Ski Touring around Cortina d'Ampezzo
Ski tour through the backcountry of Cortina d’Ampezzo, exploring the dramatic Dolomite Mountains, where magnificent towering peaks give way to long descents.
Far from the lift lines and crowds, you’ll feel like you have these mountains all to yourself!
OVERVIEW
Host to the Winter Olympics in 1956, and repeated World Cup skiing championships, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a fabulous reputation for resort skiing. But did you know that there is also excellent backcountry touring and ample off-piste skiing here as well? The Dolomite Mountains seem to have a never-ending supply of impressive off-piste ski descents. Long ski runs down remote valleys and bowls, and fresh powder hidden in couloirs sandwiched between towering limestone cliffs… While there is a tremendous amount of lift accessible off-piste terrain, for those who are willing to skin and hike, an entirely new world awaits!
On this exciting itinerary, you’ll spend 4 days skiing Cortina’s backcountry, touring across meadows surrounded by magnificent, towering peaks, skinning and hiking to incredible passes searching out the best descents. You’ll move hut-to-hut each day, enjoying cozy accommodations and hearty meals in remote mountain rifugios – the best in all the Alps! You’ll be skiing in the Veneto region of the Dolomites, with it’s traditional Venetian-influenced Italian culture and traditions – and mountain-influenced Italian cuisine to fuel your days on skis!
Renowned as one of the most stunningly beautiful mountain ranges, the Dolomites offer dramatic skiing to match. Whether from skinning up alongside towering limestone cliffs, skiing down what seem to be never ending valleys, or the stunning landscape surrounding you – this UNESCO World Heritage Site will surely take your breath away. Skiing in the backcountry, far form the lift lines and crowds, you’ll feel like you have these mountains all to yourself!
Trip Highlights
• Ski through the Dolomites – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – experiencing its distinctive geology
• Explore Cortina d’Ampezzo’s backcountry on skis, surrounded by magnificent, towering peaks, forming incredible couloirs and long powder descents
• Enjoy superb skiing with our UIAGM/IFMGA ski guides, who will show you the best of the Dolomites backcountry on skis!
• Tour from “hut-to-hut,” staying in cozy mountain rifugios with the civilized comforts of a warm bed and the delicious hearty cuisine the Dolomites are known for
DAY BY DAY
A Note about your Itinerary - Winter
Trip itinerary may vary based on snow conditions, weather conditions, fitness levels and skiing abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your Mountain Guide and the Dolomite Mountains Team.
DAY 1
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016′) on your own and check into your hotel (private transfer available on request).
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks, uniquely sheltered from the cold winds of the north, giving it a pleasantly mild climate that tourists can enjoy year-round. Host to the 1956 Winter Olympics, Cortina enjoys a reputation for great skiing in winter, and in the summer attracts hikers and climbers who challenge the rocky faces of the nearby mountains. This chic Venetian town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.With plenty of comfortable accommodations and endless outdoor activities, this valley has become quite a popular destination for the adventure traveler. Cortina d’Ampezzo offers everything the adventure traveler could need, whether it’s natural beauty, outdoor activities or exciting night life. It’s the perfect location to experience everything that the Dolomites have to offer.
Summary of services included
Hotel De Len
DAY 2
Croda da Lago
In the morning, meet your local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA ski guide in the lobby of the hotel for a trip briefing and equipment check. Before you depart, you’ll need to prepare your backpack with your personal belongings for the next three nights.
Take a private transfer to Ponte de Rucurto, and from here skin up to Rifugio Palmieri Croda da Lago (2,042m / 6,699′) where you can enjoy a rest and a light snack. Hold onto your energy levels, for the uphill is not over yet. From Lago Palmieri, ascend to Forcella Ambrizzola (2,277m/7,468’) and remove your skins for a brief descent to a lower plain. You will be immersed in the unspoiled valley at the foot of Croda da Lago, with its dramatic peaks, pinnacles and vertical rock-faces. You will need to put the skins back on and continue on a gentle uphill to Forcella Giau (2,360m/7,740’) with spectacular views over Mount Nuvolau (2,575m/8,446’). Option to summit Picco de Mondeval (2,504m/8,214’).
A final, exciting descent in powder snow from Forcella Giau will eventually lead you to the main road, where a private transfer will take you to your rifugio for the night.
(11km/6,6miles, 825m/2,706’ ascent on skins, 521m/1,710’ descent. Mondeval summit: additional 1.5 hours, 2,2km/1,30miles, 164m/540’ ascent and descent).
Summary of services included
Rifugio
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi, and Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park
Enjoy a hearty breakfast and skin up to the foot of Mount Averau (2,649/8,688’). Ski down to the bottom and skin up to Passo Falzarego, from where you will ride the cable car up to Rifugio Lagazuoi (2,752m / 9,029′), one of the highest rifugios in the Dolomites. On its patios you feel as though you’re sitting at the edge of the world – with 360° views of the surrounding mountains, including the two highest peaks of the Dolomites. Perched near the summit of Mount Lagazuoi, and set just above the Lagazuoi gondola, it is also the perfect lodging for skiing.
Set off from Rifugio Lagazuoi with an exciting descent on the famous Armentarola slope! After enjoying the ski down, test your skills on kick turns as you ascend to Forcella dal Lago (2,486m / 8,156’). The views from the top are simply stunning! Descend into the idyllic Val di Fanes and skin on flat terrain, with soft ups and downs for about 2 hours to your rifugio for tonight (15km/9miles, 656m/2153’ ascent on skins, 1,166/3,825’ descent)
Summary of services included
Rifugio
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Traverse from Fanes to Sennes
One of the largest Nature Parks in the region, Fanes-Sennes-Braies extends across 25,680 hectares, and offers superb panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks. Depart your rifugio this morning and ski down to Rifugio Pederü (1,540m / 4,313′). From Pederü begin a fairly steep uphill section to Rifugio Sennes (2,126m / 6,975’), which is also part of the Natural Park of Fanes-Sennes-Braies. From here you will have a superb view east on the Croda Rossa Massif (2,818m / 9,245′), so-called for its blood-red rock due to the presence of iron oxide. You will be spoiled with delicious Ladin dishes, served in the comfortable wooden stuben (traditionally the room in a farmhouse where the stove was located and cooking took place). The menu offers various handmade pasta dishes, as well as Tyrolean specialties such as dumplings and diverse meat dishes (10km/0,6miles, 637m/2090’ ascent on skins, 570/1,865’ descent).
Summary of services included
Rifugio
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5
Ski Tour from Sennes to Lago di Braies
Explore a new area of the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, one of the most popular lakes in South Tyrol, Lake Braies. In summer, its fresh, emerald green water reflects the image of surrounding mountains. In winter, the lake is completely covered in snow and ice.
Skin up to Forcella Cocodain and enjoy the off-piste descent in powder over to Lake Braies for your private transfer to Cortina D’Ampezzo (10km/0,6miles, 297m/9750’ ascent on skins, 957/3,140’ descent).
Summary of services included
Hotel De Len
Breakfast
DAY 6
Depart
Breakfast and departure on your own (private transfer available upon request).
COSTS
Private Guided Trip:
- € 2.360 per person (minimum 2 members)
- € 1.620 per person (minimum 4 members)
COST INCLUDES
• Trip briefing
• Logistics and map of the area
• 3 nights accommodation in best available rooms at charming rifugios
• All breakfasts
• Dinners in rifugios
• Local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Ski Guide for 4 days
• Ski touring and safety equipment rental for 4 days
• Lifts mentioned in itinerary
• Private transfers mentioned in itinerary
• Local tourist tax
• Italian VAT tax
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
• Airfare
• In/Out airport transfers (on request)
• Extra charges due to changes in itinerary
• Lunches
• Items not on set dinner menu
• Beverages except what is served at breakfast
• Duffel bag transfer to rifugios (on request)
• Insurance (medical, evacuation, or trip cancellation coverage)
• Items of personal nature (phone calls, laundry, excess baggage charge, etc.)
• Tips and gratuities
• Anything not mentioned in “Cost includes”
LOCATION
Backcountry Ski Touring – Moderate to Challenging
Safety awareness and training
Adventurous outdoor activities, particularly in the mountains, have inherent risks. While these risks can never be removed entirely, they can be minimized. At Dolomite Mountains, our aim is to provide you with a thrilling holiday, directed with maximum attention to your safety and the safety of others. We don’t want you to just blindly follow our indications; we take pride in providing you the opportunity to learn mountain skills, and to understand potential hazards, how to minimize risk, and how to cope with an incident should it occur.
All mountain activities require appropriate clothing and equipment. This is to ensure preparedness for quickly changing weather conditions, varying activities, and to take into consideration the different ability levels of each participant. Each trip participant should carry a small personal backpack containing a lightweight waterproof jacket, and the appropriate amount of water and food for the length and difficulty of the activity. Each trip member must wear appropriate footwear for the activity they are engaging in.
Travel Insurance
Dolomite Mountains recommends Global Rescue to provide evacuation and advisory services to our clients when traveling. We strongly suggest purchasing a travel membership anytime you will be more than 100 miles from home. Both short term as well as annual memberships are available. Please use this link or call Global Rescue directly and mention you are traveling with Dolomite Mountains. There are no restrictions on activities with a Global Rescue memberships.
It is important to note that Global Rescue is a membership organization and not an insurance company. While Global Rescue provides the industry’s best evacuation and advisory services, for complete protection while traveling, a membership should be combined with a travel insurance policy.
Global Rescue also offers IMG Signature Travel InsuranceSM, which is a great option to protect you from financial loss due to trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical care, lost luggage, etc*. Trekking, climbing, biking, and off-piste skiing are covered with this insurance. To add a Signature Travel Insurance policy to an existing Global Rescue membership, please click here.
For specific questions, please contact the member services department 24 hours a day by calling +1-617-459-4200 or emailing [email protected]. Be sure to mention that you are traveling with Dolomite Mountains so they can provide you with the best travel advice for your upcoming travels.
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