Still not sure if the SUPERSKI Dolomites Ski Safari is for you?

Here are the most common questions that prospective guests ask us …

What makes the Inspired Italy Dolomites SUPERSKI Safari ‘different’?

9 days, more ski areas, and more experiences! You stay in the 8 different rifugi and experience some of the most beautiful mountains, slopes, and ski areas in the world to make no mention of the food, wine, and additional areas that you cover.

I don’t want to hold up the group; Is my ski ability good enough? Am I fit enough?

This is probably the number one concern of many booking an Inspired Italy SUPERSKI Dolomites Ski Safari. The SUPERSKI Dolomites Ski Safari isn’t about ‘speed’. It’s about ‘pace’. And it is partly why groups are restricted to 7 guests. This helps the rhythm of the ski safari day. But don’t worry, when you contact us, we will discuss your ski ability and fitness before you book.

What is ‘intermediate’ ski ability?

The term ‘intermediate skier’ is liberally banded about. Some over estimate, some under estimate. We have some clear, detailed descriptions of ski ability and we will send these to you as we pre-qualify every guest before booking and we do our best to match groups with similar abilities. Together we can then ensure that your ski ability is what is needed for the itinerary of your choice.

But remember, it is your fitness that is key.

How fit do you need to be?

One person’s park run is another’s marathon. You need to be able to ski steadily at a good speed all day and maintain a reasonable pace/speed – each itinerary differs, so please ensure that you understand the itinerary that you have selected. Our ski days start around 8:30 and finish usually around 15:30. Although we get a great number of bluebird days when conditions are tough, you still have to go skiing to get to the next Rifugio!

NO FAFFING!

The Inspired Italy SUPERSKI Dolomites Ski Safari is not a sightseeing ski tour! It is about skiing. On some days you will ride 25 or more ski lifts; 2 mins lost ‘faffing’ on each lift losses an hour a day from an already short day. Whilst we build in a certain amount of ‘wiggle’ room, we do keep the pace steady and constant.

I don’t normally ski with a Backpack.

That’s OK! As long as you’re fit, the additional weight makes little difference. We provide you with a suggested packing list and as long as you take the advice you will hardly notice the weight. How you deal with the backpack on the ski lift is a personal preference. Most people keep the pack on but some prefer to slide them around their shoulders and place the pack on their knees. It’s whatever is most comfortable and safe for you. The lift company advise that you remove the pack. Our backpacks are carefully chosen and specially designed for skiers. You get to keep the pack after your Dolomites Ski Safari. There are opportunities to ski without a backpack.

What about helmets?

Since 2025, all skiers must wear a helmet.

What about my main luggage?

Your luggage is left at the base hotel ready for your return. We do not transport the luggage from Rifugio to Rifugio, for a variety of reasons mainly the great distances we cover, the complex logistics and entrusting your luggage via taxi and multiple chair lifts that make luggage transportation rather hazardous!

Do the Rifugio have WiFi?

All Rifugi have WiFi. Some are better than others but posting your pictures to Instagram and picking up email shouldn’t be a problem.

I’m a vegetarian/celiac/gluten-free.

Let us know in advance and we’ll let the Rifugi know so that you won’t be eating cheese omelette every night! Vegetarian options are usually, pasta or polenta based. If you are vegan, gluten-free or have nut allergies, you will have a restricted choice in the menu. The kitchens in the Rifugi produce some excellent culinary experiences, but they are often limited in what they can offer! Remember, you are staying on the very top of a mountain!

What happens if you cannot get to the Rifugio?

The main threat to a Dolomites Ski Safari is strong wind. These can cause chair lift connections to close. Although we have encountered this on several occasions, we’ve never failed yet to get to our destination! In the 2015/16 season, major snow storms meant we had to reroute and spend two nights in one Rifugio. Eventually, we decided to call the helicopter to get us out!

What happens if someone gets lost?

It’s never happened yet, but it will! We brief each group on safety and operational protocol before departure, which is probably why we’ve always successfully counted them all out, and back again! In the event mobile/cell phone coverage in the Dolomites is superb!

Also, we make extensive use of WhatsApp. We create a WhatsApp group for each Ski Safari and this can be used to help locate anyone who takes a wrong turn!

Do we stop for coffee/comfort breaks?

It depends upon the itinerary.

For faster-paced trips like the Super 7, Venture and SuperSki, non-lunch stops are minimal and skiing is the priority. The Dolce Collection and the Special are designed to have coffee stops and offer greater flexibility in the itinerary. However, some groups wish to stop more regularly, and so long as the group is happy, then we are here to show you the very best hot chocolate stops!

Other than this, we always stop for lunch and we select our lunch venues with great care!

Many lift stations are equipped with toilets.

What are the Rifugi like?

A rifugio is a mountain shelter or hut but the days of snow blowing in under the door while in the corner, a small wood stove struggles to heat a pan of boiling pasta, horse hair blankets and smelly socks hanging over the end of the bed are long forgotten.

The Italian Rifugio is a skier’s oasis on top of the mountain or high pass. A warm and welcoming place where food, wine and hospitality are in abundance and some, just a few, have beds for the night. The wine list, choice of homemade grappa, the home-cooked food and the views are second to none. Some rifugi offer comfortable private, en suite rooms, while others are more basic with shared bathrooms and showers.

Most of all, rifugi are welcoming, warm and cosy and, being on the mountain, right on the piste!

Do I  have to share a room?

You should arrive expecting to share a room with another member(s) of your group at some point on the trip, whether you’re a couple, a solo skier or travelling with friends and family.

Rifugi sell beds, rather than rooms and because we pre-book our rooms well in advance, most couples get their own private rooms with en suite but we cannot guarantee this. It is most likely that you will, at some point, have to share a room and a bathroom with other members of your group.

We do not use large, multi-occupancy dormitory-style accommodation.

Read On a Ski Safari in the Dolomites, by Christian Wolmar, published in The Times.

Can I ski Off-Piste?

No, we don’t do off-piste!

The Inspired Italy Dolomite Ski Safari is an on-piste ski tour. Some clients do choose to test out the off-piste conditions when circumstances allow, but this is done entirely at their own risk. If you wish to ski off-piste we advise that you first familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations in Italy for off-piste skiing.

Can I come on a snowboard?

No! The nature of the Inspired Italy Dolomites Ski Safari makes it difficult to mix skiers with snowboarders.

Am I protected?

The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Inspired Italy Limited #5377, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for:

– Non-flight packages

ABTOT cover provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled or repatriation if transportation was included in your package. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Inspired Italy.

In the unlikely event that you require assistance whilst abroad due to our financial failure, please call our 24/7 helpline on 01702 811397 and advise you are a customer of an ABTOT-protected travel company.

You can access The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/contents/made

Which are the best airports for the Dolomites?

1. Bolzano – you can get flights from the UK direct to Bolzano https://www.skyalps.com/en/flights-packages/london/england
2. Innsbruck! Yes, fly to Austria, and ski in Italy! The transfer from Innsbruck to your Ski Safari base hotel is no more than 90 minutes in normal traffic.
3. Verona is the next best option at around 2hrs transfer
4. Munich airport has a great train link for intercontinental travellers.
5. Venice and Bergamo are also possible options.
6. Rome – why not? Fly to Rome and take the high-speed Frecciarossa direct from Rome to Bolzano for less than €100 per person which takes around 5 hours.

How do Transfers work?

Make your way to the designated pick-up point – see below – to meet the Inspired Italy transfer to Cavallino d’Oro, Castletrotto (via Carlos Ski Rental, Ortisei). Transfers are included based upon a minimum of 4 people sharing.

INBOUND:

Innsbruck Station  – 14.00

Innsbruck Airport – 14.30

Verona Airport – 14.00

Bolzano Station – 14.30

Bolzano Airport – 14.40

OUTBOUND DEPARTURE TIMES:

Cavallino d’Oro, Castletrotto to Innsbruck Airport & Station – 7.30

Cavallino d’Oro, Castletrotto to Verona Airport – 7:30

Cavallino d’Oro, Castletrotto to Bolzano Station & Airport – 11:00

NOTE

1. There are significant roadworks planned for the Austrian/Italian border and transfers to/from Innsbruck are expected to take longer than in previous years ie. a 7:30 departure from the Cavallino d’Oro, Castletrotto is likely to result in arrival in Innsbruck of around at 9:30.
2. Private transfers are available upon request through our taxi partner, Taxi Albert. Please contact us for details.

What if my flight is delayed?

Flight delays happen and we will work with you in real time to manage this. However, inevitably you will need to pay for any additional expenses incurred.

How do I book?

You can call us at +44 (0) 1733 865 443, drop us an email with the details of the trip that you want to book at my@Inspireditaly.com, or CLICK HERE.