Rifugio Capanna Piz Fassa

Rifugio Capanna Piz Fassa (short: Capanna Fassa; German: Fassahütte) is a private mountain hut (rifugio) perched at 3,152 metres above sea level on the summit of Piz Boè, the highest peak of the Sella group in the Dolomites, Italy. It is one of the highest huts in the Dolomites and sits directly on the regional border between Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto, as well as on the provincial boundaries of Trentino, South Tyrol and Belluno. The building is located in the municipality of Canazei. The hut was conceived by Francesco Dezulian, son of a tourism pioneer of the Fassa Valley, in spring 1963, inspired by the opening of the cable car to Sass Pordoi. Construction began in summer 1968 under Luigi Bernard; a light material cable car proved inadequate and building components had to be carried up on foot. The hut was extended in 1980, giving it its present appearance. It has remained in family ownership since it was built and has been run for decades by the mountain guide and ski instructor Guido Bernard. Capanna Fassa operates seasonally, typically from mid-June to the end of September, and closes from 1 October. Opening dates depend heavily on weather and water availability because of the high altitude. The hut offers simple accommodation, food and drink to hikers, climbers and ski tourers. It is a popular destination for the "easiest three-thousander in the Dolomites", reachable by several routes, and is also visited in winter by ski tourers even though the hut itself is closed. Access routes include about 1 hour from the Boèhütte, 1½ hours from the Sass Pordoi cable-car top station, 2½ hours from Passo Pordoi via the normal route, 4–4½ hours via the Cesare Piazetta via ferrata, 2–2½ hours from the Franz-Kostner-Hütte, 3 hours from the Pisciadùhütte, 4½ hours from Passo Gardena, 5 hours from Colfosco and 5–5½ hours from Corvara. The hut markets itself as a small, cosy mountain refuge at the top of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, with rooms, prices, weather information and route descriptions published on its official website.

The idea of building a hut on the summit of Piz Boè first came to Francesco Dezulian, son of a tourism pioneer of the Fassa Valley, in spring 1963, when the cable car to Sass Pordoi opened. Construction work began in summer 1968 under Luigi Bernard. A light material cable car could not withstand the load, so building components had to be carried up on foot. In 1980 the hut was extended and received its present appearance. The refuge has been run for decades by the mountain guide and ski instructor Guido Bernard and has remained in family ownership since it was built. Because of its high altitude, its annual opening periods depend heavily on weather and water availability. The hut is one of the highest in the Dolomites and stands on the summit of Piz Boè, the highest elevation of the Sella group, a few metres from the regional border between Trentino-South Tyrol and Veneto and the provincial borders between Trentino, South Tyrol and Belluno. The "easiest three-thousander in the Dolomites" can be climbed from several sides and offers a magnificent panoramic view. Access routes include about 1 hour from the Boèhütte, 1½ hours from the Sass Pordoi cable-car top station, 2½ hours from Passo Pordoi via the normal route, 4–4½ hours via the Cesare Piazetta via ferrata (D), 2–2½ hours from the Franz-Kostner-Hütte via the normal route or the Lichtenfelserweg (A), 3 hours from the Pisciadùhütte, 4½ hours from Passo Gardena via the Pisciadùhütte and Boèhütte, 5 hours from Colfosco via the Mittagstal and Boèhütte, and 5–5½ hours from Corvara via the Franz-Kostner-Hütte. In winter the hut is not open, but the summit is still popular with ski tourers.

• 1980

  The hut is extended and receives its present appearance.

• 1968

  Construction begins under Luigi Bernard; materials are carried up on foot after a light cable car fails.

• 1963

  Francesco Dezulian conceives the idea of a hut on Piz Boè after the Sass Pordoi cable car opens.

Small, cosy high-altitude mountain hut at the top of the UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites, family-run and one of the highest refuges in the range.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  Rooms and overnight stays at 3,152 m.

• Food and drink

  Meals and refreshments for hikers and climbers.

1. 1Rifugio Capanna Piz Fassa 3152 m | Dolomiten Welterbe UNESCOrifugiocapannapizfassa.com
2. 2Rifugio Capanna Piz Fassa – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Rifugio Capanna Piz Fassa – Wikidatawikidata.org