- Fabulous 4-star family-run hotel with three restaurants, spa, indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, sauna and steam room
- Variety of winter activities including cross country skiing, winter walking, snow shoeing and downhill skiing
- Part of the Dolomiti Superski ski area - one of the world's biggest ski areas with over 1,200km of slopes
- Stunning natural landscapes of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites: jagged limestone peaks, snow-covered high alpine meadows and pine forests
- Based on our popular 7 night, Walking the Dolomites of Alta Badia

Winter Activities in the Dolomites
- Home
- Europe
- Italy
- Winter Holidays
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Winter Activities in the Dolomites
The village of San Cassiano, in the heart of the Italian Dolomites' Alta Badia region, boasts some of the most spectacular alpine scenery as well as a reputation for excellent cuisine.
The village nestles just 15km, as the crow flies, due West of Cortina d'Ampezzo (or 30km by road and the Falzarego Pass) with the Fanes Natural Park on one side and the Dolomiti Superski area on the other. With over 1,200km of slopes this is one of the biggest connected ski areas in the world and includes a fabulous ski tour, the Sella Ronda, around the Sella mountain range.
This beautiful alpine area provides plenty of winter activity options with three cross country ski areas in San Cassiano, Corvara and Armentara, 80km of marked winter walking tracks, a 3km toboggan run, 13 snowshoe hikes (with the option to have a guide for these) and an immense connected downhill ski area. As well as alpine meadows dotted with traditional wooden mountain huts, there are the most amazing panoramic views. At some points you have a 360-degree vista that spans from the Austrian Alps to the North to the Marmolada range to the South (the highest peaks in the Dolomites), the Fanes Natural Park to the East and the Sella mountain range and Gardena Pass to the West - all stunning views in their own rights but when combined and covered with snow it's almost mind-blowing!
Highlights
Key Information
- 7 nights hotel accommodation on Half Board basis
- Activity options include cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing and winter walking (some pre-bookable, some payable locally)
- Cross-country skiing Grades 1-3 Beginners to Intermediates. 3 cross country ski areas nearby.
- Downhill skiing in the Dolomiti SuperSki area with 1200km of slopes
- Countries visited: Italy
What's Included
- All breakfasts and dinners
- All accommodation (see accommodation section)
- 1 Grappa tasting
- 1 Glass of wine
- Complimentary bottle of prosecco on arrival
- Arrival & departure transfers (when booking a flight inclusive package)
What's Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
- Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
- Visas or vaccinations
Responsible Travel
At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.
Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary
Armentarola, San Cassiano Armentarola, San Cassiano
Arrive at Ciasa Salares in Armentarola, close to San Cassiano. There will be a briefing about the week’s activity options and equipment will be given to customers who have pre-booked (either this evening or in the morning).
Meals included: Dinner
Take the hotel’s complimentary shuttle bus service into the village to pick up your skis, boots and poles then head for the slopes in one of the best Alpine ski areas in Italy. You could try your hand at cross country skiing – the loipes are a convenient short stroll from the hotel or the shuttle bus can take you if you prefer to save your legs!. Alternatively, set off on any of the snowshoeing and winter walking trails available locally – there’s plenty of choice for a day off the pistes!
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Return to the airport in time to connect with your flight home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Essential Info
Visa
Italy
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html
Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.
Vaccination
Italy
There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.
Eating and Drinking
All breakfasts and dinners are included.
Weather
The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in all of the Alps – perfect for year-round active adventures. As a mountain range, the Dolomites receive less precipitation on an annual basis than do the majority of the Alps. Winter snow usually begins to accumulate in December, lasting through March, and sometimes April. While temperatures fall below freezing, and snowfall is ample, the sun shines an unparalleled 8 days out of 10. During the winter temperatures vary between -5°C to 9°C. Keep in mind, that as you gain elevation it will be colder. For every 1,000 ft you climb, the temperature will drop by 3.6°F (or 6.5°C for every 1,000 metres). Equally, at all times you need to be ready for the occasional snowy or grey day.
Weather Charts

Is this trip for you?
This trip is operated by our sister company, Headwater, who offer more flexibility, so you can ski as much or as little as you like and as it's a self-guided trip you can also choose between different activities from one day to the next. There are some subtle differences between the way Exodus and Headwater trips run which may appeal to you:
Minimum age: children over the age of 6 are welcome to join as long as they are able to participate in the activities.
No minimum group size: departures are not subject to a minimum group size in order to run, although a ‘sole traveller’ supplement will apply.
Sole travellers: if travelling on your own a compulsory single supplement will apply.
Local agent: Headwater's local agent offers the possibility of booking private ski lessons or ski guides who will ski with you during the day (payable locally). The hotel will also help you to arrange other activities and rent equipment locally.
Insurance: insurance details are required at the time of booking.
Cross-country skiing is an increasingly popular winter pastime. Compared to those used for downhill, the skis are longer, thinner and lighter with bindings that allow you to lift up your heel. Most cross-country skiing is undertaken on prepared tracks (loipe) covering flat and hillier terrain enabling you to explore the winter landscapes away from the confines of the alpine pistes. The ski area is one of the best in Italy for downhill skiing but there are 3 cross-country skiing areas in the local area with the largest being just 300m from the hotel. The snowy meadows also offer the perfect location for winter walking, snowshoeing and tobogganing - ideal for families and for those who enjoy a challenge. For those looking to do downhill skiing the Dolomiti Super Ski area is vast offering 1200km of interconnected slopes with this area and the celebrated Sella Ronda circuit accessible from the ski lift on the slope opposite the hotel.
This holiday is suitable for beginners and intermediate cross country skiiers as well as all levels of downhill skier. With the other activities in the local area, the excellent facilities available at the hotel and in the local village it's also suitable for families and non-skiers alike.
K07DS: Hotel
Ciasa Salares, famed for its locally sourced cuisine, is your home for the week and is located just a short shuttle ride from the centre of San Cassiano and only 300m from the nearest cross country ski area.
Run by the Wieser family, Stefan, Wilma and their son Jan Clemens, who is passionate about the hotel’s fantastic wine cellar, they manage to combine alpine chic in the decor with good old-fashioned hospitality. The three restaurants include an informal wine bar, a main restaurant as well as tables in the labyrinthine wine cellar where you can enjoy delectable cured meats, fondues and an impressive wine list including biodynamic wines. There are also two other very special rooms – the Cheese Room and the Chocolate Room. Other facilities include a library and lounge, a luxurious spa with indoor swimming pool, relaxation area, three treatment rooms, sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub to soak away those aching limbs after a day of winter activity.
No departures found.
Would you like to include flights with your booking?
- ATOL protected
- Competitive flight prices
- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
*Please note any date & price adjustments will be displayed on the next step of booking. You will be able to revert back to booking without flights if the options aren't suitable for you.
You may also like
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus' experts.