Hut-to-Hut Ski Touring in the Dolomites, Italy
Some of the world’s most scenic skiing combined with traditional Italian food and wine served from family-run rifugios
From intermediate skiers through to expert freeriders, our Dolomites hut-to-hut ski adventures are fully customisable. From 5 to 10-day ski tours, with a choice of lift-assisted to fully foot-powered ski touring – or a mix of both – there is no shortage of terrain. If you’re looking to learn how to ski off-piste or ski tour for the first time, our local professional guides can incorporate this into any of these trips. Our guests never cease to be amazed by the magnificent alpine vistas and historic and unique network of mountain rifugios. If you’re looking for traditional Italian culture, mouth-watering cuisine, and world-class skiing, then a hut-to-hut ski trip in the Dolomites might just for you.
For an altogether unique skiing experience in the lesser known mountain range of the Italian Alps, rifugios (which means mountain huts in Italian) give a flavour of Italy like you’ve never tasted before. An exhilarating ski safari that takes you on a tour of the dramatic Dolomites, stopping off at a collection of wonderfully simple, but very alpine chic, mountain huts along the way. The whole experience is grounded by nature; everywhere you turn you’ll be surrounded by scenic views of towering pines and jagged mountaintops. Lose yourself in the wilderness as you hop from hut-to-hut, surrendering to the beauty of the landscapes. On the whole, the rifugios are modest abodes, and range from basic huts offering cold running water and a few large rooms shared by multiple guests to homely-style lodges that offer private rooms, or rooms with two or four beds, and community showers with hot water as opposed to cold! We do also have a number of more private and luxurious chalets available, on mountain. Regardless of your choice in hut, the food served is hearty and delicious, and the chance to sample the region’s traditional, flavorsome cuisine — think pappardelle con funghi (butterfly pasta with mushrooms), wood fired pizza and steaming macaroni and bean soup.
The locations of the rifugios vary, and can be tailored to your choice of experience and a range of scenic views Some are easier to get to, while others, like Rifugio Lagazuoi, can only be accessed by ski touring. The higher and more remote rifugios offer some of the most spectacular snowscapes you’ve ever seen. The patio at Rifugio Lagazuoi is a particular highlight — the panoramic vistas will make you feel like you’re sitting on the edge of the world. And of course, you’ll have optimum access to some of the best ski terrain in the Italian Alps; all 1,200km from Alta Badia to Civetta, to the Marmolada, to Lagazuoi and Cinque Torri, this truly is one of the most magical ways to explore the beauty of the Dolomites.
Every element of our trips in the Dolomites is customized to each guest, depending on how adventurous you want to be, your ski touring ability and fitness as well as the general group dynamics. We cater trips for anyone from confident intermediate skiers who prefer to stay on groomed runs through to more adventurous, completely human-powered ski touring trips and everything in between. This trip works for anyone from singles, through to larger groups.
The best combination of snow conditions and good weather are from February through to April. It is possible to run earlier than this some years too.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Today starts starts with a continental breakfast shared with your small crew and private guide, who have made their way from their sleeping quarters to the breakfast table. You share the highlights of the trip, the never-ending views and pristine powder and agree to keep this hidden gem secret from all but your closest ski partners! Sip your morning coffee as the sun rises over the startling and rugged peaks of the Dolomites, bathing you on the porch of your new high alpine home for the night – a traditional Italian rifugio. Time to gather your day pack, get your skis on and ski out of the front door – now this is real ski-in/ski-out.
Yesterday’s adventure took you through the off piste section of one of the Dolomites hidden gem resorts, whereas today your guide has picked the route completely in the backcountry today – their decades of experience in these mountain leave you completely at ease though as they guide you effortlessly through this immense alpine playground. Today is a packed lunch with local charcuterie and cheeses, just the fuel you need for a few more laps. Time for a mega lap, an hour and a half of gentle skinning and you reach your goal of the the day, a 4km untouched powder run, waiting for you to put down your mark.
A final climb leads you back to your newest rifugio, a veritable home away from home. The stove is roaring as the heat warms you from the outside in. Your host hands you a glass of Moretti beer as they show you to your cozy quarters. As you settle in you see the wood-fire pizzas starting to be prepared by the rifugio host as you talk with your friends and figure out how you can move to the Dolomites and build your own rifugio…
Red wine flowing, and rustic, authentic Italian cuisine aplenty, you watch the sunset from your private viewing deck, feeling on top of the world. The only thing left to do is hit the hay and ski some more tomorrow – our legs are thankful that there will be a chairlift or two involved tomorrow…
Highlights:
- The chance to get back-to-basics and cosy up in a traditional mountain hut; choose from shared rooms in basic huts to private rooms in a mountain lodge
- Some of the most incredible alpine views in the world
- Learn how to ski tour, or ski off-piste under the expert guidance of your private ski guide
- Ski hut-to-hut, exploring the vast Dolomites terrain — all with just one lift pass
- Experienced mountain guides will show you the best of the Dolomites by ski
- Access to 12 ski areas featuring 1,200km of pistes
- Hearty, delectable Italian fare will be served up at each hut after a hard day on the slopes
- Endless skiing from valley-to-valley, enjoying the atmosphere of a different rifugio each night
The skiing gourmand's paradise
Are you interested in coming to Italy to join one of our hut-to-hut ski safaris? We take care of everything, including additional ski days, meals, rentals, airport transfers and more, so all you have to do is look forward to some of the best food and wine (the beer’s not bad either!) in the world. Each trip is completely customized to your group’s desires and dynamics, from the rifugios and lodges themselves all the way down to handpicking which local ski guide will work best for you. This once-in-a-lifetime Italian ski adventure is more affordable than you might think – speak to the team at Mabey Ski to find out how to make the Italian Dolomites the star your next ski trip.
