Italy's Ortler Group
Hut to Hut Ski Tour
March & April 2025
Where experience is the priority, the Ortler trip is hard to beat. Boasting a flexible schedule and tours oriented towards the best conditions, all while enjoying 4 course meals, hot showers, and world class descents, this is the Euro hut trip we all dream of!
Nestled in Northern Italy, the Ortler group rests between the quaint towns of Sulden and Bormio. It is characterized by glaciated terrain with iconic ski descents right off of summits, all with perfectly situated launching points. From half day mellow descents to technical ski mountaineering objectives, the variety of terrain accessible from every hut is the highlight.
The Route
While many European ski tours are A to B traverses with strict timelines, the Ortler Group is more of a lollipop with flexibility built in.
The itinerary described below is just a sample. Depending on group goals and weather, the Ortler trip can focus on specific regions, spending multiple nights at favored huts (think: lighter packs) while tackling objectives of any size. Some groups may opt for morning powder turns, dining in for lunch, and going back out for an afternoon tour, while others might choose to link up high alpine ski mountaineering traverses. Private groups have the option to work with their guide for a completely custom itinerary, prioritizing their goals.
The Skiing
With over 5,000 feet of relief and a variety of aspects to work with at every hut, high quality descents are much easier to access.
The whole idea of the Ortler trip is to prioritize conditions and objectives, focusing on snow quality paired with skier's abilities. Guides choose daily objectives based on recent weather and avalanche conditions. The selection of terrain accessible from each hut means that there is generally a lot of terrain, often untracked, for us to choose from!
The Huts
Italian huts step it up a notch with accommodations and services.
The huts of the Ortler group all have their unique character, but many boast the option for private rooms, wi-fi, hot showers, and meals that far exceed that of other European huts. Crowding can be an issue during weekends, but this is offset by the space inside the huts and numerous options for tours outside of the hut. Also, the off the beaten path nature of the Ortler group mean it's less likely to run into other Americans, making for a more immersive experience.
Arrival in Bormio
We recommend arriving in Europe at least a few days prior to the trip to help adjust to the time change. Unlike Chamonix or Zermatt, Bormio is a more quaint destination attracting a less international crowd. Because of this, we feel that the town offers a more authentic feel but public transportation isn't as easy.
Many folks fly choose to fly into Milan for this trip, spending some time touring the city or visiting the nearby Lake Como before travelling to Bormio. Public transportation options exist for getting to Bormio, but one should expect it to take the majority of the day. If you're considering a private transfer or renting a car, plan on an additional $400-600. Keep in mind, AWD or 4x4 may be required this time of the year.
For those looking to explore a bit of Bormio before the trip, we highly recommend arriving early and touring the old town center, visiting the thermal springs, and sampling the various ski resorts nearby.
Weather & Variations
Weather is the most important factor for snow quality and avalanche hazard. Having the flexibility to choose objectives each day that work with favorable aspect, elevation, and location give your guides the ability to prioritize quality descents in safe terrain that are appropriate for the group. Occasionally when weather or group needs dictate, we can even change the overnight itineraries to accommodate new plans given the conditions. Flexibility is certainly one of the main advantages to this tour.
Meet Your Guides
Akio Joy
Aki grew up in the small town of Placerville, California. Early on, he was introduced to climbing & skiing in the Sierra Nevada foothills. At 17, he moved to Montana and started guiding... Read More
Ty Guarino
Ty is a New England transplant that is head over heels in love with skiing. He is a
Certified Ski Guide through the AMGA, a professional ski patroller at Bridger Bowl Ski Area, and... Read More
Details
March-April, 2025
Sign-Up Deadline: February 1, 2024
6+ Day Trip
(Open enrollment, individuals are encouraged to join. Total group sizes are 4-8 skiers). Prices start at $3745/person in a group of 4 and $4495/person in a group of 3.
What's included
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Expert guiding and instruction
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Lodging and bookings along the route
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Two nights in Bormio; before and after the trip
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Breakfast and dinner along the route
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Shuttle from Bormio to Val di Fassa
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Guide's international licensing & insurance
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Lift tickets for Sulden
What's not included
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Airfare & travel to/from Bormio
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Lunches and extra purchases (beverages, snacks, etc.)
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Equipment (a gear list will be provided after booking with some rental equipment avail.)
Skiing Experience Required
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Skiers/riders should have experience and feel comfortable skiing black diamond terrain in variable conditions along with significant backcountry skiing experience.
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Participants will be required to tour 3,000+' on at least one day of the trip. Fitness allowing multiple days of 3,000' ascent will greatly improve options for each day.
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Due to the glaciated nature of this tour, some familiarity with harnesses and climbing equipment will be required before the trip.
Sexism & Discrimination
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We want to make sure to create a safe and welcoming space for anyone who is joining.
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We do not tolerate any form of sexism or discrimination. If & when you feel uncomfortable with other participants, bystanders, or even guides, please notify your guide or our office immediately.
**A description of participant experience will be required before signup. Individuals seeking to expand skills or receive feedback can book a local trip beforehand.
**Participants may sign up as individuals at group rate and choose to drop or adjust price if the trip does not fill.
What's special about us?
Working with American guides comes with several major benefits, mostly involving ease of communication before and during the trip. Struggling to understand or convey concerns in a stressful environment can take away a from an experience or simply create a dangerous situation. Similarly, it is easier to get to know your guide beforehand with a local trip to Montana or Wyoming before going abroad.
Itinerary
Day 0 - Bormio -
Welcome to Northern Italy! Whether you arrived a week before or the day of, we encourage you to check into the included hotel as soon as possible. Based on everyone's arrival times, we schedule a time to perform a group gear check at the hotel. Here we answer any last minute questions and brief the group on the forecast and proposed plan for the next few days. Dinner that evening will be coordinated by the guides and is neither mandatory nor included.
Day 1 - Rifugio Pizzini -
On our first morning, we enjoy a breakfast at the hotel before packing up our bags and handing off our luggage to be seen in a week. We take a shuttle to the end of the road at the Forni hut. Here, we make a casual 1,800' ascent up to the Pizzini hut where we meet the hut keeper, check in, and enjoy lunch & coffee. Depending on time, we venture out with light packs for an afternoon descent of Cima Zebru (1,000') or Col Pale Rosse (2,000').
4 miles, 2800' ascent, & 1000' descent
Day 2 - Monte Cevedale -
Day 2 is based out of Pizzini, returning to the hut at the end of the day. This lets us choose from a multitude of options, but one of the most iconic tours in the region is the Cedec glacier off of Monte Cevedale. The route is visible from the hut, with a few options leading the group on a 3000' tour up to the final headwall, a 500' steep climb and final summit ridge. Once on top, a steep pitch brings us onto the glacier with an epic 3,000' of relief straight down to the hut. On a clear day, this tour is a must do. For stronger groups, the option exists to lap particularly good sections of the descent or even add on the nearby Monte Pasquale.
6 miles, 3500' ascent, & 3500' descent
Day 3 - Marteller Hutte -
After two nights at the Pizzini, we say goodbye to the hut keeper and take off towards the Marteller Hut. We climb 2,000' up to the Casati hut, straddling a ridgeline that once held strategic ground between Austrian and Italian forces in WWI. From here, we may choose to descend the long gradual Zufall Glacier directly to the hut or navigate the Suldenspitze and ski directly into the resort town of Sulden. From Sulden, we can catch a series of lifts to another ridgeline where we can make another 3500' descent beneath the Marteller Hut. In this case, a 1300' climb guards the hut.
5.6-10.7 miles, 2000-3700' ascent, & 2500-8100' descent
Day 4 - Rigugio Branca -
Day 4 puts us on the far side of the range with a long summit filled ridgeline separating us from our next hut, Rifugio Branca. If tired or in poor weather, we could choose to retrace our steps through Pizzini. Described the epic Palon de la Mare traverse however. From the hut, we make a long climb up the Zufall glacier for 3200', nearly to the summit of Cevedale (another descent option). We make a 1400' descent around the East side of Monte Rosole before gaining another 1800' to Palon de la Mare. Here, all of our hard work is rewarded with a 4000' descent into Branca.
8-10 miles, 3100-5200' ascent, & 3200-5400' descent
Day 5 - Punta San Matteo -
Day 5 rewards with many options out of the Branca hut. From here, it is easy to ski nearly any aspect or sized day to match the conditions and general fatigue of so many days on. In perfect conditions, however, Punta San Matteo is not to be missed.
From the hut, we we traverse onto the Forni Glacier and begin the long ascent. We gradually work our way up the glacier to a the crest, where we follow an exposed ridgeline to the summit and centerpiece of the Forni Glacier. After the 4,000' ascent, we are rewarded with a direct descent into the valley below. Later that day, we'll be able to point out the entire route over drinks on the hut's sun terrace.
8.6 miles, 4500' ascent, & 4500' descent
Day 6 - L'Isola Persa -
Day 6 marks our last day in the mountains and if there is any gas left in the tank, we gauge the day accordingly. One fun objective is a lap up the L'Isola Persa, a glacial knob in the middle of the valley with stunning 360 degree views. In good conditions, the North face often holds soft snow and some fun steep skiing. From the bottom of the line, we can slide out the cat track to our shuttle back to our hotel in Bormio.
Once settled in Bormio, we'll recommend exploring downtown and checking out the hot springs. If the group wants to, the guides may organize another final dinner to celebrate the trip before saying our goodbyes.
4.5 miles, 1600' ascent, & 2700' descent
"I can highly recommend this trip to skiers looking for a comfortable hut experience (complete with wi-fi, wine lists, espresso, showers, and great meals) that emphasizes the downhill experience. The variety of terrain right outside of both of these huts provided the best options we experienced over our three week trip."
-Akio Joy