A fine summit and then an abseil-accessed couloir make this a Dolomites classic.

Statistics

2 - 3

hrs

454

m

1,316

m

55

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Severe

Description

With the lift system saving you a great deal of effort, this tour requires a relatively small amount of climbing in return for a fabulous, long descent.

The skiing feels wild and exciting, yet you're never far from the pistes and chairlifts. From the top of the Vallon chairlift (part of the vast Dolomiti Superski area), cross some undulating ground to the foot of the broad east ridge of the Boèseekofel.

The ascent is enjoyable and not overly taxing - save for a 10 metre metal ladder in the early part - and leads easily to the summit.

The views all the way up are excellent and there's a real feeling of being high above the World as you ascend further and further away from the noise and crowds below.

Upon arriving at the summit, the vista only improves and the stomach-churning view west and down into the Val Mezdi is particularly impressive. Put your skis on and head back down the ridge.

Well before the ladder, branch off left and drop into a steep face which accesses the peak's north bowl.

There is a big rock cave which, when you can see it 300 metres away on the left, means you're in the right place to access the north bowl.

From the north bowl keep left through rolling terrain.

Don't lose any height unnecessarily and head for the entrance of the crux couloir. At the top of the couloir there's a tooth of rock and the entrance is just to the left of it.

A 40 metre rappel is required to access the couloir and there are 2 bolts in situ.

Stick your skis on your bag, get the ropes out (2 x 50 metre ropes are recommended to make sure you can access a good spot to put your skis back on - there's plenty of space provided you can get well clear of the rock walls).

Ski down the unmissable line all the way to the pistes.

The first part is wide but when you hit the tree line it narrows a bit and becomes a couloir.

The feeling of your turns becoming increasingly tight and technical as the terrain narrows is exciting and somewhat nerve-wracking.

Having accessed the lower couloir, follow it down to the valley floor, cross over the XC ski track and get on to the Borest piste.