Snowshoeing in the Dolomites - Premium Adventure

Traveler Reviews

• A

  Colin Turton

  February 20th, 2012
  4
  A spectacular way to enjoy winter walking, fun in the snow and superb mountain scenery in good company. What...
  A spectacular way to enjoy winter walking, fun in the snow and superb mountain scenery in good company. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Gluhwein! What did you think of your group leader? Karl, was a very entertaining, knowledgeable and trustworthy leader. “Shall we stroll on?” he would say.On our final day, walking to the summit of Monte Piano, ‘stroll’ became ‘trudge’. Like other days, the effort was worthwhile for the magnificent views. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Snowshoeing is not difficult, and the grade ‘moderate’ is an accurate description. Worry not: if you’re an average hill-walker you can do this.There were 5 – 6 hours of leisurely walking every day, and plenty of stops for stories recounted by KarlThe Hotel Adler is everything it says on the tin: a gem with all facilities as described with helpful and welcoming staff. Stuff yourself at breakfast, and you won’t finish the packed lunch provided, but you will be ready to enjoy a 4/5 course evening meal – all of which were worthy of presentation on TV cooking programmes. Is there anything else you would like to add?     Many thanks to Exodus, Karl, Christian (proprietor of Hotel Adler) and his staff … and all those new friends we made.  Â Show more
  Traveled in January 2012
• A

  Rebecca Lawrence

  February 15th, 2012
  4
  Great easy trip, good introduction to snowshoeing, lovely scenery lovely hotel. Food very Germanic, so brace...
  Great easy trip, good introduction to snowshoeing, lovely scenery lovely hotel. Food very Germanic, so brace yourself for lots of ham etc. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walk up Mt Piano with wind chill it was about -35! What did you think of your group leader? Karl was very professional and sociable with the group - watch out for the stories and jokes though.......:-) Do you have any advice for potential travellers? The trip notes do not specify details of the walks which i think would have been useful.  The pace is dictated by the group which was a little slow for me and I got quite cold at times waiting around so wrap up.  The paths are well marked in most cases, so it was a shame there was not more opportunities to go at your own pace so that fitter members do not feel frustrated by the pace and slower members don't feel hurried. Is there anything else you would like to add? Great introduction to snowshoeing - scenery lovely, but if you enjoy striding out and covering the miles like I do you may find the pace not to your liking.Show more
  Traveled in January 2012
• A

  Katy Robbins

  January 23rd, 2012
  5
  A perfect way to spend Christmas - in an amazing winter wonderland. The scenery was stunning and the walks were...
  A perfect way to spend Christmas - in an amazing winter wonderland. The scenery was stunning and the walks were absolutely fantastic - planned and thought out carefully by our superb guide. Very little travelling required each day and our guide always played the best tunes in the mini-bus to keep us awake! The hotel was warm, cosy and very festive. Great to have a swim and a sauna after a day in the snow. A pre-dinner drink in the lounge by the roaring log fire was a great way to relax whilst our guide dutifully informed us about the plan for the next day. I can't think of a better way to spend a winter holiday. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The walk we did on Christmas day had the most outstanding views and our fabulous guide suprised us with a glass of sparkly and a slab of Italian cake at the top.  A fantastic memory. Thank you.The afternoon spent sledging - we laughed out loud for many days afterwards!  The Hotel Adler makes the best apple strudel in the world! What did you think of your group leader? Olly Townsend has to be the most committed guide in the world. He was pretty much on duty 24 - 7. He was extremely accommodating, highly professional, well organised and very patient. He had thought carefully about the week and planned the walks accordingly. He also happens to be a keen photographer and spent what free time he had  (very little), editing film and photos that he had taken of us each day. We spent the last night watching the video he had made and enjoying the photos he had taken. An absolutely top bloke who goes well and truly beyond the call of duty.  Oh and he hasn't got a bad sense of humour either! The next guide has a lot to live upto! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Yes - it should be on everyone's list of things to do before they die!Enjoy the stunning scenery  - you'll miss it when you return. Have a reasonable level of fitness - some of the climbs are real lung busters! Hard work but a great sense of achievement when you reach the top.  If you have a decent appetite you'll enjoy the five course dinner each night. Drink lots of water.Smile and enjoy! Is there anything else you would like to add? Book it now. I'm tempted!Show more
  Traveled in December 2011
• A

  Victor Middleton

  March 12th, 2011
  4
  Overall, maybe helped by good weather, an excellent holiday in a very good hotel with a compatible group that all...
  Overall, maybe helped by good weather, an excellent holiday in a very good hotel with a compatible group that all seemed to get on well. Villabassa is ideally located for winter holidays What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Probably the views on the walks and the great experience of walking through woodland in deep, powdery snow.  One has no sense of being in crowded places on these walks. What did you think of your group leader? Carl was first class.  He organized the pace, provided all the information we needed and generally went the extra mile to be sure we all enjoyed the experience.  The minibus provided the ideal way to get to and from walks. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? As long as you are a reasonably fit walker, relax and enjoy. Is there anything else you would like to add? Hotel Adler was excellent.  Food was delicious and the staff and ambience were always welcoming and positive.   The bar and the spa facilities were especially appreciated at the end of each day's walking.  The beer is delicious and not expensive.Show more
  Traveled in February 2011
• A

  Emma Hewerdine

  March 10th, 2011
  5
  A fantastic week. Lovely hotel, food and scenery. And the spa at the end of the day was bliss. Tougher than I...
  A fantastic week. Lovely hotel, food and scenery. And the spa at the end of the day was bliss. Tougher than I expected but not a problem as there was no pressure or sense of shame in being last! The food at the hotel is truly gorgeous. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Walking across a frozen lakeGluwein in the mountain hostellersThe snowy walk through the forest What did you think of your group leader? The tour leader was great. He had some interesting facts and an interesting sense of time and distance! These kept us all entertained and going.I had total confidence in him. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Fill your flasks at the breakfast table from the breakfast tea/coffee otherwise it will cost from 2 euros up to 8 euros for your flask each day. Is there anything else you would like to add? I would happliy recommend the group leader, hotel and walking holiday all separately together a truly memorable experience.Show more
  Traveled in February 2011
• A

  Janice Wood

  March 1st, 2011
  5
  Great trip - scenery, snow, weather, hotel, food, people in group, leader were all fantastic. What was the most...
  Great trip - scenery, snow, weather, hotel, food, people in group, leader were all fantastic. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? Coming out through the trees to a 360 degree view of mountains, with the sun shining out from a clear blue sky. What did you think of your group leader? Karl was great.  Very knowledgeable about the area, helpful and friendly with a good sense of humour! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Wear layers.  It can get very warm as you are heading upwards in the sun, but the wind at the top can be extremely cold. Show more
  Traveled in February 2011
• A

  Ross Lydall

  February 5th, 2011
  4
  Terrific fun - a great winter holiday in the snow. Hotel Adler brilliant too. What was the most inspirational moment...
  Terrific fun - a great winter holiday in the snow. Hotel Adler brilliant too. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views from the peaks we conquered were truly exceptional. Sledging down a mountain on our "day off" from snowshoeing was also a memorable experience. What did you think of your group leader? Karl was a very good leader - always trying to ensure we had a good time and got the most out of the holiday. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Snowshoeing is a great activity for people who enjoy trekking. It's easy to pick up and allows walkers to keep going in the snow, while rediscovering their childhood. Proper winter clothes are essential - especially really good gloves, as temperatures can typically be around minus 8 or 9 celsius.Show more
  Traveled in January 2011
• A

  Joolie Gould

  March 15th, 2010
  4
  Hotel Adler was wonderful. The snow-shoeing was amazing and the views were incredible. Our guide Karl was superb, he...
  Hotel Adler was wonderful. The snow-shoeing was amazing and the views were incredible. Our guide Karl was superb, he constantly gave over and above what was expected in terms of making sure that we each got everything we could from the holiday. The area is lovely and I am looking forward to going back again. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? I wasn't sure whether I would be happy 'in the snow' but I absolutely loved it.  The final day's snow-shoeing was one of the best days of my life.  I loved the energy expenditure, the scenery, the weather and the whole day was a complete pleasure. What did you think of your group leader? Karl was so accommodating in every way.  He gave up his day off to take us out!  We had been delayed at Gatwick and lost a day but he gave it us back by giving up his own time.  He is the perfect guide; not only knowledgeable but a lot of fun too! Do you have any advice for potential travellers? As it is winter, the weather can be extremely cold (it was relatively warm for two of our days).  You must be prepared by bringing enough kit.  Gloves need to be able to keep you warm at -10 degrees and sometimes colder. Is there anything else you would like to add? The area is lovely.  I would like to go back in the Summer but I don't think Exodus do that trip?  If Karl was the guide; Andrew (my husband) and I would book a summer trip immediately.Show more
  Traveled in February 2010
• A

  Pamela Lee

  March 11th, 2009
  5
  I had a great holiday. Everything was right, the location, the hotel, the weather, the snow, the walks and the...
  I had a great holiday. Everything was right, the location, the hotel, the weather, the snow, the walks and the company. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? There were several. Coming out of trees to fantastic views of snow covered mountains all around against blue skies. What did you think of your group leader? I thought Duncan had the perfect combination of being extremely competent with a relaxed manner which helped everyone really enjoy their holiday. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? A general fitness is a good idea as snowshoeing needs a bit more energy than ordinary walking. You do not need any great skill so it is easy to pick up and it is a lot of fun. Is there anything else you would like to add? I think I am hooked on snowshoeing and wish I had started when I was a bit younger. However I intend to continue as long as I can. Next year Chamonix or failing that Slovenia. It will depend on what is available as my mid term dates are fixed around same dates as this year( hint, hint, exodus)Show more
  Traveled in February 2009
• A

  Richard Thornton

  March 2nd, 2009
  4
  Loads of snow, freezing cold, and great walks and views every day. Along with the splendid Hotel Adler and a friendly...
  Loads of snow, freezing cold, and great walks and views every day. Along with the splendid Hotel Adler and a friendly group of fellow snow walkers it all made for a really enjoyable week. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The views from Monte Piana are truely spectacular and well worth the effort of getting there. Going downhill in deep snow also had its entertainment value, use of the backside being optional (or not on some occasions!). What did you think of your group leader? Duncan was an excellent leader, relaxed and knew his way around the local area. Do you have any advice for potential travellers? Go with the view of having a laugh and take enough kit to keep warm.Check the flights Exodus book you on though. I ended up on a group flight to Venice which is over three hours by road from Villabassa. This meant a very late night arrival and then a very early departure on the last day of the holiday. Is there anything else you would like to add? Great trip and leader, pity about the flight arrangements.Show more
  Traveled in February 2009