Skiing the Marmolada Glacier and the Dolomites

Things to know

• Covid measures in the Dolomites, Italy

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Dolomites, Italy, please refer to Italy’s Ministry of Health Website and Italian National Tourist Board Website.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on your trip:

  • • An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 5, 7, or 8 days of backcountry skiing depending on your chosen itinerary
    • Trip briefing
    • Logistics and map of the area
    • Accommodation for the duration of the trip in 4-star hotels and mountain huts
    • All breakfasts
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary
    • Dolomiti Superski Ski Pass during the trip
    • Safety equipment
    • Transportation during the trip
    • Luggage transfer

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation before and after the trip
    • Airport transfers
    • Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
    • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
• How fit do I need to be?

  To enjoy these backcountry skiing adventures in the Dolomites, you need to be in excellent physical shape. You will be on your feet for multiple hours a day for 4 or 6 days depending on your chosen itinerary, covering multiple miles of steep terrain every day. You will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. The largest vertical drop on these adventures is 1,500 m / 4,920 ft, and up to 1,800 m / 5,905 ft on the Extended Backcountry Skiing Safari adventure. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  To participate in this tour, you need to have previous backcountry skiing experience. You will be skiing, touring, and summiting on glaciated terrain for multiple hours on end every day.

  While there are some easier routes, you will also ski some of the hardest ascents and descents in the Dolomites wit If you’ve never backcountry skied before, we suggest joining a guide for a day of Backcountry Skiing & Avalanche Rescue in the Dolomites.

• What equipment do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis with bindings and skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots with boot liners and poles (can be rented)
    • Technical socks
    • Ski crampons
    • Boot crampons
    • Climbing harness
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon (with two sets of fresh batteries)
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and a warm hat
    • Liner gloves
    • Wide-brim hat or sun-cap
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-Tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • Middle or insulation layers
    • Neck gaiter and roll-neck
    • Face mask or balaclava — optional
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water or a hydration system
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Headlamp
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 25-30L backpack)
    • Camera — optional
• Can I rent equipment?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:

  • • Avalanche safety pack, including beacon, shovel and probe will be provided by your guide.
    • Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots, and poles can be rented from Sport Badia or are available on request from your guiding service.

  Ski rental locations are in Corvara, Alta Badia, and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing:

  • • For the (Extended) Backcountry Ski Safari in the Dolomites, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 4:1. All prices are per person.
    • For Backcountry Skiing in the Dolomites’ Couloirs, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. All prices are per person.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for these private adventures to operate and the maximum number of participants is 12.
    • Costs per person decrease as the group grows for these private adventures, so it’s the perfect opportunity to ski with friends and family.

  Ski touring in the Dolomites can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Alta Badia in the Dolomites, most people fly into Innsbruck Airport, Austria, about 2.5 hours away from Alta Badia or Venice-Treviso Airport and Venice Marco Polo Airport, Italy, both just under 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.
  The major airport is Milan Malpensa Airport, about 5 hours away from Alta Badia. From there, you can rent a car or take a train and bus.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

• Deposits and cancellations

  Booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit. Payment of the balance is due no later than 90 days (3 months) before departure for Italy. For “last minute” bookings (trips booked 45 or fewer days before departure), full cost is due at the time of booking.

  In case you need to cancel your trip, the following fees will apply:
  – 91+ more days prior to departure: 20% loss of trip cost & 10% transfer to a future trip (within one calendar year)
  – 46 to 90 days prior to departure: 100% loss of deposit
  – 31 to 45 days prior to departure: 50% loss of full amount
  – 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% loss of full amount
  These charges are a percentage of the total cost of the booking. The days indicated are from the trip departure date. All cancellations must be made in writing.