Ski tour and snowshoe through the Dolomites and discover one of the world's most beautiful mountain ranges in its most dramatic season, from the towering spires of the Tre Cime and the vast glaciers of the Marmolada to the sweeping high plateaux of the Alpe di Siusi and the iconic Sella Group above Corvara. With 50 graded routes across ten distinct areas, the Dolomites offer an outstanding winter backcountry destination for ski tourers and snowshoers of all abilities.

Suitable for those with good mountain and navigational skills, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook by experienced alpinist James Rushforth describes 50 graded routes across the Dolomites, ranging from 5 to 18km and taking between 2 and 7 hours to complete. Routes are based in and around Canazei, Arabba, Corvara, Cortina, and San Martino, and are graded using the Alpine and Volo/Toponeige scales to help you choose routes suited to your experience and conditions.

• Choose from 50 graded ski touring and snowshoeing routes across ten areas of the Dolomites, including the Val di Fassa, the Sella Group, Val Gardena, South Badia, the Marmolada, Passo Falzarego, Selva di Cadore, Val di Zoldo, and the Cortina and Tre Cime area, with routes taking in stunning scenery and enchanting mountain vistas throughout.
• Discover highlights including the Punta Penia summit on the Marmolada, the Giro delle Tre Cime, the Alpe di Siusi traverse, the Tofana di Rozes, the Cinque Torri and Nuvolau, and the Pisciadù and Ciampac traverse above Corvara, with routes visiting some of the most spectacular winter landscapes in the Alps.
• Navigate every route with confidence using 1:50,000 mapping and photo topos included for each route, with key information on total ascent and descent, aspect, expected duration, and equipment required clearly provided throughout.
• Select routes suited to your ability and experience using the Alpine and Volo/Toponeige grading systems, with clear guidance on avalanche risk assessment and the backcountry mountaineering skills required for ski touring routes.
• Prepare thoroughly for winter in the Dolomites with comprehensive practical information on mountain safety and navigation, equipment, ski passes, accommodation, and transport options to, from, and around the Dolomites, including details of ski schools and mountain guide offices.
• Plan your visit during the main winter season from early December to mid-April, when public services and accommodation are open, and conditions are at their best across all ten areas covered in the guide.

Explore the winter backcountry of the Dolomites with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From snowshoeing through quaint alpine villages to ski touring beneath the soaring spires of Sassolungo and the Tre Cime, this is the essential companion for winter adventure in one of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges.

Ski Touring and Snowshoeing in the Dolomites – Quick Facts

Location: Italy – the Dolomites, northeastern Italy
Routes covered: 50 graded ski touring and snowshoeing routes (5–18km each)
Typical duration: 2–7 hours per route
Difficulty: Good navigational and mountain skills are essential for all routes; ski tours require backcountry and mountaineering experience, particularly for avalanche risk assessment; routes are graded using Alpine and Volo/Toponeige scales
Areas covered: Val di Fassa (Canazei); Sella Group (Canazei and Arabba); Val Gardena (Ortisei and Selva); South Badia (Corvara); North Badia and Fanis (San Martino); Marmolada and Livinallongo (Arabba); Passo Falzarego (San Cassiano); Passo Giau (Selva di Cadore); Val di Zoldo (Pecol); Cortina and Tre Cime
Key centres: Canazei, Arabba, Corvara, Colfosco, Selva di Val Gardena, Ortisei, San Cassiano, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Misurina, Selva di Cadore, Campitello, San Martino, Badia, San Vigilio
Highlights: Marmolada and Punta Penia, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Alpe di Siusi, Sella Group, Tofana di Rozes, Cinque Torri, Sassolungo, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Corvara
Navigation/mapping: 1:50,000 mapping and photo topos included for every route; key data on ascent, descent, aspect, duration, and equipment provided for each route; GPX files available to download
Accommodation & logistics: Practical information on accommodation, ski passes, transport, ski schools, mountain guide offices, and sports shops throughout the Dolomites
Best time to go: Early December to mid-April during the main lift season

Author Highlight

"This guidebook covers 50 snowshoe and ski touring routes, selected for their beauty, accessibility and the likelihood of favourable winter conditions. As well as some of the classics, included are a few hidden gems that enable you to explore the untouched corners of this magical area, each route focusing on the ‘journey’ and placing a balanced emphasis on a spectacular and scenically stunning ascent as well as a dramatic and thrilling descent." 

- James Rushforth, author of Ski Touring and Snowshoeing in the Dolomites

1 Canazei – Val di Fassa

Route 1          Latemar labyrinth

Route 2          Val San Nicolò

Route 3          Forcia Neigra

Route 4          Val Duron

Route 5          Forcella Sassolungo Nord

2 Canazei and Arabba – Sella Group

Route 6          Val Mesdì

Route 7          Canale del Ghiacciaio

Route 8          Canale Col Anton into Val Lasties

Route 9          Val Setus

3 Ortisei and Selva – Val Gardena

Route 10        Compaccio

Route 11        Alpe di Siusi traverse

Route 12        Chiesetta di San Giacomo and Monte Pic

Route 13        Forcella di Mesdì

Route 14        Forcella della Roa

4 Corvara – South Badia

Route 15        Val de Chedul and Col Toronn

Route 16        Forcella de Ciampei

Route 17        Pisciadù and the Ciampac Traverse

Route 18        Santa Croce and Ranch da Andrè

Route 19        Lech dla Lunch to Lech da Sompont

5 San Martino – North Badia and Fanis

Route 20        Monte Muro

Route 21        Crep dales Dodesc

Route 22        Munt da Medalges

Route 23        Malga Vaciara

Route 24        Utia Lavarella circuit

Route 25        Col Becchei Dessora

Route 26        Monte Castello

6 Arabba – Marmolada and Livinallongo

Route 27        Punta Penia

Route 28        Forcella Marmolada

Route 29        Monte Sief

7 San Cassiano – Passo Falzarego

Route 30        Settsass

Route 31        Forcella Grande

Route 32        Cadin di Fanis

Route 33        Canale della Nonna

Route 34        Col dei Bos

Route 35        Cinque Torri and Nuvolau

Route 36        Tofana di Rozes

8 Selva di Cadore – Passo Giau

Route 37        Monte Pore

Route 38        Monte Mondeval

Route 39        Lastoni di Formin

Route 40        Croda da Lago

9 Pecol – Val di Zoldo

Route 41        Col de la Puina

Route 42        Città di Fiume

Route 43        Rifugio Venezia traverse

Route 44        Spiz de Zuel

10 Cortina and Misurina – Passo Tre Croci and Tre Cime

Route 45        Malga Ra Stua

Route 46        Posporcora and Col Rosa circuit

Route 47        Forcella Faloria traverse

Route 48        Passo del Cristallo

Route 49        Giro delle Tre Cime

Route 50        Sasso di Sesto

Appendix A     Glossary of mountains, towns and passes

Appendix B     Glossary of mountain terms

Appendix C     Useful transport and tourist information contacts

Appendix D     Ski schools, mountain guide offices and sports shops

Appendix E      Further reading

Seasons

Winter - during the lift season (from early December until mid April) as this is when the majority of the public services and hotels are open.

Centres

San Martino, Badia, San Vigilio, Corvara, Colfosco, Selva di Val Gardena, Santa Cristina, Ortisei, La Villa, San Cassiano, Cortina, Misurina, Selva di Cadore, Canazei, Arabba, Campitello, Pozza, Vigo di Fassa.

Difficulty

Good navigational and mountain skills are essential for all routes as the summer tracks are covered in snow. The ski tours require backcountry / mountaineering experience, particularly for assessing the avalanche risk. These will be graded using the 'Volo' or 'Toponeige' scale.

Must See

One of the most beautiful and accessible mountains ranges in the world. The Sella Ronda circuit is a must for piste skiers, while towns such as Cortina d'Ampezzo offer a unique blend of Italian and Tyrolean culture, architecture, history and food. Explore backcountry with views of the Tre Cime (one of the 6 great Alpine North Faces), the Marmolada (the highest peak in the Dolomites), the spires of Sassolungo.

January 2024

GPX files

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