Dolomites Ski Touring

Ski Touring Around Cortina d'Ampezzo

Ski tour through the backcountry of Cortina d’Ampezzo, exploring the dramatic Dolomite Mountains, where magnificent towering peaks give way to long descents. Far from the lift lines and crowds, you’ll feel like you have these mountains all to yourself!

Trip Overview

Host to the Winter Olympics in 1956 and repeated Ski World Cup championships, and co-host to the forthcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, Cortina d’Ampezzo has a fabulous reputation for resort skiing. But did you know that there is also excellent backcountry touring and ample off-piste skiing here as well? The Dolomite Mountains seem to have a never-ending supply of impressive off-piste ski descents. Long ski runs down remote valleys and bowls, and fresh powder hidden in couloirs sandwiched between towering limestone cliffs...  While there is a tremendous amount of lift accessible off-piste terrain, for those who are willing to skin and hike, an entirely new world awaits!

On this exciting itinerary, you’ll spend four days skiing Cortina’s backcountry, touring across meadows surrounded by magnificent, towering peaks, skinning and hiking to incredible passes searching out the best descents. You’ll move from hut-to-hut each day, enjoying cozy accommodations and hearty meals in remote mountain rifugi – the best in all the Alps! You’ll be skiing in the Veneto region of the Dolomites, with its traditional Venetian-influenced Italian culture and traditions – and mountain-influenced Italian cuisine to fuel your days on skis!

Renowned as one of the most stunningly beautiful mountain ranges on the planet, the Dolomites offer dramatic skiing to match. Whether from skinning up alongside towering limestone cliffs, skiing down what seem to be never-ending valleys, or the stunning landscape surrounding you – this UNESCO World Heritage Site will surely take your breath away. Skiing in the backcountry, far from the lift lines and crowds, you’ll feel like you have these mountains all to yourself!

Highlights

  • Ski through the Dolomites – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – experiencing its distinctive geology
  • Explore Cortina d’Ampezzo’s backcountry on skis, surrounded by magnificent, towering peaks, forming incredible couloirs and long powder descents
  • Enjoy superb skiing with our Professional UIAGM/IFMGA Ski Guides, who will show you the best of the Dolomites backcountry on skis!
  • Tour from hut-to-hut, staying in cozy mountain rifugi with the civilized comforts of a warm bed and the delicious hearty cuisine the Dolomites are known for

Day By Day

Trip itinerary may vary based on weather conditions, fitness levels and abilities of participants, and/or the recommendations of the Dolomite Mountains Team and your mountain guide. Daily mileage and altitude gain may vary depending on the device used.

  • Day 1

    Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo

  • Day 2

    Rifugio (B,D)

  • Day 3

    Rifugio (B,D)

  • Day 4

    Rifugio (B,D)

  • Day 5

    Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo (B)

  • Day 6

Accommodation

Great hotels with Dolomite Mountains. Whether intimate lodge, family run B&B, or luxury spa resort, our hotels are unique, eminently local, and hard to leave.

Want to learn more about our Hotels and B&Bs? 
The Dolomites has a multi-faceted culture and history that is reflected in each village we visit, and we make sure to provide you with the most authentic experience of the region possible through the hotels and B&Bs we offer. Hotels and chalets are available in the larger villages, while agriturismos (working farms with accommodations similar to B&Bs) are more common in rural areas. And we always make sure you have access to inspired regional cuisine, and the best panoramas you can get in the Dolomites!

Prefer luxury accommodations?
You can also book a custom departure of this trip using our Luxury Hotels. For details, please contact us.

Want to learn more about our Mountain Inns & Rifugi?             
Rifugi – or mountain huts in English – are the classic accommodation for hikers, climbers, mountaineers, and ski mountaineers in the Alps. Set in spectacular locations high in the Dolomites, rifugi are accessible only on foot (with a few exceptions that are reachable by car). These marvelous establishments are open primarily in the summer, with a select few in winter, and offer meals and sleeping facilities.

The Dolomite rifugi are considered the best in the Alps. While some are dormitory style with bunk beds, many meet the standard of a simple guest house with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, and each has its own unique character and charm. Bedding and linens are provided, hot showers are available, and meals are served in common dining areas – like a small mountain inn set high in the mountains with the most incredible vistas in the Dolomites. Whether you’re hiking in summer or skiing in winter, an overnight rifugio stay is not to miss on a Dolomite holiday.

To learn even more about rifugi in the Dolomites, check out our Rifugios in the Dolomites article, and learn about one of the best ways to experience these incredible mountains!

Guided: Guide Ratio 1:4 (maximum 4 skiers per guide)
Dolomite Mountains Professional UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Ski Guides have many years of experience skiing the Dolomites. We have guides that speak Italian, English, French and Spanish. 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.

Technical Equipment for Backcountry Ski Touring Trips

  • Ski crampons (aka harscheisen): most randonnee bindings have ski crampons specifically designed for the binding. We always carry these just in case. Fritschi now make them an integral part of their ski binding and although there were some initial teething problems, the newer models are now working well.
  • Ski skins:  fitted skins are recommended especially if you have very wide skis.
  • Boot crampons:  Ideally lightweight aluminum with ‘quick fit clip-on bindings.'
  • Climbing harness:  a simple lightweight climbing harness. The key feature should be that it has fully adjustable leg loops for putting on over ski boots, crampons, etc.

Boot/ski crampons and climbing harness can be rented locally at an extra cost, your guide will advise according to the local conditions and activity.

Safety Equipment for Off-Piste trips
The “Safety Trilogy” – applicable for all our off-piste trips involves the use of the items listed below. These can be rented in resort at an extra cost:

  • Avalanche beacon / transceiver (be sure to bring two sets of fresh batteries!)
  • Snow shovel
  • Avalanche probe

Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; you have to know how to use it.  Most mountain resort areas offer courses where you can learn and practice these skills. If you are not familiar with this equipment, are unable to attend a course before your trip, or simply would like a refresher, we can provide training for you as part of your trip!

LEARN MORE
Want to learn more about skiing in the Dolomite Mountains? Check out our Winter Article Resources, featuring articles on The Not to Miss Ski Tours of the DolomitesDolomites Ski ResortsTransitioning from On- to Off-Piste, and MORE

Check out our video gallery with some of the best free-ride videos in the Dolomites and check out our new video Freeride Off-Piste: Val Culea Integrale in the Sella Group.

 

EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE

Still want more adventure? 
We can two additional days of skiing in the Cortina d’Ampezzo area! From Cortina d'Ampezzo there are incredible off-piste descents of Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi, Tofana, and Cristallo Massifs, to name a few. Click here to see some of our favorites!

Still want even more? Why not extend your adventure!
Dolomite Mountains offers fantastic extensions that you can enjoy before or after your trip in the Dolomites. Explore VeniceVeronaLake GardaFlorence, or Milan, or any of the many other magical places found throughout Italy. There's no more perfect way to recover from jet lag upon arrival, or delay your return to reality at the end of your trip!

Cost

All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions.

Private Guided Trip:
€ 3.840 per person (minimum 2 members)
€ 2.710 per person (minimum 4 members)
€ 2.790 per person (minimum 6 members) > 2 guides

Single room supplement: on request, in hotels only

High Season Dates: 24th January – 16th March --- 15% surcharge
Holiday Blackout Dates:  (7-night minimum hotel stay required) 
Christmas / New Year — 22nd December – 7th January

The cost is based on the specified hotel category (please see the cost inclusions list). If you would like an upgrade, please get in touch with us for a quotation.
We will do our best to accommodate you in the specified class of accommodations. However, if there is no availability in this category, we will offer you the next available classification at a supplementary price.
Please note that prices may increase between the time of quotation and booking. Your Dolomite Mountains consultant will inform you of any such changes.

Cost Includes:

  • Trip briefing
  • Logistics and map of the area
  • 2 nights accommodation in 4-star hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
  • 3 nights accommodation in rifugio
  • All breakfasts
  • Dinners in rifugio
  • Local English speaking UIAGM/IFMGA Professional Ski Guide for the entire itinerary
  • Lifts mentioned in itinerary
  • A €15 donation to Wow Nature’s reforestation projects makes your trip carbon-neutral 
  • Private transfers mentioned in itinerary
  • Local tourist tax
  • Italian VAT tax

Area Map