Dolomites Ski Safari with a Guide: The Ultimate Ski Journey Across the Dolomites
If you are looking for a classic ski holiday based in one resort, this is not for you.
But if you dream of travelling on skis while constantly changing scenery and resorts, taking a taxi or bus only a couple of times for short 20-minute transfers over 6 days, and moving mostly by skiing from valley to valley, then a Ski Safari is the most unique ski trip you can do in Europe!
And there is one place where this experience reaches perfection: the Dolomites.
What is a Ski Safari?
A Ski Safari is not a ski week. It is a journey on skis.
Every day you move to a different valley, a different mountain pass, a different rifugio. You don’t return to the same hotel. You don’t ski the same slopes twice. You travel through the mountains.
This concept was born in the Dolomites thanks to the unique connection of lifts, valleys and historic mountain refuges that allow you to cross an entire region without ever taking off your skis (or almost!).
Why the Dolomites are the Perfect Place for a Ski Safari
Nowhere else in the Alps you can find:
Over 1,200 km of connected slopes
Historic high-altitude rifugi reachable on skis
Perfectly groomed pistes between vertical rock walls
Short transfers, huge scenery changes
Authentic alpine cultures, amazing food and hospitality
How We Design Your Ski Safari
Day 1: Arrival in Bolzano – the gateway to the Dolomites
Your adventure begins in Bolzano, the historic gateway to the Dolomites.
You can reach Bolzano easily by train or from major airports without renting a car (see our Travel to the Dolomites page).
Walk under medieval porticoes, enjoy an aperitivo, visit churches and museums, and feel the mix of Italian lifestyle with a Tyrolean twist. In the evening, you’ll sleep in a carefully selected 19th-century villa in the heart of the city.
From Day 2: 6 Days of Ski Safari Across the Dolomites
The next morning, the real journey begins.
We start a 6-day ski safari (customisable in duration) with 5 nights in different mountain accommodations, moving every day through the Dolomites on skis.
You don’t stay. You travel.
Mountain Stays: Authentic Lodges, Not Standard Hotels
These are carefully selected for:
Spectacular locations and views
Warm, family-run hospitality
Excellent local cuisine (italian, tyrolian, regional cuisine)
Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms
They are chosen for atmosphere, not hotel category! Sometimes, after a long ski day, you might even find a sauna waiting for you!!!
Skiing the Most Iconic Routes in the Dolomites
Across the journey you can experience:
The Legendary 8 in Val Gardena, including the famous World Cup Saslong slope
The most iconic pistes of Alta Badia, such as the Gran Risa, the Vallon, and other panoramic masterpieces
The challenging black runs of Arabba around Portavescovo
The endless panoramic skiing across the plateau of Alpe di Siusi
The historic Olympic slopes of Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Tofane area
And of course, one of the absolute highlights of the entire journey:
The incredible descent from the Lagazuoi down to Armentarola, skiing through the wild landscape of the Fanes Natural Park, finishing with the traditional horse-drawn tow along the frozen river.
These are not random slopes… They are the pistes that made the Dolomites legendary in the history of alpine skiing.
The Marmolada Glacier & WWI History
One of the most powerful days of the Ski Safari is the descent from the glacier of the Marmolada, the highest peak of the Dolomites.
But this day is not only about skiing.
At Punta Serauta, we stop for about an hour to visit the Museo della Grande Guerra in Marmolada, a museum built directly inside the mountain at over 2,900 meters.
The visit is included in your lift pass, and it offers a rare and touching insight into the First World War fought here between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies.
Inside the museum, you can watch original videos, see historical photographs, uniforms, weapons and everyday objects recovered from the ice and the rock. You discover the story of soldiers who lived for months in tunnels carved into the glacier, in extreme conditions of cold, isolation and danger.
What makes this stop especially meaningful is the human dimension: men who, until a short time before, might have shared language, culture, and even friendships across these valleys, suddenly found themselves fighting each other in one of the harshest battlefields in history.
Dolomiti Superski, Icon Pass & Lift Tickets
The Ski Safari runs entirely inside the Dolomiti Superski area.
5 days are included in the standard Icon Pass
7 days are included in the full Icon Pass version
A daily lift ticket costs on average around €85 per day
This makes the Ski Safari not only unique, but also surprisingly accessible for those already holding the pass.
Backpacking Style or Luggage Transfer
You can experience the Ski Safari in two different ways:
Backpacking style → carry a light backpack with essentials. This is the most eco-friendly and economical way, and many skiers love the pure alpine feeling of travelling light from hut to hut.
Luggage transfer → your bags are moved from rifugio to rifugio. This is the most comfortable solution, perfect for larger groups or for those who prefer skiing without a backpack.
Private Ski Safari or Small Group
You can choose:
A private Ski Safari
A small group experience with a maximum of 5 participants
Small numbers mean flexibility, safety, rhythm and quality.
A Perfect Ski Safari for Families
This journey is also ideal for families who want to share the mountains in a meaningful way, without stress or crowds.
Read the story of a real family Ski Safari here:
👉 Family Ski Safari blog link
When is the Best Time?
January (after holidays): quiet slopes, authentic atmosphere
February: excellent snow, longer days, lively season
March: spring skiing, warmer light, softer snow in the afternoon
Each period offers a different beauty.
What Ski Level Do You Need?
You should be comfortable:
Skiing for several hours per day
Skiing for 6 consecutive days
Managing red runs confidently
Some short black sections may appear, but alternatives are almost always available. The entire safari is adapted to your level.
Add a Freeride Day, or Go Full Backcountry
With an Ifmga certified mountain guide, you can:
Add a freeride / off-piste day during the safari
Transform the journey into a Backcountry Dolomites Traverse, moving hut to hut skiing mostly off-piste
A wilder way to cross the Dolomites.
Discover the Full Ski Safari Program
If this resonates with you, visit the full program (with day by day, costs…) and send us a request!
We will reply with a first personalised proposal including dates, costs, and how to tailor the Ski Safari to your preferred number of days and skiing level.
