Italy. Does any other country elicit such a palpable sense of place at its mere mention? The food and wine, the language and art, the Mediterranean and the mountains. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been there or not, Italy is tangible in its imagery. 

The stature of the Dolomite Mountains is as unmistakable as the character of Italy. The great range forms the eastern terminus of the Italian Alps’ grand sweep, before it fades into the Julian Alps of Slovenia. And while Italy boasts numerous stunning subranges along its northern frontier, the iconic alpine fortress of the Dolomites has defined the ebb and flow of civilization in this part of the world for millennia. 

While not the tallest nor snowiest mountain range, its geology, unique cultural and geopolitical significance, and ski terrain and lift infrastructure, place it in a league of its own. It’s a range known for its snow sports in the winter, and hiking, biking and BASE jumping in the summer. Its history is marked by war and adventure, tragedy and triumph…

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