Cross-country Skiing: Dobbiaco (independent)

Day 1
Fly from Gatwick to Innsbruck; transfer by road to Dobbiaco (approx. 2 hours).

Day 2 - 7
Examples of self-guided winter activities include:

Cross-country skiing
Along the wide valley floor east and west of Dobbiaco there is easy skiing for many kilometres - great for beginners. A little more challenging is the track that leads south to Cortina D'Ampezzo, a memorable route among spectacular mountains, passing under the triple rock buttresses of the imposing Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The Sexten and Prags valleys offer a choice of undulating routes in typical Dolomites scenery, with a welcoming café for a lunch stop. To the south the high Plätzwiese plateau has some superb routes at about 2000m. Many of the area's cross-country skiing tracks are prepared for skating technique as well as for classic style.
Cross-country skis can be hired for approximately EUR38 for 6 days from the ski hire shop in Dobbiaco.
A selection of cross-country skiing route notes and map are supplied upon booking and sent out with the booking confirmation.
Snowshoeing
Self-guided snowshoes can be hired for free from the hotel. The hotel has 10 pairs of snowshoes (subject to availability). You have the choice of touring independently or you can book tours through the Tourist Office, which is a short distance from the hotel.
Downhill skiing
Three ski areas are easily accessible from Dobbiaco, each offering a wide selection of alpine skiing possibilities.
1) Alta Pusteria is the closest ski area in San Candido and Versciaco with 53km of downhill slopes for all levels of skier and 27 lifts.
2) Plan de Corones is a large ski area near Brunico with 31 lifts and a top elevation of 2275m.
3) To the south of Dobbiaco, Cortina D'Ampezzo is a well-known ski resort with 140km of downhill slopes (beginner 33%, intermediate 62%, advanced 5%) and a top elevation of 2932m.
Downhill skiing at Alta Pusteria ski area: allow approximately EUR26-30 per day for a ski pass and EUR20 per day for ski hire from Dobbiaco shop. For more information about the alpine skiing in this area visit www.dolomitisuperski.com and please note skiing in Plan de Corones and Cortina D'Ampezzo will be more expensive.
Winter walking
There are fine paths in most of the picturesque side valleys, and also some very good routes at higher altitude. Local buses can be taken up to the Kreuzberg Pass (1630m) where walking paths follow rolling hills to the rustic Nemesalm mountain hut at 1877m; from its sunny terrace - a great place for lunch - there are inspiring views over the Sexten Dolomites.
Day excursion to Bolzano
Day trip to see the remains of Oetzi the famous 'ice-man' in Bolzano: allow around EUR30 for travel and EUR10 for entry.

Day 8
Return transfer to Innsbruck. Fly Innsbruck to Gatwick.