Snowshoeing Experience - HOTEL de LEN

Snowshoeing the Alta Via N.1 of the Dolomites

Snowshoe on the Alta Via N.1 – one of the famous High Routes of the Dolomites!
Travel across some of the most breathtaking scenery in the incredible Italian Alps,
watching the spectacular angles of these grandiose mountains change right before your eyes!

OVERVIEW

Thousands of trails wind their way between the fantastic pinnacles of the jagged Dolomite Mountains, and the Alta Via high routes here represent the “best of the best!” These trails are multi-day, hut-to-hut alpine tours, and offer some the most breathtaking, challenging, multi-day trails available in this mountainous wonderland.

The Alta Via N.1 is a grand trail, highlighted by breathtaking views, rustic and lively mountain refuges, and a sense of excitement of what lies around the next bend or the next pass. And, with a blanket of snow, this beautiful and remote area seems to be wrapped with magic! While the Dolomites are magical any time of year, in winter they are positively enchanting. Towering peaks surround a peaceful, breathtaking landscape blanketed in pure white snow, magically transforming it into a winter wonderland.

The impressiveness of the scenery and the variety of terrain on this route is matched only by the warmth and hospitality offered by the mountain huts. The unusual contrasts in landscapes and curious mix of Italian, Austrian, and Ladin influences means fantastic hiking, stunning scenery, and plenty of pasta! It’s the perfect location to experience everything that the Dolomites have to offer. And what better way to explore and discover this eclectic mountain valley than on a pair of snowshoes?

Trip Highlights

• Snowshoe on one of the famous High Routes of the Dolomites – the Alta Via!
• Explore spectacular and magical winter landscapes amidst some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world
• Travel through the Dolomites from valley to valley, experiencing Italian, Austrian, and Ladin – the three different languages, cultures, and cuisines that make this region so unique
• Hike hut-to-hut, and enjoy the atmosphere of a different mountain rifugio – “mountain inn” – each night

DAY BY DAY

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your Mountain Guide and the Dolomite Mountains Team. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the tracking device used.

DAY 1

Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Dolomites
Arrive in Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224m / 4,016′) on your own (airport transfer available on request) and check into your hotel. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a charming alpine resort town surrounded by stunning peaks. Uniquely sheltered from the cold winds of the north, Cortina has a pleasantly mild climate that visitors 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 town also caters to the high society crowd, offering many year-round social activities, shopping, and fine dining.

Summary of services included
Hotel De Len

DAY 2

Sennes Plateau
In the morning, meet your local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide, who will provide you a trip briefing, orientation and snowshoeing equipment.
You’ll begin snowshoeing today with a hike to the Alpe di Sennes uplands. Along the way, you’ll enjoy good range of scenery, and walk through habitats that provide homes to home to ibex, chamois, roe deer, and marmots. Grandiose Dolomite groups headed by the Croda Rossa are foremost features, their lower flanks cloaked by flourishing woods of a healthy mix of evergreen conifer and deciduous species. (~4 hours snowshoeing 7.8km / 4.9 miles, 800m / 2,627′ ascent.)

Summary of services included
Rifugio
Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3

Altopiano di Fanes
After breakfast, snowshoe down to Pederü (1,548m / 5,079′). Then, you’ll hike up in the Val di Fanes (Fanes Valley) along the Al Plan river, on to a rifugio (2,042m / 6,699’), your home for tonight. The entire journey will be filled with adventure and some of the most breath-taking views you’ve ever laid eyes on! Take a few moments to reflect on the beauty of nature around you and marvel at the fact that you too are exploring these spectacular mountain trails on foot, just as they have been traversed for generations before you. At the end of the day, rest your tired muscles in the comfort of your warm mountain rifugio for the night. (~4 hours snowshoeing 7km / 4 miles, 690m / 2,264′ ascent, 620m / 2,034′ descent.)

Summary of services included
Rifugio
Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4

Fanes Natural Park
Today’s walk takes you on trails with beautiful panoramas of the Western Dolomites and the Marmolada Massif, the “Queen of the Dolomites.” Depart from your rifugio, snowshoeing south on gentle curves out of a steep valley (option to take steeper shortcuts!) to Passo di Limo (2,172m / 7,126′). Once you are out of the valley, you may see the beautiful Lago di Limo on your left (to the east) – unless it is frozen and covered with snow! Past an old military building and wooden cross, you hike down for Malga Fanes Grande (2,104m / 6,903′), a cheery converted farm offering light meals and basic accommodation. The route continues through the beautiful high meadow and karst formations, and then descends to Capanna Alpina (1,726m / 5,663’), a restaurant built at the edge of the Natural Park, in an incredible setting (~3 hours snowshoeing 9km / 5.6 miles, 397m / 1,302′ ascent, 729m / 2,392′ descent).
From Capanna Alpina, take a private transfer to your hotel in Cortina D’Ampezzo for your last night in the Dolomites.

Summary of services included
Hotel de Len
Breakfast

DAY 5

Depart
In the morning departure on your own (private transfer available on request).

COSTS

Private Guided Trip:

€ 1.550 per person (2 members)
€ 990 per person (4 members)

COST INCLUDES

• Trip briefing
• Logistics and map of the area
• Private transfers as per itinerary
• 2 nights accommodation at hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
• 2 nights accommodation in charming rifugios (private rooms)
• All breakfasts
• Dinners in rifugios
• Local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Mountain Guide for 3 days
• Snowshoes and safety equipment rental
• 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
• Dinners in Cortina d’Ampezzo
• Items not on set dinner menu
• Beverages except what is served at breakfast
• Bottled water
• Luggage transfers
• 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

Snowshoeing - Moderate

Snowshoeing is fun and easy – it’s just like hiking on snow! It is also great exercise and provides a unique and unforgettable way to experience the Dolomite region in all its wintry glory. Whether you choose to snowshoe each day from your hotel, or travel hut-to-hut for a little more adventure, you’ll enjoy memorable moments set against some of the most breathtaking backdrops on earth. Moderate trips are active, with full days of snow-shoeing. These trips are perfect for people who want to be active, yet still have some time to explore the cultural and relaxation opportunities of the area in the afternoon. Excursions range from 4 to 6 hours, often lasting all day, with a stop for lunch, and average 10-13 kilometers / 6-8 miles per day. There are also additional options on some days. Ascents and descents can be up to 300-600 meters / 1,000-2,000 feet. Terrain includes on a variety of surfaces, including single-track trails, and sometimes steep. Often, one or two steeper climbs to spectacular viewpoints are included. You want to make sure you earn all that excellent cuisine you’re enjoying, now don’t you!? These trips may include one (or more) nights at a rifugio (mountain inn), where you will need to carry a small backpack with your personal belongings for the night (unless a duffel bag transfer is provided, check your itinerary). On some days hiking activities are optional, and depending on logistics, there may be options for transfers via private or public transportation.

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.