and those that want a central resort village base in the Skirama Dolomiti region, however the only reason we would ski Folgarida Marilleva again is because we have an Epic Pass (so the lifts are free), otherwise we would choose to spend our time elsewhere, like at nearby Tonale.

See our thoughts on the pros & cons of the ski region via the Folgarida-Marilleva overview page.

See our video here

For a ski resort with some for the world's best connectivity between the road, bus & rail services & the modern efficient lift system; a ski resort with loads of 'ski in' accommodation; a resort with access to 150km of piste trails in stunning surrounds - there is something fundamentally wrong with Folgarida Marilleva. It should work and should be fun, but it just wasn't during our visit. So I wonder whether our experience was the norm or an aberration. Would the real Folgarida Marilleva please stand up.

I should have prefaced this review by saying our visit was in peak season in February, a time that will test most resorts. And test this resort it did.

The tome was set early & it was difficult to forget it. Perhaps it was the seething horde of humanity disgorged from buses & trains and lined up near the base gondolas. Perhaps it was the incredibly rude demeanour of some of the international guests at the resort. Perhaps it was the crammed gondola rides; or maybe it the industrial misery of the Marilleva 1400 architecture. It certainly could have been the dangerous skiing amongst out of control punters on the piste streaming toward Madonna di Campiglio. And it was most probably the sight of a perfectly groomed piste getting absolutely trashed and turned into a mogul field in less than 30 minutes - and it was barely past 9.30am!

To be fair, we probably could have veered off in the opposite direction and may have some relief, but we stuck with the crowd for a while, enthralled & horrified all at once.

With the worst over, the resort was actually pretty good in the end, but the damage was done. After a few deep breaths one observes the modern lifts, varied pistes, pretty tree lined trails, more terrain than Madonna, a well priced lift pass, broad learn to ski areas & quirky mountain huts. The village at Folgarida would make an excellent mountain base and the town of Mezzana is cheap & cheerful in the valley.

Our horror returned briefly after a descent on 'skied off down to hard pack 'return trail. We downloaded to Marilleva 900 and witnessed the appalling local après scene in full swing. Escaping the madness, a local bar in Mezzana provided a few excellent negroni to comfort the team. It was a day best forgotten. One we will never get back.

I say I will revisit. Why you ask? Because I think Folgarida Marilleva is better than what we experienced. Perhaps a visit midweek in January or March..... I would really like to see the real Folgarida Marilleva stand up.
See our video here