Cross country skiing in Dobbiaco

Snow-sure Tyrolean village: perfect for confident beginners and improvers Beautiful **** family-run hotel: pool, spa, sauna, steam room; deluxe rooms for Headwater guests Popular mix of guided and independent options: ski lessons included; 120kms of trails – many from hotel door – and ski bus included 3000m Alpine peaks, panoramic sun terraces, frozen lakes

In the heart of the Italian Dolomites and dominated by the Tre Cime (Three Peaks), is the Tyrolean village of Dobbiaco. This is where Italy meets neighbouring Austria and the resulting cultural overlap is a delightful mix: painted houses, carved balconies and onion-domed churches contrast with Baroque castles, elegant ladies in fur coats and chic coffee bars that serve the perfect cappuccino.

Being at the centre of the most efficiently integrated ski transport and trail network in the Dolomites, Dobbiaco is a cross country skiers’ mecca and has hosted the World Cup Cross Country Ski Championships on four separate occasions. It is also the first resort we’ve come across with snow-making cannons for their cross country trails – what an excellent idea – so that novices and experts alike can gain maximum enjoyment from their holiday here.

In the centre of Dobbiaco, the beautiful Park Hotel Bellevue has a true feeling of old fashioned hospitality. Headwater guests stay in deluxe double rooms with satellite TV, and balconies affording stunning Alpine views. The hotel has a luxurious spa, with swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and massage/beauty treatments are also offered. There’s also a cosy lounge to curl up with a book, or take an apéritif. Evening meals are served in the grand candle-lit dining room and are a real event. In addition to the first class cuisine, you’ll also be invited to a weekly 5-course banquet as well as a buffet evening of either Tyrolean or Italian specialities.

Every morning (ex Wed), we have arranged for you to have a 2hr lesson with experienced ski instructor, Veronica (at times assisted by Michaela and Marina). With trails starting from right outside the hotel door, newcomers find their feet easily on the sunny valley trails that link the charming neighbouring villages of Villabassa and San Candido. The regular ski bus – weekly pass included in your holiday price – allows you to ski as much or as little as you want, and makes one-way downhill runs easy to organise.