Wonderful Things to Do in the Dolomites in Winter

The Dolomites are beautiful in every season, but winter is when the region’s world-class ski infrastructure and ski hotels truly shine.

A winter trip to the Dolomites is often synonymous with skiing, but if you don’t ski, there’s no reason to feel discouraged. The Dolomites offer far more than downhill skiing: sledding, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, snowshoeing, wellness retreats, and eating (which, frankly, is a sport in its own right). 

When visiting the Dolomites in winter, prioritize dining in the gourmet ski huts of Alta Badia, winter hiking on perfectly prepared paths in Sexten, cross-country skiing across Alpe di Siusi, skiing the Sella Ronda circuit, and sipping a bombardino in an Après ski hut.

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Map: Dolomites Winter Destinations

How to use this map | Click on each icon to display further information. Each color signifies a different Dolomites destination.

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Winter Hiking in the Dolomites

Across the Dolomites, there are prepared winter trails for hikers. These paths are groomed and don’t require any special equipment other than microspikes. Often, these winter hikes lead to managed mountain huts that serve warm food and drinks throughout the day. 

While some winter hikes start at ski-lift mountain stations, many do not. For those that do, single-ride lift tickets are easy to buy at the valley stations.

This winter, Kati and I have enjoyed numerous winter hikes in Alta Badia, Alta Pusteria, and Alpe di Siusi. To find out where to hike, it’s best to ask the local tourist office. They can supply you with digital and/or paper winter hiking maps and information on current conditions. 

Alpe di Siusi Winter Hike above Val Gardena | Starting at the Ortisei-Alpe di Siusi gondola mountain station (Mont Sëuc), we followed the Alpe di Siusi Meadows Circuit Trail almost exactly. We only deviated from our described trail to take a short cut to Malga Sanon via Hotel Ritsch. This path does intersect with a few ski slopes initially and at the very end. I recommend eating at Rauchhütte, located away from the ski area, an easy detour from the Wiedner Eck bus stop. Where to stay in Ortisei: Casa al Sole (B&B, read our Casa al Sole review), Hotel COSMEA Dolomites (4-star hotel), Gardena Grödnerhof (5-star hotel).

Armentara Meadows Winter Hike in Alta Badia | In winter, thetrail connecting San Linert hamlet in Badia with La Crusc Pilgrimage Church is groomed. The trail leads to the Ranch da Andrè hut and Rifugio Santa Croce, both excellent options for meals. I’ve hiked this trail in summer, autumn, and winter. It’s gorgeous in every season, but particularly special in winter, since hikers can take advantage of the La Crusc ski lifts, but do not intersect with skiers at all throughout the hike. Where to stay in Badia: Residence Lersc (apartments), Hotel Cavallino (midrange), or Hotel La Müda (ski-to-door hotel).

Stiergarten – Klammbachalm – Nemes Hütte in Alta Pusteria | After enjoying the fabulous ski runs of 3 Zinnen Ski Resort in Sexten, Kati and I decided to experience this striking corner of the Dolomites along a winter hike. We parked in the Signaue car park and took the Drei Zinnen gondola  up to Stiergarten. From here, we followed the groomed path to Klammbachalm and Nemes Hütte, before completing the hike to Signaue. Both alpine pasture huts are open in winter, though both have rest days. There is only one narrow ski slope crossing towards the end of the hike. Where to stay in Sexten: Hotel Royal (3-star hotel), Hotel Schoenblick (3-star hotel), and Berghotel Sexten (4-star hotel)

Snowshoeing in the Dolomites | In addition to prepared winter hiking trails, there are also designated snowshoe routes. These are marked differently on maps, as they require greater knowledge of mountain terrain, winter conditions, and avalanche risk.

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Mountainside Dining in Ski Huts

One of the most compelling reasons to visit the Dolomites is the cuisine, particularly in Alta Badia, Val Gardena, and Cortina d’Ampezzo, where chefs craft inventive interpretations of Ladin, Tyrolean, and Italian traditions. 

Best of all, a great deal of the region’s finest dining is prepared and served high in the mountains, making the experience as unforgettable as the mountainscape itself.

Skiers are spoiled for choice, with countless ski huts scattered across the resorts. Luckily, many can be reached on foot, not just on skis.

In Alta Badia, skiing and fine dining go hand in hand thanks to a beloved winter tradition called Sciare con gusto, or A Taste for Skiing. Each season, ten Michelin-starred chefs from across Italy are paired with mountain huts on the slopes, where they create a signature dish inspired by the Dolomites and local Ladin cuisine. These gourmet dishes stay on the hut menus all winter. 

Kati and I hiked up to Ütia L’Tamá for Jessica Rosval’s smoked ricotta ravioli served in a flamed leek and hazelnut butter sauce, topped with truffle, and it was absolutely unforgettable.

Huts that participate in Sciare con gusto: Ütia Bioch, Ütia Pralongiá, Club Moritzino 2.100m, Las Vegas Lodge, Jimmi Hütte, Ütia Lé, Ütia L’Tamá, Ütia I Tablá, Piz Boé Alpine Lounge, and Piz Arlara.

In the Kronplatz Ski Resort, dining at AlpiNN by Norbert Niederkofler is an experience you’ll never forget. You can either ski to this mountain restaurant, or walk from any of the Kronplatz mountain station. There’s an elevator that makes its really easy to access the restaurant without skis.

Alta Badia Travel Guides | Skiing in Alta Badia and Best Alta Badia Hotels

Val Gardena Travel Guides | Skiing in Val Gardena and Best Val Gardena Hotels

Cortina d’Ampezzo Travel Guides | Cortina d’Ampezzo Travel Guide and Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo

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Bombardino: The Italian Alps’ Beloved Après-Ski Drink

A winter trip to the Dolomites is incomplete without drinking a Bombardino, a warm alcoholic beverage made by mixing egg liquor with brandy, or rum and topped with whipped cream. If you have a sweet tooth like mine, this is love at first sip.

I loved the Bombardino at Apres Ski La Munt (Google Maps), the ski hut at the La Crusc valley station in Badia. 

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Advent Festivities: Christmas Markets and Krampus Runs

If you visit the Dolomites in December, your trip will be extra magical thanks to festive traditions like Christmas markets and Krampus runs.

We actually timed our very first winter visit to coincide with the Krampus Run in Toblach, the oldest Krampuslauf in South Tyrol. Afterwards, we explored the Christmas markets in Val Pusteria. 

My personal favorites are the Christmas markets in Klausen, Brixen, and San Candido. You’ll also find smaller markets in Ortisei, Selva, Corvara, and Castelrotto, perfect for drinking mulled wine. If you’re traveling to the Dolomites from Innsbruck, or Munich, I recommend visiting the Sterzing Christmas Market as well. 

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Skiing in Dolomiti Superski 

Skiing in the Dolomites is pure pleasure: not just because of the slopes, but for the scenery, cuisine, accommodations, and excellent infrastructure. Even in dry winters, state-of-the-art snow-making ensures consistently great ski days. 

The region is perfect for casual intermediate skiers, with plenty of options for beginners as well.

On sunny days, you’ll often see more people lounging with Bombardinos on the sun-drenched chairs outside the mountain huts than actually skiing. That’s the essence of skiing in the Dolomites: it’s about a well-rounded experience, complete with leisurely culinary breaks, rather than chasing runs all day long.

Having grown up on the slopes of California and Utah, the approach here was a bit of a cultural shock. In North America, the focus is often on mastering technique and pushing limits, but in the Alps, skiers seem to have a different agenda. And honestly? I can appreciate it.

Dolomiti Superski is a network of 12 ski resorts spread across the Dolomites, offering a combined 1,200 km of slopes and 450 lifts. Here are my ski guides:

• Val Gardena Ski Resort
• 3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort
• Alta Badia Ski Resort

When you purchase a ski ticket, you can decide between the single resort ticket and the slightly more expensive Dolomiti Superski ticket, which covers all resorts. You need a Dolomiti Superski ticket if you want to ski the Sellaronda circuit, which crosses the ski resorts of Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Arabba, and Val di Fassa, in a single day. 

Where to Stay for Skiing | Pick an accommodation that is either ski-to-door, or offers a ski shuttle service. Related: Ski-in Ski-out Hotels in the Dolomites.

• Ortisei (Val Gardena Ski Resort): Rainell Dolomites Retreat
• Selva (Val Gardena Ski Resort): Freina Mountain Lifestyle Hotel
• Corvara (Alta Badia Ski Resort): Hotel Arkadia
• Colfosco (Alta Badia Ski Resort): Hotel Jägerhof
• La Villa (Alta Badia Ski Resort): Hotel Gran Risa
• Badia (Alta Badia Ski Resort): Badia Hill (read our Badia Hill hotel review)
• Pocol (Cortina d’Ampezzo Ski Resort): Hotel Tofana Cortina
• Sexten (3 Zinnen Dolomites Ski Resort): Berghotel Sexten
• San Vigilio (Kronplatz Ski Resort): Ama Stay (read our Ama Stay hotel review)
• Olang (Kronplatz Ski Resort): Hotel Olangerhof
• Reischach (Kronplatz Ski Resort): Falkensteiner Hotel Kronplatz

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Sledding / Tobogganing in the Dolomites

Toboggan runs are everywhere in the Dolomites. I haven’t dared try one myself, but word on the slopes is that many are perfectly suitable for kids. 

Rasciesa Toboggan run | This 4.9 km run descends 400 meters and starts at the Resciesa Funicular mountain station in Ortisei, Val Gardena. Elevation loss: 400 meters. 

Rotwand – Croda Rossa Toboggan Run | This 5 km run descends 600 meters starting at the Rotwand mountain station in Sexten.  

Haunold – Monte Barnaci Toboggan Run | This 2.1 km run starts at the Rifugio Gigante Baranci hut in San Candido. 

Tru dla liösa Foram | This 3.1km natural run starts at the Piz Sorega mountain station and descends 467 meters to San Cassiano in Alta Badia.

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Dolomites Winter Travel & Skiing

Skiing:

• Skiing in the Dolomites: An Introduction
• Sella Ronda Ski Circuit
• Ski-in Ski-out Hotels in the Dolomites

Dolomites Travel:

• Dolomites Travel Guide
• Places to Visit in the Dolomites
• Things to Do in the Dolomites
• How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
• Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
• Day Hikes in the Dolomites

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