Take on the Dolomites’ most spectacular slopes and explore the area’s rich wartime history with this stunning ski route.
The Dolomites is a destination steeped in culture. Sat right on the border of Italy and Austria, the influences of both are clear to see across the area, from the buildings to the food, even the language (locals here speak a blend of Italian, German and Ladin – their own local dialect). It’s an area that has a fascinating heritage and a rich history, particularly when it comes to the Great War of 1914–1918.
During the First World War, as the front line between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies ran right through the Dolomites, remnants of the conflict can be seen everywhere. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, to see solid metal cannons sat against this backdrop of incredible beauty, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and to think of the fierce fighting that took place here, an area that’s now so peaceful, so full of life and happiness.
To allow skiers to learn more about the area’s wartime history, a dedicated First World War ski itinerary was developed that takes in key spots on the military front.
The First World War Ski Tour is an 80km ski route, focused around the Mount Col di Lana, the “symbolic mountain” of the First World War here. It guides you through some of the Dolomites’ most breathtaking scenery and allows you to experience a number of the area’s best and longest runs, all while taking in its fascinating history.
Traces of the war are everywhere along the route; trenches running through the rocks, war era artefacts sat atop pistes, open-air war museums with memories on display. It’s a privilege to be able to learn and understand more about the area’s wartime experience in this way. Indeed, it’s not often that you can explore the history of an area while on your skis, exploring an area.
In terms of the skiing itself, the First World War Ski Tour takes you through some of the Dolomiti Superski’s most iconic spots, from Corvara and Arabba to the Marmolada Glacier and even the famous “Hidden Valley” run. The latter is one of the world’s most spectacular descents and one that should be enjoyed by all skiers here, even if you aren’t all taking on the full tour.
You’ll have to start early if you want to get this specific tour done in a day, as it generally takes around seven to eight hours to complete. However, if you want to slow things down a little, or take more time to appreciate the area, you could easily spread the route across a number of days.
We would highly recommend the First World War Ski Tour as a fantastic option for those looking to introduce themselves to the Dolomiti Superski area, or for regular visitors to gain a new perspective on this popular destination.
