SpotCheck | Lungiarü - the Gallic village in the heart of the Dolomites

4 kilometers with a big impact

You can almost feel like you're in the famous surrounded Gallic village when you set off on the journey to Lungiarü. We turn into Val Badia and follow the signs to Plan de Corones, Alta Badia, Corvara and Val Gardena. It's Saturday, the carnival vacations and departure day: a continuous line of cars is making its way north at walking pace. Doubts arise as to whether we have done ourselves a favor here on this very weekend with the idea of heading to the Dolomites to find untracked steep gullies and some peace and quiet.

But before these thoughts get too serious, we turn off, leave Val Badia and head up to the "Gallic village", our home base for the next three days. As the crow flies, it's less than 4 kilometers to the après-ski bars in Alta Badia and noisy snow cannons. Here in Lungiarü, on the other hand: absolute peace and quiet, towering mountains, plenty of space for your own tracks, no hustle and bustle.

"Dahoam" we are with the Clara family on the Confolia farm. 7 freeskiing boys on vacation on a farm - something new!

Like kids in a sweets shop

Our chosen goal: to ski as many (steep) couloirs - known here as canals - as our thighs, fitness and the weather allow. Lungiarü lies at an altitude of 1,400 meters and is surrounded by the Puez and Geisler groups. Between the countless needles and peaks, there are just as many couloirs of varying steepness and difficulty - there is something here for couloir beginners as well as for absolute pros. The selection makes you feel like a little kid in a sweet store!

What is not written in the book

The cows and the rooster from the neighboring farm wake us up a little early. We don't mind, the sun is shining and untracked powder won't be long in coming. However, our lovely hostess at the Confolia farm has other plans for us first: a huge breakfast with home-made bacon, eggs, milk and butter from the farm and homemade jam is served. Resistance is futile...

Nevertheless, we manage to set off: once again we head into the shady valley towards the Puez peaks. This time, however, we first ascent southwards into a couloir at the foothills of the "Ciampac". A couloir without a name, no tour description to be found and no tracks: the spirit of discovery is awakened. Will the couloir go all the way to the ridge?

Those who search will be rewarded with a narrow exit onto the plateau with a view of the Sella massif and fine powder against the backdrop of the north face. A second sunny ascent takes us to the Antersasc / Zwischenkofel (2,471 m). Along the ridge towards Piz Somplunt we find the entrance to the Antersasc Canale Nord. Disbelieving faces in the group: apparently the large ski tour group that we saw at the entrance in the morning has turned back and kindly left us the couloir untracked! The coin decides the lucky first one and off we go.

Lungiarü - a real mountaineering village in Ladin

Those who come to Lungiarü can be prepared for a lot: a different wind blows here. Absolute tranquillity, untouched Dolomite mountains, a multitude of tour options from the doorstep, good food and a good dose of hospitality hit the aspirant with full force. Lungiarü will soon be officially named a "mountaineering village" by the South Tyrolean Alpine Association in August. Nature, tradition, mountain sports and gentle tourism have a well-deserved home here.

Highly recommended

• A stone oven pizza in the "Pizzeria Fornata" with homemade pasta made by the locals or stuffed potato pockets in the rustic "Tlisöra" bacon restaurant after the tour. Here you can replenish your reserves!

Touring tips

• Piz de Puez / Östl. Puezspitze Canale Nord (variant: descent along the ascent)

• Crep da la Dodesc Canale Nord

• Antersasc / Zwischenkofel Canale Nord (variant: descent along the ascent)

• Peitlerkofel

• Roa-Scharte / Forcela dla Roa

The authors would like to thank: Contour Skins; Melt Skis; NorthernPlayground