Col de Locia, above the hamlet of La Val, is a classic ski tour for anyone taking their first steps beyond the groomed pistes. You climb open slopes through forest clearings with views of the Odle and the Sasso della Croce.
It is not technically extreme, but it asks for ski touring experience, a good read of the avalanche bulletin and rescue gear (ARTVA transceiver, shovel, probe).
How to get there — La Val (1.353 m)
You start from La Val, which the Ladins call La Val and the Germans Wengen, a tucked-away village in Val Badia spread out at the foot of the Passo di Santa Croce, on the edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park. Reach it by car up Val Badia from Brunico, turning off at Pedraces, a little above 1,300 m. In winter the roads are almost always well cleared, but keep winter tyres or chains on board. In the village there are car parks worth using early on fine days, because ski touring is at home here and the spaces go fast. From there you put on your skins and head for the gentle slopes of Col de Locia, beneath the walls of the Sasso della Croce.
The trailhead is in the Alta Badia area. Check the travel guide for lift schedules, parking and access rules.
Stage by stage
1. Skin up from La Val
Climb the marked skin track through meadows and clearings to the upper slopes of Col de Locia.
2. Descent in fresh snow
Ski back down the same slopes, picking your line to match the current snow.
When to go & weather
The right window is midwinter, between January and March, once the snowpack has settled and the slopes give good snow up and down. The days just after a snowfall offer the finest powder, but they are also the touchiest from an avalanche point of view, and here reading the bulletin is not optional. On high-season weekends you cross paths with more people off-piste too, while midweek stays quiet. Picking a settled spell and moving in the morning helps you catch spring snow at the right moment, before the afternoon sun softens it.
Recommended gear
- Touring skis with bindings and skins, plus ski crampons for any icy stretches
- Transceiver, shovel and probe on you, and above all the skill to use them for real
- Helmet and goggles or glasses for the descent
- Breathable layered clothing, a spare pair of gloves and a windproof shell
- The avalanche bulletin read the night before and rechecked in the morning, ideally with a snow-science app
- A hot flask, something to eat and a small emergency kit
Useful tips
- Read the South Tyrol Dolomites avalanche bulletin and judge the outing on the day's danger level, not on how much you want to go up
- Before you set off, do the classic transceiver transmit-and-search test with the whole group
- On the open slopes keep safe distances between each person, climbing and descending
- Use the horizon landmarks, from the Sasso della Croce to the Conturines, the Sella and the Marmolada, to orient yourself and read the aspect of the slopes
- If you lack a solid grounding in snow and avalanches, the local alpine guides run ski tours here. It is the most sensible way to start
Frequently asked questions
What do you need for ski touring at Col de Locia?
Besides skis, skins and ski crampons, you need an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and you must really know how to use them. Always read the avalanche bulletin before setting off. If in doubt, go with a mountain guide.
Is Col de Locia a good first ski tour?
It is fine if you are starting out but already have some grounding. The slopes are wide and not extreme, but you need to be able to ski off-piste and handle the self-rescue kit. For a true first time, take someone with you.
How long does it take to climb Col de Locia on skins?
For the roughly 750 metres of climbing, allow two and a half to three hours, though it depends a lot on the track and the state of the snow. The descent, of course, is over in a few minutes.
Where do I find the avalanche bulletin for this part of Val Badia?
The reference is the Dolomiti avalanche bulletin for Alto Adige, updated every day in winter. Always cross-check it with the weather forecast to work out what the day is really like.