Cross-Country Skiing: Dobbiaco Dolomites In Italy - Winter Activity Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 45 reviews.

Sebastian Pearce

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
A perfectly balanced week of life; do a lot of exercise, eat a lot of food. Do a lot more exercise, eat an even bigger amount of food. A truly virtuous circle.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Despite skiing with commendable effort, i struggled with the subtleties of the snowplough and sensible cornering. Many bruises later my balance began to improve markedly, my skills less so. As i sailed out of control rounding a corner too fast, i prepared mentally to hit the deck once again. Imagine my surprise first not to fall over, second not to ski off the track completely, and third to negotiate my way back to the correct loipe in an almost controlled way. Not quite a baby taking its first steps but a definite sense of progress.
What did you think of your group leader?
Albert found ways to deal calmy and patiently with a group of mixed ability and fitness. His basic apprach that you learn more my doing, trying, and taking your own risks, was very practical. I will remember fondly how on one occasion he said to me '' yeah, not bad '' while his eyes said '' i have no idea how you didn't fall over with that hamfisted approach. ''
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Dobbiaco is an excellent site; many opportunities for different cross country trails either from the little town or from a short journey away. Personally i enjoyed the opportunity to make a journey from a to b in the different places we skied; more rewarding than just following circuits. The Hotel Tsurtschenthaler - though unpronounceable - is excellent. Literally endless supplies of food and friendly service. In the last 4 years my work has taken me to at least 30 different hotels in nearly as many countries. But the best shower in the world is in room 17 in Dobbiaco !
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dobbiaco is a little town. The bus station is a couple of hundred metres from the hotel. It's unmissable. Nonetheless i missed it one day and had to ski solo. For this i hold no one responsible but myself.
Simon Ryan

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
A clean and pleasant hotel in a picturesque town set within the stunning landscape of the Dolomites. Good transport links gave us easy access to various skiing areas and picturesque walks if you need a rest from the skis.Our party was made up of beginners and experienced skiers - we were in the beginners group.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Skiing on virgin tracks through the woodland early one morning.
For my wife it was walking through deep snow, high on the mountain on a day off
What did you think of your group leader?
Heather was patient, fun, friendly. She kept us going with enthusiastic encouragement when we had doubts about our ability but also knew when we'd had enough. Also on the trip was Albert, who took the grade two skiers and was a font of knowledge regarding the local walks.
Both leaders were good company in the evenings and fostered a good group atmosphere.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Quite a strenuous sport for beginners which will probably result in a few knocks and bruises.
If you decide it's not for you or suffer an injury, there are plenty of beautiful, well marked walks in the area and other towns to visit so the week will not be wasted.
It's very informal, so no need for dressy clothes (and the hotel dining room was very warm)

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dobbiaco is not a lively town for apres-ski but then most of us were too tired to stay up for long after dinner.
Not much atmosphere in the hotel except that generated by the group.
Adrian Sims

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
Level 1 cross country skiing week - good teaching and group progressed well. Varying terrain, some easy, other parts challenging. Always option to walk past a section if too challenging. Hotel good with plenty of well cooked food and five course dinner each evening.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Skiing at 2000 metres in excellent conditions on a sunny day with not a cloud in the sky.
What did you think of your group leader?
Catered well for all abilities. Most of the routes crossed bus routes at several points so there were several options per day for taking bus back to hotel if wanted and allowing others to ski further.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Pre holiday fitness to a moderate standard makes the course easier to manage and more enjoyable.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A great way to be introduced to cross country skiing.
Caroline Merrifield

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
We had a wonderful holiday, with exciting skiing through beautiful scenery, in perfect sunny conditions.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We skied along an undulating trail high up on a plateau, with the sun blazing in a deep blue sky. There were fields of giant ice crystals on the snow, 3inches in height, looking like intricate leaves or feathers, and as the sun caught them they shone all the colours of the rainbow. Magic! (And impossible to photograph well!)
The trail down from this plateau was 6 1/2 km in length, and although not steep, we had to snowplough continuously. The group spaced out a lot, with the speedies in front and the more cautious behind. I was in the middle and found myself seemingly alone skiing through the most picturesque mountain scenery. I loved it!
What did you think of your group leader?
Albert was an excellent leader. He was very conscious of what the group wanted, and he devised the daily itineraries to suit every member of our group, each day building up our abilities and confidence. Those who did not want to ski too far had options to catch buses back at various points, and he was willing to extend the daily skiing until the light failed for us keenies. I felt I could trust his judgement of what to tackle or not, and he took us on exciting routes.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Build up your stamina before you tackle cross country skiing, by doing lots of walking, running, cycling or swimming.
You'll be needing lots of energy, so that's a good excuse to sample the delicious cakes of the region, and the hot chocolates with cream that are so thick that you have to use a spoon!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dobbiaco is the most scenic place we have skied in. The hotel was very comfortable and friendly, with a nice little pool, and excellent food. (Infact it was so good we have booked to stay there in the summer for walking and cyling)
anthony appell

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
Met some lovely people of all ages and enjoyed a very different type of holiday. Got a real sense of achievement from this terrific break!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Thinking I couldn't control my ski's down the fast slopes and whooping for joy when I could. It gave me a real high and inspired me to learn new skils!
What did you think of your group leader?
Albert was excellent - laid back, thought what he said and brought the best out of each of us. Watch out if you have any food left over at lunchtime as Albert has a big appetite and will wolf it down, especially if it's grilled cheese!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
take lots of layers of fleeces as the mornings start very cold but you soon warm up. Be a team player and listen to the leader - its not about skiing the fastest or how many people you can overtake, its about applying new skiing techniques to make you a better cross-country skier. Come with a positive, yes I can attitude and you will have lots of fun and make lots of lovely people!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I thought the food was great but the late afternoon flight home was too late as many people had further connections and was a very long day. Also Innsbruck airport is packed and very badly organized, be prepared to queue and bring a book with you!
Greg Abbott

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2011
Great fun with a great group of people Good hotel with plenty of food
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
skiing all the way to Cortina then exhausted bus back
What did you think of your group leader?
Albert was superb given the diverse group we were with
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Make sure you are a liittle bit fit before you go and take the deep heat
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Dolomites were absolutly breathtaking.
Brian Dodd

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written March 2010
The skiing was fine and the travel arrangements worked well (under difficulty). The hotel in Dobaccio was disappointing in terms of atmosphere, food quality and ambiance and it was the reason for the 'average' star rating
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Skiing on interesting slopes in bright sunlight.
Excellent lunches in pleasant restaurants
Jaggerthee!
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Eric and his wife were excellent and supportive leaders and their encouragement has improved my cross country skiing ability.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Trust Exodus to get you there and back
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The holiday was good valure for money.
The ski leading was excellent
The range of skiing pathways was fine.