Ski Boots on the Ground: The Ultimate Guide to a Dolomites Ski Safari

A few of our Mountain Travel Experts just returned from the ultimate ski adventure – exploring the Dolomites on a weeklong ski safari. We hit multiple resorts, skied legendary terrain, stayed in dreamy mountain villages (and one epic mountaintop rifugio), and tasted our way through Italy’s best alpine cuisine. Here's everything we did, and why we think this should be on every skier’s bucket list.

What’s a Ski Safari, Anyway?

The Dolomiti Superski area is made up of 12 different ski resorts, all connected by 450+ lifts and gondolas. You can ski all of them on one pass – including with your Ikon Pass! A ski safari means skiing your way from one resort and village to the next, staying in different places along the route. In our opinion, it's the best way to experience the diversity of this region – each area has its own charm, terrain and culture.

Getting to the Dolomites:

You’ve got a few great options: Venice (VCE), Milan (MXP) and Munich (MUC) are the most common arrival points. Your Mountain Travel Expert can help you decide which airport is best based on your route and preferences.

We opted for Munich and kicked things off with dinner at the famous Hofbräuhaus, wandered through Marienplatz, and soaked in a bit of Bavarian culture before heading south into the mountains.

Stop 1: Cortina d’Ampezzo

Our adventure kicked off in Cortina, host of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics and one of the liveliest towns in the Dolomites. Many consider it the “Queen of the Dolomites” and the ideal place to start your trip. The pedestrian-friendly village is filled with shops, bars, and restaurants – think alpine glamour meets old-world charm with cobblestone streets and cozy cafés.

There are three main ski areas, all accessible from town by shuttle or gondola. These cater to all levels:

• Faloria-Cristallo – Wide, open groomers and stunning views. You can take the cable car from town
• Tofana – largest and most famous, home to the Olympic and World Cup slopes, all level skiing.
• Lagazuoi/Cinque Torri – Legendary terrain, beautiful views and lots of World War I history. Accessed via the ski bus to the gondola

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Where to Stay in Cortina

• Faloria Spa Resort – A beautiful and relaxing retreat with cozy alpine style and a stunning spa. We loved the half-board setup (breakfast + dinner) and quick shuttle access to the slopes.
• Hotel Cortina – Charming and centrally located, right in the heart of town.
• Rosapetra Spa Resort – Sleek, luxurious and just outside the bustle with great wellness amenities.
• Grand Hotel Savoia – Historic luxury with mountain views and impeccable service.

Where to Eat in Cortina

• Faloria Restaurant – Even if you aren't staying here, go for the homemade pastas and views.
• Ristorante Ariston – Casual and delicious, with amazing pizzas and pastas.
• Il Vizietto di Cortina – A cozy and creative spot for modern Italian cuisine.

Stop 2: Rifugio Averau – A Night in the Clouds

This was a bucket list item for everyone in the group: staying in a rifugio high in the mountains. We skied right to Rifugio Averau, where we were greeted with spritzes and a gourmet dinner that blew us away. The stars above, the cozy alpine vibes and the feeling of waking up amongst the dramatic scenery – it’s something every skier should experience once.

In the morning, we had a fresh breakfast and cappuccino, and had first tracks on perfectly groomed snow in the Cinque Torri area. Pure magic.

What to Eat

• The house-made pasta, local venison and desserts were phenomenal, and the Prosecco cake stole the show. Don’t skip it.

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Stop 3: Alta Badia

Next up: we skied one of the most breathtaking trails in the world – the Lagazuoi to Alta Badia route, which includes a 10km run through the Hidden Valley. We were surrounded by frozen waterfalls, towering cliffs and even found fresh powder along the way. We stopped at Refugio Scotoni for bombardinos and incredible views, before taking the iconic horse-drawn tow to finish the route.

Alta Badia consists of several charming villages, which you can ski between or take a bus. We stayed in Corvara, the liveliest of them, with plenty of hotels, shops and dining. Colfosco offers amazing ski-in ski-out lodging with jaw-dropping views, while La Villa has a more traditional vibe and a local feel.

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Where to Stay in Alta Badia

• Hotel Col Alto (Corvara) – Our base for two nights. Super comfy, stylish, and centrally located.
• Hotel La Perla (Corvara) - Ski in Ski out five-star luxury with incredible dining options and apres.
• Hotel Marmolada (Corvara)– Great location and friendly vibe with easy ski access.
• Dolomit Boutique Hotel (la Villa) – Boutique charm with alpacas (!) and unique experiences like wine tastings and heli-skiing.
• Hotel Diana (La Villa) – Chic and modern with thoughtful details and a focus on local gastronomy.

Where to Eat in Alta Badia

• I Tablá – A slopeside mountain hut with amazing South Tyrolean food.
• Les Stües at La Perla – Elegant, traditional Ladin fare with a refined twist.

Don’t miss après at L’Murin – a fun, lively après bar next to La Perla that had great music and drinks.

Stop 4: Val Gardena + the Sellaronda

From Alta Badia, we hopped on the Sellaronda circuit, one of the most famous ski tours in the world. It loops around the Sella Massif, connecting four resorts in a single ski day. We did the counter-clockwise route, skiing into Val Gardena, where we stayed in the picturesque village of Selva.

We recommend hiring a guide, which we can connect you with! While the route is well marked, a local expert can show you hidden gems, off-piste zones and the best rifugios for lunch.

Here we skied under the dramatic cliffs of Seceda, and fell in love with the cozy rifugios and incredible mountain eats. Our favorite run was the La Lungia, a 10.5 km descent from Seceda to Ortisei that is long, scenic and dotted with cozy rifugios and sunny patios.

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Where to Stay in Val Gardena

• Hotel Tyrol (Selva) – Stylish, welcoming, and perfectly located in Selva with a beautiful spa and views.
• Hotel Residence Antares (Selva) – A comfortable, convenient option with spa facilities and great breakfast.
• Gardena Grodnerhof (Ortisei) – Family-owned, refined, luxurious and home to a world-class spa and fine dining.

Where to Eat in Val Gardena

• Geraldo – upscale traditional food, family owned with fantastic views
• Refugio Sophie – Features the highest wine cellar in the Dolomites, with delicious bites amongst views of Seceda
• Salei – in between Val Gardena and Val di Fassa, with a beautiful patio, wine and food.
• Hotel Gardena Restaurant – Try the five-course set menu, this was one of our favorite meals of the trip

Why the Dolomites Should Be on Every Skier’s Map

Between cinematic landscapes, varied terrain, gourmet meals, charming villages, and that unforgettable rifugio night, the Dolomites truly blew our team away.

Whether you base yourself in one resort or go for the full ski safari like we did, the Dolomites deliver unforgettable adventures.

Ready to Plan Your Dolomites Ski Safari?

Our Mountain Travel Experts have done it – and they’re ready to help you do it too.
Give us a call, schedule a free travel consultation or get a free quote to start planning.