Winter Clothing & Equipment List – Skiing Trips
Try to go as light as possible and take only the essentials. This list gives you an idea of the equipment you will need for one of our Dolomite ski trips. If you are uncertain or need further information, don't hesitate to contact us.
Consider the weather when you are packing. While winter months (mid-December through early-April) have plenty of sun (8 out of 10 days – perfect for skiing trips!), the temperatures can be cold. The temperature may be 5-15°C (in the high 40°sF and 50°sF) on the valley floors during the day, but evenings can be as cool as -5°C (the mid-20s°F), and that on the slopes as you gain elevation it will be colder.
- Main luggage: Feel free to travel with your preferred suitcase, we will provide luggage tags to use during the trip. Depending on the trip you have chosen, your luggage may be transferred from hotel to hotel, or stored at the original hotel.
- Duffel-bag: should your trip include overnight(s) in mountain inns / rifugios / farm-houses or similar, we may provide you with a duffel-bag to use at this accommodation whilst your main luggage is stored at the original hotel or transported to your last hotel. The duffel-bag service is available on selected trips only, and at times at an additional cost. Please check your itinerary carefully.
- Daypack: For hotel-based trips, you may wish need to carry just a small day-pack when skiing, which contains your safety equipment and any personal items you may need. For hut-to-hut back-country ski touring trips, we recommend keeping the weight of your pack below 5-7 kilograms (11-15 pounds).
Bring comfortable clothing that will protect you from cold weather. We recommend that you layer with synthetic clothing (such as polypropylene, Capilene®, Polartec®, and/or pile).
- Good quality ski trousers: Waterproof ski pants are a must!
- Shell jacket: A shell jacket made of a waterproof, breathable material (GORE-TX® or similar) with a built-in hood.
- Base layers / underwear: Comfortable base layers / underwear with good wicking properties are essential.
- Middle or insulation layers: Layering with several thin (rather than fewer thick) layers between your base layer and your outer shell is the best way to dress for cold and active mountain travel.
- Neck gaiter / roll-neck: Instead of using a scarf (which we do NOT recommend), we recommend using a neck gaiter.
- Head-ware: Be sure to bring a warm hat for cold and snowy weather, as well as a sun-cap or wide-brim hat for sun protection (while it is cold in the Dolomites, 8 of every 10 days are sunny in winter!). Dolomite Mountains fully supports the wearing of helmets for skiing.
- Gloves: High quality, gauntlet-style (with an extended cuff covering part of the forearm), insulated gloves are essential. If you suffer from cold hands, consider gauntlet-style mitts.
- Liner gloves: Liner gloves are helpful in the same way that base layers are – they provide insulation, wick away perspiration, and dry quickly if wet. Silk or synthetic fibers work best.
- Face-mask / balaclava: Optional, but useful if you get cold easily or are prone to frost-nip on your face.
While standard downhill equipment is fully acceptable for our on- and off-piste lift-service trips, skis with ski touring bindings are essential for our ski tours and ski safaris. We also recommend that skis with ski touring bindings are used by participants on our intermediate, advanced, and expert off-piste adventure ski courses.
Boots
Note: We do not recommend you come on a trip with brand new ski boots – a trip is not the best time to find out your boots do not fit right!
- For lift-service on-piste and off-piste trips: Standard downhill ski boots.
- For off-piste & back-country ski touring trips: If you are thinking of buying new boots, go for a ski touring model.
- Boot liners: Heated and molded to your foot and boot for a perfect fit. Liners can make all the difference in comfort, especially if you have trouble finding really comfortable "off-the-shelf" boots.
- Technical socks
Ski Accessories
- Good goggles: Essential. It may also be useful to have two pairs of goggles on powder days in case of face plants!
- Good quality sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Headlamp
Technical Equipment for Off-Piste, Freeride, & Backcountry Ski Touring Trips
Although our off-piste trips rely heavily on the lift systems in resorts, access to and egress from runs sometimes involve climbing and walking a short way and so it is essential that skis are mounted with a touring binding. An alternative is to carry an adaptor like the 'Trekker', although in our experience they are more trouble than they’re worth.
- Ski crampons (aka harscheisen)
- Ski skins
- Ice axe (extreme trips only): general lightweight mountaineering / alpine pick.
- Boot crampons: Ideally lightweight aluminum with "quick fit clip-on bindings."
- Climbing harness (extreme trips only): a simple lightweight climbing harness.
- Day pack: 25-30 liters ruck-sack for backcountry ski trips.
- Water bottle / hydration system (optional): 1-1.5 liter water bottle/nalgene bottle or a hydration system like CamelBak®.
On some tours in non-glaciated terrain, an ice-axe, boot crampons, and climbing harness may not always be required. However, as conditions and itineraries can change, we do generally recommend that you bring these items with you.
Safety Equipment for Off-Piste & Ski Touring Trips
The “Safety Trilogy” – applicable for all our off-piste courses and ski tours.
- Avalanche beacon / transceiver (be sure to bring two sets of fresh batteries!)
- Snow shovel
- Avalanche probe
Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; you have to know how to use it. Most mountain resort areas offer courses where you can learn and practice these skills. If you are not familiar with this equipment, are unable to attend a course before your trip, or simply would like a refresher, we can provide training for you as part of your trip!
Equipment Rentals
Most resorts have ski shops that rent ski equipment.
Our guides also generally have additional sets of safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe) which they rent out to clients. Note that this must be booked in advance.
Summer Clothing & Equipment List – Hiking Trips
Try to go as light as possible and take only the essentials. This list gives you an idea of the equipment you will need for one of our Dolomite hiking trips. If you are uncertain or need further information, don't hesitate to contact us.
Consider the weather when you are packing. The summer months (mid-July through September) have warm temperatures and plenty of sun – perfect for hiking, climbing, via ferrata, and cycling trips! While temperatures may reach 25°C (the 80s°F) on the valley floors during the day, the gentle wind of the Dolomites guarantees refreshing moments in the shade of rich green woods, and evenings that can be as cool as the 10s°C (50s°F). Also keep in mind, that as you gain elevation, it will be colder. For every 1,000 meters you climb, the temperature will drop 6.5°C (3.6°F for every 1,000 feet). What may be a 27°C (80°F) day in Cortina or Alta Badia could be 15°C (60°F) on one of the summits during the day, and 0°C (30s°F) in the evening!
Bring comfortable clothing that will protect you from cold (and possibly wet) weather. We recommend that you layer with synthetic clothing (such as polypropylene, Capilene®, or pile). Synthetic fabrics are the most effective barriers against the cold. They provide the best insulation, they are light in weight, wick away perspiration, and dry quickly if wet.
Please also make sure you bring the appropriate rain gear.
- Long-sleeved, synthetic or cotton
- Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton T-shirts
- Regular underwear (synthetics)
- Medium-weight synthetic jacket
- Full-length pants, preferably of quick-drying synthetic fabric
- Hiking shorts
- Baseball cap or sun hat with wide brim
- Bandanna - this will keep your neck from getting sunburned and can double as a hand towel in the field
- Lightweight Gore-Tex, or equivalent, rain/wind parka and pants
- Gloves (optional)
- Warm hat (optional)
- Waterproof backpack cover
- Lightweight hiking socks and liner socks
- Athletic socks that are suitable for walking
Lightweight or mid-weight, waterproofed, sturdy hiking boots with ankle support. Running shoes or sneakers are not appropriate for the majority of our trips.
Note: We do not recommend you come on a trip with brand new boots – a trip is not the best time to find out your boots do not fit right!
- Main luggage: Feel free to travel with your preferred suitcase, we will provide luggage tags to use during the trip.
- Duffel-bag: should your trip include overnight(s) in mountain inns / rifugios / farm-houses or similar, we may provide you with a duffel-bag to use at this accommodation whilst your main luggage is stored at the original hotel or transported to your last hotel.
Hiking sticks (highly recommended). These are helpful, to relieve the impact on your knees during long down hills; some people use them on up hills as well. We recommend practicing with one, or two, before the trip. This is only a recommendation and not requireed for everybody.
Summer Clothing & Equipment List - Via Ferrata Trips
Try to go as light as possible and take only the essentials. This list gives you an idea of the equipment you will need for one of our Dolomite hiking trips. If you are uncertain or need further information, don't hesitate to contact us.
Consider the weather when you are packing. The summer months (mid-July through September) have warm temperatures and plenty of sun – perfect for hiking, climbing, via ferrata, and cycling trips! While temperatures may reach 25°C (the 80s°F) on the valley floors during the day, the gentle wind of the Dolomites guarantees refreshing moments in the shade of rich green woods, and evenings that can be as cool as the 10s°C (50s°F). Also keep in mind, that as you gain elevation, it will be colder. For every 1,000 meters you climb, the temperature will drop 6.5°C (3.6°F for every 1,000 feet). What may be a 27°C (80°F) day in Cortina or Alta Badia could be 15°C (60°F) on one of the summits during the day, and 0°C (30s°F) in the evening!
- Main luggage: Feel free to travel with your preferred suitcase, we will provide luggage tags to use during the trip. Depending on the trip you have chosen, your luggage may be transferred from hotel to hotel, or stored at the original hotel. Should you plan to travel with more than 1 suitcase per person please let us know in advance.
- Daypack:
For hotel-based trips, it should have a capacity of 15-30 liters, and can double as your carry-on bag.
For hut-to-hut (rifugio-to-rifugio) trips your pack should be of a bigger capacity as you will be carrying more equipment and clothing (40-50 litres). - Duffel-bag: should your trip include overnight(s) in mountain inns / rifugios / farm-houses or similar, we may provide you with a duffel-bag to use at this accommodation whilst your main luggage is stored at the original hotel or transported to your last hotel. The duffel-bag service is available on selected trips only, often at additional cost. Please check your itinerary.
- Bring comfortable clothing that will protect you from cold (and possibly wet) weather.
- Please make sure you bring the appropriate rain gear. You will be hiking in the mountains, where the weather can be unpredictable.
- Long-sleeved, synthetic or cotton/synthetic T-shirt.
- Short-sleeved synthetic or cotton T-shirts.
- Regular underwear.
- Medium-weight synthetic jacket.
- Full-length pants, preferably of quick-drying synthetic fabric.
- Hiking shorts.
- Baseball cap or sun hat with wide brim.
- Bandanna – this will keep your neck from getting sunburned and can double as a hand towel in the field.
- Lightweight Gore-Tex, or equivalent, rain/wind parka and pants.
- Gloves (optional).
- Warm hat.
- Waterproof backpack cover.
- Lightweight hiking socks and inner socks (we recommend Thorlo brand).
- Athletic socks (synthetic for easy washing and drying) that are suitable for walking.
- A trip is not the best time to find out your boots do not fit right!
- Lightweight or mid-weight, waterproofed, sturdy hiking boots with ankle support. Running shoes or sneakers are not appropriate for our trips.
- Comfortable walking shoes for those times when you are not hiking.
We provide via ferrata equipment for all of our via ferrata trips. This includes a helmet, harness, double via ferrata lanyard with shock absorber). Depending on the itinerary you have selected, equipment may be included in the cost of your trip, or may be available for an additional rental fee.
In addition to your hiking clothing and equipment listed above, you will need to bring:
- Gloves: a 3/4-finger leather glove for dexterity. This is crucial for via ferrata activities including navigating cables and rock walls, as well as for climbing activities such as belaying, aid climbing, and jugging.
- Shoes: lightweight hiking boots or hiking shoes.
o Note: if your itinerary includes the Marmolada Glacier, you will need to have a sturdy hiking boot or shoe that accepts crampons.