Beyond the Trees: At Altitude in Italy's Snowy Dolomites
 

Thanks for the kind comments on my last couple of articles. This one has just as spectacular photographs from our five night hut-to-hut snowshoeing trip in the Dolomites. These photographs show the views from our highest hike. It wasn't all that high, about 2700 m, but it was high enough that there were no trees or bushes; only rocks, snow, and otherworldly vistas. It was tolerably cold, as long as the wind wasn't gusting. It was really serene out there - we saw only about 10 other people all day.

http://fisherphotocraft.blogspot.com...e-line-in.html

Hope you enjoy!
Vick

Fantastic photos. I've really enjoyed your blog posts from this trip. Thank you so much for sharing.

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them.

Another brilliant photoblog Vick. I've enjoyed following your trip too.

Hi Vick,

Thanks for the superb photos!

Quick question: which outfit operated your snowshoeing trip? Seems like they did a great job...

Wow! Fantastic photos. Loved them all...and the last one with the refuge was particularly amazing.
Thanks for posting.

Jeez - you guys are way too kind! Thanks! Is it OK to post a tour company name on here in this sort of context?

well, the tour company name is simple - dolomitemountains. They did a good job. Our guide was great, and the accommodations were nicer than I expected when I heard the word "rifugio"; very civilized, considering they're not on a road!

Stunning photos! I used to ski in the Dolomites in the 60's, and I've always wanted to return but somehow never did.

Thanks you for sharing your photos. They're magnificent.

Thanks! Was this the trip you took?
http://www.dolomitemountains.com/en/...owshoe3325.htm

Maybe I'm reading between the lines, but you don't sound THAT enthusiastic about Dolomitemountains (the operator)... Could you elaborate a bit on the positives and negatives, especially vs. your previous snowshoe experience in France?

I know exactly what you mean about the rifugios in the Dolomites BTW. Coming from Switzerland, it was a huge positive surprise when I found out what the Italians expect from a mountain "refuge" :-)

Yes, you're reading between the lines. Trip went off flawlessly, and really enjoyed the company of our guide, who's had quite an interesting life. Only downside was that it was cloudy and snowing for three of six days!

The trip from last year was a different style of trip - going back to the same hotel every night vs. continuing on to further destinations each night. I like staying away from town the whole trip better. The funny thing is, I was expecting the food and accommodations to be much worse going hut-to-hut, but they were very similar, due to the lovely Italian rifugios.

I forgot to answer your question about which one:

http://www.dolomitemountains.com/en/...nowshoe417.htm

The first and last nights are in a hotel in Cortina d'Ampezzo, so only five nights in rifugios.

Stupid question, but is snowshoeing hard to pick up skillwise if you're otherwise in good shape? My husband and I don't live in a place with a lot of snow-oriented activities, but would otherwise love a trip like this. If we practiced a bit at home (if and when we get a decent snow) is it something you think a novice could otherwise handle? As you might assume from my screen name, we're hikers and generally pretty athletic.

That's a very good question. Everyone wonders that before trying it. Actually, it's incredibly easy. You can pick it up in five minutes!

We chose it because my wife hasn't yet learned to ski, and I wouldn't want to carry my big camera while skiing anyway. Need time to look around too.

The hardest part is putting on the snowshoes and taking them off, but you can help each other with that. Other thing is, you'll get better at different inclines with more practice. For example, when going steep downhill, it's sometimes easier to step out of the track made by those in front of you and take long steps down in fresh snow, which provides a cushion, and lets you go faster all at once.

Another alternative is ski-touring or ski-safaris, which involve mostly sliding on nearly level ground, with the occasional mild downhill. These are what Americans call cross-country skiing, but that has the connotation of all-out cross-country racing over here.

Make sure to ask them if they will be spending much time around ski lifts on the hike. The ski lifts really detract from the scenery, and the skiers take a lot away from the serene atmosphere. We weren't around any lifts on this trip, but we were around too many on the last one.

Thanks for that info, VGF! One final question, did you bring your own shoe shoes or rent?

Both of the two snowshoeing tours I've been on provided ski poles and snowshoes for everyone in the group. They seemed like pretty good quality ones to me.

Thanks again Vick!

That trip is now officially on my short list for next winter!

Thanks again for the info!