A sustainable winter

Our respect for nature and our love for the environment in which both the Sass Dlacia campsite and the Ütia de Börz alpine hotel are located, lead us to live our outdoor adventures adapting to the nature that surrounds us, reducing our impact on it as much as possible.

Both situated at the entrance to two natural settings, theirs are privileged positions for those seeking a 'slower' and quieter winter mountain experience, beyond the après-ski party or ski lifts.

An ideal place for activities with minimal environmental impact and high in sustainability. Find some activities here, together with our tips for preparing your ski holiday!

• Winter-walking and snowshoeing
• Cross-country skiing
• Ski touring
• Visiting traditional mountain villages

Walking and snowshoeing

Away from the hustle and bustle of the ski slopes, walking or snowshoeing allows you to immerse yourself peacefully in winter nature.

The routes that start directly from the Sass Dlacia campsite allow you to reach the nearby malga Valparola or the Störes meadows via Pralongià, the church and Santa Croce refuge underneath the Sas dla Crusc walls, and Fanes.

From the Falzarego Pass, it is possible to reach the Nuvolau Refuge and the Averau Refuge, and Col dei Bos in the Lagazuoi and Tofana di Rozes area, the latter being trails for experts.

In the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park, past the Capanna Alpina it is possible to snowshoe to the Fanes Hut and the Lavarella Hut, which are open in winter, and on to Pederü, which can be a starting point for a snowshoe hike for those hosting in the Ütia de Börz at Passo delle Erbe.

Routes starting directly from Passo delle Erbe reach the foot of the majestic Sass de Pütia, Montemuro, the peak called Gabeler and Monte Costaces.

Other routes can be found around Rina, San Martino in Badia and Longiarü, to name the nearest.

On the beaten tracks even your dog will have fun!

If you don't have snowshoes, you can rent them directly at our facilities, to experience the thrill of walking in the snow without sinking.

Almost all snowshoes now have a universal binding for attaching boots. We recommend good goretex footwear for this purpose. Remember that winter boots such as after-ski boots are not recommended for use with snowshoes, as they do not attach well.

Also, for snowshoeing it is important that you carry the avalanche safety equipment with you, know about the weather and snow conditions. You also need to know how to use the avalanche safety equipment and how to react in emergency situations.

Cross-country skiing

Cross-country skiing is the oldest form of skiing, practised for centuries by the Sami people in Scandinavia, and is also one of the healthiest and most complete sports in general.

In front of our campsite you will find the 26 km of tracks of the Alta Badia Cross-Country Ski Centre, tracks prepared for both classic and skating disciplines.

Another alternative is the 2.6 km long cross-country track that starts directly from the campsite.

Even from Passo delle Erbe you won't need to use your car to cross-country ski: two trails start in front of our hut, a loop trail that will take you to the foot of Sass de Pütia, and a trail of about 16 km that will take you towards Val di Funes.

If you don't have your own equipment, don't worry: if you stay at the Sass Dlacia campsite, you can easily hire it at the Cross-country Ski Centre. For the Ütia de Börz the nearest rental is in the village of Antermoia.

Ski mountaineering

Without the use of ski lifts, ski mountaineering represents a return to skiing as it once was. There are many ski mountaineering excursions at and around Passo delle Erbe.

The Gabler mountain is an unmissable itinerary, starting directly from the Ütia de Börz.

For experienced ski-mountaineers, a possible day tour is the one from Passo delle Erbe to the small peak of Pütia. This excursion is also possible starting from Longiarü.

One certainly cannot improvise in this discipline. In addition to technique, it is essential to know the terrain, weather and snow conditions. You must also master the avalanche emergency equipment in case of avalanches such as avalanche transceivers and probes.

We can recommend a few mountain guides who can lead you safely on your first ascents and who can provide you with the information and advice you will need to tackle the surrounding peaks.

From the Sass Dlacia campsite you can reach the Fanes plateau, cradle of Dolomite legends, or reach the summit of Lagazuoi where your gaze will be lost in the white panorama.

Discovering mountain villages

In winter, the villages of Val Badia are painted white. It is one of the best times to visit the viles of Val Badia, the rural settlements of the Ladin people.

Especially around the holidays, in the main towns such as San Cassiano, Badia, Colfosco, Corvara, San Vigilio di Marebbe, but also Brunico and, in Val di Funes, San Pietro, Chiusa, Bressanone and Bolzano, Christmas markets are set up and folkloristic moonlight torchlight processions are organised. In some places, it is also possible to organise horse-drawn carriage rides and enjoy typical winter drinks.

What better time than winter to discover Ladin traditions?

If you too are looking for a gentle and slow winter tourism experience without giving up the adrenalin rush that the mountains offer while always turning your attention to the future of our planet, we are waiting for you this winter.