Cross-country Skiing: Dobbiaco

There's really no restiction, whatever feels comfortable for you. Whether that's a wheelie case or a rucksack, you won't be carrying it too far so don't worry!

Amanda Ceraolo - Product Manager

No, it's not essential, although any previous experience will be a bonus! There are different weeks specially graded for beginners, so make sure you pick the correct week to begin with. It should specify in the brochure and on the website but if you're not sure, just contact Exodus. If there are 2 different grades happening in the same week, you can sometimes switch to a higher grade towards the end of the week if you feel you have gained sufficient experience.

Danuta Janik - Customer Operations

Situated in the centre of Dobbiaco, the 3-star Hotel Tschurtschenthaler is an attractive building, traditionally styled but with the advantages of a small indoor heated swimming pool, a sauna, and a beauty treatment room where you can enjoy massages, pedicures and manicures (treatments not included – on request basis). After dinner you can relax in the lounge or go through to the bar for a drink with the locals. Single, double and twin-bedded rooms all have shower and WC and are comfortably furnished. All rooms have hair dryers. Please note that the hotel does not accept credit cards.

Rachel George - Customer Operations

Yes, it is possible but, as it can be a long journey, you will need to prepare in advance. Taxis will be very expensive but there are some public transport options available. Please contact the Customer Operations team on 0845 863 9643 for more details, and we can run through the best way to get there!

Rachel George - Customer Operations

Please visit the Exodus Travel Guide to Italy where you can find out what plugs they use, as well as more detailed Country information in the menu on the left of the page.

Our Winter Grading system: Many of our holidays are aimed at beginners and are designed for people of just average fitness. All necessary instruction and equipment is included. Snowshoeing, dogsledding and snowmobiling are easy to pick up and require no previous experience. Cross-country skiing will involve more intensive instruction, and our groups are carefully graded to ensure participants have similar levels of experience.

It is important to choose a holiday appropriate to your fitness and experience levels. Of course some are tougher than others and the activity profile section gives more detail about what to expect. All of our cross-country skiing holidays use the grading systems below.

Cross-country ski grades
1 Beginners
2 Intermediates (suitable for confident beginners)
2+ Intermediates (not suitable for beginners)
3 Advanced
4 Strenuous

NB: The cross-country grades are listed against the departure dates on the holiday dates and prices pages so you can check which is the best week to travel with the correct grade for your ability. 

Cross-country skiing or Nordic skiing is becoming one of the most popular winter sports. Using longer, thinner and lighter skis than downhill, with bindings that let you lift your heel, we explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. Cross-country skiing can be undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) or off-track, allowing the group to explore the winter landscape.

Tom Wilkinson - Product Manager

For XC skiing, generally warm and comfy should be the rules!

The important thing is to wear layers: when you wear several layers you stay warmer because the air can circulate between them (so always better than one t-shirt and one big jumper for instance); the other advantage of layers is that you can adjust what you wear to the temperature. So it might be cold in the shade, but when in the sun and moving around, you may want to wear just a long-sleeved t-shirt (you need to have your arms covered to as it is easy to get ‘snow burn’ if you fall on uncovered arms).

Traditional downhill ski clothing is usually too warm for this type of skiing, particularly in the Alps where temperatures can be warmer. We recommend a long-sleeved thermal base layer and a windstopper fleece, or an ordinary fleece and a light weight waterproof. We also recommend that you wear thermals or tops made from wicking fabric: they keep you warm and dry a lot quicker than synthetic materials. If you’re sweating and it is really cold outside, you need clothes that’ll dry quickly; otherwise, once your body cools down, you’ll be really cold from having a wet t-shirt.

Trousers need to be windproof, but jeans and lightweight cotton ones are not suitable. For colder days and a buff or scarf is useful and it is good to have a hat that covers your ears, and both thin and thicker gloves (downhill skiing gloves are usually too bulky). Walking socks are generally best for warmth and comfort in cross-country ski boots. Finally, don’t forget your sunglasses and sun cream!

Rachel George - European Operations

All the staff at Exodus share a passion for adventure travel, and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. You can find an expert for the area you are interested in here and can contact them to get further information. If you don't see your specific country listed, please email customerops@exodus.co.uk and they will get the answers you need!