St Zyprian In The Dolomites

Some skiers spend years trying to get off piste and into the silence of the winter mountains but never quite manage it. Sometimes, the answer is so simple it’s hard to believe just ditch the skis, strap on a pair of snowshoes, and walk. Leave the resort behind and don’t look back. Instant silence. Just you and your snowshoe companions, the birds, and the peaceful white mountain. A very occasional skier crosses your path, but they are gone in an instant. Blissful.

In the still of the morning, the winter chill nips at nose and ears. The sun rises from behind the castellated limestone peaks that dominate the skyline. Walking from St Zyprian we are surrounded by some of the finest scenery in the Alps. The jagged outlines of the Catinaccio, the Rosengarten, and the Sciliar group peaks are distinctive and captivating. We set out across crisp snow, unmarked apart from the occasional fox and bird track. This is a pure wilderness experience. Snowshoes liberate us from prepared tracks and crowds, and we can be the first to cross the virgin terrain.

Back at the hotel, we can relax in the heated indoor and linked outdoor pool and the spa before the first-class dinner that the four-star Hotel Dosses offers. They keep a pretty good wine cellar, as you might expect and the Wellness Centre offers a range of facilities including a sauna, steam room and solarium.

As with all winter activities snow cannot be guaranteed. However, the walks are equally spectacular on snowshoes, on spikes or in walking boots.