Ortler - Italy
Location - Ortler
The Ortler Range straddles the border of the South Tyrol and Stelvio National Park in both Italy and Austria. It contains lots of fantastic glaciated runs and summits, with Mt Cevedale (3769m) being the highest on our program. We will be staying at some of the most comfortable and well equipped huts in the European Alps, each one with it's own espresso machine!
Prerequisites - Ortler
- Previous experience ski touring
- Fitness to climb at least 1100m of elevation gain in a day at moderate altitude (over 3000m)
- Ski ability to negotiate 40 degree slopes
- Can perform kick turns
Itinerary - Ortler
Day 0 - Meet at Rifugio Forni at 5pm. (Sleep at Rifugio Forni).
Day 1 - Ski to Rifugio Branca, drop off gear, and continue up to the Forni Glacier for a warm up ski, acclimatization and possibly a summit. (Sleep at Rifugio Branca).
Day 2 - Climb and ski from a summit such as Pizzo Tressero or Punta San Matteo. (Sleep at Rifugio Branca).
Day 3 - Climb Mt Pasquale, where we can see WW1 fortress/ruins still intact, then ski down to Rifugio Pizzini. (Sleep at Rifugio Pizzini).
Day 4 - Climb Cima Cevedale (Zufallspitzen) and ski down to Rifugio Martello. (Sleep at Rifugio Martello).
Day 5 - Climb Monte Cevedale and ski down to Rifugio Pizzini. (Sleep at Rifugio Pizzini).
Day 6 - Loop through Col Pale Rosse and Col Zebru North. (Sleep at Rifugio Pizzini).
Day 7 - Loop around Cime del Forni, down to Rifugio Forni and continue travels.
Please note: If weather and conditions are not suitable for the above itinerary, we may need to make alternate plans.
Guides - Ortler
Alex Geary will be the guide for this trip, with an additional guide depending on trip numbers.
Getting to the Ortler
The closest major airport to the Ortler is Milan. The easiest way to reach Rifugio Forni from Milan is to hire private transportation for your group. It is also possible using a combination of trains, buses and a taxi for the final leg from Santa Caterina.
I recommend staying in Bormio for a day or two before we meet to explore the old town and soak in the natural hot springs as you adjust to the time change. You can also visit a local ski area for acclimitisation.
Ortler Dates
April 3-9th 2025 - Private Group is FULL
April 11-17th 2025 - Private Group is FULL
April 3-9th 2026 - Private Group is FULL
Please enquire for more dates in 2026 and pricing
6:1 ratio
Please make sure you have read through the booking conditions before making a payment. This includes completing the Registration Form.
E-Transfer to [email protected] is the preferred method of payment. Please contact us for alternate payment methods.
Included
- Half Board for 7 nights at Mountain Huts starting Day 0 (Bed, Breakfast, Dinner)
- IFMGA Guide for 7 days
- Group gear including ropes
Excluded
- Travel/Medical/Rescue Insurance
- Lunches, snacks and drinks
- Personal ski gear including ice axe and boot crampons
- Private bathroom at Rifugio Pizzini
- Gran Zebru/Königspitze
- Extra expenses if itinerary changes
Equipment List - Ortler
- Shovel
- Probe
- Transceiver (3 antenna) and spare batteries
- Ski touring skis or splitboard
- Skins
- Personal repair kit specific to your equipment
- Skin wax (or a candle)
- Ski touring boots/plastic snowboarding boots
- Boot crampons (compatible with your boots)
- Ski Crampons
- Ice axe (eg. Petzl Gully)
- Helmet
- Ski poles
- Headlamp and spare batteries
- Sunglasses
- Goggles and/or spare sunglasses
- Personal first aid supplies
- Toque
- Sun hat
- Suncream
- Lip balm with UV protection
- 2 x 1L wide mouth water bottles or Thermos (NO bladders due to freezing, leaking and filling issues)
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) jacket
- Gore-tex (or equivalent) pants
- Puffy jacket or two depending on thickness
- Warm layers for upper and lower body adequate for below freezing temperatures and wind
- Thick gloves
- Thin gloves
- Spare gloves
- Harness
- 3 locking carabiners
- 2 non-locking carabiners
- 120cm sewn sling or equivalent
- 30-40L backpack
- Sleeping sheet (silk is lightest)