6 days from 1635 € per participant
Guaranteed departure from 5 people
- Stunning and outstanding landscapes
- Welcoming and comfortable accommodation with great Italian food
- A great skiing experience with itineraries that will take your breath away
- Easy access: flight to Torino Caselle or Milano Bergamo airports followed by minibus transfer
- Hassle-free: our minibus is used for all transfers to and in the Dolomites (long and costly) and rented gear is delivered on the spot
- No booking fees
Careful, here we touch on the mythical, the heart of the chicken (il cuore del poletto, in Italian) (yes, yes). Who hasn't heard of the Dolomites at least once? This very mineral massif is a corner of the Alps like no other. Marmolada, Torre Sella, Tofane, Tre Cime ... are all sublime peaks steeped in history: the Great War, via ferrata, rock climbing... This original ski tour of the Dolomites combines ski lifts and sealskins (so as not to offend Brigitte Bardot, we only use stuffed seals on our skis) and takes in some dazzling scenery. Beautiful ski touring like you won't find anywhere else awaits us: sublime pass crossings, ski descents between towering cliffs, the unspoilt beauty of the villages. Our stopovers in the refuges-auberges are surprising in terms of the care taken with the meals, the comfort of the accommodation and the welcome we receive!
For the first day of your ski touring holiday in the Dolomites, meet us at the car park of the Flora Alpina or Briançon refuge or Turin Caselle airport or Milan Bergamo airport and transfer to our minibus in the Dolomites. Pack preparation and equipment check. Depending on snow conditions, we may need to put on skis for a while to reach the refuge. Presentation of the programme by the guide.
Meals included today: Dinner
Accommodation included today: refuge
The Flora Alpina refuge is often fully booked well in advance. If it is not available, we will sleep in the village of Falcade, a few kilometres away.
From the hut we gently climb up the Pian del Cros valley through a nice forest with traditional houses, and reach the Forca Rossa mountain pass (2490 m) where stunning landscape dominate the South face of the Marmolada, the Sasso Valfredda and the Tofanes mountain range off in the distance ! A wonderful descent down the Di Franzedas valley leads us to Malga Ciapela (1446 m). We take the cable car to reach the Marmolada shoulder (3250 m). Glacier descent with several possible itineraries depending on conditions. Face to face with the Sella range, the atmosphere is truly unique. We spend the night at the Castiglioni mountain hut (2044 m).
Ascent/descent: + 700 m/- 2300 m - approx. 6 hrs
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: mountain hut
A magnificent Southerly oriented valley leads us to the Porta Vescoso viewpoint (2478 m) followed by a short descent down to the Arraba ski resort where we catch a cable car up to Saas Pordoï (2950 m). We’ll be facing the stunning Sella range as we descend the Val di Mesdi canyon. Surprising is the only way to describe this journey ! A short taxi transfer takes us to the comfortable Lagazuoi hut (2750 m) from where we most probably have the best view of the Dolomites.
Ascent/descent: + 600 m /- 2000 m - approx. 6 hrs
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: mountain hut
We enter the Tofanes range, Easterly from Cortina d'Ampezzo, the heart of the Dolomites. Descent at the foot of to the Di Lech mountain pass (or Locia mountain pass in case of bad conditions).
On option for those eager: Cima Scotoni (2874 m) - or Piz de Lavarela (3050 m), from Frocella dal Lago (2486 m) and via the Campestrin valley South to North.
We then make a big crossing through the Val di Fanes ending up the Limo mountain pass (2174 m) to reach either the Fanes or Lavarella hut.
Ascent/descent: +500 m /- 950 m - approx. 5 hrs
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: mountain hut
From the hut we have many options especially with a light pack, we'll decide according to conditions and everyone's fancies. The Cavallo peak and Sasso Santa Croce are among the possible options.
Ascent/descent: + 600 m to + 1300 m/- 600 m to - 1300 m - approx. 4 - 6 hrs
Meals included: breakfast, picnic and dinner
Accommodation included: mountain hut
After the ascent of the Ciamin Lavinores, we pick up our packs and reach the bottom of the valley either via the Pera Maura mountain pass or via the Salata valley, or last option, join the Scuro valley that takes us North-Westerly back to the road that leads to Cortina. A nice day to end this journey !
Transfer to the Flora Alpina mountain hut (1 1/2 hrs), then return transfer to Oulx and Briançon. Beware return trips will be in the evening, it's best to book accomodation for Friday night in Oulx or Briançon ;)
Ascent/descent: + 600 m/- 1150 m - approx. 4 hrs
Meals included: breakfast and picnic
Please note this itinerary is an example of a ski touring trip in the Dolomites, Italy. The guide may adjust certain itineraries and ski areas according to weather and snow conditions as well as participants' abilities. We kindly ask you to respect such decision. We may also change accommodation, maintaining the same standards, according to logistics and availabilities.
Another alternative itinerary frequently used if the above is impassable: as of day 3 night at Lagazuoi, transfer, and day 4 to 6 we ski in and around the Fanes area.
We always do our best, but we can't guarantee the exact time of arrival at the train station (due to traffic or weather conditions). Therefore we strongly advise you to buy train tickets that can easily be modified. If you're travelling by car, we'll meet you at the arrival point, or at one of the drop of points where you'll be able to leave your car for the entire trip.
Train & TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com
Car access: www.mappy.fr
Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr
Free public parking can be found in Briançon (unattended) or just in front of our accommodation.
The slopes may have some short steep passages. You should be at ease with ski touring techniques and skiing on all types of snow. We may also ski on glacier terrain. You should master uphill kick turns without hesitation.
Good physical condition, some short climbs on foot possible. Elevation gain between 500m and 800m/per day. Depending on the climbs chosen, it is often possible to make a second outing during the day, allowing those who are tired to rest and those who are not to continue skiing.
Good to know: if you don't have the level required, the guide may ask you to leave the group for your own safety, that of the group or the well-being of the group as a whole. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us !
5 to 8 participants
Azimut qualified mountain guide.
All our mountain guides are certified. We choose them for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.
Bring a small day pack large enough to carry your personal belongings for the day such as (extra) layers, a few snacks, your picnic and security equipment.
For reasons of possible program changes, lift passes are not included in the price. Mountain and weather conditions will dictate the day-to-day program. For this trip, you should expect to pay between €75 and €130 for lift passes, depending on the itinerary you choose. The guide will probably advance group purchases of ski passes, so as to benefit from group rates and, above all, avoid wasting time. You'll pay him back at the end of the trip.
The price includes
The price does not include
A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure.
We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.
Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur.
Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.
Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !
During the trip
Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex.
Before & after ski touring trips
As soon as you register, we'll send you the contact details of accommodation providers where you can spend the night before and after your trip. This accommodation is close to the meeting points and you will often benefit from a preferential rate.
Depending on your itinerary, it may be easier to join the guide at our logistics base in Cervières so that you can use our minibus to get to the starting point of the trip. On request, we can book you an overnight stay before or after your trip at the Lodge Le Petit Cerf, which is our basecamp located exactly at the same place as our agency.
Make sure to wear bright colours, it's good for the soul and gives photos a funky edge !
Ski gear (all in excellent condition)
Security advice: avalanche airbag backpacks are highly recommended.
They help to stay on the surface in case of avalanche and minimize the risk of burial. Our guides use them and we highly recommend you to opt for high quality and reliable gear. If you don't have an avalanche airbag we rent them out at a very competitive price.
If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don't worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.
Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip):
Complete Pack (skis, boots, skins, poles, ski-crampons) | 235€ |
Skis (skis, skins, poles, ski crampons) | 210€ |
Shoes | 68€ |
Sac Airbag | 75€ |
Glacier Pack (crampons, ice axe and harness) | 95€ |
You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you've chosen is out of stock you'll be notified and reimbursed.
Clothes
This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes it may be a good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands or the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start.
Headwear
Bodywear
Footwear
Odds & ends
Toiletries and first aid kit
Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:
We are members of Entreprises du Voyage and APST.
Don't forget to:
See you on the slopes !
Have great runs with AZIMUT !