Skiing Hut-To-Hut In The Italian Dolomites Is Surprisingly Affordable
With soaring snow-capped peaks and sparkling blue lakes, the Italian Alps should be considered one of the perfect winter getaways for cold-weather lovers. A vacation to the slopes of Courmayeur, Sauze d'Oulx, or Livigno is essentially a rite of passage for any serious ski aficionado, and the dramatic views and incredible Italian culture make skiing in the Italian Alps a true bucket list experience.
The only downside to a winter adventure in the Italian Alps is the cost. With chalet rental, equipment hire, and ski passes, not to mention food and drink, prices can add up quickly at popular resorts. But there is a unique way to explore the beauty of the region in one of the lesser-known mountain ranges of the Italian Alps. This alternative is an unusual, exhilarating adventure that features pristine slopes, remote mountain huts, and mouthwatering traditional food.
The Dolomites house a truly beautiful corner of the Italian Alps, and yet, it is still a surprisingly underrated winter destination for those outside of Europe. As a result, a ski vacation can be more affordable in this gorgeous region than in the U.S. The spectacular mountain landscapes, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, make it a wonderful destination for hut-to-hut skiing, and it is the ideal spot to immerse yourself in Italian vibes.
The cost-friendly way to enjoy skiing in the Dolomites
Ski touring or hut-to-hut skiing blends the winter sport with hiking or trekking. After strapping on specially-designed skis, an expert guide will lead you off-piste to some of the more remote and beautiful parts of the Dolomites, trekking your way between picturesque, secluded mountain huts known as rifugios. The actual skiing requires strenuous climbs, uphill skinning, and delightful descents, offering a completely different experience to the classic downhill variety.
Ski touring takes you to parts of the mountains that you would never normally be able to access and lets you bask in the unspoiled natural beauty of the Alps. If you are all about black runs, snowboarding tricks, and raucous après-ski parties, then this probably isn't the experience for you (although you may love Italy's Chalet al Foss, a romantic mountain resort with dreamy experiences and breathtaking views). But if you are searching for serenity, affordability, and an adventure that breaks the mold, then hut-to-hut skiing in the Dolomites could be the experience of a lifetime.
Best of all, a hut-to-hut ski vacation is more affordable than luxury resorts or excursions. For six days of guided ski touring, five nights of accommodation, and meals, this experience can cost as little as $1,500 per person, making it a far more affordable way to access the jaw-dropping beauty of the Italian Alps.
Hut-to-hut skiing in the Dolomites
Many hut-to-hut routes in the Dolomites start in the unspoiled town of Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy's "Queen Of The Dolomites" and a premier ski retreat less than two hours from Venice's international airport. From Cortina, you'll take a lift up to the start of your route, skiing and trekking your way through powdery mountain peaks and valleys. At the end of each day, you'll stop at one of the simple yet comfortable rifugios, where you'll dine on incredible local cuisine washed down with plenty of wonderful red wine. Before strapping on your skis and heading off toward your next destination, wake up early and have your first cup of coffee as the sun rises over the stunning mountainscapes.
Ski tours through the Dolomites offer the chance to explore one of the largest protected areas in Northern Italy, the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park, as well as the opportunity to stay in some of the most renowned rifugios. With its jagged peaks and remarkable gullies, this area is a skiing paradise, and the warm welcome that awaits you at the end of every adrenaline-soaked day is the perfect way to relax and refresh.