Italian Dolomites Cross-country Skiing

Customer Reviews

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  Susie Drummond

  · March 27th, 2012
  Great skiing, great guide, great group and loads of food!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Skiing on the last day with the gang with fab snow and no fear of the downhill!What did you think of your group leader?David was a great coach and leader. Very relaxed and chatty. Always giving you tips on your posture as he whizzed up and down the group. He got the group to bond, he adjusted his teaching for the less confident and the experienced, and had a knack for getting us to the bus stop 20 seconds before the bus arrived (did he like the bus company so much that he bought it?!) Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Do the exercises you get sent - much less pain in the first few days! Go for the fish options at the hotel - veggie options aren't the best.Is there anything else you would like to add?Such a change from my previous trip (level 1) - having such a good guide this time made all the difference and may even have inspired me to do the marathon someday
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Nicola Jean Bevan

  · March 12th, 2012
  Instruction, ski-tours and general coordination and atmosphere of the holiday were all great. The leaders, the group and the weather were all fantastic, so overall it was a brilliant holiday again. The hotel however was a little tired. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The weather was very sunny, and the snow was fast retreating.  However the leaders were able to ensure we made the most of the conditions.What did you think of your group leader?Both Group Leaders, David and Albert, were great and ensured everyone made progress and had a great holiday.Is there anything else you would like to add?Whilst Exodus has used the hotel for years, I would guess in that time customer expectations and the quality of other accomodation in the village has changed significantly in that time.   As there are many other choices, it is a puzzle why this tired, scruffy hotel continues to be used other than Sarah the excellent waitress.  The food was variable and a focus on quality rather than quantity here would help. 
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Barry Crow

  · March 3rd, 2012
  This is our 5th visit to Dobbiaco and it hasn't lost its appeal.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Visit to Platzwiese and an icy downhill descent on the Military Road.The downhill descent from the Kreuzgergpass to Padola, bus back and the downhill descent to Moos.  What did you think of your group leader?We were both part of Gareth Buffett's Group 2.We thought he struck the optimum balance as regards flexibility, rest breaks, challenging terrain and teaching. We thought the latter was particularly good and picked up several tips as regards the double pole kick and the basics of skating.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?There are numerous options for shortening the day (we didn't) should travellers so require, as the area is served by a very good, reliable bus service.Stops for lunch and afternoon tea are rarely disappointing as regards the quality of available food and high standard of restaurant cleanliness and ambience. Is there anything else you would like to add?We are not vegetarians but the 2 or 3 of the party who were, were disappointed with some of the vegetarian options available for dinner in the Tschurtschenthaler hotel. Perhaps the hotel needs to rethink their veggie alternatives.Just to add, that we were quite happy with the choice and standard of food served. 
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Emma Haggar

  · February 19th, 2012
  A wonderful week learning to cross country ski in a beautiful location with great food and accommodation, great company and a fantastic group leaderWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Over breakfast on the last day I thought I was ready to go home, having had a great week but feeling tired.  However, everything I had learnt that week finally came together and I had a fantastic day skiing.  That evening I wished I was staying another week!Seeing everyone in our beginners group fastly improve by the end of the week.What did you think of your group leader?David Davies was a brilliant group leader.  He had the combination of being a great skiier and a great teacher.  Luckily for me, he had more confidence in me than I did and ensured I persevered with snowploughing down hills until I finally managed to control myself!  He knows the best places to ski and stop for refreshments and can then entertain everyone with some very funny stories.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take plenty of layers because you soon warm up when cross country skiing.  To relieve aches and pains, make use of the sauna but also take some Deep Heat, it really helps.Is there anything else you would like to add?The flexibility of this holiday is brilliant because the public transport is so good, so you can easily have just a half day skiing if you wish.  Despite all the activity on this holiday, don't expect to loose weight, the food at the hotel just doesn't stop!
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  Trip date: February 2012
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  Liz Nolze

  · February 8th, 2012
  I was pleased with the hotel, my room was comfortable and not overheated. The food was varied and plentiful. The skiing was just perfect for beginners with gradually more challenges each day. I liked the fact there was a stadium in town where you could go and practice. The loipes were well maintained. January was a good time to go as it wasn't so crowded in the loipes as it would be later in the season.Lost half a stone in one week and ate all I liked Hope to return in 2013. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The sceneryThe long gentle descentsThe progress everyone madeWhat did you think of your group leader?Calm, helpful and had lots of cross country experience Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Invest in a good pair of gloves if you go in January Take more money than you think you will spend as with any holidayCareful of loss of control at the end of the day when you are tired- the leader had to help me out of a pile of deep snow near to Villa Bassa Station where we finished one dayIs there anything else you would like to add?Merino wool products are a good idea, you need to keep warm
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  Trip date: February 2012
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  Greg Abbott

  · January 19th, 2012
  Great fun with a great group of people Good hotel with plenty of foodWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?skiing all the way to Cortina  then exhausted bus backWhat did you think of your group leader?Albert was superb given the diverse group we were withDo you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you are a liittle bit fit before you go and take the deep heatIs there anything else you would like to add?The Dolomites were absolutly breathtaking. 
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Richard Bowie

  · January 18th, 2012
  A wonderful week ; excellent snow conditions and great weather . The hotel was up to its usual high standard to which I have been accustomed for about 10 times now ! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The descent on the old military road ; also emerging from the artificially-lit natural tunnel on the Cortina run into glorious sunshine !What did you think of your group leader?Albert , whom I have known over many years and regard as a friend , organised our trip in his usual quietly efficient yet relaxed manner . He is great company and was most helpful to each member 's needs , ensuring that everyone enjoyed the holiday to the best of their ability . Good practical technical advice on the loipe was kindly offered when required .Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Cross-country skiing is a wonderful winter activity and Dobbiaco is a splendid centre for participating at any grade .Is there anything else you would like to add?As I have said before ,I just keep going back and never tire of the magnificent Dolomitic scenery !
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Karen Simmonds

  · January 18th, 2012
  A really great way to spend the week after Christmas, totally invigorating and great to be outside up in the mountains every day.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Rather than one moment, it was simply great fun to learn something new and not have to worry about a thing. The biggest decision of the day was normally what flavour ice cream to have in the ice cream parlour across the road from the hotel where we gathered after a day of skiing.What did you think of your group leader?Eric and Heather were exceptional. Their tuition skills were first class, individual attention was give to all and they managed to keep a range of abilities interested and challenged. Their knowledge and passion for x country skiing was infectious. They were also good fun to spend time with at dinner etc.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The hotel itself is very warm, so bring light clothing. Not a huge amount going on in the evening so if you're looking for some big après ski moments, Dobbiacco may not the place for you. However, if you want a variety of places to ski with some spectacular scenery then give it go!
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Susan Pemberton

  · January 17th, 2012
  My 4th holiday in Dobbiaco and the best yet. A combination of fantastic snow conditions and a friendly and fun groupWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Being able to ski at high levels and get a feeling of being up in the mountains was wonderful. It's definitely not true that x country skiers plod along the bottom of valleys! The railway track to Cortina is spectacular, and gives a great sense of achievment as you cover a lot of distance. Wherever you are, the scenery is always breathtakingWhat did you think of your group leader?Albert is an excellent leader who combines efficiency and good organisation with a relaxed style of leadership. He's always willing to advise on your skiing, but doesn't push you into doing things you don't feel comfortable with. He ensures that all guests get the best from each day.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Dobbiaco is a great place for skiers of all levels as there are so many tracks of different lengths and degrees of difficulty. The excellent local transport network accessed using a weekly season ticket means there are lots of options and you aren't necessarily committed to a full day. There are plenty of cafes for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, beer, gluhwein ...Is there anything else you would like to add?Hotel Tschurtschenthaler is a friendly place and it was good to be recognised and welcomed back. Food is very plentiful and rooms comfortable, if a little hot.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Phil Triggs

  · January 4th, 2012
  In skiing terms, this was a superb trip. Tuition was excellent and I felt I learnt a new skill. The equipment provided was of excellent standard and the leaders were friendly and helpful.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Beautiful scenery and a great party in the local bar on NYE.What did you think of your group leader?Superb. He was recommended and he lived up to the accolades.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The one negative aspect of this trip was the Tschurtschenthaler Hotel. Although the basic standard of accommodation was good, there were major drawbacks and the big one was the standard of the cuisine. At best, it could be described as adequate and perfunctory. At worst, meagre and totally lacking imagination. Italy is going through austere times at the moment. I think that the austerity fed through to our meal times. Not good enough when we were paying upwards of £1,000 each and walking away hungry every day. The portions were stingy and the waitresses could be seen to be cutting portions in half in order to serve diners. When challanged on this practice, you received a hard stare. Add to this the lack of any flair and panache evident in the cuisine, I was extremely disappointed. For example, the salad bar consisted of tomatoes cut in quarters, lettuce and cold pasta. That was it. All other courses were served in small portions direct from the kitchen. Having experienced Austrian cuisine on skiing trips on many previous occasions, I regard it as essential to have a superb meal in plentiful portions at the end of a hard day's exercise. Just over the border, the Tschurtschenthaler experience was anything but. Another negative aspect was members of the group being told they couldn't leave the hotel because it the doors would be locked when they returned. Incredible. Obviously, this was not well received and the words 'prison' and 'school trip' were mentioned. The way round this was to request a special card to gain hotel access late on. However, only ONE hotel staff member could facilitate this and if she wasn't around, forget any help. This also applied to gaining WiFi access and other requests where some decision making was required. The hotel is family run by family members and whilst they are all pleasant and friendly, it is not otherwise a good customer experience. I would recommend future clients to AVOID this trip whilst the Tschurtschenthaler hotel is the choice location. In normal circumstances, I would officially complain to Exodus but the skiing and tuition were so good, they tended to compensate for this disappointment.Is there anything else you would like to add?The one saving grace of this trip was Eric and Heather Woolley whose guidance and tuition on the skiing front were exemplary. Thank you both for a superb time.  
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  Trip date: January 2012