Intro to Ski Touring in the Dolomites
Escape the crowds and take your off-piste skiing to the next level on this 6-day hut-to-hut ski adventure
Designed for advanced resort and off-piste skiers who are looking to get into ski touring – or brush up on their skills – under the expert guidance of local IFMGA certified ski guides. Ski fresh tracks on some of the most scenic descents in the Dolomites, and enjoy traditional cuisine and warm hospitality at the charming rifugios (mountain huts) each night.
Begin your adventure by learning the basics of avalanche safety, off-piste travel and uphill ski touring. Take your newly learned skills into the backcountry, where you will ski fresh tracks in some of the best terrain Alta Badia has to offer, not to mention the views. Enjoy traditional Italian food and wine at mountaintop rifugios along the way.
Based in the Alta Badia backcountry, you will ski some of the most visually stunning terrain in Europe, right in the heart of the Dolomites, experience two different hotels and a mountaintop rifugio on this multi-day adventure, giving you a taste of different terrain, views and cuisine as you go.
Due to the backcountry nature of this trip, we recommend that you have a good level of fitness (able to hike a moderate uphill for 2 hours a day), are able to ski all pisted runs at your local ski resort and have some experience skiing off-piste. Being a foodie and a wine lover will also hold you in good stead for this adventure!
To experience the best combination of solid snowpack and good weather, we suggest booking between February and April.
DAYS 1-2
After waking up on your first day in Alta Badia, it’s time to head up the mountain and make your first turns down perfectly groomed slopes with your UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide leading the way. After getting your ski legs back, you’ll begin to explore off-piste terrain accessed via lifts, and learn new techniques to apply to varied snow conditions.
DAYS 3-4
Heading up into the alpine, you’ll spend the next 2 days learning the basics of ski touring – how to transition between uphill and downhill mode, basic avalanche safety and all the techniques needed to hit the backcountry, under the expert leadership of your UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide. You’ll learn how to approach certain features and slopes, terrain to avoid, and the basics of what dangers to look out for when skiing the backcountry. You will also practice companion rescue with your avalanche transceiver, beacon and probe and learn how to approach an avalanche rescue, should a worst-case scenario arise.
DAYS 5-6
The last couple of days will see you putting your newly learnt skills into action. Moving away from lift-accessed off-piste skiing, you will venture further afield into the backcountry to ski fresh lines away from the crowds. Spend your evenings at a traditional rifugio surrounded by endless views of towering peaks. Tuck into freshly prepared South Tyrol cuisine – think a blend of traditional Italian and Austrian cuisine, from exquisite pastas to mouth-watering schnitzel – and a local beer or glass of red wine, or simply enjoy the fresh mountain water.
PRICING
Starting from €3,420 per person (incl. local tourist tax & Italian VAT)
Including:
- 3 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Alta Badia
- 3 nights accommodation in charming rifugios with private/shared bathrooms
- All breakfasts & dinners
- Local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Ski Guide (guide ratio 1:4)
- Avalanche safety, search, and rescue equipment rental (transceiver, probe, and shovel)
- Dolomiti Superski pass for 1 day
- Ground transportation
- Luggage transfer
Airport transfers and ski equipment rentals available on request.
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.
