Itinerary for Dolce Panoramica Dolomites Ski Safari
There is something magical about staying on the mountain. As the other skiers drop back into their valleys and return to their hotels, for five nights on this tour you can pull up a chair, order a drink & allow the mountain tranquillity to wash over you. Watch the sun slide behind the mountain opposite, because, more than likely, you'll be skiing it tomorrow!
DAY 1: Arrival & Welcome
A 90-minute transfer from Innsbruck (or Verona) airports (other transfers available on request) through the wonderful Brenner Pass to your 4✩-base hotel in Castelrotto via Carlos Ski Rental for your ski equipment. Following your ski fitting, enjoy your ski safari briefing [18:00], welcome drinks with your ski leader, and get to meet your fellow adventurers! Your base hotel is an ancient coaching house where travelers once stayed whilst horses were changed for the onward journey. Castelrotto is an ancient village in the heart of the Sudtirol and the Cavallino d'Oro hotel is one of the oldest buildings in the village. It is here where your ski journey begins.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ Private taxi transfer ★ Equipment collection ★ Arrival at the Cavallino d'Oro ★ Welcome Drinks ★ Meet your ski leader & receive your complimentary back-pack
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Cavallino d'Oro, Castelrotto
DAY 2: The 3 Valleys
A short transfer to the Val Gardena starts us on our way to the Val Pusteria through the Val Badia. Coffee with a commanding view of the Sella Massif, lunch in the Val Badia, and onwards to the famous Plan de Corones (Kronplatz) ski area in the northernmost valley of the Dolomiti Superski area.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ Selva Gardena, ★ Badia valley ★ Plans di Corones
ACCOMMODATION: Rifugio CAI, Kronplatz
DAY 3: Perfect Piste & a Ski Train
Plans di Corones is frequently voted as one of the top ski destinations in the Alps and today you’ll discover why. This 'Christmas pudding-shaped' mountain has slopes running off its crown in every direction - carving heaven - and 12 high speed lifts to bring you back to the peak at 2,275m ASL. The group will spend the morning and lunch here before catching the mid-afternoon ski train for the 40 min trip east towards Austria and Sesto where you will exit the station, clip on our skis and ski off to the next rifugio.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ Plans di Corones ★ Ski Train ★ Sesto
ACCOMMODATION: Rifugio Panorama, Sesto
DAY 4: Sesto & The Austrian Border
Sesto/Sexten is a gem of a ski area and the highlight, the Skiweg UNESCO, is a remarkable run through the border wilderness and is just one of the 115 km of perfectly prepared pistes. One time while skiing here we had to make way for deer 🦌 crossing the slope! And you are so close to Austria, you can all but throw a stone over the border!
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ SkiWeg UNESCO ★ Lots of long slopes ★ Snowmobile transfer
ACCOMMODATION: Rifugio Faloria, Cortina
DAY 5: Cortina d'Ampezzo
Fresh tracks on Faloria and a quick look at Cristallo before taking lunch over at Tofana, the main ski area of Cortina. This stunning ski area will captivate you! The afternoon ski journey takes us on a historical trip along WWI battle grounds, amazing views, and gentle skiing to arrive at Rifugio Lagazuoi, possibly the most famous Rifugio in the Dolomites and certainly with the greatest views.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ James Bond Run ★ Tofana ❤️ ★ Cinque Torri ★ Views, views, views...
ACCOMMODATION: Rifugio Lagazuoi, above Passo Falzarego
DAY 6: The Dolomites Hidden Valley
No Dolomites Ski Safari is complete without the Hidden Valley and today is that day. To give it the official name, Armentarola 101 pretty much describes the skiing but not the scenery and setting - truly dramatic! Lunch with Willy is something to remember! The day ends with the group making your way toward the mighty Marmolada via Alta Badia and a classic Dolomites village, Arabba.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ Horse Tow ★ Hidden Valley ★ Alta Badia ★ Lunch with Willy ★ Arabba.
ACCOMMODATION: Rifugio Fedaia, Marmolada
DAY 7: The Marmolada Morning
To find yourself at 3,265m at 9:00 with the sun casting shadows over a perfectly groomed 12km long, 1,800m vertical piste is a skier's heaven. So much so that Margaret, an experienced skier on a recent ski safari, was brought to tears on this run, something that had never happened to her before. How will it affect you? The day ends with a journey by ski & lift back to where it all it began.
HIGHLIGHTS: ★ Marmolada ★ La Longia
ACCOMMODATION: Cavallino d'Oro, Castelrotto
DAY 8: Departure
Try to take the time to enjoy your Cavallino d'Oro breakfast. If time allows, take a wander around this wonderful Tyrol village. Your transfer to Innsbruck is only 90min. If you’re going to the local train station, its 20mins.
HIGHLIGHT: Breakfast with memories of a fantastic ski safari with your new friends!