At Buffaure, you don’t just ski; you immerse yourself in a perfect blend of slopes, dreamy snow-covered landscapes, and artworks that make the experience even more magical. Next to the ski runs, in fact, you can admire a majestic eagle, a pack of wolves, as well as charming thrones and truly curious seating installations. The Buffaure ski area hosts numerous wooden artworks created by Franz Avancini—a Trentino artist who has been on the scene for over twenty years with countless spectacular creations to his credit—and Marco Nones, another artist who lives and works in Val di Fiemme, known as a performer and exponent of environmental art. The artworks by Marco Nones that make up ‘The Seated Path’ are only visible in summer, as they are positioned along the panoramic ridges connecting Col de Valvacin to Sella Brunech.
THE PACK OF WOLVES
Skiing down from Col de Valvacin toward the Buffaure plateau, just below Baita Cuz, you will come across five highly impressive wolves—six meters long and nearly two meters high—covered in a weave of branches gathered from the local forest floor. A true wonder created by artist Francesco Franz Avancini.
‘For each wolf,’ Avancini explains, ‘my collaborators Igor and Simone and I used three tractor-loads of wood, weaving branch after branch to cover the pre-assembled iron structure. It took about six days for each subject’.
THE GIANT EAGLE
Between runs, a stop at Baita Cuz is just what you need. Right here, a few steps from the mountain hut, artist Francesco Avancini has created a giant wooden eagle in the presence of the Dolomites. Using carved larch boards, the artist shaped a bird of prey with a 12-meter wingspan and a height of two and a half meters.
From every angle, the majestic eagle is perfect for striking and panoramic photos. From below, it stands out against the blue sky, while walking around it allows you to capture it with a view of the Rosengarten or the Monzoni chain. Visitors can also stand next to its talons and pretend to be swept away by it.
An original project, in full Avancini style, who throughout his long career has brought to life truly unique and alternative creations, using both iron and wood. ‘This artwork took about twenty days,’ he says, ‘and my days were dictated by the rhythm of nature, waking up at dawn, already up on the mountain, and working until sunset, entertained by the wild animals that often popped out and by many curious tourists. It is a real satisfaction,’ he concludes, ‘to be able to give shape to a very precise vision in my mind, which I always share with the client through preliminary sketches’.
UNIQUE PANORAMIC SEATING
The fun doesn’t stop here! At Buffaure, even your breaks become an experience. On the plateau, for your moments of relaxation, you’ll find giant wooden lounge chairs that offer pleasant moments of peace and contemplation of the surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, at Col de Valvacin, you’ll come across the wonderful butterfly-winged bench, featuring breathtaking views of the Sassolungo Group.
Relaxing here is even more beautiful!
MAZE: BUFFY’S LAIR
It is called ‘Buffy’s Lair‘ and it is a massive wooden maze. And massive it truly is! Its dimensions are genuinely impressive: it covers a remarkable 400 square meters, divided into many small corridors. The maze was created by Trentino artist Franz Avancini, using mostly wood and natural materials. A true work of art, just like the ones this artist has long accustomed us to.
Buffy’s lair is situated next to the Buffaure Refuge, just a few steps from the arrival of the cable car.
This is an original project designed for children, but one that will certainly intrigue and thrill adults as well. Everyone can venture inside the wooden corridors in search of Buffy the rabbit’s lair. Along the way, you might stumble upon three hidden alcoves containing various surprises. In short, it will be fun for all ages to find yourself momentarily lost among games and optical illusions, such as the hilarious upside-down room.
A fun and engaging way to forget about the world “outside” and get back to your childhood.
Finally, hidden at the center of the maze is the most anticipated surprise: a giant sculpture made of woven branches depicting Buffy the rabbit itself. But did you know that Buffy actually exists? He is none other than an adorable little rabbit from a litter that found shelter right next to the pack of wolves while it was under construction… So sweet and beloved that he was chosen as the official mascot of Buffaure.
The maze is generally accessible in winter as well.
