Skiing in the Italian Dolomites is a highly-pleasurable way to experience the profound beauty, unique Austrian-Ladin-Italian culture, and unparalleled hospitality of this enthralling region.
Cinematic alpine scenery is the key differentiator that sets the Dolomites apart. As you ski between towering massifs and vertical cliffs, you’re enveloped in an intimate mountain world that is constantly changing. No two areas look alike.
We’ve visited the Dolomites 12 times, mostly in summer and autumn. After our first winter ski trip to Val Gardena, our love and obsession with this corner of the Italian Alps has only grown.
If you’re planning a ski trip to the Dolomites, the first task is figuring out where to stay. The Dolomiti Superski network comprises 12 ski resorts, totaling 1200 km of ski slopes. Although Dolomiti Superski is the largest ski area in the world, only a few of the ski resorts are actually interconnected.
Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa, and Arabba-Marmolada are seamlessly linked by lifts. Skiers can ski through all four resorts in one day, following the Sella Ronda ski circuit.
The most celebrated Dolomites ski resorts are Val Gardena-Alpe di Siusi in South Tyrol, Alta Badia in South Tyrol, and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Belluno, Veneto.
- Ski Season: Early December – End of March
- Open Slopes and Webcams: Check dolomitisuperski.com
- Closest Airports: Bolzano Airport, Innsbruck Airport, and Verona Airport. Read How to Get to the Dolomites.
- Closest Train Stations: San Candido, Dobbiaco, Brixen, and Bolzano
- Ski-in Ski-out Hotels: Hotel Tofana Cortina above Cortina d’Ampezzo, Sporthotel Sonne atop Alpe di Siusi, Hotel Passo Sella Dolomiti Mountain Resort at Sella Pass, Romantik Hotel Cappella in Alta Badia, Almhotel Col Raiser in Val Gardena
Dolomiti Superski Essential Info
Dolomites Ski Pass (Day Pass) | When you buy a ski pass for the day, you have a choice between purchasing the local ski resort ski pass (eg. Alta Badia ski pass) and the Dolomiti Superski day pass. The latter is more expensive, but it covers all ski areas in the network.
You only need to purchase the Dolomiti Superski ski pass when skiing the Sellaronda circuit, or the First World War ski tour around Col di Lana (Giro della Grande Guerra in Italian, Gebirgsjägerrunde in German).
If you’re based in one of the four interconnected resorts around the Sella massif (Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa, and Arabba-Marmolada), you may want to purchase the Dolomiti Superski ski pass for added flexibility. By doing so, you won’t have to be so cautious about crossing into another ski resort.
Tickets are available online at Dolomiti Superski Shop, at various self-service ticket machines, and at cableway valley stations.
Dolomites Ski Resorts | The 12 ski resorts within the Dolomiti Superski network are:
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Plan de Corones
- Alta Badia
- Val Gardena / Seiser Alm
- Val di Fassa / Carezza
- Arabba / Marmolada
- 3 Zinnen
- Val di Fiemme / Obereggen
- San Martino di Castrozza / Passo Rolle
- Gitschberg Jochtal – Brixen
- Alpe Lusia / San Pellegrino
- Civetta
The ski resorts in the Brenta Dolomites (e.g. Madonna di Campiglio and Pinzolo), located west of the adige, are not included in the Dolomti Superski network.
How to Get to the Dolomites Ski Resorts | Many ski resorts across the Dolomites, especially in South Tyrol, are accessible with transit. There’s a direct bus connection from Bolzano to Val Gardena. The Kronplatz and Drei Zinnen ski resorts are accessible by train (Pustertaler Bahn).
Related | Visiting the Dolomites Without a Car
Dolomites Ski Resorts
Val Gardena – Seiser Alm Ski Resort: Best for Intermediate Skiers
With 181 ski slopes and 79 lifts, Val Gardena – Seiser Alm is the largest ski resort within Dolomiti Superski. The ski area, located at altitudes of 1236 m to 2518 meters, comprises 52 km of blue runs, 108 km of red runs, and 21 km of black runs.
I loved skiing in Val Gardena, because of the dramatic, yet equally bucolic alpine scenery, the gourmet ski huts, high quality accommodation options, and the size. It’s a perfect destination for intermediate skiers.
From the villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva, skiers and snowboarders can access a wide range of ski areas on both sides of the valley, including Alpe di Siusi, Seceda and Col Raiser, the Sassolungo runs (Plan de Gralba, Saslong-Ciampinoi, Mont de Sëura-Monte Pana, and Passo Sella), and Cir runs (Selva, Dantercepies, Passo Gardena).
Stay a minimum of 5 nights in Val Gardena, so that you can experience all areas of the resort and both Sellaronda routes (clockwise and counterclockwise). After skiing the green counterclockwise route, we wished we had had more time to ski the orange clockwise route as well.
In terms of where to base yourself in the valley, here’s what you should consider. Selva (1563 m) is the most popular base, because it lies directly on the Sellaronda carousel. It’s also the highest village in the valley and boasts the most ski-to-door hotels. Santa Cristina (1428 m) is well linked to Ciampinoi and Col Raiser-Seceda, but it’s essential to stay in a hotel with a ski shuttle service. Ortisei (1230 m), the largest and most pedestrian-friendly village, has direct connections to Seceda and Alpe di Siusi.
Top Hotels in Selva | Laurin Hotel (4-star hotel), Freina Mountain Lifestyle Hotel (4-star hotel), Giardin Boutique Hotel B&B (bed and breakfast), Stella Hotel (4-star hotel), Savoy Dolomites Luxury Spa Hotel (4-star hotel), Garni Hotel Bel Vert (3-star hotel), Hotel Continental Dolomites (4-star hotel), and Hotel Scoiattolo (3-star hotel).
Top Hotels in Santa Cristina | Hotel Touring (4-star hotel) and Dorfhotel Beludei (4-star-superior hotel. Read our review).
Top Hotels in Ortisei | Rainell Dolomites Retreat (4-star hotel), Garni August (3-star hotel), Pra Palmer The Green B&B (3-star hotel), Hotel Ronce (3-star hotel), and cësa gredine (apartments), Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa (luxury), and Adler Spa Resort Balance (luxury).
Learn More: Skiing in Val Gardena
Alta Badia Ski Resort: Best for Luxury Travelers
On the other side of Passo Gardena lies the Alta Badia ski resort, a haven for epicureans, foodies, and luxury travelers.
The Alta Badia ski resort (1300 – 2800 meters) boasts 130 km of ski slopes and 53 ski lifts.
Like Val Gardena, Alta Badia is one of the four interconnected ski areas around the Sella massif. The villages of Colfosco and Corvara lie directly on the Sellaronda circuit.
The star attraction of the ski resort is the expansive Pralongiá high plateau, which rises above Corvara, San Cassiano, and La Villa. With the exception of the world-famous Gran Risa slope, this area is entirely dominated by easy blue and intermediate red runs.
We particularly loved skiing in the sunny Edelweiss Valley, aka Val Stella Alpina, a side valley of Val Badia, set between Sassongher and Ciampac. Tip: eat lunch at Rifugio Col Pradat (reservation recommended).
The most central and practical place to stay is Corvara, because the village has direct lift connections to Pralongiá and Sella Ronda.
These are the top hotels in Corvara | Hotel Arkadia – Adults Only (4-star ski-to-door hotel), Hotel Marmolada (4-star ski-to-door hotel), Ciasa De Munt Lifestyle Living (4-star hotel), Hotel Col Alto (4-star hotel), and Movi Family Apart-Hotel (Family-friendly aparthotel).
Find a place to stay in Corvara.
Related: Best Hotels in Alta Badia
Gitschberg-Jochtal Ski Resort: Best for Off-the-Beaten-Path Seekers
Gitschberg-Jochtal is a small ski resort at altitudes of 1400 – 2500 meters in the Pfunderer Mountains, the southern part of the Zillertal Alps. The resort is poised above Val Pusteria (Pustertal) and Valle Isarco (Eisacktal), and overlooks the many peaks of the Dolomites.
This small, family-friendly ski resort is a mellow ski destination attracting beginner-intermediate skiers and snowboarders. With 55 km of ski slopes and 15 lifts, you only need 1-2 days to get to know Gitschberg-Jochtal.
But, this secret region in South Tyrol is a mecca of luxury spa hotels, so you’ll likely want to stay longer. In fact, Kati and I drove 7 hours from Vienna to Meransen in early November to stay in Hotel Milla Montis. Read our Hotel Milla Montis review.
During our second trip in early December, we relished the quiet runs and the hospitable slope-side ski huts like Gitschhütte and Bergrestaurant Jochtal. The ski run from Mt. Gitschberg to Gaisjoch gondola (#308) was a particular highlight.
In terms of scenery, you can expect expansive and sweeping views of the many mountain ranges and valleys of South Tyrol. The Dolomites are visible, but distant.
A series of gondolas link the Gitscherg ski mountain (2512 m) with the Jochtal ski mountain (2007 m). We recommend staying in either Maranza (Meransen), at the base of Gitschberg, or Valles (Vals), at the base of Jochtal.
The village of Maranza (1414 m) is located on a high plateau above Rio di Pusteria (Mühlbach). Top accommodations in Maranza: Hotel Pfeiferhof (3-star hotel), TRATTERHOF – The Mountain Sky Hotel (4-star hotel), Alpine Lifestyle Hotel Ambet (4-star hotel), Aparthotel Panorama Living Dolomites (ski-to-door apartments), Hotel Milla Montis (adults-only hotel), Familienhotel Familiamus (5-star family hotel).
Look for accommodation in Maranza / Meransen.
Tip | We had a great experience renting gear from PEPPI – SKI RENTAL, conveniently located at the Gitschberg valley station in Maranza.
The village of Valles (1354 m) is situated in Valler Valley. We recommend staying in SILENA, your soulful hotel (adults-only ski-to-door hotel), Mesnerhof Vals (budget-friendly guesthouse), Hotel MASL (4-star hotel), Hotel Valserhof (4-star hotel), or Falkensteiner Hotel & SPA Falkensteinerhof (4-star hotel).
Look for accommodation in Vals / Valles.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: Best For Social Skiers
The reigning queen of the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo, is situated in a basin rimmed by the iconic mountains of the Sorapis Group, Tofane Group, and Croda da Lago chain.
Among all the ski resorts in the Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo stands out for its upscale, glamorous atmosphere.
Made-up of the Tofana, Faloria-Cristallo, and 5 Torri – Lagazuoi ski areas, the Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort isn’t as seamlessly connected as Val Gardena and Alta Badia.
With an early start and thoughtful planning, skiing in Cortina d’Ampezzo is an unforgettable experience.
To avoid any frustration in navigating the fragmented resort, I recommend staying in an accommodation with a ski shuttle service like 4-star Hotel de Len (town center, read our Hotel de Len review), 4-star Camina Suite & Spa (north of the town center, read our Hotel Camina review ), 4-star Hotel Lajadira & Spa (south of the town center), or 5-star Faloria Mountain Spa Resort (south of the town center).
Above Cortina d’Ampezzo in the hamlet of Pocol, the 5-star ski-in ski-out Hotel Tofana Cortina offers an in-house ski rental service, a shuttle service to the town center, a beautiful spa, and on-site restaurant.
Learn More: Where to Stay in Cortina d’Ampezzo
More Dolomites and Winter Travel Guides
Dolomites Winter Travel:
Dolomites Travel:
- Things to Do in the Dolomites
- Places to Visit in the Dolomites
- Best Time to Visit the Dolomites
- Best Hotels in the Dolomites
- Best Hikes in the Dolomites
Europe Winter Travel:
Ski Resorts in the Alps:
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