Where exceptional Nordic skiing meets exceptional living.
There are few places where a day on cross-country skis ends quite like it does in South Tyrol.
After gliding through perfectly prepared trails beneath the dramatic limestone peaks of the Dolomites, the afternoon gives way to warm mountain hospitality. Saunas fill with the scent of Alpine pine, outdoor pools steam beneath snow-covered mountains and beautifully prepared regional cuisine becomes the perfect reward after a day on the snow. Here, cross-country skiing is only part of the experience. It is this rhythm of skiing, wellness and exceptional hospitality that makes South Tyrol one of Europe's most rewarding winter destinations.
Nestled in northern Italy, South Tyrol combines Italian warmth with Alpine tradition to create one of Europe's finest cross-country skiing destinations. Beautifully prepared trail networks wind through peaceful valleys and across spectacular high mountain plateaus, offering exceptional skiing for beginners, improvers and experienced Nordic skiers alike.
Nearby Val di Fiemme regularly hosts FIS Cross-Country World Cup competitions and has welcomed multiple FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games further reinforced northern Italy's reputation as one of the world's great winter sports regions, with several Olympic venues located within or close to South Tyrol. Every winter, guests enjoy the opportunity to ski in landscapes that have inspired and challenged the world's finest athletes.
Wildtrack Nordic has carefully chosen two exceptional locations that showcase the very best of South Tyrol.
The Ridnaun Valley offers peaceful forests, traditional mountain villages and beautifully prepared trails that are perfect for learning, building confidence and enjoying relaxed daily journeys in an authentic Alpine setting.
Higher into the Dolomites lies Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi), Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow and one of the continent's most remarkable cross-country skiing destinations. Set within the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dolomites, its vast snow-covered plateau sits at around 2,000 metres above sea level, where over 80 kilometres of immaculately prepared trails weave through open alpine meadows beneath some of the world's most iconic mountain peaks. The combination of reliable snow, extraordinary scenery and peaceful, traffic-free surroundings creates a skiing experience found nowhere else in Europe.
Together, these two regions offer an unforgettable blend of outstanding skiing, breathtaking landscapes and authentic South Tyrolean hospitality, each revealing a different side of one of Europe's most celebrated winter destinations.
South Tyrol has earned an international reputation for its unique approach to wellbeing. Wellness is not treated as an occasional luxury but as an essential part of everyday mountain life.
At the heart of many Wildtrack Nordic holidays is the outstanding Hotel Gassenhof. Family owned and renowned for its warm hospitality, it has become one of our most popular destinations and a place guests return to year after year. Elegant surroundings, exceptional wellness facilities and genuine South Tyrolean hospitality create an atmosphere that perfectly complements the rhythm of Nordic skiing.
Food forms another highlight of every visit. Sitting between Italy and Austria, South Tyrol has developed one of Europe's most distinctive culinary traditions, blending Italian creativity with Alpine heritage. Fresh pasta, handmade dumplings, mountain cheeses, locally cured speck, seasonal produce and outstanding regional wines ensure that every day finishes as memorably as it begins
A premium early-season skate skiing experience focused on technical refinement, efficient movement, and exceptional mountain skiing. Refined Glide combines expert coaching, snow-sure high-altitude conditions, and refined alpine hospitality within the breathtaking landscapes of Seiser Alm, hosted at the elegant Hotel Ritsch.
Next trip: 13 Dec 2026
From
£2900
Learn classic cross-country skiing in South Tyrol, Italy with expert beginner coaching, small groups, premium accommodation and relaxed alpine trails.
Next trip: 10 Jan 2027
From
£2750
Learn classic cross-country skiing in South Tyrol, Italy with expert beginner coaching, small groups, premium accommodation and relaxed alpine trails.
Next trip: 10 Jan 2027
From
£2300
Improve your classic cross-country skiing in Italy's Ridnaun Valley with expert coaching, small groups, premium accommodation and scenic alpine trails.
Next trip: 17 Jan 2027
From
£2750
Experience the Moonlight Classic in South Tyrol, Italy, with race support, premium accommodation, wellness and memorable cross-country skiing under the lights.
Next trip: 17 Jan 2027
From
£2750
Learn skate skiing in South Tyrol, Italy with expert beginner coaching, small groups and progressive sessions focused on balance, rhythm and confidence.
Next trip: 24 Jan 2027
From
£2750
South Tyrol combines beautifully prepared cross-country ski trails and spectacular Dolomite scenery with exceptional regional cuisine, luxurious wellness facilities and warm Italian hospitality. Wildtrack Nordic’s Italian bases also enjoy reassuringly high-altitude settings: Hotel Gassenhof sits at approximately 1,330 metres, while Hotel Ritsch lies at 1,850 metres on the Seiser Alm, where the trails reach 2,200 metres. These cooler mountain environments help to maintain reliable, snow-sure conditions and support long skiing seasons, typically extending from December into April. With welcoming alpine hotels, charming mountain villages and a relaxed pace of life, South Tyrol offers a wonderfully rounded winter experience that extends far beyond the skiing itself.
Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi) is Europe's largest high-altitude alpine meadow and one of the continent's most spectacular cross-country skiing destinations. Sitting at around 2,000 metres above sea level within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dolomites, it offers reliable snow, breathtaking panoramic views and more than 80 kilometres of immaculately prepared trails for both classic and skate skiing. Our Refined Glide holiday is based here, allowing guests to stay at Hotel Ritsch with direct access to this remarkable landscape.
Yes. Ridnaun is an excellent place to learn, with reliable snow and wide, beautifully prepared trails flowing through the valley’s gently rolling terrain. Flatter sections provide a reassuring environment in which to master the fundamentals, while gradual climbs and gentle descents allow skills and confidence to develop naturally throughout the week. The cross-country ski circuit begins directly outside Hotel Gassenhof, so guests can step onto the trails without lengthy transfers. Combined with expert coaching and the peaceful valley setting, Ridnaun offers complete beginners a supportive introduction to cross-country skiing with a genuine sense of progression and journey.
Wellness is woven into the rhythm of life in South Tyrol, where time in the mountains is balanced by rest, warmth and genuine hospitality. At Hotel Gassenhof, this tradition is brought beautifully to life through its panoramic infinity pool, extensive spa and sauna world, peaceful relaxation spaces and restorative treatments. After a rewarding day on the trails, guests can ease tired muscles in the warm water, unwind in the saunas and look out across the snow-covered Ridnaun Valley. Wellness here is not simply an added extra—it transforms a cross-country skiing holiday into a deeply relaxing and restorative alpine escape
Food is one of the great pleasures of visiting South Tyrol, bringing together hearty Alpine traditions, Italian flair and exceptional regional produce. At Hotel Gassenhof, host and head chef Stefan transforms local, seasonal ingredients into handmade South Tyrolean specialities with creative Mediterranean touches. Each day begins with a generous breakfast and ends with an elegant six-course dinner, accompanied by regional wines, craft beer from the hotel’s own brewery or a digestif from the family distillery. At Hotel Ritsch, the experience is deeply rooted in its origins as a mountain dairy. The family still raises cattle, churns its own butter and produces homemade sourdough bread, ice cream, herbs, syrups and liqueurs. Daily menus move naturally from comforting goulash and dumplings to pasta and risotto. At both hotels, food is generous, authentic and lovingly prepared, making every meal a memorable part of the holiday.
Details checked against the hotels’ own Gassenhof dining page and Hotel Ritsch farm-to-table pages.
