A few of our Mountain Travel Experts just returned from the ultimate ski adventure – exploring the Dolomites on a weeklong ski safari. We hit multiple resorts, skied legendary terrain, stayed in dreamy mountain villages (and one epic mountaintop rifugio), and tasted our way through Italy’s best alpine cuisine. Here's everything we did, and why we think this should be on every skier’s bucket list.
The Dolomiti Superski area is made up of 12 different ski resorts, all connected by 450+ lifts and gondolas. You can ski all of them on one pass – including with your Ikon Pass! A ski safari means skiing your way from one resort and village to the next, staying in different places along the route. In our opinion, it's the best way to experience the diversity of this region – each area has its own charm, terrain and culture.
You’ve got a few great options: Venice (VCE), Milan (MXP) and Munich (MUC) are the most common arrival points. Your Mountain Travel Expert can help you decide which airport is best based on your route and preferences.
We opted for Munich and kicked things off with dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus, wandered through Marienplatz, and soaked in a bit of Bavarian culture before heading south into the mountains.
Our adventure kicked off in Cortina, host of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics and one of the liveliest towns in the Dolomites. Many consider it the “Queen of the Dolomites” and the ideal place to start your trip. The pedestrian-friendly village is filled with shops, bars, and restaurants, an excellent setting for meandering and people watching.
There are three main ski areas, all accessible from town by shuttle or gondola. These cater to all levels:
This was a bucket list item for everyone in the group: staying in a rifugio high in the mountains. We skied right to Rifugio Averau, where we were greeted with spritzes and a gourmet dinner that blew us away. The stars above, the cozy alpine vibes, and the feeling of waking up amongst the dramatic scenery is something every skier should experience once.
In the morning, we had a fresh breakfast and cappuccino, and had first tracks on perfectly groomed snow in the Cinque Torri area. Pure magic.
Next up: we skied one of the most breathtaking trails in the world – the Lagazuoi to Alta Badia route, which includes a 10km run through the Hidden Valley. We were surrounded by frozen waterfalls, towering cliffs and even found fresh powder along the way. We stopped at Refugio Scotoni for bombardinos and incredible views, before taking the iconic horse-drawn tow to finish the route.
Alta Badia consists of several charming villages, which you can ski between or take a bus. We stayed in Corvara, the liveliest of them, with plenty of hotels, shops and dining. Colfosco offers amazing ski-in ski-out lodging with jaw-dropping views, while La Villa has a more traditional vibe and a local feel.
Don’t miss après at L’Murin – a fun, lively après bar next to La Perla that had great music and drinks.
From Alta Badia, we hopped on the Sellaronda circuit, one of the most famous ski tours in the world. It loops around the Sella Massif, connecting four resorts in a single ski day. We did the counter-clockwise route, skiing into Val Gardena, where we stayed in the picturesque village of Selva.
We recommend hiring a guide, which we can connect you with! While the route is well marked, a local expert can show you hidden gems, off-piste zones and the best rifugios for lunch.
Here we skied under the dramatic cliffs of Seceda, and fell in love with the cozy rifugios and incredible mountain eats. Our favorite run was the La Lungia, a 10.5 km descent from Seceda to Ortisei that is long, scenic and dotted with cozy rifugios and sunny patios.
Between cinematic landscapes, varied terrain, gourmet meals, charming villages, and that unforgettable rifugio night, the Dolomites truly blew our team away.
Whether you base yourself in one resort or go for the full ski safari like we did, the Dolomites deliver unforgettable adventures.
Our Mountain Travel Experts have done it – and they’re ready to help you do it too.
Give us a call, schedule a free travel consultation or get a free quote to start planning.
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