Club cross country skiing trip Dobbiaco/Toblach and Gsiesertal races

Sunday 9 - Saturday 15 February 2025

Guided skiing with coaching and technique input + optional Gsiesertal races for LRNSC members

Are you an intermediate skier wanting to improve your skills in a fun environment and beautiful surroundings?  And possibly try a ski race for the first time?  Or maybe a more experienced skier who wants to tune up their technique before racing. This trip is for you!  

We are offering a week of skiing led by Dagmar Junghanns, with plenty of technique input and personal coaching for classic and skating, plus additional advice, if wanted, on ski preparation and other aspects of cross country skiing.  
 
You'll have the option to race in the Gsiesertal Lauf, part of the Euroloppet Series and a Ski Classics Challenger event. Dagmar can help you with racing techniques and tactics, as well as ski preparation.

There's a choice of a classic race on Saturday 15 and skate on Sunday 16 February, or you can do both.

Who is this trip for?

• This trip is open to LRNSC members, and those wishing to join the Club.  
• Club members are also welcome to join the trip as a social without taking up the guided/coaching option.  
• Skiing level - this trip is for intermediate+ skiers, who have grasped the key classic and skating techniques and can comfortably ski down moderate hills and control their speed effectively.

About Dobbiaco (aka Toblach )

Dobbiaco is set in the very scenic Italian Dolomites where they speak German and Italian.  The food is superb, with pasta, cakes, ice-creams and hot chocolate of particular interest to us skiers.  The ski tracks are varied with something for everyone including a useful ski arena and good potential for bus or train assisted routes to add variety.

The cross country skiing & your coach

The week will aim to improve your skiing through a mix of day trips and focused coaching sessions, with opportunities for free skiing if you want.  We will cover both classic and skate skills although if you only want to do one technique that would be fine too.  Depending on group size and make up there may be some teaching in small groups of the same level, as well as whole group sessions and tours.

Dagmar is a Snowsport England Level 3 coach, with many years’ experience of teaching on snow and on roller skis.  She loves sharing her passion for cross country skiing, and helping others develop their skills, and she enjoys racing in ski marathons.  She regularly coaches for LRNSC and Snowsport England.

There will be a coached ski session each morning and afternoon, and sometimes these will take place on a day tour., This will allow for time out to enjoy Dobbiaco and to rest when you need to.  Dagmar is very experienced at leading groups of varying levels of fitness and ambition, and providing personal input to each skier.

If you have any queries about the trip or whether it is right for you, please contact Dagmar.

The Races (optional)

The races are held in the Gsiesertal area, a higher valley with a good snow record. They are suitable for experienced racers and first timers alike:  both classic and skate races have a choice of 30km or 42km with the first part relatively easy, and the extra 12km loop adding a big uphill and fast descent.  Unusually you can make your choice on the day, even mid-race, depending on how you are going, track conditions etc.

Costs/key points

• Course Cost (5 days leading/coaching, plus race input) :  £260
• Race entry - please make your own entries to the race/s.  
• Travel and accommodation - please make your own arrangements.  
• Additional costs will be some local travel, daily lunches etc, ski hire if necessary.  

The coaching group will be a minimum of 6 people (to make the trip viable) and a maximum of 10, with up to 5 additional non-coaching places. Tuition will be from Monday 10 - Friday 14 February.

Travel

You will make your own arrangements once your place on the trip is confirmed.  You should aim to arrive in Dobbiaco by Sunday 9 February, for a group meet-up and evening meal, and depart any time from Saturday 15 February. 

Suitable airports are Munich or Innsbruck, or you can do the whole thing by train from London to Munich (via Paris or Bruxelles). See Seat 61 for more info on train travel and how to book.

There are train/bus options from Munich/Innsbruck:  on the train you take a Eurocity towards Bolzen/Bolzano, starting in Munich and going through Innsbruck, then changing at Fortezza/Franzen where you change onto the local train to Dobbiaco.  Alternatively there is a direct bus from Innsbruck to Lienz, passing through Dobbiaco.  

Before booking your transport have a look at local travel options which include the Süd Tirol Guest pass which includes all the travel we need during the week. 

Accommodation

You will need to make your own arrangements choosing from hotels, pensions and Airbnb or equivalent in Dobbiaco - note that we will aim to eat together in the evenings.  Booking early is advisable once your place on the trip is confirmed! 

If you are interested in sharing an AirBnB/equivalent please indicate this on the registration form.  If you register by 7 August the organizer will investigate options.  After this date you can opt to be put in touch with others in the same situation so you can organize your own shared accommodation.

Ski hire

There are several places to hire skis in Dobbiaco – please organise this yourself if you need skate or classic rental equipment.

Insurance

You are recommended to have a travel insurance policy that meets your personal needs and any health rules at the time of travel.  The GIC (Global Health Insurance Card) is also recommended for medical emergencies.

What to do next

Stage 1
Complete the online booking form by September 30th 2024 [or by 7 August if you would like to know shared accommodation options from the organiser] to confirm that you want to come on the trip.

Stage 2

1. Your place on the trip will be confirmed. A coaching deposit of £50 is then required which is non-refundable, except for extenuating circumstances.  Details of any shared accommodation will also be confirmed.  If you’re not already a Club member you should join now.
2. Once your coaching fee is received, you can book your travel, accommodation and races.
3. The coaching fee balance of £210 should be paid by 20 December 2024 but you will be sent a reminder in due course.

Any questions?

Please contact Dagmar the organiser