Trans Dolomiti: cross-country skiing without baggage

There is an offer for cross-country skiers in Osttirol that is unique in the whole alpine region: “Trans Dolomiti” is the title of the arrangement that connects, in four or seven days, the hotspots on the cross-country trail network between Osttirol and the Dolomites. It is around 100 km from the start to the finish. At the end of each day stage, your baggage already awaits you in your hotel room. All you need to do yourself is ski.

“Guests can look forward to a new highlight every day”, explains Otto Trauner, responsible for infrastructure at the Osttirol Tourism Association that has developed the transborder project. Those who decide for example on the 4-day tour “Cross-country skiing through the Dolomites on the trail of Via Regia” can start either in Obertilliach or Kartitsch and can warm up on the legendary border trail in the Lesachtal. After a short transfer the next morning, it continues from Sillian along the Pustertal trails as far as Toblach in South Tyrol (40km) and the following day past the Drei Zinnen to Cortina (35km). “Those who wish can then rest a little, those who still have a bit of energy can follow the Olympic trails”, says Otto Trauner.

“Long-distance hiking and cycling have been a trend for years – it was an obvious step for us to provide corresponding possibilities in the field of Nordic sports”, explains Otto Trauner. Because at the Biathlon Centre Osttirol in Obertilliach, as one of the internationally most significant cadre training units, one always likes to think a step ahead. Guests also benefit from the high local standards that the top biathlete and Ole Einer Björndalen appreciates along with important national teams all around the globe: trails that are prepared at least once a day, exemplary signposting, optimal trail guidance and, if necessary, support from artificial snow. However, the advantageous location to the south of the main alpine ridge usually provides Osttirol with adequate snow from the middle of November, which ensures perfect conditions at altitudes between 1000 and 2000 metres until the end of March.

Osttirol has developed the cross-country tour together with Dolomiti Nordic Ski, the largest cross-country skiing carousel in Europe with 1300 km of trails.