Cross-country Skiing in Dobbiaco, Italy (Independent)

Dobbiaco has become our most popular base for holidays, and with good reason: it's a friendly, vivacious town at an elevation of 1200m amidst the splendid scenery of the Dolomites. The lovely Alta Pusteria area in which it is located is close to the Austrian border and German is as commonly spoken as Italian: many towns even have two names (Dobbiaco is known as Toblach in German). The variety of cross-country tracks here is almost unrivalled in Italy, with mile after mile of easy skiing along the broad valley floor - which makes the area an ideal destination for beginners. However there are also more challenging trails around, such as the one that leads south to chic Cortina d’Ampezzo, a wonderful route that passes under the triple rock buttresses of the striking, iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Sexten and Prags valleys also offer a choice of undulating routes through awe-inspiring Dolomites scenery and the high Plätzwiese Plateau also offers wonderful routes at about 2000m above sea level - so there's definitely something for every taste and ability level. We return each evening to the welcoming hospitality of the Tschurtschenthaler family and picturesque Dobbiaco, where we can take in panoramas of the celebrated peaks of northeast Italy.

[Cross-country Skiing Grades: This holiday is Grade 1, 2, 2+ or 3- (Please see Dates & Prices page on the Exodus website for more details, as some dates offer only one grade)]

Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Start Dobbiaco

Day 2 - 7
We prefer not to specify in advance where we will ski each day. This is to enhance the flexibility and adapt to weather and snow conditions and to some extent the ability of each group. When choosing routes, the leader's priority will be to take in a variety of scenery and to ensure that participants become better and more confident skiers as the week progresses.

Examples of skiing options:
Along the wide valley floor east and west of Dobbiaco there is easy skiing for many kilometres - great for beginners. A little more challenging is the track that leads south to Cortina d'Ampezzo, a memorable route among spectacular mountains, passing under the triple rock buttresses of the imposing Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Sexten and Prags valleys offer a choice of undulating routes in typical Dolomites scenery, with a welcoming café for a lunch stop. To the south the high Plätzwiese plateau has some superb routes at about 2000m. Many of the area's cross-country skiing tracks are prepared for skating technique as well as for classic style. Grade 3 groups will spend most of their time on the tracks but will occasionally follow untracked routes in the Sexten valley.
On some dates, we offer two grades of skiing with two leaders.

Day 8
End Dobbiaco

Is this trip for you?
Cross-country skiing or Nordic skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill with bindings that let you lift your heel, you'll explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) and exhilarating days are spent skiing quickly over flat ground and up and down hills. At Dobbiaco, Exodus offer four grades of skiing with levels ranging from beginners to intermediate and advanced. On some dates there are two leaders offering two different grades, and some dates have one leader with one cross-country skiing grade and one leader running Exodus' Winter Walking trip. Please check the grade of skiing that applies to your selected week on the trip's 'Dates and Prices' page.

Many ski areas are easily accessible from Dobbiaco, including Plan de Corones and Cortina D'Ampezzo, each offering a wide selection of alpine skiing possibilities. Only a 10-minute bus journey away, San Candido and Versciaco have 53km of downhill slopes for all skiing levels. Alpine skis can be hired in Dobbiaco for approximately €25 per day.

NB. All active winter holidays involve some element of risk, from something as normal as slipping on icy pavements, to the possibility of injuries sustained as a result of the activities themselves. While Exodus do all they can to minimize any dangers, participants must be prepared to accept some risk as part of the holiday. On the first few days of a beginner's cross-country skiing course your instructor will choose the trails and terrain carefully, and will avoid steep slopes, however, even on the flat you should expect to fall over.

This trip is based at: Tschurtschenthaler Hotel
This fine hotel has been welcoming Exodus groups for many years. The attractive building is traditionally styled, but with the advantages of a small swimming pool, sauna and beauty treatment room (treatments not included). An ample buffet breakfast prepares you for the exertions of the day ahead and evening meals draw equally on Italian and Austrian traditions. After dinner you can relax in the lounge or go through to the bar for a drink with the locals. All rooms have shower and WC, and are comfortably furnished.