Dolomites Winter Activity Week, Italy

Italy's Northern Dolomites is a land of awe-inspiring mountain scenery that makes a perfect winter sports and activities playground, boasting a huge range of activities for all kinds of winter sports. We stay in a lovely, tranquil village where we can sample traditional Tyrolean cuisine and enjoy a warm welcome from the Pircher family - who have run this deluxe hotel for many years with great success. There are brilliant transport links, which means that we can head to Dobbiaco for some of Italy's most renowned cross-country skiing and skating, and experience the chic ski resort of Cortina D’Ampezzo. We'll take a trip by snowmobile to experience the colourful jagged pinnacles of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo, an exciting experience that is a real highlight of the week - in the afternoon you'll have the chance to get into the driving seat yourself, should you wish. This trip is a great chance to try a wide range of fun-packed activities and to see and experience all that this beautiful area has to offer - all from the comfort of a luxurious hotel.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1
Start Villabassa (approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes from Innsbruck).

Day 2
In the morning, we take our transfer to the beautiful Lago d'Antorno, next to Lago di Misurina. We then board our snowmobiles for an exciting journey up to Rifugiio Auronzo and a short walk then reveals the wonderful view of the famous 'three chimneys', also known as Tre Cime di Lavaredo. We then have the choice to return with the snowmobiles or to enjoy a 5km toboggan run (provided) back to the lake. In the afternoon, there is the option to drive (or simply enjoy being the passenger in) the snowmobiles around the beautiful Lago d'Antorno. There is the option to ice-skate on the lake should you prefer, (see extra expenses section).

Day 3
We transfer this morning five minutes down the road to Dobbiaco, one of the most famous cross-country skiing centres in Italy. After collecting our equipment, we head to the large newly built stadium for some practice. For the intermediate or advanced skiiers, information is provided for exciting loipe that are possible directly from the stadium. After another short bus journey to Lake Dobbiaco, where we enjoy a game of curling.

Day 4
Today, we spend the day in the chic resort of Cortina D'Ampezzo with a variety of activities available (all optional). Try some downhill skiing or ice-skating in this famous resort that hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956. For the adventurous, this may be the best opportunity to try those alternatives to skiing, such as telemark, ski touring or snowboarding. Alternatively you may simply want to wander around this beautiful village and then enjoy a traditional horse and sleigh ride!

Day 5
We enjoy a full day of snowshoeing. A possible area for today's exploration is one of the most beautiful corners of the Northern Dolomites:the Lago di Braies. This natural lake is known for being one of the deepest in the Bolzano region, with a depth of 36m, and is arguably the most picturesque thanks to the wonderful jagged mountains that encircle the lake on every side.

Day 6
There are many options available for today (all optional), which may simply be some self-guided snowshoeing or winter walking, as there are an incredible number of trails in this area. Perhaps some more cross-country or downhill skiing in the nearby resorts of San Candido or Mt Elmo. Alternatively there are the cultural highlights of this area, which include Lienz Castle, Brunico or a visit to the famous 'ice-man' in Bolzano.

Day 7
After collecting our special ski equpiment, we enjoy some more cross-country ski instruction with an emphasis on the 'skate' technique. This is an introduction to a new type of cross-country skiing that is becoming increasinly popular. We then transfer to Croda Rossa, a beautiful mountain known its reddish colour at a certain time of day, where we end the week with an exhilarating 5km toboggan ride!

Day 8
End Villabassa.

Is this trip for you?
No previous experience required but a reasonable level of fitness is required. Snowshoeing is suitable for regular summer hill walkers, while cross-country skiing is aimed at beginners, but there is 120km of loipe for intermediates and experts who prefer to ski independently. Although a programme is detailed, the actual order of events may be changed and the timetable will be confirmed locally by the leader.

This trip is based at: Hotel Adler
Located on the village square, this quality hotel is one of the most comfortable that Exodus feature. The cosy bar is often busy with locals, while the quiet lounge is warmed by a log fire. The hotel's other facilities include an indoor pool, sauna, solarium and small fitness centre. The well-known restaurant, run by head chef Helene Markart, appears in the Michelin Guide among others; the menu features a mixture of local and international cuisine. All bedrooms are spacious and have en suite facilities, minibar and TV.