Italy 14:51 – 27 September 2023

DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari

Refuge-to-Refuge On-Piste Skiing in the Picture-Perfect Dolomites

Steadier Pace | Small Groups | Groomed Slopes

More Time on the Mountain

An Inspired ITALY Dolomites Ski Safari for skiers who prefer a steadier pace of adventure.

The DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari sticks strictly to the principles of our famous Dolomite Ski Safaris - an on-piste journey through the Dolomites - while taking a little more time, with the option for a few more coffee stops and to pause for the famous vistas of some of the worlds most breathtaking mountains.

The Very Best Skiing & Views in the Dolomites!

Suitable for Fit, Intermediate or Better Skiers who Enjoy a Steadier Pace of Adventure

Prices from $3,464 per person View Prices

“Thank you for the most fabaroonie Ski Safari ever! I’ve enjoyed them all, but this one was the best in my opinion.”

DOLCE TEMPO Ski Safari by Manda Bennett 🇬🇧

Summary

  • SMALL GROUP: Max 7 guests per group
  • 7 Nights
  • 4★ Base Hotel
  • ... 3 Nights B&B | 4 Nights Half Board
  • ... Four Rifugio Nights
  • 6 Day Full Area Ski Pass
  • 6 Days Ski Rental
  • Steady, Enjoyable Pace & More Frequent Pauses
  • Hidden Valley
  • No Obligatory Black Ski Slopes
  • Ski Areas: Carezza | San Pellegrino | Val Gardena | Val di Fassa | Arabba/Marmolada | Civetta | Alta Badia | Alpe di Siusi

Statistics

  • ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy/Moderate
  • SKI DISTANCE: 120+ miles | 200+ Km
  • COFFEE STOPS: Frequent
  • LUNCHES: Longer ...
  • MINIMUM SKI ABILITY: Intermediate or better
  • Statistics vary depending upon conditions, ability and fitness.

Day by day

Discover a different mountain character  -  Stay on the Mountain.

The first time I stayed in a Dolomites high-mountain rifugio, I had a sense of being back in my old village pub, after hours, chatting to the landlord joined by a few good friends!

While other skiers return to the valley and to their hotels, you cosy down and settle in for the night. Watch the sun slip behind the mountain as the valley lights shimmer into life and dinner is served in an atmosphere of warmth and quietude.

This mountain is yours!

Day 1: Arrival & Welcome

A 90 minute transfer from Innsbruck airport (other transfers available on request) through the wonderful Brenner Pass to your 4✩ base hotel in Castlerotto.

18:00 Evening welcome drinks and briefing with your ski leader.

Highlights

★ Arrival at the Cavallino d'Oro ★ Welcome Drinks ★ Meet your Ski Leader & your Back-Pack

Accommodation

Hotel Cavallino d'Oro, Castlerotto

The Cavallino d'Oro is located at the very heart of Castlerotto in the ancient market place dating from 1326.

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 2: Take it Easy on Alpe di Siusi

08:30 - Hotel Pick-Up & Fit Ski Equipment - Following your ski fitting and full Ski Safari Briefing, the arrival on to the plateau of Alpe di Siusi is a spectacular start to the week and a wonderful introduction to the wonderful Dolomites. A delightful lunch and a gentle return to your base Hotel for an evening of dinner and Back-Packing!

Highlights

★Alpe di Siusi ★Europes Highest Largest Ski Plateau

Statistics

Alpe di Siusi has 63km of ski slopes | Easy 15km 24% | Intermediate 45Km 71% | Difficult 3km 5%

Accommodation

Hotel Cavallino d'Oro, Castlerotto

One of Italy's top 10 quality hotels (judged by Tripadvisor guests)

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 3: Carezza & King Laurin's Rose Garden

08:15 - Hotel Pick-Up 40min drive to ski lift - there is 40Km of quiet ski slopes awaiting you at Carezza. 15 lifts transport you through elevations between 1,182 and 2,337m set at the foot of the famous dwarf king Laurin's Rosengarten. Carezza is one of the sunniest areas in South Tyrol with an average of 8 hours of sun per day in the winter.

Highlights

★Carezza Skiing ★Views of king Laurin's Rosengarten

Statistics

Carezza has 40Km of Ski Slopes | Easy 19km 47% | Intermediate 16.2km 41% | Difficult 4.8km 12%

Accommodation

Rifugio Baita Cuz, Val di Fassa, Dolomites | 2,213m ASL

Rifugio Baita Cuz 2,213m / 7,260ft ASL - sauna, sunsets & the most memorable sunrise

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 4: Coffee, Curves & Corners

Fresh Tracks straight out of the door onto one of the very best intermediate ski slopes in the Val di Fassa - Buffaure and at 5Km, there is a lot to enjoy!

A short private taxi transfer to the other side of the valley to ski Vigo Catinaccio with 13Km of slopes enveloped by extraordinary mountain vistas including Vajolet, Sassolungo, Costabella and Monzoni.

Leaving plenty of time for lunch at the surprising restaurant Soldanella back under the shadow of Buffaure and an afternoon of easy local skiing around Rifugio Baita Cuz.

Highlights

★Views of the Val di Fassa ★Soldanella lunch

Statistics

Vigo has 13Km of Slopes | Buffaure has 23Km | Easy 26% | Intermediate 40%

Accommodation

Rifugio Baita Cuz, Val di Fassa, Dolomites | 2,213m ASL

Rifugio Baita Cuz 2,213m / 7,260ft ASL

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 5: Ski San Pellegrino

Drop into the Valley to catch the private taxi transfer to Passo San Pellegrino. Sharing the same name as the famous Italian fizzy water, Passo San Pellegrino is more about a sparkling ski experience with nearly 90% of slopes being easy or intermediate.

And the views! Oh my! Passo San Pellegrino lies to the south-west of the Dolomites and from its summits, the views are expansive, dramatic and truly memorable.

Should fortune favour you, Piste Innamorati will be open. The 'Lovers’ Slope' is the longest ski piste in the San Pellegrino Ski Area at 11km running from Col Margherita funicular 2514m, all the way to the village of Falcade 1,100m. Innamorati is the perfect slope to enjoy slow skiing and 'quality' over 'quantity'. Every turn offers extraordinary scenery. Ski to Relax! 

Highlights

★Innamorati Ski Piste ★Vistas & Views ★Superb Easy & Intermediate Skiing

Statistics

San Pellegrino has 67.5Km of Ski Slopes | Easy 20.5km 30% | Intermediate 38.5Km 57% | Difficult 8.5km 13%

Accommodation

Rifugio Fuciade, Passo San Pellegrino

Rifugio Fuciade. The best rifugio in the Dolomites? You decide but we think that we know exactly what you will say after your visit!

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 6: Owls & Wows!

The 20min taxi transfer to another wonderful ski area called 'Civetta' or 'Owl'. Famed for the surrounding peaks of Civetta and Pelmo - such dramatic mountainscapes and skiing to match.

Over 90% of the ski pistes here are easy or intermediate. And ridiculously quiet!

The ski area seems to go on forever and its unusual geography provides a true sense of isolation, nature and privilege.

You end the day with a 25min bus transfer ascent along one of the most famous passes in the Dolomites, Passo Giau, often used by the Giro d'Italia, and providing access to the chair lift to Rifugio Averau or 'Averwow' as previous guests nicknamed it!

Highlights

★Pelmo ★Civetta ★Quiet Slopes

Statistics

Civetta has 80km of ski slopes | Easy 30km 38% | Intermediate 44km 54% | Difficult 6km 8%

Accommodation

Rifugio Averau, 5 Torri, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Dolomites | 2,413m ASL

Rifugio Averau 2,413m / 9,028ft ASL - it has become known as 'Averwow' to some of our guests!

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 7: The Dolomites Hidden Valley

The Hidden Valley - one of the worlds great ski slopes sets the tone for your final day, a day so full ski memories.

From the Hidden Valley Horse Tow ski through San Cassiano and Corvara and into the shadow of the Sella group towards Selva Gardena and eventually to St. Cristina ending the day with a 10.5Km slope into Ortisei!

Highlights

★Horse Tow ★Hidden Valley ★La Longia

Statistics

Hidden Valley | Alta Badia | Val Gardena

Accommodation

Cavallino d'Oro, Castlerotto

Hotel Cavallino d'Oro in the ancient Market Place

Find out more:
Travellers Tales article

Day 8: Departure

Enjoy your Cavallino d'Oro breakfast and should time allow, wander the streets the wonderful Tyrol village.

Your transfer to Innsbruck is only 90mins. If your going to the local station, its 20mins.

Highlights

Breakfast

The Cavallino d'Oro Breakfast! Don't miss it!

Journey Map

“Thank you for the most fabaroonie Ski Safari ever! I’ve enjoyed them all, but this one was the best in my opinion.”

DOLCE TEMPO Ski Safari by Manda Bennett 🇬🇧

“We had the most marvellous Dolomites Ski Safari, it was beyond anything I had ever expected. Such an adventure in such an awe inspiring landscape, all so well planned and executed. Our guide wasn't half bad either, in fact he was terrific.”

Belinda Callaway on a Dolomites Ski Safari 🇳🇿

“Fantastic experience! Sleeping at the top of the mountain and early morning untracked corduroy or powder.”

Grant Milne 🇦🇺

“it was without a doubt the best week of our lives so far (except perhaps our wedding week!)”

Bethany & Dan O’Mullane 🇦🇺

Best Bits

  • Only On-Piste & Groomed Ski Slopes
  • Fresh Tracks Each & Every Morning
  • Fresh-Tracks through The Hidden Valley
  • The Hidden Valley Horse Tow
  • No Obligatory Black Runs – plenty for those that want them!
  • Great Food & Wine!
  • Sunsets & Sunrises!

A Steadier Paced Ski Journey through the Italian Dolomite Mountains all on Groomed Ski Slopes

“..each morning begins on a newly prepared groomed slope and no one else on the mountain.”

Travel through the Dolomite Mountains with the Inspired ITALY’s DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari.

Stay the night high on the mountain in a warm and comfortable rifugio and experience the best on-piste skiing that the Dolomites has to offer.

Find the best snow, stunning mountain vistas, enjoy local cuisine and some lesser-known, quieter ski slopes.

Six Full Ski Days

Enjoy six varied ski days where each morning begins on a newly prepared groomed ski slope and no one else on the mountain. Each and every morning we say, "the mountain is yours".

A Ski Journey through the Dolomite Mountains

Using only groomed ski slopes you travel from high-mountain rifugio-to-rifugio through the most beautiful scenery in the world - the Dolomite Mountains.

This seven-night ‘soft adventure’ ski tour is fully guided by your own dedicated ski leader. You never have to puzzle over your piste map or think about where you're going. Just enjoy the slopes as they keep on coming!

Small Groups

The Inspired ITALY DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari is restricted to a maximum of seven per group, plus your ski leader.

We qualify all our guests before booking to ensure that all guests are of the necessary fitness and ski ability.

Suitable for fit, intermediate skiers

FAQ's

“The DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari - More Time on the Mountain”

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

 

Here are the most common questions and answers that prospective guests ask us ...

 

I don't want to hold up the group; Is my ski ability good enough? Am I fit enough? - probably the number one concern of many booking an Inspired ITALY DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari. The DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari isn't about 'speed'. It is about 'pace'. And it is partly why groups are restricted to 7 guests. This helps the tempo of the ski safari day. But don't worry, when you contact us, we will discuss your ski ability and fitness before you book.

NO FAFFING! The Inspired ITALY DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari is not a sightseeing ski tour! It is about skiing. On some days you will ride 20 or more ski lifts; 2 mins lost 'faffing' on each lift loses 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.

What is 'intermediate' ski ability? - the term 'intermediate skier' is liberally banded about. Some overestimate, some underestimate. We have some clear, detailed descriptions of ski ability and we will send these to you. Together we can then ensure that your ski ability is what is needed. But 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 all day. Our ski days start around 8:30 and finish usually around 15:30. Although we get an abnormal amount of sunny days when conditions are tough, you still have to go skiing to get to the next rifugio!

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 pack 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 advises 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. You are only required to ski with your backpack for four nights/five days.

Helmet? - At our heart, we're a little bit 'anti-establishment'. All our ski leaders have (reluctantly ... ) taken to wearing helmets over the last couple of seasons. If you do not want to wear a helmet, that's fine by us. You can rent a helmet and we can arrange that for you or bring your own. Either is fine with us.

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 is rather hazardous!

Does the Rifugio have wifi? All rifugi have WiFi. Some are better than others but posting your pictures to Facebook and picking up emails 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 omelet every night! Vegetarian options are usually, pasta or polenta based. If you are vegan, gluten-free, or have nut allergies, you will struggle. 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 can’t 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 a number of occasions, we’ve never failed yet to get to our destination! In the 2015/16 season, major snowstorms 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!

Coffee/Comfort Stops – non-lunch stops are minimal. There are three scheduled coffee stops throughout the week. Day 1 for the briefing. Day 2 for the view. Day 4 to gather the group after a freeskiing section. Other than this, we only stop for lunch! Most of the lift stations are equipped with toilets. 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!

Accommodation – Rifugi sell beds, rather than rooms. Because we pre-book our rooms well in advance, most couples get their own private rooms with en suite. However, we are unable to guarantee this. It is most likely that you will, at some point, have to share with other members of your group – read ‘On a Ski Safari in the Dolomites’, by Christian Wolmar, published in The Times.

Which are the best airports for the Dolomites? Innsbruck! Yes, fly to Austria, and ski in Italy! The transfer from Innsbruck to your Ski Safari base hotel is no more than 90mins in normal traffic. Next, the best option is Verona at around 2hrs transfer and then Venice, Bergamo, and Munich Airports. Transfer costs are based upon 4 people sharing.

Off Piste – 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? – The nature of the Inspired ITALY Dolomites Ski Safari makes it difficult to mix skiers with snowboarders. If you are a group of snowboarders, then do contact us!

Am I protected? – Inspired ITALY Ltd is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited which provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 for Inspired ITALY Ltd. and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following – non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK; non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK.

Price

$3,464 per person

Your adventure includes:

Your adventure includes:

  • 7 Nights accommodation including ...
  • Six Day Full Area Ski Pass
  • Six Full Ski Days
  • Six Days Ski Rental [skis + poles]
  • 4 Rifugio Nights - Half Board
  • 3 Nights 4✩ BASE HOTEL B&B
  • Private Taxi Airport Transfers from Innsbruck based on 4 people
  • All on Safari Transfers
  • Dedicated native English Speaking Ski Safari Leader
  • Inspired ITALY Back Pack - to keep
  • Maps, Detailed Itinerary
  • EXCLUDED Flights, Ski Boots, Helmet, Lunches & 3 Dinners

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A sensational skiing experience well above my expectation. The coordination, execution and outcome was fantastic.

Andrew Ramsey

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