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

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

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 Ski hosting, Snowshoeing
& Winter Walking with Collett's

five days a week, free of charge and totally optional
days out in arguably the most beautiful mountains in the world

Your stay in the Dolomites will surely be enhanced by our own skiers, snowshoers and winter walkers. Five days a week (not Thursday or Sunday), they organise wonderful days out and you can join them as and when you wish at no extra cost. Simply drop into 'Office Hour' and arrange to take part in whatever takes your fancy.

Arabba - at 1601m Arabba is our highest resort and here we focus primarily on skiing. Five days a week we offer two magnificent skiing itineraries, one of which will be more ambitious and challenging than the other. More details below.

Pedraces & Corvara (Alta Badia) - whilst both these resorts are superb springboards for skiing, they also offer an extensive mix of idyllic and exciting terrain for snowshoers and winter walkers. So five days a week, there will be two snowshoeing excursions and skiing itineraries - along with a mix of winter walks. If in demand, we can also include the occasional cross country skiing day too. More details directly below.

This is what we offer five days a week - not Thursday or Sunday:

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. 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.

A Collett's Catered Chalet

Superb Locations, & wonderful views
Comfortable en suite bedrooms & Good Food
Relaxed & Unassuming Hospitality from Courteous & Welcoming Hosts

A Collett's catered chalet is right at the heart of a successful winter holiday and we want your time in the chalet to be a valued part of your stay. Our chalets enjoy superb locations, wonderful views and comfortable en suite bedrooms.*

Our hospitality is warm yet unassuming and we endeavour to create an atmosphere that is relaxed, informal and welcoming. The chalet is your home - if you prefer to stay in during the day with a good book, please do. Relax and make yourself at home, helping yourself to complimentary tea, coffee or something from the bar.

Throughout your holiday, you can depend on the care, attention to detail and intimate local knowledge of our welcoming hosts and resort staff. Whilst being careful not to interfere, it is their job to go the extra mile to ensure the success of your stay. They will do everything it takes to make sure your time in the mountains is plainsailing and trouble-free. Skiers, for example, can relax in the knowledge that arrangements concerning skipasses, ski/boot hire and ski tuition are in good and efficient hands, our main objective being to get you on the slopes as soon as possible after your arrival. We take great care to ensure such arrangements are not a cause of concern for our guests.

In the chalets, we serve an excellent three course dinner with wine each evening except Wednesday. Dinner is one of the focal points of the day and the atmosphere is perhaps at its warmest when a party of like-minded guests eat, drink and chat together after an exhilarating day in their stunning surroundings, sharing the various experiences of the day, whether they be walkers, snowshoers or skiers.

Breakfast is served from 8am to 9am and is semi-continental. Packed lunches are available to all our chalet guests and you pay for these locally using what we call the Red File. This is the chalet's Honesty Book and it is used to record your house account, which would typically consist of packed lunches and any drinks, chocolate, fruit etc. you might take from the bar.

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

Our Day Off in the Dolomites

Our day off in the Dolomites is Thursday. Breakfast is served and packed lunches are available too, but dinner is not served. This gives you a chance to eat out and we will be happy to recommend a local restaurant. Also, there is no Office Hour.

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.