THESKISAFARI 2016 Season CLASSIC ACTIVITY LEVEL: MODERATE-HIGH DURATION: 7 NIGHTS - 6 DAYS - 4 RIFUGIO NIGHTS THE TIMES 14 Feb 2015... think about a different type of skiing trip which involves staying in several different places and a fantastic variety of different pistes. I cannot now imagine a skiing holiday that does not involve those early morning runs and watching the sunset at 2,800 metres. On a ski safari in the Dolomites by Christian Wolmar. Journey through the Dolomite Mountains on the lesser known, quieter pistes to find the best snow, stunning vistas, local cuisine, wines and stay the night! The Classic Ski Safari is a unique, on-piste, six event packed days, fully guided soft adventure ski tour of the Italian Dolomites, skiing from mountain top rifugio-to-rifugio. There is something very magical about staying on the mountain; As the other skiers drop back into their valleys and return to their hotels, pull up a chair, order a drink and allow the tranquility to wash over you as you watch the sun slide behind the mountain opposite, because, more than likely, you'll be skiing it tomorrow! Each morning begins on a newly prepared piste, no one else on the mountain and you never have to ski the same piste twice - unless you really want to! www.theskisafari.com Inspired ITALY Ltd. 2015
ITINERARY: CLASSIC Arrive Hotel - Drinks & Evening Briefing - Issue Back Packs, Maps, etc. Day One 8.30AM Hotel Pick-Up Collect & Fit Ski Equipment A SCENE THAT IS QUITE THE MOST IDYLLIC I VE SEEN IN A N Y W I N T E R LANDSCAPE. SKIING VAL GARDENA CLASSIC SKI SAFARI Seceda Ski Safari Safety & Protocol Briefing St.Cristina Ciampinoi Lunch Monte Pana Return to Base Hotel Dinner & Back Packing! ROGER FULTON, EDITOR, SNOW MAGAZINE ON AN INSPIRED ITALY SKI SAFARI Day Two 8.15AM Hotel Pick-Up 10min drive to Siusi Bubble Lift SKIING SIUSI TO BUFFAURE Alpe di Siusi Off-Road Ski Bus Monte Panna Plan di Gralba Citta dei Sassi Col Rodella Lunch Canazei Ciampac Buffaure Rifugio Buffaure ALISON BILL BE FIRST ON THE MOUNTAIN www.theskisafari.com Inspired ITALY Ltd. 2015
ITINERARY: CLASSIC ANDREW Day Three SKIING 8.30AM BUFFAURE TO PADON MARMOLADA Buffaure No 1 Ski Bus Figo Figo Tombas Black - Optional Pera Ski Bus Buffaure Lunch Ciampac - Black Run - Optional Belvedere Arabba Padon Rifugio Malga Ciapella LOUISE Day Four SKIING 8.20AM PADON MARMOLADA TO CINQUE TORRI Marmolada Marmolada - Optional 2nd Run (most Safariers want to do it twice!) Ski Bus Alleghe Lunch Civetta - Free Ski Ski Bus Passa Giau Rifugio Passa Giau HIDDEN VALLEY HORSE TOW These are not the kind of ANDREW places you stumble upon by c h a n c e a n d p e r f e c t l y illustrate the wisdom of t a p p i n g i n t o l o c a l knowledge. Rifugio at Passa Giau Night Two SNOW MAGAZINE, MARCH 13 www.theskisafari.com Inspired ITALY Ltd. 2015
ITINERARY: CLASSIC Day Five SKIING 8.30AM CINQUE TORRI-CORTINA-LAGAZUOI Cinque Torri Ski Bus Tofane - Optional Black Ski Bus Faloria Cristallo Lunch Faloria - Optional Black Run Ski Bus to Rifugio Lagazuoi Day Six SKIING 8.45AM LAGAZUOI TO ORTISEI Hidden Valley Horse Tow San Cassiano Corvara Selva Gardena- Optional Black Run Lunch St. Cristina - Saslong, Mens World Cup Downhill - Optional Black Run Seceda Return to Base Hotel PISTE STAUNES, CRISTALLO CORTINA D AMPEZZO STEPHEN FRESH TRACKS EVERY MORNING LIS www.theskisafari.com Inspired ITALY Ltd. 2015
ITINERARY: CLASSIC STATISTICS Ski Beep** Adjusted/ Estimate TOTAL NUMBER OF LIFTS VERTICAL ESTIMATED SLOPE KM 90-32.530m >40,000m 166km >200k BETHANY DAN DIFFERENT LIFTS 73 74 including the Horse Tow! Day No. Lifts Vertical Skied 1 8 3250m 22k 2 18 >6,000m 36k+ 3 18 >7000m 40k+ 4 15 >7750m 40k+ 5 14 >4750m 30k+ 6 15 >4500m 40k+ THE BEST WEEK OF OUR LIVES **NOTE: The Dolomite SuperSki Ski On-line Performance system and App, is called Ski Beep. It does not register the last run of the day, the last run when you change ski areas nor your first run if you start your day at the top of the mountain. The above information was taken from a Classic Ski Safari in January 2014 and is representative of typical activity levels. TIM DAN OLYMPIA, CORTINA D AMPEZZO ONE OF THREE WORLD CUP PISTES ON THE SKI SAFARI www.theskisafari.com Inspired ITALY Ltd. 2015 BOB
ACCOMMODATION 2016 Season CLASSIC ACTIVITY LEVEL: MODERATE-HIGH DURATION: 7 NIGHTS - 6 DAYS - 4 RIFUGIO NIGHTS THE TIMES 14 Feb 2015 The rifugi also provide pretty good food, varying from basicbut-nutritious to some fabulous dishes served, remarkably, at heights above 2,000m courtesy of skidoos, which bring fresh deliveries every day. The accommodation has also changed in recent years, thanks to increased demand. Gone, mostly, are the youth-hostel-style dormitories with bunk beds adorned with drying socks and poorly washedout underpants, and in their place are simple but stylish double rooms with en suite bathrooms. One rifugio Baita Cuz, Buffaure, even had a sauna where we were encouraged to smear ourselves with snow after suffering the heat. I loved the evening ritual at sunset while sipping a thick, velvety Italian hot chocolate or one of a variety of aperitifs such as a bombardino basically an egg nog. On a ski safari in the Dolomites by Christian Wolmar.
CAVALLINO D ORO THE SKI SAFARI -BASE HOTEL - FIRST, SECOND & LAST NIGHT BEAUTIFUL HOTEL IN CHARMING TOWN The Cavallino d'oro is a lovely hotel where we could not have been looked after any better and the variety of overnight stops made it all great fun. Colin & Sarah S. We stayed here as part of The Ski Safari. The town certainly has more to offer than I saw in online research - there's plenty of good restaurants, cafes, interesting boutique-style shops. The square and pedestrian area is particularly attractive. The Cavallino d'oro is perfectly-presented and you can see the owners take real pride in their lovely hotel. The rooms are medium-sized, with comfortable beds, good bathroom, and tastefully decorated. The bar and restaurant are very high standard, although we only had breakfasts, which were excellent. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Castelrotto is a little distance from the ski lifts, but the genuine "Italian town atmosphere" makes up for it. John C. NZ These are not the kind of places you stumble upon by c h a n c e a n d p e r f e c t l y illustrate the wisdom of t a p p i n g i n t o l o c a l knowledge. SNOW MAGAZINE, MARCH 13
BAITA CUZ 2,213M/7,260FT THE SKI SAFARI - NIGHT 3 SKIING Baita Cuz is located onpiste at 2,213m/7,260ft. Views of the Val di Fassa are jaw dropping. Sit in the sauna and watch the sun set! Rifugio Buffaure - Your first night on the mountain
RIFUGIO CAPANNA BILL THE SKI SAFARI - NIGHT 4 Rifugio Capanna Bill is a five minute ski from the Marmolada lift station. You ll be on top of Marmolada by 9am with 1,900m vertical and nearly 9k of piste out before you. Do it twice before 10am SKIING SKI SAFARIERS ENGAGED IN A LITTLE POST SAFARI YOGA IN THE BAR AREA AT CAPANNA BILL Rifugio Buffaure - Your first night on the mountain
RIFUGIO AVERAU 2,413m / 9,028ft ASL THE SKI SAFARI - NIGHT 5 Rifugio Averau is 2,413m / 7,916ft ASL with stunning views across the Dolomite Mountains and is renowned for its amazing kitchen and wine. DINNING ROOM AT RIFUGIO AVERAU These are not the kind of places you stumble upon by c h a n c e a n d p e r f e c t l y illustrate the wisdom of t a p p i n g i n t o l o c a l knowledge. WHEREVER POSSIBLE WE USE PRIVATE BEDROOMS. THIS IS A Rifugio at Passa Giau SNOW MAGAZINE, MARCH DORMITORY AND YOU MAY HAVE SHARE WITH OTHERS ON OCCASION Night Two 13
RIFUGIO LAGAZUOI 2,752m / 9,028ft ASL THE SKI SAFARI - NIGHT 6 BAR & DINNING AREA AT RIFUGIO LAGAZUOI These are not the kind of places you stumble upon by c h a n c e a n d p e r f e c t l y illustrate the wisdom of t a p p i n g i n t o l o c a l knowledge. SNOW MAGAZINE, MARCH 13
ARRIVAL & BASE HOTEL Your private taxi airport transfer delivers you to your base for The Ski Safari week. The Cavalino d Oro Hotel-Garni, offers 700 years of tradition and is located in the historic market square of Castelrotto at the heart of the Dolomites mountains. You will be captivated as soon as you enter the market square and catch your first glimpse of the Cavallino s beautifully painted exterior. Friendly, attentive service is at the heart of the Cavallino d Oro s ethos. This historic former coaching inn, has all the mystery and attraction of a Hans Anderson fairy tale and offers 20 individually designed bedrooms. Dinner is available from a selection of highly recommended local restaurants all within 5 minutes walk, including the renowned Saalstuben. The hotel will make a reservation for you. There is a modern wellness area, with sauna, steam room and personal massage area. Your first, second and final Ski Safari nights are spent here. RIFUGI The Ski Safari rifugi are all carefully chosen. Its all about Location, Location and Location - Location to great skiing and each of our rifugi is on top of the best possible Dolomite skiing! In each case you get immediate access to some of the very best Dolomite skiing and before anyone else has arrived. You have the mountain and the piste to yourself. Rifugio Baita Cuz, Averau and Lagazuoi offer stunning views from their terraces. Capanna Bill is a 5 minute ski from the Queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada which provides 9am access to the 3,265m / 10,712ft ASL view, 9k and 1,900m vertical piste. Wherever possible, you will have a private bedroom with en suite facilities. However, the rifugio sell beds, not rooms and it is likely that you will have to share a room with fellow members of your Ski Safari. WHATS INCLUDED These are not the kind of All hotel and rifugi places accommodation you stumble upon by c h a n c e a n d p e r f e c t l y All breakfasts and illustrate four dinners the in each wisdom of the of rifugi excluding wine and drinks t a p p i n g i n t o l o c a l knowledge. See price details below. SNOW MAGAZINE, MARCH 13
SKI LEADERS Russ and Christine are both Ski Leaders who spend their summers cruising the worlds oceans and winters on the Dolomite slopes. Russ and Chris are very experienced adventurers, great skiers, superbly fit and have over 10,000 miles ski experience in the Dolomites Louise is a Director and Founder of Inspired ITALY Ltd & The Ski Safari. She is a Ski Leader who has lived in the Dolomites for many years. Her thorough knowledge & deep passion for the region, in particular for the food & wine, ensures that you have a great Ski Safari experience. Louise is a Hang Gliding World Champion Team Gold Medalist. Tim, 54, Principal Ski Leader, Director & Founder Inspired ITALY Ltd & The Ski Safari. He is a veteran adventure sports enthusiast & expedition leader on skis, sailing & hang gliding. A member of the Ski Club of Great Britain, British Association of Ski Patrollers and British Hang Gliding & Paragliding Assoc. Tim holds a current BASP mountain first aid certificate & is a qualified hang gliding instructor and coach. Jill, joins The Ski Safari for the 2016 season bringing with her a vast experience of ski hosting, fluent Italian and great ski ability. Welcome Jill!
TESTIMONIALS 2015 The snow was good, the weather was glorious and the scenery was stunning. Thank you too for your company, patience and that tireless attention to the smallest details which made it so easy for us to just enjoy ourselves. Being with someone who knows the mountains as well as you do introduced us to some great skiing and beautiful scenery. The Ski Safari is right up there amongst our very best holidays and the concept is a real winner. The Cavallino d'oro is a lovely hotel where we could not have been looked after any better and the variety of overnight stops made it all great fun. Top of the list, the skiing was challenging, enjoyable and ensured that we were ready for that refreshing drink at the end of the day followed by a good night's sleep. Colin & Sarah S. March 15 What a fantastic week! My strongest memory will be the feeling I had of being away from people and everyday matters. Special thanks to Tim for devising a well structured and paced route, and being an informative and very genial leader, a rare skill. Now I have tried the lovely runs I want to return and have another go at them. Michael & Clare M. March 15 I m back in the USA. Thanks for an awesome trip. And thanks everyone for putting up with the lone Yank. Y all were way too much fun to travel with. Paul D. March 15 Two weeks on, I look back at one of the best weeks skiing. Andrew L.P., Feb 15 We could just go off each day and enjoy skiing in absolute tranquility. The choice of rifugi are very well thought out and Averau is simply magical! The memory of that day will stay with me forever it started with 2 fresh runs down Marmolada and ended with a blissful stay at Averau! Unreal! Karen & Steve W. Jan. 15 A great thank you goes to Tim, and Louise, for the inspiration to do this, in this way, and the organisation with the hotels and rifugios, and the leading. Tim F. Feb 15... a massive thank you for such a wonderful week on the Ski Safari. We both had a fabulous time and think that it was without a doubt the best week of our lives so far (except perhaps our wedding week!) Bethany and Dan O. Feb 15 We too had a most memorable week. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. We will be sure to recommend The Ski Safari to our friends. Nicola B. March 15 A fantastic week, which will stay with us forever! Alex B. March 15 I so enjoyed The Ski Safari, it was everything I expected & much more - a real adventure & on skis. I'm not sure that my skiing improved but my confidence certainly did & I hope we have the opportunity to do it again. If the average age of your skiers is 65 then I have quite a few more years to go! And I'm really glad that we didn't have it for just for the two of us because I thoroughly enjoyed the company of Adrian & Andrew - "The A team"! The only worry I had was that whoever we were with might be impatient with us but they were so kind & the evenings were really fun. Most of all I want to thank you because The Ski Safari is a unique & a very special holiday because of both of you. I can see that you are going to have to expand due to it's popularity but I feel sure that you will choose the right people to maintain your ethos. If you'll have us again we'd love to come & we're reasonably flexible with dates. Maybe next time we'll see that lovely view over to Switzerland & if we don't, well so what we' ll still have a great time. With best wishes, Elisabeth xx March 15.
DETAILS LEVEL OF ACTIVITY We rate the Classic Ski Safari ski tour as a Moderate to High physical activity level and a soft adventure. Weather and piste conditions do vary. A piste in peak of condition in the morning can be a whole different story last thing! For this reason, routes and schedules may vary slightly depending upon conditions, ski ability and fitness. We cover a lot of terrain. We occasionally stop for coffee, but not often. Its all about the skiing! Your Ski Safari day starts around 8.30am and we aim to arrive at our overnight accommodation typically between 3pm and 4pm. If you haven't had enough skiing by then, you are free to ski after arrival if you so wish. There are no obligatory black pistes but there are plenty of spectacular blacks for those who want them! We do not ski off piste. YOUR SKIING ABILITY and FITNESS You should be an intermediate or better skier. Intermediate skiers are confident on red pistes ( European definition ) and ski mostly parallel but may at times use the wedge/snow-plough to begin a turn or to stop. You may be cautious on intermediate trails that are slightly steeper or icy. FROM THE VERY FIRST MOMENT We look after and advise you on every aspect of your Ski Safari experience. Whether you are flying in from other Continents or within Europe, we re with you all the way! The Classic Ski Safari is 1,545 per person. YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES, Seven Nights Accommodation including... 3 Nights Four Star Base Hotel B&B 4 Nights Mountain Rifugi Half Board Innsbruck Airport Private Taxi Return Transfers ( 90mins ) Ski Hire Scott Vertical 22ltr Back Pack Six Days Dedicated English Speaking Ski Leader Six Day Full Area Ski Pass, Maps & Personal Online Ski Performance Record All Ski Safari Transfers NOTE: Price excludes all drinks and lunches. Discount applies to those providing their own ski equipment. Wherever possible, we reserve private rooms in the Rifugi. However, where necessary you may share with other members of your party or in dormitory style accommodation. If our first choice accommodations is not available, you will be offered an alternative. Excludes insurance which you must provide. YOUR FITNESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR SKI ABILITY The Ski Safari team is here to assist and support all skiers, but you do need to be fit enough to ski all day and for six consecutive days. BASE HOTEL We use a selection of base 4 star hotels, subject to availability, where you can deposit your main luggage whilst on the Ski Safari. Ski Beep A typical Ski Safari Day
READY TO BOOK? CALL OR EMAIL LOUISE ANDERTON TO RESERVE YOUR HOLIDAY - +44 (0) 1733 865443 OR EMAIL LOU@INSPIREDITALY.COM At Inspired ITALY, your Ski Safari Leader starts their job long before you leave home for your Ski Safari! We like to make sure you know everything you need to know long before you leave. To begin, we like to speak with all of our Safariers by phone. ALL PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE ORIGINAL & ARE THE COPYRIGHT OF J.T.HUDSON, THE SKI SAFARI OR ITS CLIENTS. EVERYONE YOU SEE IN THESE PHOTOGRAPHS IS A SKI SAFARI CLIENT OR SKI SAFARI LEADER AND ALL PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN DURING RECENT SKI SAFARIS. PHOTOS HAVE BEEN DIGITALLY COMPRESSED TO MAKE EMAILING EASIER BUT THIS MAY DETRACT FROM THE QUALITY. FOR MORE PHOTOS GO TO... www.theskisafari.com Facebook www.facebook.com/theskisafari. Why choose Inspired ITALY The Ski Safari? Because we live here! Each of our Ski Leaders has over 7,000 ski miles experience in the Dolomites. We know the Dolomites better than any other English speaking travel company and many of the locals. We know the best pistes, restaurants, rifugi and views.