dolomites-italy-winter / backcountry-ski-trips

Hut to hut ski touring in Fannes, Sennes park

All inclusive

Hut to hut backcountry skiing in Fannes-Sennes park

The legends that have been handed down for centuries about the Fanes Valley certainly speak of a place whose mysterious charm is still irresistible today. Visiting this valley in winter is a privilege to be seized! In fact, the mountains surrounding the valley are a paradise for backcountry ski-touring and here we get some of the best hut to hut ski tours in the Dolomites: here, far from the ski lifts, some cosy alpine huts remain open all winter round and are a lucky base for the many excursions. On this page, we propose two plans: one is to spend two nights at the Lavarella refuge for an ambitious programme: 3 peaks in three days, with traverse itineraries. the second plan involves skiing from hut to hut: first night at Lavarella and the second night at Sennes hut; with this plan we will do an amazing circuit among the Fannes Dolomites.

type of activity

Ski-touring “intermediate”

features

Traverse, 2 nights and 3 days

Where

Fanes-Sennes-Braies natural park

required level

tour 1: tech 3-4/fit 3-4

tour 2: tech 2-3/fit 2-3

Info the Lavarella ski tour day by day hut to hut ski touring proposal Prices

Info

Duration

3 days

intermediate

CUSTOMISED PLAN

The plans you’ll read down below are just two among a number of possibilities: we think that the right number of days to appreciate the Fannes Sennes park in winter is between 3 and 4: so please read the suggestion, they would be a good base in order to make an activity package tailored around your experience and wishes. If you are looking for a longer hut to hut skiing tour, have a look on our Dolomite traverse.

All-inclusive

In the ALL-INCLUSIVE formula, we think about everything, including accommodation and transfers; even so, our desire is to satisfied your personal needs and resolve any logistic issue, so don’t hesitate to write us, we will adapt the plan on your requests.

EQUIPMENT

The mountain guides will provide the avalanche transceiver kit, shovel and probe free of charge if required. The equipment of skis, skins, boots is required and can be rented in the shop on site (please indicate this by email during registration). It’s recommended to wear breathable fabrics and to dress in layers: see here what to bring.

your guide

Our climbing activities are carried out by a mountain guide within UIAGM/IFMGA certified. Local mountain guides most definitely sport the best knowledge and will guarantee your safety and your fun.

When

Private tours: suggested From end of January to beginning of April

Group tour: please look at the calendar, searching for: “Fannes-Sennes ski tour“

the Lavarella ski tour day by day

day 1: a gully is the access to the Fannes-Sennes park

FALZAREGO PASS – LAVARELLA REFUGE

On the first day we set off from the Falzarego Pass and take the lift to the top of the Piccolo Lagazuoi. From here we start skiing immediately, tracing easy slopes under the impressive walls of Fanes and Cima Scotoni. When we arrive near a small frozen lake, we begin a steep ascent in a gully, which soon leads to Forcella Dl Lech. After changing sides, we climb up the beautiful slopes to the summit of Cima Scotoni.

At this point, all we have to do is take off our skins and enjoy the descent on snow that is almost always of excellent quality. The day reserves us another small climb and respective descent until the well-deserved refreshment at the Lavarella refuge.

DIFFICULTY: BSA, S2-S3

GAP: ascent 800 metres, descent 900 metres

day 2: Lavarella ski tour is the highlight of this tour

LAVARELLA REFUGE – PIZ DE LAVARELLA 3055 metres (traverse)

On this second day, the ascent to Piz de Lavarella awaits us: this splendid 3000m peak dominates Val Badia with its steep western slope, while our ascent route takes place on the eastern slope, with low technical difficulties, a long development and a landscape of unique beauty. Once we have reached the summit cross and put on our skis, we will head for the entrance to the Val Parom, which with its slopes will offer us unforgettable skiing until we reach the Lavarella refuge. You can find Lavarella tour description on the challenging list.

DIFFICULTY: OSA, S3

GAP: ascent 1000 metres, descent 1000 metres.

day 3: Piz Sant Antone is a challenging end of the tour

LAVARELLA REFUGE – PIZ DE SANT ANTONE (2655 metres) or Sasso delle dieci – LA VALLE

On the last day a short but demanding climb awaits us: in fact, once we have easily reached the Sant Antone pass, the last 200 steep metres to the summit await us. If this route is not possible, there is a great alternative: the ascent to Sasso delle Dieci. In this case, the total height difference exceeds 1000 metres, but it is definitely worth it! In both cases, we will finally overcome the pass to leave the enchanted Val di Fanes and return to the village of La Valle in Val Badia. From here we return by taxi to the Falzarego Pass.

DIFFICULTY: OSA or BSA, S2-S3

GAP: ascent 650 metres or 1200 metres, descent 1050 metres or 1300 metres.

hut to hut ski touring proposal

day 1: welcome to the Fannes-Sennes ski tour

FALZAREGO PASS – LAVARELLA REFUGE

the first day of this proposal is the same you can read on the previous skiing programme. The starting point is at Falzarego Pass and Piccolo Lagazuoi upper lift station. From here we start skiing immediately, tracing easy slopes under the impressive walls of Fanes and Cima Scotoni. When we arrive near a small frozen lake, we begin a steep ascent in a gully, which soon leads to Forcella Dl Lech. After changing sides, we climb up the beautiful slopes to the summit of Cima Scotoni. At this point, all we have to do is take off our skins and enjoy the descent on snow that is almost always of excellent quality. The day reserves us another small climb and respective descent until the well-deserved refreshment at the Lavarella refuge.

DIFFICULTY: BSA, S2-S3

GAP: ascent 800 metres, descent 900 metres

day 2: searching for the best powder snow

LAVARELLA HUT- SENNES REFUGE

Today we start losing few meters of altitude but soon we will put our skins up to start climbing toward Ciamin saddle. The slope is gentle at first but becomes steeper as we gain height. Once in sight of the fork, we have to make few tiring turns, in order to gain the highest point. Here the break is well-deserved, especially because what is expecting us is usually a tremendous down hill on good powder snow. At the end of the descend we will put the skins once again to reach by a nice trail to our next hut: the cousy Sennes hut. the refugi is located on a sunny place, surrounded by wild peaks, miles away from the civilisation…

DIFFICULTY: BS, S2

GAP: ascent 950 metres, descent 800 metres

day 3: hut to hut last great skiing day

SENNES REFUGE – CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

We start early in the morning, while the sun is already warming our bodies: today we climb up the east slopes above the hut in order to reach Sora Forno fork. Here the terrain is almost flat with huge boulders coming up from the white ocean. Once we pass the saddle we will ski down upon reaching a frozen little lake: this is the place where we have to put our skins again and start climbing toward another saddle, Cocodain fork. This was the last effort of the tour, now it will be just a long and beautiful downhill to Ponticello, passing through the famous Ra Stua rural farm. From here a taxi transfer will take us back to the starting point in about 40 minutes. If the group is in a good shape and the condition of the snow are safe, we can make a different itinerary, climbing up the Piccola Croda Rossa peak by skies.

DIFFICULTY: BS, S2 or BSA s3

GAP: ascent 400 metres, descent 1000 metres or ascent 750, descent 1500 meters