Overview
A seven day winter adventure, cross-country skiing in Italy and Austria, focusing on the magnificent valleys and foothills of the Dolomites, following top Tyrolean trails. One of these includes the Borderland Trail from South Tyrol in Italy to the Austrian East Tyrol. Operating between January and March, ski in the snowy shadow of the UNESCO-listed Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen), along the tranquil trails of Casie Valle in Italy, and Lesachtal Valley in Austria. Stay in a mix of 3 and 4-star hotels for two nights in most locations, with luggage transfers as you ski from one to the next.
Each day can be extended or shortened, making this ideal for cross-country skiers of all levels. Cross-country skiing lessons available on request.
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Drei Zinnen (Three Peaks)
- Monguelfo, Sesto and Obertilliach
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Dobbiaco/Toblach, Italy
The tour begins in Dobbiaco, also known as Toblach, in the heart of Italy’s Southern Tyrol region. Depending on arrival time, stroll through the area or relax in the hotel, taking in views of the Dolomites.
- Accommodation: Apparthotel Germania, Hotel Dolomiten or similar in Dobbiaco/Toblach
Day 2: Cortina d‘Ampezzo circular route | 15-65km
Take a bus to Cortina d’Ampezzo where you start following a cross-country skiing trail over an old railway bridge and through several tunnels. The route continues past a viewpoint for Drei Zinnen, before passing the Cross-Country Nordic Arena as it heads back into Dobbiaco.
- Accommodation: Apparthotel Germania, Hotel Dolomiten or similar in Dobbiaco/Toblach
- Skiing for the day: 15-65km
Day 3: Valle di Casies circular route | 20-65km
Explore the various cross-country trails that Valle di Casies has to offer. Glide across the vast snow fields in Monguelfo and continue into Valle di Casies, passing farms and hamlets that line the path. The route passes numerous restaurants, allowing plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments and sample local cuisine.
- Accommodation: Apparthotel Germania, Hotel Dolomiten or similar in Dobbiaco/Toblach
- Skiing for the day: 20-65km
Day 4: Dobbiaco/Toblach – Sillian, Austria | 20-45km
Head along a trail toward San Candido, before continuing alongside the river on a gently inclining trail toward Sesto. Alternatively, from San Candido, follow the Borderland Trail from South Tyrol to the Austrian East Tyrol, along undulating terrain through a forested area toward Sillian.
- Accommodation: Belmonte Tirol – Boutiquehotel, Hotel Bergland or similar in Sillian
- Skiing for the day: 25-45km
Day 5: Obertilliach circular route | 60km
Choose a preferred circular route from the extensive cross-country ski network in the Lesachtal Valley. The morning begins with a transfer to Obertilliach before setting off on the selected path through surrounding meadows and forests.
- Accommodation: Belmonte Tirol – Boutiquehotel, Hotel Bergland or similar in Sillian
- Skiing for the day: 60km
Day 6: Villgraten Valley or Sillian – Lienz | 15km or 30-42km
Today, there is a choice of two routes. The first begins with a bus journey to Villgratental, before setting off on a relaxing route, taking in the area’s nature and peaceful surroundings at a slightly slower pace. The second option for today is to follow a route from Sillian to Lienz, which begins with a short downhill section before following the Drava River to Lienz. If snow conditions are particularly good, in addition to this section, there are other circular trails through the villages and valleys around Lienz, which can be explored before heading back to Sillian on the train.
- Accommodation: Belmonte Tirol – Boutiquehotel, Hotel Bergland or similar in Sillian
- Skiing for the day: 15-42km
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of 3-star and 4-star hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample accommodation
- Apparthotel Germania, Hotel Dolomiten (Dobbiaco)
- Belmonte Tirol – Boutiquehotel, Hotel Bergland (Sillian)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast and dinner is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops and restaurants or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate as each day’s route either has shorter options available or can be shortened using public transport. The total skiing distance on each day ranges from 15-65km, meaning the itinerary is suitable for well-trained athletes as well as more intermediate skiers, but all participants must have some experience in cross-country skiing. All the tracks are prepared for classic and free techniques (skating) (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This tour is available to begin on Sundays from 21 January to 18 February 2024.
Other departure days of the week are also possible for groups of a minimum of 5 people (upon request).
Getting there
Up-to-date travel advice on Italy is available here and on Austria here.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Treviso, Marco Polo in Venice or Innsbruck.
By train or bus
If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Dobbiaco/Toblach and Innsbruck. For more details, see the national rail operator Trenitalia.
By train: From Innsbruck, take the regular bus service (bus route F) to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof railway station (20mins). From here, take a train to Dobbiaco/Toblach, changing at Fortezza Franzensfeste. Timetables are available on Deutsche Bahn and Trenitalia or see the Omio planner above. If arriving from Treviso, we can organise transfers upon request.
By car: Take the Brenner/Brennero motorway (A22) to Brixen/Bressanone, exiting at Brixen-Pustertal and continuing through Val Pusteria/Pustertal (SS49) to Dobbiaco/Toblach. Alternatively, drive along the Felbertauernstraße to Lienz in Austria and then into Italy via Val Pusteria/Pustertal to Dobbiaco/Toblach.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights in en-suite rooms
- 6 breakfast
- 6 dinners
- Ticket fees for the use of the cross-country tracks
- Transfers according to the programme
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- We regret that this tour is not open to solo travellers
- Equipment rental
- Extra nights
- Cross-country skiing lessons available on request
Equipment rental
Optional equipment rental on this tour includes skis (classic, fishscale or skating), poles and shoes. Please ask when booking for make and model details and specify which items you would like to rent.
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