Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions

  • Dolomitesafari is a guiding service led by a local UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide in the Dolomites. We are mountain adventure designers: we offer customized tours in via ferrata, rock climbing, and ski safari, all tailored to your skill level, preferences, and time available!

  • Your guide will be me, Filippo, UIAGM/IFMGA Mountain Guide, founder of Dolomitesafari, based in Bolzano. I personally lead all trips whenever possible to ensure the highest quality experience.

    Discover more about me and my values on the About page, or contact me directly for any additional information!

    When I am not available, you will be accompanied by one of my trusted colleagues. All the guides speak English and share the highest standards of professionalism, experience, and friendly approach, ensuring that every adventure is safe, enjoyable, and memorable!

  • A guide greatly increases safety, route knowledge, and enjoyment, especially in mixed terrain like via ferrata, alpine rock, and extended ski safaris. Mountain guides are the only professionals legally authorized to lead alpine activities such as ski touring, climbing, via ferrata, glacier travel, and ice climbing.

    Choosing a local certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide offers the highest level of adaptability: routes and programs can be tailored to the weather, snow or rock conditions, and the group’s abilities. Local guides are also the custodians of these mountains, with deep knowledge of the environment, risks, and hidden treasures, ensuring every adventure is safe, authentic, and unforgettable.

    Additionally, having a guide allows you to learn the discipline properly, discover useful techniques, and pick up professional tips and tricks that make your experience not only safer but also much more rewarding.

    So the answer is yes! :)

  • You can start by exploring our programs on the website to get a general idea of the experiences we offer. Then, contact us using the Contact Form.

    When reaching out, it’s helpful to provide:

    • Your available dates

    • Which activity or activities inspired you

    • Your previous experience in that activity (e.g., beginner, some experience, or advanced)

    • The level of difficulty you are looking for

    • The number of people in your group

    • The type of adventure you want (a single-day experience, a multi-day tour with overnight stays in mountain huts, or a hotel-based program)

    With this information, we can craft a fully personalized itinerary that matches your goals, skills, and preferences, and send you a detailed breakdown of the total costs so you know exactly what is included.

    For more details, you can also check our pricing policy on the dedicated page to understand how costs are calculated and what is included.

  • Yes. At Dolomitesafari, we require a deposit at the time of booking to secure your adventure. The deposit amount is usually 30% of the total cost, and the remaining balance is paid before or at the start of the activity. For full details on payment terms, cancellation policies, and conditions, please consult our Booking process & Conditions page

  • Discoever the life in a Rifugio of the Dolomites at our dedicated page.

  • Having personal health insurance is not mandatory, as Italy has a public healthcare system. However, in case of an emergency, you want the fastest and best service possible, and having private insurance is the best way to ensure rapid and high-quality assistance in case of injury or illness. We always recommend having your own insurance for accidents and emergencies when participating in mountain activities.

Via Ferrata FAQs

  • Via ferrata is suitable for beginners and experienced climbers alike. Anyone in good health, with a reasonable level of fitness and comfort with heights, can enjoy it. Children from about age 7 can join with a guide!

  • For a standard via ferrata suitable for beginners, no specific training is required. However, you should be in good general health (without serious heart or other medical conditions, which should always be communicated) and having a good level of fitness is important to fully enjoy the experience. There are also via ferrata routes with lower physical demands, suitable for those looking for a lighter experience.

    For Via Ferrata Safaris, which are multi-day hut to hut itineraries covering significant distances and elevation gain that can always be adapted to your level, some hiking experience, fitness, and cardio training are recommended. To prepare and fully enjoy a multi-day tour, we suggest doing uphill hikes, indoor climbing or bouldering, or including fitness and cardio exercises in the gym.

  • You should wear technical mountain clothing that is comfortable and suitable for the weather of the day. Depending on conditions, this may include a light rain shell or an insulating layer. For footwear, approach shoes with a firm sole are ideal, and ankle support can be helpful on rocky terrain. A 20‑liter backpack is usually fine for single‑day routes, and a 25–30 liter pack for multi‑day travels. We provide all the technical safety equipment, including helmet, harness, via ferrata lanyard set, and gloves, and we’ll send you a complete gear and clothing checklist when you book your adventure.

  • The general season for via ferrata is summer, from June through the end of September, when mountain huts are open and conditions are ideal for high‑altitude routes. If you plan your trip in October, we will monitor the weather closely — sometimes lower‑altitude routes remain possible in shoulder seasons — and we can adjust your itinerary accordingly.

  • Yes! Many via ferrata in the Dolomites are suitable for children around age 7 and up when accompanied by a guide. Kids adore via ferrata, as it’s a fun opportunity to climb, explore, and let out the “monkeys” that live in them. In general, we recommend routes that don’t have long approach hikes, to avoid tiring the little ones on longer itineraries, unless they are already used to hiking. Parents are always the best judges of their children’s energy and readiness!

Rock Climbing FAQs

  • We offer a wide range of climbing adventures, from single‑day rock climbing experiences to multi‑day climbing safaris. These can include traditional multi‑pitch routes, classic Dolomites lines, hotel‑based programs, or hut‑to‑hut adventures, all led by certified local UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guides.

  • Rock climbing in the Dolomites is suitable for many levels, from true beginners to experienced climbers. You should not have a fear of heights, and having a good level of fitness helps you fully enjoy the experience. For a first experience, we can organize a session at the crag, or you can try a real rock route with lower technical difficulty that still offers great satisfaction and the thrill of climbing in the mountains! Routes and programs are always tailored to your experience, goals, and fitness level.

  • No prior experience is strictly required for beginner-friendly climbs. If you are new to rock climbing, a guided introduction is the safest and most effective way to learn technique, rope skills, movement on rock, and safety protocols. For more advanced objectives or longer multi-pitch routes, having basic climbing skills is helpful, and your guide will support your progress every step of the way.

  • The prime season for rock climbing in the Dolomites is typically late spring through early autumn, generally from June to September, when conditions are most stable and access to routes is easiest. In some lower-altitude sectors or with careful planning, climbing can also be possible outside these months.

  • Yes! If the peaks are snow-covered or temperatures are too low, we offer climbing in the surroundings of Bolzano, in some lower-altitude structures, in the Adige Valley, and in the climbing paradise of Arco near Lake Garda. This way, you can still enjoy climbing even outside the main summer season.

  • Yes! Climbing can be mixed with via ferrata sections, hiking, or multi-sport itineraries. For example, family-friendly adventures can include climbing, exploring, and scenic mountain days in one flexible program, all designed around your preferences.

  • Rock climbing inherently carries risk, but climbing with a certified UIAGM/IFMGA mountain guide ensures you have the best available support and expertise for route selection, safety systems, and decision-making in the mountains. Choose climbing adventures that are appropriate for your experience and fitness level to maximize safety and enjoyment.

Ski Safari FAQs

  • A Ski Safari is a multi-day adventure exploring the Dolomiti Superski area, moving from hut to hut or from valley to valley, discovering new panoramas, peaks, and ski resorts each day. It’s the most incredible way to traverse the Dolomites on skis, an experience unique in the world. Doing it with a certified local mountain guide means you can focus on skiing the best runs, enjoying the mountains safely, and relaxing at the end of the day in a mountain hut or hotel with a drink and a local dinner. Check out our programs at the dedicated page!

  • Ski Safaris can be adapted to all levels, from intermediate skiers comfortable on red and blue runs to advanced skiers seeking challenging slopes and off-piste adventures. Your guide will tailor the itinerary to your ability, the snow conditions, and your preferred style of skiing. If you have any doubts about your preparation, contact us for more information!

  • Not necessarily. For groomed on-piste itineraries, a solid intermediate level is sufficient. For freeride, off-piste, or backcountry skiing, even if you haven’t tried off-piste before, you must be able to handle black runs on groomed pistes without difficulty, and a good level of aerobic fitness is recommended. Your guide will help you choose the best slopes for your level and ensure safety.

  • For on-piste Ski Safaris, a solid intermediate skiing level and general fitness are sufficient.

    For freeride and backcountry itineraries, a good level on groomed slopes and good cardio fitness are required. To prepare, we recommend training with cycling, running, or exercises that strengthen your legs and core, which will help you fully enjoy your multi-day adventure!

  • You can choose a fully on-piste Safari, skiing exclusively on groomed runs, or combine your adventure with some freeride and backcountry ski touring. Multi-day itineraries can include overnight stays in huts or hotel-based programs, depending on your preference and comfort level. Everything is tailored to your goals, skills, and desired adventure style. Check our dedicate page for more infos!

  • The main season is from late December to early April, depending on snow conditions.

    For backcountry skiing, the best period is from February to April, when snow conditions and stability are generally optimal.