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 and Toblach. The hotels in Dobbiaco 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.
Dobbiaco, or Toblach to give it its German name, is one of the best known Cross Country Ski World Cup venues in Europe. It is located in the Alta Pusteria area and is home to 200km (125 miles) of ski trails. Whether you want to cruise the valleys and enjoy the stunning views of such as the world famous Tre Cime, the Three Peaks, or try your skills in the World Cup stadium, then it's all here in Alta Pusteria. Today we aim to give you time to find your legs and enjoy being back on your skis. As with every day, coaching from your own Nordic Ski Instructor will be available. All our Instructors are English speaking, highly experienced, professional and qualified. This will normally be through the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) system.
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.
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.
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!
This wide and sunny valley is perfectly suited for cross country skiing and enjoying the beautiful landscape all at the same time. We ski from Bruckenwurt through and past villages to the hamlet of San Magdelena. 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. When the snow conditions are good you can ski to the villages of Taisten and Welsberg and from there you can try the tracks of the 'Pustertaler Skimarathon' route. This really is a scenic day out, but then every day is.
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.
On all of our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, comfortable, characterful, family run accommodation.
We take time to research, update and view the best options available to us on every trip. Detailed below are examples of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable at the time of booking we will use alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
The trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. However on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee.
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.
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 the Cortina Express bus to Cortina, and then change for the local bus to Dobbiaco. 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.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Ski hire is available locally and costs approximately 13 Euros per day. We will be using 'classic' fish-scale track skis for this trip. Your ski pass will cost approximately 7 Euros per day. You should have notified us of any ski hire requirements on your Booking Form.
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.
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 there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The 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. This trip has a single supplement of £200.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/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.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
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. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
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 your day of activity. 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 choose to 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 and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day 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 only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. 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.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
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.
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 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. 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.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that 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.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Cross Country Ski Instruction |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
| Meet In | Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy |
