Dolomites ski mountaineering: the Puez Odle group

Four ski mountaineering routes in the Puez Odle group of the Dolomites presented by Enrico Baccanti and Francesco Tremolada, Alta Badia Guides: Antersasc North Gully, Crep da le Dodesc, Munt da Medalges, Sass da Putia East Face

Thanks to its particular characteristics and its proximity to the popular valleys Val Gardena and Val Badia, the Puez Odle massif is one of the most important areas in the Dolomites for modern, highly enjoyable ski mountaineering.

In addition to the more established routes which start directly from the ski lifts, this area has numerous beautiful hidden corners that host numerous less famous slopes and are reached via Val Badia.

The Antersass valley in particular, which cuts through the eastern part of the massif and can be reached via Longiarù or Badia, offers numerous outings which can be combined with traverses that descend down breath-taking Dolomite couloirs.

The Putia  massif with its slender shape that contrasts strikingly with the grassy slopes below, hosts a series of decidedly more alpine outings. And the massif peaks that crown the rocky faces are considered excellent, mid-grade and relatively safe ski mountaineering itineraries.

The routes described below are merely a brief overview for those in search of new routes of all types and difficulties. Above all though they are an invitation to discover and appreciate this corner of the Dolomites.

Enrico Baccanti

ITINERARIO DIFFICOLTA' BELLEZZA Antersasc North Gully ALP: F, SKI: 4.1, Exp:E2 A great skiable north facing couloir, you traverse its south face uphill (val d’Antersass). This is not an “extreme” descent, but you need to have good ski control as well as ski mountaineering experience. Crep da le Dodesc ALP: F, SKI: 2.2, Exp: E1 An easy itinerary along the south face of Antersass, should be tackled mainly on transformed snow or even at the beginning of winter, if the snow is stable. Munt da Medalges ALP: E, SKI: 1.3, Exp: E1 A winter itinerary, easy and safe which is ideal as the season’s first ski mountaineering trip. Sass da Putia East Face ALP: PD, SKI: 4.3, Exp: E3 A steep skiing itinerary which gives you the possibility to ski down from the summit of Sass da Putia down the sunny side which looks over Val Badia. The first descent was made by Heini Holzer during the seventies.

SHOP.PLANETMOUNTAIN.COM SKI MOUNTAINEERING IN THE DOLOMITES 65 itineraries + 3 traverses. Puez, Odle, Fanis, Conturines, Croda Rossa, Vallandro, Tofane, Cristallo, Antelao Pelmo, Mondeval, Croda da Lago, Col di Lana, Nuvolao, Marmolada Versante Sud, Edition: Italian, English. by Enrico Baccanti, Francesco Tremolada