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.

Alan Thornton

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written February 2009
Excellent snow, excellent leaders, and a comfortable hotel made for an enjoyable holiday. The downside was the 3 hour plus coach transfer from Verona, and the use of Thomsonfly, who are appalling. Innsbruck airport is an hour nearer and would be a much more attractive option, particularly with a different carrier.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I really enjoyed some of the more challenging skiing on skidoo tracks that the Grade 3 group attempted on the days when it had snowed heavily.
What did you think of your group leader?
Both Catherine and Albert were excellent leaders: different styles, but both worked hard to make sure that everyone had an enjoyable holiday and the opportunity to improve their skills. They faced some problems with heavy snowfalls on a couple of days, but worked out ways to ensure we got a good day's skiing each time.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The coach transfer from Verona is not 'around 2 hours' - it is over 3 hours. And Thomsonfly are the worst carrier I have flown with in the last decade. Consider the land only option, and fly to Innsbruck or even Munich, then take the train to Dobbiaco.

Beware too the rip-off charges if you take your own skis: they will try and charge you £30 per person, even if you are still within your baggage allowance including your skis. There is no rational explanation for such a charge - it is just greed by Thomsonfly and/or Exodus.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dobbiaco is an excellent XC resort with a good range of tracks to suit skiers of all abilities.
Exodus Response
It is unfortunate that for our 2008/09 season, we were unable to secure a large enough allocation into Innsbruck airport. Verona airport is 25-minute longer journey to Dobbiaco than Innsbruck airport, without Saturday traffic or airline delays.
I would like to thank Mr Thornton for his feedback and please be assured that the concerns have been taken into consideration. I sincerely hope we can avoid the delays that occurred this past season and that we will be able to operate from Innsbruck next season.

- Exodus Staff
Liz Simpson

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2009
A perfect trip from start to finish. There was plenty of snow, beautiful scenery, instructors brilliant, food plentiful, and excellent company
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Obviously has to be Bill Koch, his diagonal line was a thing of beauty...!
What did you think of your group leader?
The instructors (Eric and Heather) were exceptional - read the mood and ability of the group, pushed us enough to help us improve, but didn't force us to do anything we were uncomfortable in doing. Teaching was clear and precise, but used fun exercises and team games to aid learning. Although many of us were complete novices, we soon found ourselves confident enough on skis to tackle the routes. During the week we continually worked on skills, technique and confidence building. However, don't think that we spent all week in the classroom! Instruction was carried out while skiing through the beautiful area surrounding Dobbiaco.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't forget the Deep Heat!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A big thank you to everyone at Exodus for making this such a great trip and for sorting out the dilemma of arriving about 2hrs late for the return flight...
One thing you cannot say about this trip was that it lacked sparkle. This was sparkle from start to finish. Even the slightly jaded 'morning after the night before' feelings on New Year's Day were soon dispelled by a Eric's infectious good humour and a few team games.
Patricia Collins

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written March 2008
Amazing trip in stunning surroundings. Great food and excellent skiing tracks.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Skiing over to Cortina in the middle of the Dolomites. Skiing on well groomed tracks that take you over rivers and through mountain tunnels.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was brilliant. Kept me skiing when I thought I could not ski any more, made it great fun, and was extremely helpful.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take your camera!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Really friendly locals, fantastic food and a great area to be in. This trip is good value for money. It was so nice to be able to ski between cafe's for hot chocolate and lunch. This area is really good for beginners as well as experienced skiers, as there are so many tracks and you are always near a village or cafe if you need a break. Would definately recommend this trip to anyone who wants a taste of cross country skiing and the Dolomites!
David Benson

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written March 2008
A really good fun week. This was our first Exodus holiday, but the group was really good mix of ages & abilities
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too many to mention
What did you think of your group leader?
Leaders were very good & ethusiastic. Everyone was included
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Come prepared to mix in & make some good friends
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thought these group holidays were mostly for the younger age group, so was pleasantly suprised by the age range on this our first trip. Will definitely consider Exodus for future longer haul trips
John Fleming

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written March 2008
Great location for a holiday whether you are feeling energetic or just like italian food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We were able to try out skating skis for a day. Great flexibility from the leaders.
What did you think of your group leader?
They managed the variety of people in the group with skill and friendliness
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Beware the addictive nature of the ice cream shop across the road from the hotel!
Duncan Blake

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written February 2008
My fourth ski trip and the best. Very lucky with the snow and weather (3rd week of January) and the scenery is fantastic. Combined with a well planned itinerary by the leaders taking in a variety of pisted and non-pisted tracks (grade 3) made it a great trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
After a lunch in the sun at the Platzwiese plateau gazing across ranges of mountains descending an old first world war road down to the valley bottom. And staying upright...just.
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent. Good instruction where required and planned a range of day trips which by the end of the week meant we had skiied all the major valleys and tracks in the near vicinity. After years of experience there the leaders had great relationships with hotel and hut owners meaning this itinerary was also planned around public transport and great places for lunch :) They put in a great effort.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Try the jaeger tea at the place by the Dobbiaco lake, it'll certainly revive you.
Kay Drake

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: DOBBIACO

Written January 2008
Natural snow poor, man-made snow excellent. Leaders ensured a full programme was available to a very diverse range of xc ski-ing abilities.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Ski-ing on man-made snow which ranged from frozen (-20 degrees on one day), icy, to thin and patch ensured full concentration on the task in hand.
Ski-ing across a frozen lake to a frozen waterfall, in complete silence, in wonderful sunshine - priceless.
What did you think of your group leader?
Two of the best Leaders you have. If you really want to learn to ski, improve your skills and/or ski interesting, wide ranging, and often challenging routes these are the guys to help you achieve it.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Ski conditions and weather conditions vary day-to-day so ensure you take a selection of clothes so that you can layer up (and down) to suit. This ski-ing area is never far from a cafe, bar or restaurant so it is not necessary to take a fully laden backpack, usually a bum bag with bottle loop is sufficient and helps your balance when ski-ing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I simply love this area, the Italians are very hospitable, and there is so much to see and do, although only one Night Club. However, after a full days ski-ing programme not many last until the wee small hours.