Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Italian Dolomites are a dream for cross country skiers! Imagine some of the world's most stunning and inspirational mountain scenery, with over 1000 km (625 miles) of expertly groomed cross country tracks. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also hosts some of the most famous European cross country ski races, and the local people have put a huge effort into making this the destination for cross country skiers.
The uniqueness of the geology in this region is matched by its Austrian-Italian distinctiveness. The area is known as the Sud Tirol in German, and as the Alto Adige in Italian, and presents an eclectic fusion of Austrian and Italian food and folklore.
Today you arrive in Dobbiaco, Italy, also know as Toblach. The Sud Tirol is predominantly German speaking, with Italian the second language. If arriving by bus/train be sure to check both names, Dobbiaco/Toblach. The hotels in Dobbiaco/Toblach usually provide a free pick up service from the station. Your hotel will be confirmed when you receive your Joining Information, one month before the trip start date. You should aim to reach your hotel by 1830hrs for the Welcome Meeting when your instructor will brief you on the trip.
A lovely trip today into the remote Val di Fiscalina. We can begin our ski journey right in Dobbiaco making our way along the valley towards the village of San Candido where we turn up into the valley. Just after this we pass the very cosy Hotel Sole Pardiso beside the river and it normally means a coffee stop! This is a wonderful old hotel serving excellent apple strudel. The trail to the Val di Fiscalina climbs steadily all the way from San Candido, passing through larch forests and quaint hamlets. When we reach our destination at the head of the valley the cliffs and mountains are impressive to say the last. The good news is that there is a Rifugio, the Piano Fiscalino, serving great food, and an hotel at the end of the trail where we can stop for a break.
This morning we begin with a 30 minute transfer to the famous Anterselva Valley, an idyllic side valley of the Puster Valley in South Tirol, which is also know by its German name of Antholzertal. The valley extends deep into the Rieserferner-Ahrn Nature Park and is on the sunny side of the mountains of Croda Nera-Schwarze Wand, and the Cima di Pianalto-Hochflachkofl. Down below, on the valley floor, the cross country ski trails of Niederrasen snake their way through the entire valley as far as the Lake Antholz at the end of the valley. In all there are 62km (37 miles) of cross country ski trails in the Anterselva and this will keep you busy for a while. The valley is known as a true cross-country ski paradise and is well known for its unspoiled landscape.
Today we have a 12km (7.5 miles) journey as we ski from Villabassa to the famous beauty spot of Lago di Braies. Without a doubt this is a stunning lakeside location surrounded as it is by spires and towers. It makes the ski along the valley well worth the effort. En route from Villabassa we can stop at Ferrara or San Vito for a morning coffee. If you are feeling fine then we can also ski the return journey back to our hotel and its spa! However, if you want to take it easy then you can use the local bus to travel back to Villabassa. Be prepared to bring your camera for the stunning Lago di Braies which is home to the Italian Curling Championships.
This wide and sunny Valle di Casies is perfectly suited for cross country skiing and enjoying the beautiful landscape all at the same time. The municipality of Casies is a really striking area which retains its traditional roots in agriculture. There are many farmsteads along the length of this valley, which becomes surrounded by mountains as we ski nearer to San Magdelena. Eventually, we see the foothills of the Vedrette di Ries and the Defregger Alps. We take a transfer to reach this ski area, and we normally ski from near the hamlet of Wiesen through and past ancient villages all the way to the hamlet of San Magdelena at the far end of the valley. Our morning coffee stop has sun loungers right by the tracks where we can take time to enjoy the ambiance. The 42km well prepared tracks offer something for all levels of skill and is the site of the famous 'Pustertaler Skimarathon' route. This really is a scenic day out, but then every day is.
Today we take the local bus up to the beautiful plateau of Prato Piazza. From here we have stunning views to the red cliffs of the Croda Rossa and the surrounding mountains. The tracks offer wonderful technical skiing with hills, bends, and flats, something for everyone. This is the day when our guests often choose to ski at their own pace in the morning, with a group meet up for lunch. Beside the tracks there is a cosy restaurant for the compulsory hot chocolate and apple strudel! If conditions are good we will be able to have a brilliant descent back down to the valley floor which promises to test your skills. We may even make our way down the long zig-zag track to the other side of the mountain to Carbonin and catch the bus back to our hotel. A proper day out with a journey!
The highlight of our week is when we journey to the 'Queen of the Dolomites' the lovely town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. We make our way up and along a valley trail known to cross country ski racers as the Gran Fondo which runs from Dobbiaco to Cortina. This route is also part of the World Cup 'Tour de Ski' race. We ski past lakes, through rocky gorges and forests under the spires of the world famous Tre Cime, the Three Peaks. The route is approximately 27km (16.8 miles) and this is a great opportunity to get the feel for a long 'journey' on skis. Cortina is the only Italian member of the prestigious 'Best of the Alps', a collection of the 12 most famous and exclusive Alpine resorts. The town was home to the 1956 Winter Olympics and has a long tradition of hosting sporting events.
Today is your departure from the Dolomites. The train station in Dobbiaco/Toblach and the local bus service make onward travel easy.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please contact us.
You can be assured we spend a lot of time and effort researching the best accommodation available for the standard of your trip.
The family run Hotel Toblacherhof in Dobbiaco is right beside the cross country ski tracks, and a short walk from our ski hire shop. It is equal distance between the old heart of Dobbiaco and the newer town which is around the beautiful old railway station. Indeed, it is just a few minutes walk from the train to your hotel. Stefan, and his family will be sure to give us a warm welcome.
The rooms are all en suite, and many have balconies. The living space at the hotel is very cosy and comfortable and there is a small spa area downstairs with sauna, and steam room. The food is excellent, and we certainly never go hungry! If you are driving to the Dolomites there is a spacious carpark in front of the hotel so parking is not an issue. Arriving by bus it is a ten minute walk to the hotel, and by train it is also a ten minute walk.
By Train:
If you are travelling from the UK it is possible to make the entire journey by train.
For planning train travel we recommend using Rail Europe and Trainline to book your tickets and plan routes.
For travelling by coach, large operators like Eurolines, Flixbus and Ouibus are reliable and inexpensive options.
By Air: You can fly into Innsbruck, in Austria, and Venice or Verona, in Italy. Note that Austrian Airways will normally carry ski bags free of charge. We do, however, ask that you verify this yourself.
Innsbruck: take a free shuttle bus from the airport to Innsbruck central train station, a 15 minute journey leaving every 10 minutes. Take a train to Dobbiaco, also called Toblach, via Brennero/Brenner > Fortezza/Franzensfete. Be aware that in the Dolomites/Sud Tirol all the towns and village have an Italian name and a German name. The train departs hourly for Brennero/Brenner, change here for Fortezza/Franzensfeste, then on to Dobbiaco/Toblach. The journey takes approximately 3h00, and the changes are every 30 minutes at Fortezza and Brennero. If your departure flight is too early for the first local train between Dobbiaco and Fortezza, then you can book a taxi at the hotel to take you directly to Fortezza.
Venice: (either Marco Polo or Treviso airports) Take either the Cortina Express or Flix bus to Cortina, and then change for the local bus to Dobbiaco. The total journey time is about 2 hours 45 minutes. Our guests have reported that either route works well, and the journey is enjoyable.
Check out Rome2Rio for other options, including trains from Venice to Dobbiaco or even for the entire journey from the UK. Check www.sad.it for local trains to Dobbiaco.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Ski hire is available locally and will cost approximately 56 Euros for the 6 days, you can upgrade to the top of the range for 65 Euros per week. We will be using 'classic' fish-scale track skis for this trip. If you have your own skis then either fish-scale or skintec skis are appropriate. We do not advise using waxing skis as the temperatures can fluctuated substantially during the course of the day. If you require to hire skis you should have notified us of any ski hire requirements on your Booking Form. Your ski pass will cost approximately 40-45 Euros for the week. This covers 900km of tracks in the Dolomites.
Your safety while skiing is our top priority. All skiers are requested to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by the International Ski Federation, or FIS. The aim is to make you, the skier, aware of how to avoid risks, take responsibility and act thoughtfully while on the cross-country ski tracks.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you will encounter and accommodation you will be staying in.
Equipment
We use 'classic' style cross country track skis for this trip either ‘fishscales’ or ‘skintec’. You can choose to bring your own 'classic' track skis (non-metal edged), however, do check with us first to ensure they are suitable.
Skis, boots, and poles - can be hired at the start of the trip. The cost of hire is indicated in 'Trip Information'. If you are intending to hire you must inform us as soon as possible as equipment must be booked in advance. The type of ski supplied by the hire shop is provided in the 'Ski Rental' section of the Trip Information page. If in doubt about the suitability of your own skis please contact us.
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. A single room on this trip is approximately £300 depending on room availability at the time of booking.
We go to great lengths to work with first class ski instructors who are passionate about their work.
Your ski instructor will be a BASI qualified, or equivalent, Nordic Ski Instructor. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors and is one of Europe's leading examining boards for those choosing a career in snow sports. For some countries your ski instructor will hold the national qualification required for the country you are visiting. All are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
In the majority of cases your instructor will also be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. International Mountain Leaders are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, and traditions of the area which you are visiting.
Please note your instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
For this trip where you are centre-based, in other words where you are staying in the same accommodation all week, you are welcome to bring whatever luggage you require. However, please note that not all the hotels we use have elevators. This means you may need to carry your luggage to your bedroom and this might involve climbing several flights of stairs. We would suggest that luggage with wheels is generally a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. In this respect due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. All the trips being sold by Tracks and Trails are organised by Tracks and Trails, but you may find guests from other companies on your trip. Partners are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements. We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same price package. If you have any questions about this policy contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 15 Feb - Sat 22 Feb Code: DSH2 |
Price: £1875 | Guaranteed | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 10 Jan - Sat 17 Jan Code: DSH1 |
Price: £1920 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 14 Feb - Sat 21 Feb Code: DSH2 |
Price: £1920 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1875 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 2,250m (7,380ft) |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy |
