First World War ski tour 1914-18

First World War ski tour

Between history, legendary slopes and Dolomite panoramas.

Col di Lana dominates the Cordevole Valley (Valle di Fodom), once the border between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy. During the First World War, this mountain became a strategic stronghold, fortified by Austro-Hungarian troops to control the routes towards Alta Badia and halt the Italian advance. For this reason, it was fiercely contested by the Alpini. Today, tunnels, walkways, firing positions and the huge crater left by a mine tell the story of more than 8,000 fallen soldiers.

The ski tour is challenging, suitable for experienced skiers and snowboarders, and follows a loop that can be completed within a day if you start before 8:30 am. Ski buses, slopes and lifts connect a vast and spectacular area: from Arabba you can reach Malga Ciapela at the foot of the Marmolada, the Queen of the Dolomites, then Alleghe, Passo Falzarego, Lagazuoi and Alta Badia. Nowhere else in the Dolomites does the memory of the front feel quite so present. From Val di Fassa, the route is easy to access by driving from Canazei to Passo Fedaia or Passo Pordoi.

Whichever direction you choose, the tour leads to the cable car that climbs from Passo Falzarego, halfway between Cortina d’Ampezzo and Alta Badia, to Lagazuoi at 2,778 metres: a flight suspended between history and rock. From the cabin you can see the openings of the Italian mine tunnel and, further down at Passo Valparola, Forte Tre Sassi, standing like a silent sentinel. On the crest of Piccolo Lagazuoi stands the Austrian armoured position Feldwache 4, the only front-line position open to visitors even in winter.

One of the most iconic descents in the Dolomites begins at Lagazuoi: the Armentarola slope, 8.5 km of sweeping turns leading from the summit to the Capanna Alpina mountain hut in Alta Badia. At the bottom, a pair of horses (paid service) tows skiers for 1.5 km across flat terrain to Ponte Sarè, on the outskirts of San Cassiano, from where you continue towards Passo Campolongo and then Arabba.

Great War ski tour - anti-clockwise (red)
🔴 Total length: 84,5-99 km
🎿 On skis: 34,5-43 km
🚡 Ski lifts: 20-26 km
🐎 Horse tow: 1,5 km
🚌 Ski bus transfer: 28,5 km
⏱️ Duration: 7-8 hours

Great War ski tour - clockwise (blue)
🔵 Total length: 78-100 km
🎿 On skis: 25-41 km
🚡 Ski lifts: 17-23 km
🚌 Ski bus transfer: 36 km
⏱️ Duration: 6.30-7.30 hours

Useful information

• Check ski bus timetables and connections
• Check lift dates and opening times
• Early and late season may feature reduced bus and lift schedules
• Ski bus service subject to a charge
• Cable cars and chairlifts may close without notice in case of strong wind or heavy snowfall
• Valid only with the Dolomiti Superski ski pass