Winter in the Dolomites is not only about covering as much ground as possible on skis. What makes the region so appealing is the diversity. You can spend one day skiing from valley to valley, another on a quiet snowshoe trail, and another stopping for a very good lunch in a mountain hut before heading back into town for drinks or ice skating. For mixed groups in particular, there is plenty to fill a winter itinerary, whether you want to ski every day or mix the slopes with other alpine activities.
Best Things to Do in the Dolomites in Winter
Discover the Dolomites this winter with unforgettable alpine experiences for every traveller.
From skiing the Sellaronda to snowshoeing, tobogganing and long lunches in mountain huts, these are the winter experiences worth planning for in the Dolomites.
Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding in the Dolomites
For most guests, skiing is still the main reason to come to the Dolomites, and rightly so. It's one of the most enjoyable ski regions in Europe for clocking up the miles, stopping for a delicious lunch, and soaking up Italian culture.
Alta Badia is a very good choice for relaxed, scenic skiing and mountain restaurants, whilst Arabba gives you access to more demanding skiing and the Marmolada. Val Gardena suits guests who want idyllic villages and are interested in Ladin culture. Cortina d’Ampezzo has a different feel again, with excellent skiing combined with an elegant town, designer shops and a well-established social scene.
Ski the Sellaronda
If you only do one classic ski experience in the Dolomites, make it the Sellaronda. This circular route links several valleys around the Sella massif and is one of the best ways to appreciate the scale of the region. It makes for a memorable day's skiing, combining lifts, pistes and ever-changing views as you move from one side of the massif to the next. It is worth setting aside a full day for it and getting going in good time so you don't miss the last lift home! The pleasure is not only in completing the route, but in the sense of travelling through the mountains: skiing into a different valley for coffee, crossing a pass before lunch, then working your way back through a completely different landscape by the afternoon.
Snowshoeing & Winter Walking
This is one of the areas where the Dolomites are especially good for non-skiers. Snowshoeing here is not an afterthought. In Alta Badia alone, there are more than 70 km of marked winter and snowshoe trails, while the Seiser Alm area has 60 km of winter hiking paths and a separate snowshoe network around Tiers am Rosengarten. There is a real choice, from easy walks to longer outings with open views, forest sections and mountain huts for lunch.
Tobogganing and Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
The Dolomites are also very good for families and mixed-age groups who are looking for activities other than skiing. The villages of Selva, Santa Cristina and Ortisei are ideal starting points for tobogganing, with the 4.9 km Rasciesa run a particular highlight. Night tobogganing is also a particularly special experience, and one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening in the mountains.
Another way to experience the beautiful UNESCO landscapes is on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Just sit back, relax and take in the scenery across snowy meadows and quiet forest tracks.
Cross-Country Skiing
If you enjoy Nordic skiing, Val Gardena has some excellent trails, while Alta Badia and the areas around Kronplatz also offer very good options for guests who want to mix downhill skiing with something a little different.
Long Lunches & Mountain Huts
One of the best reasons to choose the Dolomites over other ski regions is the food. This is a destination where mountain dining comes into its own. Alta Badia, in particular, has made a real feature of it, with everything from traditional huts to gourmet mountain restaurants, plus dedicated food and wine events on the slopes.
Ice Sports
If you want to add a different kind of winter activity to the week, ice sports are a fantastic option. In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Olympic Ice Stadium provides the perfect opportunity to have a go at ice skating or curling. There are also ice rinks in Alta Badia and Selva, Val Gardena.
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