a collett's winter holiday

Collett's Mountain Holidays is based in three picturesque alpine villages in the Italian Dolomites, each one nestled in an idyllic setting under the towering rose-pink walls of the Central Dolomites. Flanked by the celebrated resorts of Val Gardena and Cortina, Corvara, Pedraces (Val Badia) and Arabba are superb springboards for an area of outstanding natural beauty and unrivalled opportunity for the winter walker, snowshoer or skier.

Take advantage of the many routes offered from the UK and fly to and from Venice or Treviso airports where you can join our free airport transfers. Choose halfboard or self catering accommodation from an excellent range of properties in three idyllic alpine villages at the heart of the Dolomites.

Once here, do exactly as you please. We understand if you prefer to be independent and left to your own devices. We can provide you with what you need to gather many interesting ideas and create a succession of enjoyable winter days out, whatever your interests.

Downhill Skiing

Village to Village, Valley to Valley, Minimal Queueing

The skiing here is outstanding: varied, extensive, spectacular and largely queue-less. At the heart of this area, four beautiful valleys wend their way to their terminus at the foot of Monte Sella, a vast and glorious massif, which towers above the Val Badia and Arabba. It gives its name to the world-renowned Sella Ronda, an awe-inspiring 46km circumnavigation of this immense mountain and one of several breathtaking local ski itineraries, which will stay with you forever.

But this is a mere 'drop in the ocean' in a ski region, which offers 1220kms of piste and claims to be the world's largest. Whether it is or isn't, what really sets the Dolomites apart from other ski areas is a lack of queues and the ability to ski for miles and miles and miles on different pistes, village to village, valley to valley.

Snowshoeing and Winter Walking

And yet this area is not the exclusive terrain of skiers. Away from the ski fields, a separate winter paradise unfolds for walkers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Delightful trails meander alongside rivers and streams, through woodland and across winter meadows between enchanting Tyrolean hamlets and villages, which huddle around the spires of their picturesque churches.

Higher up, snowshoers experience the exhilaration of virgin snow on a labyrinth of waymarked routes, traversing the hidden snowfields, which undulate between a seemingly unbroken rim of spectacular peaks. Here, you could hear a pin drop, but for the vocal appreciation that persists amongst walkers and is the inevitable result of such an inspirational situation.

Organised Walks,
Snowshoeing & Ski Days

Collett's offers a winter holiday with a difference. Five days a week (not Thurs. or Sun.) you can join a range of exciting itineraries that are organised locally by us. We offer Winter Walks, Snowshoeing, Downhill Skiing days, cross-country skiing and even the opportunity to try some ski touring. These days out are free of charge and optional. This is what is on offer:

• Snowshoeing & Winter Walks - Remote snowfields, woodland trails and magical winter landscapes. Five days a week - Arabba & Pedraces.
• Downhill Skiing - Spectacular all day itineraries. Ski from village to village, valley to valley on one of the worlds largest ski networks. Five days a week - Arabba & Pedraces.
• Cross-Country Skiing - The beautiful surroundings of the Val Badia Cross Country Ski Centre at Armentarola. Circular routes on idyllic woodland tracks. Two or three days a week - Pedraces only.
• Ski Touring - Secluded snowfields and woodland - spellbinding panoramas. Ascend off-piste under your own steam and return to the valley bottom on a well groomed piste. One or two days a week subject to demand - Arabba & Pedraces.

Ultimately, you do exactly as you please, we are available to help, but careful not to interfere. If you prefer to organise your days independently, we will leave you to your own devices. Itinerary ideas and information are always at hand at Office Hour (see below) and in our chalets.

Office Hour

Each early evening (except Thursday) before dinner, we hold ‘Office Hour’. It is more relaxed than its name suggests and some people just drop in for a sociable drink. Here you can join up for the following day’s organised itineraries - Snowshoeing, Winter Walking, Downhill Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, ski mountaineering. You can browse through maps and ask questions.

If planning an independent itinerary, we will happily help and advise. We can also book other winter mountain pursuits for you, such as paragliding, ice climbing and winter mountaineering.

Office Hour is ideal for meeting like-minded people in a sociable atmosphere and this often has positive repercussions. Often people team up for a day out as a result of dropping in.

Being Independent

In all three resorts you will have access to our 'Ideas & Information Files', which will be invaluable to you if you would prefer to arrange your days independently.

They provide easy access to several magnificent itineraries including winter walking and snowshoeing routes, as well as downhill ski itineraries and cross-country skiing options.

In addition, a 'Route Laminate' corresponds to each of the proposed itineraries. This is a laminated A5 version of your chosen route, which you can borrow from us. It is easy to carry and contains the relevant section of map as well as a route description and other useful details.

Our Chalets - Warm Hospitality & Good Food

Our chalets are right at the heart of a successful holiday and in them you will have a relaxed and sociable time in good company. If you prefer to stay in during the day with a good book, make yourself at home. Help yourself to tea, coffee (or something from the bar) and relax.

Throughout your holiday, you can depend on the attention to detail and intimate local knowledge of our welcoming hosts and resort staff. They will make everything easy for you so that each aspect of your holiday is a success. They will ensure your comfort and wellbeing, whilst organising memorable days out. For skiers, they take care of all arrangements concerning skipasses, ski/boot hire and ski school etc, so that you are ready to ski (or to be taught to ski) as soon as possible after your arrival.

Our hosts are accommplished cooks and housekeepers. They feed you excellently and each evening (except Thursdays) they serve a superb three course dinner with wine included, this is one of the focal points of the day.
See Winter Accommodation in Arabba, Corvara & Pedraces

bbc books ~ unforgettable walks to take before you die

'Young, jagged and imposing, the Dolomites are perhaps the most striking mountains in Europe. Although they are a stunning location for summer hiking, they are at their most sublime in winter. Stepping into a pair of snowshoes might feel strange at first, but it will allow you to walk to parts of this snowbound wonderland that are normally reserved for mountaineers and extreme skiers.'

Steve Watkins ~ Guest of Collett’s Mountain Holidays 2008
‘Unforgettable Walks to take before you die’ ~ BBC Books ISBN 978-0-56-353908-7

ABTA, AITO & the woodland trust

Collett’s Ltd. is a regulated, independent holiday specialist, featuring destinations of character and beauty. Based in rural Hertfordshire, the company is committed to the highest levels of personal care and attention to detail. We employ friendly and efficient staff, who will give honest and accurate information at all times. Abroad, the company values its relationships with the people of its featured destinations and conducts its operations in harmony with their character and local customs. Finally, Collett’s is a member of AITO, the Association of Independent Tour Operators and is bonded through the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and guarantees the protection of all holiday payments. Collett’s Ltd. is registered in England No. 3467538 @ Lake House, Market Hill, Royston, Herts, SG8 9GN Directors: N.R.Baron, T.J.E Collett & P.Melia.

Collett's is a Corporate Partner of the Woodland Trust. We donate £5 for every person who books a holiday with us. This year we are committed to raising £20,000 for the Trust, so that 4000 broadleaf trees should be planted and managed in the UK.