"La Rigola di Fanis", ski mountaineering on Dolomites couloirs

Information about the ski mountaineering on Dolomites couloir "La Rigola di Fanis"

From the mountain hut Rifugio Lagazuoi, passing below the snow shed structures, you will head towards the mountain saddle called Forcella Gasser Depot. From there, continue until you reach the foot of the rock face of Torre Travenanzes peak.  As you approach the peak, you will see the narrow couloir that ends up into a very small crack which looks very difficult to climb.

You will then begin your ascent and, after ten or so metres, you will have to climb up a vertical icefall which is a few metres long (we recommend you take with you an ice screw).

After having passed the icefall, continue along the amazing, narrown couloir and reach the first saddle. From there, you will descend approximately 30 metres and then climb up again along a second couloir that reaches the altitude of 2780 metres. From there, your off-piste skiing descent begins.

The descent couloir is wonderful: it is quite straight, does not present dangerous cliffs or overhangs and it is possible to ski down all of it until the very bottom. The difficulty level of the descent depends on the snow conditions, just like in any other couloirs of the Dolomites.

When you get to the end of the gully, continue your descent along the milder slope of the wide Cadin di Fanes amphitheatre.

In order to go back to the terminal of Lagazuoi cable car, climb up to the Forcella del Mortaio saddle and continue to reach Forcella Travenanzes.

An alternative, longer backward itineray is the following: instead of climbing up to the saddle, continue the off-piste skiing descent along the nice slopes that reach the ancient lodge Casone di Val Travenanzes. From there, it is possible either to continue descending along the Travenanzes valley down to the hamlet of Fiames, or ascend again to reach the Forcella Col dei Bos mountain saddle.

Technical information about the ski mountaineering excursion on Dolomites couloir "La Rigola di Fanis":

• Starting and arrival point: Lagazuoi cable car terminal
• Mountain/massif: Gruppo di Fanis
• Elevation gain - ascent canyon: 380 metres
• Duration time (backward itinerary through Forcella del Mortaio included): approximately 5 hours
• Ascent exposure: South
• Descent exposure: North
• Average slope of the ascent canyon: 40°
• Maximum slope of the descent canyon: 40° 
• Difficulty level - ski mountaineering section: OSA ("Ottimo Sciatore Alpinista" which means "very expert ski-mountaineer")

The mountain huts along the path and nearby offering facilities and food are the following:

• Rifugio Lagazuoi
• Rifugio ristorante da Strobel
• Rifugio ristorante Col Gallina