Italy
17 GETTING THERE Whether bringing that heavy ski-equipment with you or renting it on arrival, the best way to reach the district of Alta Pusteria is by road. There are a total of 6 possible airports surrounding the area for travellers to fly to from, including Innsbruck, Bergamo, Verona, Bolzano, Selva and Venice. If there are no direct flights to these cities, connections are possible via Zurich, Munich, Milan or any major European airport. Companies like Compass Holidays (www.compass-holidays.com) offer week long getaways in the Alta Pusteria region during January and February, a perfect chance for beginners to gain some confidence and get used to the skis. The tour offers the chance to ski between the 5 local villages along a track used for international ski competitions. For more in skiing in the Dolomites, visit www.three-peaks.info.
Winter Activities Aside from skiing, travellers can experience both winter and snow shoe hiking. Some popular winter hikes include an easy tour of Dobbiaco Lake (1.5 hours, 2.8 km) to a strenuous hike up to Bonner Hut (2.5hours, 745m altitude difference). There are plenty of signposted hiking trails for selfguided winter hiking tours – just be sure to inform someone of your trip beforehand. Guided snowshoe tours give you access to some of the most picturesque valleys in the Dolomites. One of the most renowned is a journey from Landro (1, 406m) to the world famous Three Peaks via the Rienza valley. This demanding hike takes about 4 hours, with 1,000m difference in altitude. For a bit of fun, there are plenty of toboggan runs in the area. You can hike (1hr to 2.5 hrs) or take a chair lift up to the top and sled
down the slopes. The toboggan slopes range from 1.5km to 6.5km long. Apres Ski A highlight of skiing in the Dolomites is having an Italian cooked lunch in one of the many villages nestled throughout Alta Pusteria. With seven main villages, there is a wealth of places to spend time before, during and after skiing. Cosy Italian bars and restaurants line the streets by day and take on a livelier atmosphere by night. Aside from this, there are also various activities, including an ice rink in Toblach. The Dolomites are situated approximately 1 hour from the city of Venice, making the location ideal for anyone looking to have a day’s rest from skiing and explore the Italian culture.