The Ortler circuit ski tour is quickly becoming as popular as the famous Haute Route due to the vast amount of amazing ski terrain and the emphasis on getting in as many great ski descents as possible. Unlike "point A to point B" ski tours in the alps, the Ortler ski circuit hops from hut to hut in a big arc and incorporates layover days wherever the best skiing is to be found. This tour is for skiing. Flexibility is built into the itinerary and the days a little less hectic...this is Italy afterall!
Located in the semi-autonomous region of the South Tirol in Italy, the snow conditions tend to usually be a little better in the Ortler region than whatever is found further West in the Alps. The home of Reihnhold Messner, the Ortler region is culturally split with some valleys speaking mainly german and others mostly italian. This is due to the battles and changing front lines of the first world war.
We ski the Ortler circuit in a large semi-loop out of the ski resort area of Sulden staying one night at the Marteller Hut, 2 nights at the Brenca Hut and 2 nights at the Pizzini Hut. Each hut we stay at provides an immense amount of ski mountaineering terrain. The list of available peak ski descents is huge with notable ski mountaineering objectives being Cevedale, Tressero and The Gran Zebru among many others. Our itinerary is flexible to take advantage of the best snow conditions and weather.
After a day skiing the peaks and glaciers of the Ortler circuit, we spend the nights in comfortable alpine ski huts. The Italian huts are some of the finest in Europe with private rooms (some with private showers) in some huts, fine Italian food, Cappuchinos and wine lists. Not to mention a festive and relaxed atmosphere with skiers from around the world.
The Ortler ski tour is guided by IAG owner and IFMGA/UIAGM internationally certified ski mountaineering guide Dave Miller.
Location:
We meet in the small ski resort town of Sulden, Italy in the South Tirol. Closest airports are Innsbruck, Austria., Milan, Italy., or Zurich, Switzerland.
Prerequisites for the Ortler Ski Tour:
Advanced to expert skiers with some previous backcountry ski touring experience. You should be comfortable skiing black diamond to double black diamond runs at a resort in most any conditions. Excellent physical condition required.