Winter Riding & Skiing at the Post Hotel
Daily rides out on Haflingers into stunning Alpine scenery throughout the winter for experienced riders. Lessons on warmbloods from own stud in dressage, jumping and carriage driving on two-span carriages. Highly qualified riding instructors for beginners to advanced riders. Excellent skiing at Kronplatz, part of the huge Dolomiti Superski area (Alta Badia / Cortina / Val Gardena). Indoor pool, spa and sauna area with extensive massage and beauty treatments. Sleigh rides. Ride & Spa. Ski & Ride. Ski Jeering.
Riding
The largest riding stables in South Tyrol. 25 Warmblooded and Haflinger horses from own stud. Facilities include a large sunny indoor riding hall and a sand school. Numerous different rides out into the stunning Alpine landscape; one, two or half-day and full day rides available. Highly qualified riding instructors for novice to advanced riders. Jumping, dressage and driving instruction on two-span carriages. Sleigh rides. The modern stables are situated on the edge of this charming village, right next door the Tolderhof appartments.
Ski Jeering
Have a go at this new trend sport whereby you ski behind a horse, like waterski-ing on the snow! This is actually not a new sport at all, but had its origins in Sweden 2500 BC as a simple means of winter transport by peasants. It was also presented as a demonstration sport in the 1928 Olympics in St. Moritz.
You should be at least 16 years old, a good parallel ski-er, but no riding experience is necessary. You should not deviate more than 1.5m to the side of the horse. During the one hour session, you will learn how to harness and control the horse whilst walking, trotting and cantering.
Skiing
A free shuttle bus takes you from the door of the hotel to the main lift of the Kronplatz ski area in just 7 minutes. The ski area of Kronplatz is 2275m high, and one of the most modern resorts in the country. Over 100km of perfectly groomed pistes available for beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers and snowboarders. The Kronplatz ski area connects with the vast Dolomiti Super Ski area. Excellent snow record: ski season runs from end of November to mid April. Special offers for early season.
New this season: free Winter Activity programme. Guided Snow shoe trail every Monday and Friday and a guided ski day around the Dolomites every Wednesday. Special gourmet dinner every Tuesday.
For dedicated skiers, Plan de Corones has some of the best and most varied facilities to be found. The Dolomiti Superski’s flagship ski resort, Kronplatz, is amongst the most high-tech ski resorts in the world, boasting artificial snow machines (never more than five years old) and over 100 kilometres of slopes to satisfy even the most demanding of skiers. The “ski mountain” can be reached from three villages, and complimentary ski bus services operate between the resort’s 14 villages to the lifts. The new “Piculin” lift and skibus also offers a direct connection to Alta Badia.
The Alta Badia region - home to the annual ice sculpture festival and the Men’s World Cup Giant Slalom race – lies in the heart of the Dolomite mountains. Surrounded by wild gorges and deep alpine lakes, Alta Badia is rich in natural beauty. Glimpse into the area’s working past at the unique Valley of Mills, and explore Alta Badia’s culture and history with a visit to the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Tor. The region also offers an abundance of restaurants, and is best known for its first class cuisine
See www.kronplatz.com and www.dolomitisuperski.com for further details. 3 good ski hire shops in the village. There is a good ski school providing private and group lessons for Alpine and cross-country skiing and snowboarding: www.skischule-olang.it.
Cross-country-skiing can be made at about 300 m from Hotel (20k of tracks). Further tracks available at Antholz (free shuttle bus to the Biathlon center where all equipment can be hired). http://www.antholz.com/de/winteraktiv/skiverleih-skibus.php
The hotel is open throughout the year for riding holidays. For more details see our main Post Hotel page.
Press Articles
The Times Online.
The Independent Newspaper, Traveller section.
Guest book:
'We had a lovely time. The hotel was first class. I loved the riding facilities, and the chats I had with Angelica were very interesting on a dressage level. The less experienced riders were helped tacking up their horses and all the staff was very friendly and helpful. The horses we very well schooled and well behaved. All the people that I met there had either been there before or were planning on coming back again and my family and I are seriously considering going back next year for a longer period. The food and hotel facilities were excellent. We had a great time and would recommend this holiday to all our horsey friends whether they have children or not. It was the first time that I booked such a holiday by internet and I must admit that I was a little worried but I can safely say that it was a very positive experience for us'. (Trudie and family, from Issoire, France)
'We all thoroughly enjoyed our break at the Post. The hotel and accommodation was excellent. The room was very nice, spacious and comfortable. The service at the hotel was very good and the staff very friendly. The food was delicious. The girls had some good little horses to ride on and they really enjoyed their lessons in the mornings. They had a combination of Angelica and Marion who both spoke excellent English. The tuition was very good and the girls felt calm and comfortable. I had my 3 jumping lessons on one of the warmbloods - a lively gelding called Herceg. Angelica taught me for all the lessons and I really enjoyed them. I really felt that I had made progress on my jumping and felt very much more confident in my abilities when I left though my only regret was that I couldn't do any more!! We all three managed 3 hacks. We did do one 2 hour hack together but it really was too much for the children and they were much more comfortable on just the one hour hack. Overall we had a really fun break and we all thoroughly enjoyed the riding and the location. Finally the transfers to and from the airport were excellent. Looking forward to perhaps booking again for next year. ' (Mrs. Clarke and daughters, Wimbledon)
South Tyrol and the ski area:
Situated in the Italian Alps between Verona and Innsbruck, South Tyrol is home to the dramatic Dolomite mountains, and offers over 300 days of sunshine a year. Present day South Tyrol or 'Alto Adige' coincides with the Italian province of Bolzano-Bozen, which was created in 1927. Until 1918 this was part of the Austrian County of Tyrol, which was given back to Italy after World War I. This explains its dual place names and mix of German and Italian cuisine, culture and architecture.
Prices are per person on three-quarter board based on two sharing a Superior double room (30-35m2) with balcony. breakfast, afternoon tea with sweet and savoury options, 5 course dinner), return airport transfer from Innsbruck, riding programme and/or skiing, as stated.Holidays during the winter run from weekend to weekend (either Saturday or Sunday). Free use of indoor swimming pool and spa/sauna/fitness areas. Prices exclude flights, lunches and insurance.
The prices include a private transfer from Innsbruck airport (Austria). This is the closest airport. Deduct £100 per adult from the prices below if you would prefer to take the train from Innsbruck (cost £54) or a bus from Treviso airport (near Venice, which costs £25 return) or if you have car hire. Car hire: A week's car hire from Innsbruck costs from £133 www.holidayautos.co.uk
Winter riding:
7 nights: £814 (with private transfer and accommodation) and 5 winter rides of two hours each. Non riding: £648
4 nights: £531 with three winter rides of 2 hrs each. Non riding: £447
Riding lessons: Private riding lesson £46 (50 mins). Jumping lesson (max 3) £30. Lunge lesson (25 mins) £20. Group lesson (55 mins) £20. Book 10 rides which can by your choice of group lesson or hacks for £172. Book of 5 rides: £92
Rides out: 1 hour: £20, 2 hours: £33, 3 hours: £45, full day ride: £76
Carriage driving: £53 per hour in two span carriage. 10 hour driving course £399
Sleigh rides: take a romantic sleigh ride through the winter landscape with a stop for a warming hot wine en route. £65 per carriage (4 pax)
Ski Jeering: £50 per hour. Ski clothes and normal ski kit required.
Ski-ing:
With 6 day ski pass £798 per adult (less for child) in the Kronplatz ski arena. For the whole Dolomiti ski area £831
With 3 day ski pass £532 for Kronplatz area.
Ski and Ride:
7 nights accommodation with 6 day ski pass and three 2 hour rides: £898
High Season price : Christmas and New Year (23.12 to 06.01) £112 per person per night on half board without transfers.
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Season dates: 4th December 2008 to 19th April 2009
Babysitting is available at extra charge (paid locally). Internet access in lobby.
Getting there
The nearest airports are Innsbruck (124km, approx 1hr 30mins transfer) in Austria, Treviso and Marco Polo Venice (182km, approx 2hr 40mins transfer) in Italy, and Munich (280km, approx 3hr transfer) in Germany.
Airport Transfers by car from Innsbruck in Austria are included in the prices.
Coach transfers fromTreviso or Marco Polo Venezia airport in Italy are also possible and can be booked online when you book the budget airlines (qualify for a price reduction). They operate on Saturdays and Sundays only and are organized in partnership with Terravision Transfers to Brunico via Dobbiaco. See timetable and book direct online http://www.terravision.eu/dolomite_transfers.html http://www.terravision.eu/dolomite_transfers.html (c.29 euros return) We will pick you up from the bus at Dobbiaco.
The nearest train station is: Olang (2hrs 30mins with one change from Innsbruck). Austrian train timetable. Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
Innsbruck: EasyJet is increasing the number of flights to Innsbruck this winter from 8 Gatwick flights last season, to up to 14 flights a week from Gatwick, as well as an additional flight each from Bristol and Liverpool, with each airport now operating three direct flights a week. BA are also operating a weekly Saturday flight from London City airport.
Easyjet from London Gatwick (daily), Bristol and Liverpool (3x weekly), London City Airport (Sats)
First Choice London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester.
Flythomascook London Gatwick and Manchester.
Austrian Airlines London Heathrow.
British Airways London Gatwick.
Treviso:
Ryanair London Stansted, Liverpool, Dublin and Shannon.
Easyjet London Gatwick, Bristol and East Midlands.
Lufthansa London Heathrow, Birmingham.
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
We can advise on flying from other airports, train, car hire and self-drive options - please contact us.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday.
View a map of this location.
Riding ability
Beginners to advanced riders welcome. Lessons are given throughout the winter in the light sand school. Trekking in the snow is for intermediate and advanced riders. Haflinger ponies are used for the treks; they are well behaved, sure-footed and are familiar with the terrain.
Winter riding is offered subject to weather and snow/ground conditions.
What to bring
Your normal jodhpurs or trousers which can be worn over thick tights with thermals underneath, a warm anorak/coat, gloves, scarf and warm boots and jumper/fleece/long-sleeved t-shirt layers which can be added and removed as required. Although rarely insisted upon outside the UK, you should always wear your hat whilst mounted. Ski balaclava can be worn beneath when required. Although hard hats are available in all our riding establishments, you are advised to bring your own.
Weather
Current weather forecasts for the next five days for Innsbruck can be found here.
General weather patterns for Italy can be found here.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Italy at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
Please read our Terms and Conditions.
