Italian Dolomites Cross-country Skiing

Discover tranquil scenery that’s ideal for all abilities

Cross-country skiing is a fantastic way to explore the jagged limestone peaks of the Dolomites. With pre-cut tracks (known as loipes) offering a network of routes on varying terrain, there is something for everyone. Unlike downhill skiing, this is more of an aerobic workout and not all about speed. Crucially, cross-country skis can be used on flats, descents, and even ascents with the right technique.

Dobbiaco, set at 3,940ft (1,200m) above sea level in the heart of the region, is one of our most popular centres, offering weeks at Beginner to Advanced level. Our base is the welcoming hotel run by the Tschurtschenthaler family, where warm hospitality and comfortable surroundings provide the perfect balance to an active itinerary.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible. Our base for the week is Hotel Tschurtschenthaler, a small family-run hotel perfectly located in the centre of Dobbiaco.
• Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
• The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income which is used for upkeep and development of these important sites.
• With our partners, Rewilding Apennines, we rewild 100 square meters (1,075 sqft) of land per passenger who travels with us.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
• Cross-country skiing trips like this have very little detrimental impact on the environment and the locals, as it is a quiet, low impact activity requiring comparatively few resources to support.
• Thanks to the excellent location of the hotel, our groups can use public transport every day to take them to the start of cross-country skiing trails thereby reducing carbon footprint.
• Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Is this trip for you?

Cross-country skis are longer, thinner and lighter than those used for downhill with bindings that allow you to lift up your heel. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipes) covering flat and hillier terrain, enabling you to explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. It is a great aerobic workout and something that can be easily adapted to your skill and fitness level.

We offer cross-country skiing trips to suit a wide range of technical and physical levels. Our cross-country skiing grades reflect both the level of physical fitness required and the level of skiing experience required. They are comparable to the Activity Levels we use on our snowshoeing holidays. We believe a slightly different system is needed due to the coaching we provide. This sets our cross-country skiing trips apart, as we rarely need to teach people how to ride a bike or hike. The aim remains to create groups of similar ability and fitness. Our descriptions are below; however, feel free to call and speak to an expert if you are unsure which grade or trip type will suit you best.

At Dobbiaco, there are three grades of skiing offered, ranging from Beginner to Advanced. Availability varies. Depending on the dates, there may be two leaders offering two different grades or one leader offering a single cross-country skiing grade. Please check the grade of skiing for each week in Dates & Prices.

Grade 1 – Beginners

For complete beginners. We start with the basics, including how to stop using the snowplough technique and how to turn. You will be on skis for at least five to six hours a day with a focus on learning, getting comfortable on skis and building towards longer tours. In some centres, there may also be some easy off-track skiing. This involves leaving the pre-cut tracks, typically across frozen lakes or snow-covered pastures.

Grade 2 – Improvers

Ideal for those who have enjoyed at least one Grade 1 trip and grasped the basics. They offer coaching to refresh and improve technique and typically will ski a little further than Grade 1 weeks, and over more varied terrain (ie more ups and downs) and therefore requiring a slightly higher level of fitness. In some cases, these weeks are acceptable for newcomers to cross-country skiing. Beginners should be very fit and proficient in sports that develop balance (ice skating, roller skating or roller skiing) and will need to pick up the basic technique quickly. Please contact us if you wish to book a Grade 2 trip but have not skied before.

Grade 3 – Intermediates

Ideal for those looking to push on, tackle slightly steeper terrain and cover more ground each day. Typical groups will have a few weeks of skiing behind them, be very comfortable with the basics and happy on longer day tours. There will still be coaching on these weeks, at the required level.

Grade 4 – Advanced

Choose this level if you can tackle ‘ups and downs’ competently, manage a controlled snowplough descent, and if you want to ski at a lively pace. You should also be able to get up swiftly and easily by yourself after a fall. The mix of track and off-track skiing varies.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Vaccinations and Health

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and five dinners are included.

An ample buffet breakfast prepares us for the exertions of the day ahead. The excellent evening meals draw equally on Italian and Austrian traditions. They are usually four-courses, but it is always possible to skip a course if you want a lighter dinner. For lunch, our leaders will take us to a variety of cafes or huts serving traditional Tyrolean dishes and international classics.

Weather

Dobbiaco is 3,940ft (1,200m) above sea level; at this height, snow can lie from December to mid-March, with fresh snowfalls at any time. Average daytime temperatures in winter are around -5C (23F), though they can fall as low as -15C (5F), with approximately eight to 10 hours of daylight. In winter, you can expect periods of clear, bright weather. In February and March, it can become surprisingly warm in the sun. Equally, you need to be ready for the occasional stormy day at all times.