What is the perfect winter vacation combination? Charging hard down some of the most incredible off-piste slopes in all the Dolomites by day, and enjoying pampered luxury by night. Yes, the Dolomites – and more specifically your hosts Dolomite Mountains – truly do have it all!
Each day you'll set out with your guide to ski the best snow and off-piste terrain in the Alta Badia region. While the emphasis is on where, rather than how, you ski, you’ll also have general coaching, tips and hints on how to ski specific terrain and snow conditions, and sessions on mountain awareness and avalanche safety.
Our off-piste trips are always led by local UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Ski Guides; guides of international caliber who are intimately familiar with the best off-piste skiing in the Dolomites.  If you are an experienced skier, looking exhilarating and challenging off-piste skiing, freeriding, and backcountry adventure away from the crowded pistes, but also want to indulge in the hospitality and luxury that the Dolomites have to offer, then this is the trip for you!

ITINERARY*

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of your guide.

Day 1 ~ Arrive in the Dolomites 
Arrive in the Dolomites on your own, and check into your five-star hotel in Alta Badia. Meet your UIAGM/IFMGA ski guide for a trip briefing and equipment check (and rent gear if needed), and pick up your Dolomiti Superskipass. We’ll discuss the groups’ skiing abilities and int erests, and plans for our exciting time skiing in the Dolomites! Evening welcome dinner with your group, with your first taste of the incredible regional cuisine and wine!
D…Luxury Hotel in Alta Badia

Days 2-4 ~ Dolomites Off-Piste Skiing 
The itinerary will be set by your guide based on the snow and weather conditions, fitness levels and skiing abilities of participants, your interests, and his or her recommendations. Each day you will have the opportunity to ski different off-piste areas, with lift -service from one of the 12 Dolomiti Superski resorts. In addition to fabulous skiing, you will have ongoing instruction to help you improve your skiing ability. Days are intended to be fun with lots of thrilling skiing or boarding, but always directed with maximum attention to your safety and the safety of others.
B,D… D…Luxury Hotel in Alta Badia

Day 5 ~ Depart 
Breakfast and departure.

B…

*NOTE: This trip may be customized upon request to include a longer tour of 6-7 days.

OFF-PISTE SKI DESCENTS

From the San Cassiano area in Alta Badia there are incredible off-piste descents off Marmolada, Piz Boè, Sella, and Tofane, to name a few. Below is a list of some of our favorites that you may enjoy during your trip.  We’ve selected these for their incredible skiing and breathtaking scenery. These include, but are in no way limited to:
Sella, Val Mezd’ (Midday Valley) 
Vertical drop: 1,400 meters / 4,560 feet. Facing: north. Technical difficulty: moderate. Dubbed the "Valle Blanche of the Dolomites", the Val Mezd’ is a classic and wonderful 4,000 foot downhill in quintessential Dolomite surroundings.
Marmolada, Lydia 
Vertical drop: 1,350 meters / 4,430 feet.
Facing: north.
 Technical difficulty: moderate. Classic glacier skiing itinerary.
Sella, Val Culea Integrale 
Vertical drop: 1,400 meters / 4,595 feet.
Facing: north. 
Technical difficulty: difficult. Complicated but a wonderful run for real ski mountaineers, with a steep couloir of up to 45°.
Sass Pordoi, Canale Heini Holzer (Heini Holzer Couloir) 
Vertical drop: 1,200 meters / 3,950 feet.
Facing: north. 
Technical difficulty: difficult (use of a rope is required). Considered the gateway of extreme skiing in the Dolomites.
Padon, Valle Ornella (Ornella’ s Valley) 
Vertical drop: 850 meters / 2,790 feet.
Facing: north.
 Technical difficulty: easy. From this run it is possible to visit one of the most beautiful villages of the region: Ornella.
Faloria, Cortina "Sci 18" (“Ski 18”)
Vertical drop: 800 meters / 2,630 feet.
Facing: west.
Technical difficulty: difficult. Named for a group of 18 skiers in the 1930s who wanted to "promote skiing and the moral standpoint of youths." A great downhill with grand panoramic views of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Tofana Terza (Third Tofana) 
Vertical drop: 1,800 meters / 6,000 feet.
 Facing: north. 
Technical difficulty: very difficult.   Probably one of the best downhills in the World!
Forcella Col dei Bos (Pass of the Bos Col) 
Vertical drop: 600 meters / 1,970 feet.
 Facing: south.
Technical difficulty: easy. Ideal for spotting lots of animals such as eagles and chamois (a native European mountain goat-antelope species), and to visit relics from the First World War.
Canali Lagazuoi (Lagazuoi Couloirs) 
Vertical drop: 450 meters / 1,480 feet.
 Facing: south. 
Technical difficulty: moderate. A good choice for learning steep ski techniques.
Val Scura del Sassongher (Sassongher’s Dark Valley)
Vertical drop: 1,200 meters / 3,950 feet.
 Facing: east. 
Technical difficulty: difficult. Very complicated uphill route. A real jewel!
Cinque Torri  (Five Towers)
Vertical drop: 700 meters / 2,300 feet.
 Facing: north-east.
 Technical difficulty: easy. One of the most beautiful landmarks of the Dolomites!

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
    •    Challenge yourself by day with some of the most exhilarating backcountry skiing and boarding in the world, and pamper yourself at night with 5-star luxury accommodations!
    •    Ascend to the top of the Marmolada Glacier (3,350m / 10,990'), the highest mountain and the only glacier in the Dolomites, to ski down its incredible open bowls.
    •    Enjoy some of the most challenging – and beautiful – off-piste slopes in the Dolomites, all accessible by chairlift and gondola.
What is the perfect winter vacation combination? Charging hard down some of the most incredible off-piste slopes in all the Dolomites by day, and enjoying pampered luxury by night. Yes, the Dolomites – and more specifically your hosts Dolomite Mountains – truly do have it all!
Each day you'll set out with your guide to ski the best snow and off-piste terrain in the Alta Badia region. While the emphasis is on where, rather than how, you ski, you’ll also have general coaching, tips and hints on how to ski specific terrain and snow conditions, and sessions on mountain awareness and avalanche safety.
Our off-piste trips are always led by local UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Ski Guides; guides of international caliber who are intimately familiar with the best off-piste skiing in the Dolomites.  If you are an experienced skier, looking exhilarating and challenging off-piste skiing, freeriding, and backcountry adventure away from the crowded pistes, but also want to indulge in the hospitality and luxury that the Dolomites have to offer, then this is the trip for you!
 
TRIP DETAILS
Length: 4n / 5d
This trip is available as a custom departure on dates of your choosing or on December 10-16 and Dec 18-22 2011 as a group tour
Start / Finish: Luxury Hotel in Alta Badia, the heart of the Dolomites. (Airport transfers available on request. The closest airport to fly into is Innsbruck, 1.5 hours from the Dolomites.)
Activity Level: Expert skiers in good and active physical health – experienced off-piste skiers and snowboarders only. Stamina-wise, you need to be able to ski all day at a steady pace for consecutive days throughout itinerary. On this itinerary we will mostly use the lift systems to gain altitude, but you can expect some walkin g in order to access some runs.
Guide Ratio 1:4  Dololomite Mountains professional UIAGM/IFMGA mountain & ski guides have many years of experience skiing the Dolomites. From the moment you arrive in the Dolomites they will look after you. They know the best ski runs, mountain restaurants, and how things work in the Italian mountains.

Cost: €3250 (4 persons minimum, 4 nights / 3 days skiing; cost includes UIAGM/IFMGA mountain ski guide, Dolomiti Superskipass, accommodations and most meals, local medical and evacuation insurance).

DLMTS