dolomites xc tour - advanced intermediate

dolomites xc tour - in brief

Right Place, Right Time - This course is run at the most reliable and managable time in the Dolomites, Autumn.

Incredible Scenery - Fly thru the heart of the most impressive & distinctive mountain range in Europe, if not the World.

Fly Over the Marmolada - One aim is to work our way up to the 3500m peak of the Marmolada. After navigating the other peaks in order to get there.

Follow the Flow of the Day - Routes through the Val di Fassa will follow the Sun. plus easy use of the valley winds to soar up if low.

Sight-Seeing XC Tour - Simple to understand briefings & relaxed team flying with time to take in the views. See the right-hand column for maps and previous route

NO Stress - Large flat landing fields along routes. Landing out is never a worry too, like all our areas we operate in. Buoyant valley flows enable soaring til sunset.

dolomites xc tour - all details

For 2 months of the year, September & October, the Val di Fassa comes into play. The thermals and valley winds have calmed down enough to let recreational pilots experience the amazing flying here.

In one of the Worlds most awe-inspiring free-flying areas, period.

We now run the Dolomite XC Tour every Autumn. Late in the season between mid Sept. to mid Oct. as these are the best times to fly here.

At this time of year the conditions are ideal for what we'll be attempting.

We had huge successes the last years. In 2007 two days in a row were possible to get over the top of the Mamorlada Glacier, the highest mountain in the Dolomites. In 2008 we also flew over to the Rosen Garten. One of the most distinctive Dolomitic formations.

2009 was great with most pilots making a 50km triangle around the main formations. See the gallery opposite.

However last years tour in 2010 was the most inspirational yet, 2 days on the bounce closing close to 70km triangles. See the routes & maps in the right-hand column. Plus check out the 2 movies there too. Both were made in 2010 by pilots on the course.

A Quick Daily Run Down
After breakfast at our hotel in Campitello we'll go up in the Col Rodella cable car. This takes us up to 2400m in around 10minutes. Once on launch I'll discuss the route of the XC tour over the 4 main formations in the area, the Sasso Lungo, Rosen garten, Sella and of course the Queen of the Dolomites, the Marmolada.

On a good day expect the base to be around 1000m above launch, 3500-4000m, the main valley wind will be a moderate soarable South-Westerly through the valley.

There are many into wind slopes lower down to relax, soar and soak up the panorama after flying around some of the most impressive landscapes in Europe.

Expect thermal strength at this time of year to be moderate(3-5m/s) but very managable. This can vary with the weather conditions & wind direction at the time. Soaring the lower valley breeze from one of the lower launch sites is also possible on most days.

This area is possibly one of the most impressive yet accessible flying areas in the World.

These weeks are aimed at pilots with some mountain experience and who want some exceptional flying to finish off the season.

logistics & prices

Pilots wishing to attend will need at least 50hrs plus a good amount of thermaling experience. We suggest that all pilots feel happy with their ability to launch, thermal and pick a safe landing option.

For this week we'll be staying in Campitello at the foot of the Sasso Lungo, it is a very busy ski resort in winter and has many shops and restaurants, very similar to Mayrhofen in this respect.

The accommodation is very close to the landing field & the main gondola the Col Rodello. There are many inexpensive restaurants to eat out, although there is a possibility of eating at the hotel whenever we feel like it, just let them know at breakfast after seeing the menu.

Flying into Innsbruck is very convienent and simple. However in the past some pilots have flown to Milan or Bolzano and made their own way there. Mail us about the other possibilities....

For more info please contact us

Dolomites XC Tour: 695€

This price includes 7 nights bed & breakfast in an alpine 3* hotel, all rooms have ensuite facilities & cable TV.

Transfer from Innsbruck airport, arrival around midday.

Plus 6 days air-to-air guidance and coaching around the huge Val da Fassa area.