Ortler Ski Circuit, Tyrol Region, Italy

Skiing, huts and cappuccinos

Combine the finest huts in Europe with textbook ski mountaineering peaks. That's the Ortler Mountains. Like a classy version of the Haute Route. The Ortler huts have showers, beer on tap, rooms and clean blankets. Although we'll move between three huts, the distance between huts is short. Our focus will be great skiing. 

The Ortler mountains are ski mountaineering terrain: glaciated and above tree line. But the terrain does not require advanced skiing or ski mountaineering skills. These glaciers are rapidly melting causing the crevasses to be smaller and present less hazards. We will wear harnesses and carry glacier ropes, ice axes and crampons but rarely use them. We need to be prepared for the variety of conditions the mountains may present. 

Read posts from previous Ortler tours:

Return to Skiing Overview. 

Date

Late March - mid April

Includes

  • Guide services (4:1 max customer to guide ratio, second guide will also be IFMGA)
  • All lodging (huts) on the route
  • All reservations and logistics once in Sulden
  • Three nights lodging (hotels) while in Sulden
  • Lift tickets (full day on day 1, plus single ride on day 2)
  • Breakfast and dinners
  • First aid, repair and navigation kits
  • Emergency communication
  • Glacier rope

Does Not Include

Skill Level

  • Intermediate to advanced downhill skiing ability
  • Basic mountaineering skills
  • Skinning ability including ski crampons
  • Ability to sideslip forward and backward on 40-degree, firm slopes 
  • Backcountry ski touring experience including recent avalanche rescue practice
  • Ability to make uphill-facing kick turns
  • Good fitness

Cost

  • 1 customer:  $5,500
  • 2 customers: $3,200 each
  • 3 customers: $2,500 each
  • 4+ customers: $2,300 each (second IFMGA guide added if over 4 customers)

Note: 50% deposit required to reserve your spot. Payment in full required one month before start of trip. I take US check or wire transfer. Wire transfer details given upon request. 

Itinerary

Day 0: Meet in the lobby of the Julius Payer in Sulden at 5:00pm to discuss the trip, look at maps and check equipment. 

Day 1: Ski Sulden resort. This day of resort skiing allows us to acclimatize to the high (10,000 feet) elevation, shake off the travel bugs and wait for any lost luggage or group participants to arrive. We'll also review avalanche rescue. The resort has moderate in-bounds terrain and amazing off-piste terrain of all levels back to Sulden. Stay in Sulden. 

Day 2:  In the morning we'll take the resort lift up, then hike 50 vertical meters to the Madriccio Pass (3123m) and ski down the backside to the Zufalhutte (2265m) for a cappuccino. Then we'll make the short climb to the Marteller Hut (2610m). If time and weather allow, we'll make a run on the Alta Glacier above the hut during the afternoon. The distance is four miles with 375 meters of elevation gain. 

Day 3: Ski glaciers and summits around the Marteller Hut. 

Day 4: From the Marteller Hut we'll tour up the Cevedale Glacier and possibly ski from the summit of Monte Cevedale (3769m). From there we have several options for routes to the Branca Hut (2487m), all options involve lots of turns. Minimum distance is 10 miles with 1000 meters of gain. 

Day 5: Ski glaciers and summits around the Branca Hut. 

Day 6: Move to the Pizzini Hut via valleys, a pass and glaciers. Minimum distance is 3 miles with 382 meters of elevation gain. 

Day 7: Ski all day on the glaciers and passes around the Pizzini Hut. 

Day 8: Return to Sulden via Cevedale Pass and the Casati Hut. Minimum distance is 4 miles with 650 meters of gain. Stay in Sulden for a final dinner. 

More Information 

  • Alpine Ski Mountaineering, Volume 2: Central and Eastern Alps by Bill O'Connor. Some pertinent information on our Ortler circuit.
  • 1:25,000 Tobacco Orteles-Cevedale map. Available in stores in Sulden.
  • www.suedtirol.info Travel information for South Tyrol. 
  • www.seilbahnensulden.it Sulden resort website. 

Getting To Sulden

Sulden is the most difficult place in Europe to find. DO NOT ASK DIRECTIONS TO SULDEN or else you'll end up in a similar-sounding town in Austria or Switzerland. Instead, purchase a detailed map in the US and research Sulden's location. My favorite map is the Borch Italy map of 1:800,000. The closest well-known town to Sulden is Bozen/Bolzano. Sulden is about 40 miles due west of Bozen. 

This Tirol region of North Italy is German speaking and towns have two names: Sulden in German and Solda in Italian. Some people speak English, but German and Italian are very helpful. 

Innsbruck, Austria is the closest major international airport to Sulden, but flights there are more expensive and have more connections. Zurich, Switzerland is probably the easiest airport, but more international borders to deal with. Milan, Italy is ultimately the best bet. 

From the Milan airport (Malpensa), bus to the Milano Centrale train station and buy tickets for Merano, switching trains along the way in Verona and Bolzano. Once in Merano, buy tickets to Spondigna. Allow at least six hours travel time from Milano Centrale to Spondinga. A public bus travels from Spondinga train station to Solden (25 minutes) at 12 noon otherwise go into the small restaurant next to the train station, order a cappuccino, and ask for a taxi to Sulden (35 Euro). Volgger Taxi (011-39-0-473-613-106, or mobile: 335-600-6865) is Sulden's only taxi. 

Rescue Insurance

Rescue is not free in Europe. Rescue is very expensive and all locals purchase rescue insurance. You must purchase rescue insurance for this trip. Here is an informational Climbing Tech Tip. Several options:

  • Global Rescue insurance available through the American Alpine Club (www.americanalpineclub.org). This is the option I recommend. AAC members (age 30-64 $75 each, age <29 $40, age over 65 $50) receive $5,000 toward rescue and evacuation coverage. AAC members can upgrade to full Global Rescue membership at a 5% discount. 
  • Outdoor Recreation Insurance (www.getori.com). They have a very good rescue insurance program. 
  • REGA Swiss mountain rescue insurance at any Swiss post office.

You can sit outside the hut and gnaw a frozen Clif Bar, or you can come inside and have strudel and a cappuccino. 

 

The summit of Monte Cevedale (3,759m) on a blustery day. 

 

Skin tracks on the Vedretta di Cedec Glacier below Cevedale. This glacier is a fun descent option from Monte Cevedale to the Branca Hut. 

 

Endless turns down from Monte Cevedale to the Pizzini Hut. 

 

Looking east across the Forni Glacier toward Palon de la Mare (3,685m) above the Branca Hut. This area has the best ski terrain in the Ortler region.  

 

Looking west across the Forni Glacier at toward the popular ski peak San Matteo (3,678m).