The Dolomite Alps in Italy have long been called the “eighth wonder of the world.” They are part of South Tyrol, which previously belonged to Austria. These lands have changed hands several times and now belong to Italy. Today, the Dolomites are known as a ski resort that unites a dozen regions.
The most famous are Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, and Arabba. They are interconnected by ski slopes and cable cars, allowing tourists to visit all the resorts in a short time. There are about forty towns and villages, both large and small. Some are large with all kinds of amenities and plenty of entertainment, while others are small with undeveloped infrastructure.
The main attractions of the latter are the stunning mountain landscapes. Most resorts cater to guests of all ages, including beginner skiers and families with children.
However, there are also places mainly for professionals, featuring the most challenging slopes that require a high level of skill. This region is also rich in attractions worth seeing. Let’s talk about the best ski resorts in the Dolomite Alps.
Val di Fassa
One of Europe’s famous ski centers is the picturesque Italian valley Val di Fassa. The resort region consists of several tourist towns. Majestic snow-covered mountain ranges and pristine forest areas combine with modern infrastructure.
Numerous guest houses, traditional wooden chalets, and hotel complexes offer comfortable apartments at affordable prices. The variety of ski slopes is complemented by ice rinks, sports and wellness clubs, swimming pools, bars, pizzerias, and restaurants.
Val di Fassa is most conveniently reached from Bolzano or Innsbruck airports. The sports area includes 200 kilometers of well-equipped slopes. Skiers of intermediate skill will enjoy the blue and red slopes located in the intermountain saddle. On both sides of the Belvedere peak (2,425 meters), there are winding snow-covered sections and gentle wide easy routes.
Experienced athletes take pride in conquering the fast descent of Mount Ciampac. For snowboarding and freestyle enthusiasts, specialized park areas are equipped. Various entertainment programs are available in the resort areas of Val di Fassa.
Tourists can enjoy dog sledding or snowmobiling, paragliding, mountaineering, relaxing in a spa, or visiting a cinema. An evening stroll through the narrow streets of one of the Alpine villages will leave pleasant impressions.
Val Gardena
Among winter sports enthusiasts, Val Gardena, one of the gems of the Dolomite Alps, is popular for its stunning mountain landscapes. It consists of several high-altitude villages located at elevations of 1,236-1,536 meters: Ortisei, Santa Cristina, and Selva Gardena. All three towns are connected by a network of lifts. The nearest international airports are in Bolzano and Verona.
Regular bus services run from there to Val Gardena. The cozy Alpine towns offer developed resort infrastructure, a wide range of entertainment, and various slopes. The hotel fund ranges from budget guesthouses to comfortable chalets with restaurants, spas, and swimming pools. Restaurants in the valley delight visitors with traditional Tyrolean cuisine.
In the towns, visitors can engage in sports centers and ice palaces, relax in night bars, and visit fashionable boutiques. Val Gardena is famous for its quality ski trails, totaling 175 kilometers. Beginner athletes have access to wide and gentle green slopes.
The Monte Pana plateau with simple slopes is ideal for learning to ski. Professionals will find interest in the winding and extensive routes with forest sections, rocks, and narrow canyons. From the top of Mount Ciampinoi (2,254 meters), skiers descend the most challenging black speed tracks.
Alta Badia
In the northwest of the Dolomite Alps lies the region of Alta Badia. It unites several resort villages connected by a modern network of cable cars. This picturesque area is surrounded by pine forests and grandiose mountain ranges. At elevations of 1,300-1,500 meters, about a dozen hotels and cottages have been built. The developed sports and entertainment infrastructure allows tourists to enjoy an active winter vacation amid stunning Alpine landscapes.
Bus services from Bolzano and Verona run to Alta Badia. The terrain is ideal for skiers of varying skill levels. Most comfortable wide blue slopes descend into the village of Corvara. Gentle snowy strips are characterized by their length. Experienced athletes will find red winding sections with elevation changes up to 1,000 meters. Brave skiers are recommended to try the black speed track Gran Risa in the La Villa area.
It is 2,290 meters long with a 30-degree slope. Thematic parks equipped with jumps await snowboard enthusiasts. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts have access to about 40 kilometers of spacious snowy fields. After sporting activities, guests of Alta Badia can swim in the pool, relax in a spa, visit a fitness room, or dine in one of the many restaurants in the region. Bowling, tennis, ice skating, climbing, and sledding diversify the rich leisure program.
Tre Valli
The name means “three valleys.” The resort unites the small towns of Moena and Passo San Pellegrino. More and more people come to Moena each year, not only skiers but also nature lovers, as the scenery here is extraordinary. At sunset, the mountains are bathed in a fairy-tale pink light. The lifts are about a 10-minute bus ride from the town. Tourists can enjoy 15 km of beginner slopes, as well as red and black slopes for experts. There are 8 lifts. Snowboarding is available, and there are children’s playgrounds.
Passo San Pellegrino is also popular with tourists, and hotels are located near the slopes. This town offers a full appreciation of the Alps’ beauty. The slopes here are suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers, and the views from the slopes are breathtaking. You can also ice skate, ride snowmobiles through the snow, and play snowball fights. In the summer, many guests visit this town. Various tourist routes start here, mountain hikes are organized, and tourists explore World War I sites.
Val di Fiemme
The legendary Latemar mountain peaks crown one of the most beautiful valleys of the Italian Alps — Val di Fiemme. The slopes here offer excellent conditions for winter sports and cultural and wellness activities. The valley is 1,000 meters above sea level. Friendly guest houses in ski centers like Cavalese, Predazzo, Bellamonte, and Alpe Cermis warmly welcome guests.
Val di Fiemme can be reached from Verona and Bolzano by specialized ski shuttles.
Val di Fiemme boasts a well-developed infrastructure. Visitors have access to indoor sports complexes with pools and playgrounds, ice rinks, numerous shops, fitness rooms, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The sports area boasts about a hundred kilometers of marked slopes. Most of them cater to skiers who prefer leisurely and comfortable skiing.
Three-quarters of the routes pass through pine forests. Latemar and Bellamonte have gentle wide blue sections and easy red slopes with slight elevation changes. Professionals will enjoy the long-speed Olympia track starting at 2,230 meters. There are also flat skiing and snowshoeing routes in the valley.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
One of the most fashionable and prestigious Italian ski resorts is Cortina d’Ampezzo. The valley is framed by uniquely beautiful rocky walls of a pinkish hue. The monumental peaks of the Dolomite Alps rise to over 3,000 meters. Numerous tourists come here to enjoy the natural riches and sports entertainment. The central street of Cortina d’Ampezzo is full of luxurious hotels, restaurants, antique shops, art galleries, and stores.
The sprawling suburban areas are built with mansions and villas of wealthy Italians. Visitors can enjoy 140 kilometers of slopes, predominantly blue and red routes. Beginner athletes should try the gentle and fairly long slopes of Socrepes. Intermediate skiers are recommended to climb to the top of Tofana (3,244 meters), where wide and short sections are equipped. Professionals can enjoy speed descents from the peaks of Ra Valles (2,471 meters) and Forcella Staunies (2,931 meters).
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can visit an ice palace, indoor tennis courts, an amusement park, and a hockey arena. Enjoyable experiences include snowshoeing and sledding rides pulled by horses. Regular bus services run to Cortina d’Ampezzo from Venice, Mestre, and Treviso.
Kronplatz
Kronplatz is a ski region in South Tyrol that unites 14 cozy villages. They are all concentrated around a mountain massif at elevations from 786 to 1,650 meters. This is an ideal place for an exciting family winter vacation. The nearest airport is in Bolzano (75 km), from where you can reach Kronplatz by bus. The administrative center and largest settlement in the valley is the town of Brunico.
It houses guest houses, cozy chalets, hotels of various star categories, and interesting architectural monuments. Neighboring villages have a unique Alpine atmosphere and offer vacationers a wide range of entertainment for all tastes. From the spacious plateau of Mount Kronplatz (2,275 meters), red and blue slopes descend like a fan. Wide gentle safe strips combine with fast winding sections, making the region an attractive active recreation area for beginners and professional skiers. Several black slopes attract experienced athletes.
The area has routes for cross-country skiing, sledding, horseback riding, and hiking. Indoor water centers, ice rinks, gyms, spas, cinemas, bars, and restaurants add variety to the leisure program. Ski schools equipped with training grounds are available for children and adults.
Arabba-Marmolada
Arabba-Marmolada is famous for its dizzying slopes, popular among experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Excellent snow cover and direct access to the impressive Marmolada glacier (3,340 meters) favor thrilling skiing. Arabba is a small traditional Alpine village with several hotels and guesthouses, featuring pools, saunas, and fitness rooms.
The abundance of challenging diverse slopes will provide unforgettable impressions. The entertainment program in the resort area is limited, as only avid and daring skiers who want to hone their skills on the red and black slopes of Mount Porta Vescovo and the Marmolada glacier gather here. Winding and fast sections with steep slopes and unexpected dips require professional skiing techniques.
The sports area ranges from 1,450 to 3,270 meters. Despite the predominance of extreme routes, Arabba offers several simple short blue strips in the Passo di Campolongo area. Sledding slopes, paragliding platforms, snow parks with jumps, and ice rinks are available. After active leisure, tourists can visit pubs, pizzerias, and restaurants. Buses run from the airports of Bolzano, Venice, and Innsbruck to Arabba.
Valle Isarco
The Valle Isarco valley is a cult place for skiing enthusiasts. The resort area is enveloped in a dense network of slopes and lifts. It includes a dozen high-altitude villages offering extensive opportunities for winter active recreation. The cozy ancient town of Bressanone, surrounded by mountain ranges over 2,500 meters high, warmly welcomes tourists.
It offers a wide variety of hotels for every taste and budget, as well as sports centers, wine restaurants, and various shops. The valley can be reached by public transport from Bolzano and Innsbruck. The skiing area consists of three centers: Plose, Jochtal, and Gitschberg-Maranza. Diverse slopes with high-quality stable snow cover are suitable for both inexperienced and skilled athletes.
Valle Isarco offers gentle sections with safe terrain and steep slopes with winding turns. Professionals will enjoy a nine-kilometer route with a 1,400-meter elevation change. For thrill-seekers, high-speed virgin snow descents are available. Separate areas are designated for snowboarding, sledding, and ice skating. Numerous viewing platforms and terraces offer unforgettable scenic panoramic views of the Dolomite Alps, providing peace of mind.
Exciting snowshoe hikes in the foothills are available. Children are recommended to visit the training complex with practice grounds. After a busy sports day, tourists can relax in the aqua center, unwind in a jacuzzi, and visit massage rooms.
Arabba
Surrounded by the Sella mountain massif is the cozy Italian village of Arabba. Natural snow cover, fresh frosty air, contoured slopes, and scenic landscapes make this resort one of Italy’s most popular ski destinations. Experienced winter sports enthusiasts come here. It features the most challenging slopes that make even the most avid ski aces’ hearts tremble.
Arabba has several hotel complexes with pools, restaurants, and fitness rooms. The total length of the slopes is over 40 kilometers. A network of cable cars takes tourists to the desired height from 1,636 to 2,550 meters. Red and black slopes descend from the peaks of Punta Rocca (3,270 meters) and Porto Vescovo (2,479 meters). The region offers extensive opportunities for extreme freeriding. Vast virgin snow areas are covered with soft snow. Cross-country skiers will enjoy well-groomed flat routes.
Active entertainment includes paragliding, snowmobiling, and hiking in the mountains. After a busy sports day, it is recommended to explore interesting architectural monuments, wander through castle ruins, and visit local museums in Arabba. Party lovers and those seeking diverse entertainment may find it somewhat dull. Several pizzerias, bars, and shops serve vacationers. Buses run from the airports of Bolzano, Milan, Verona, and Treviso to Arabba.
Civetta
In the northwest of the Italian region of Veneto is the cozy ski base Civetta. Picturesque mountain landscapes combined with developed infrastructure fill the vacation here with memorable bright impressions. The small villages of Alleghe, Selva di Cadore, Zoldo, and Palafavera have enough hotels to suit all tastes. Routes of varying difficulty levels are laid at elevations from 1,300 to 2,400 meters. Skiers and snowboarders have access to 80 kilometers of quality slopes connected by a modern network of lifts.
Both gentle blue and serpentine red strips winding through spruce forests are excellently equipped. There are plenty of slopes for intermediate skiers. The main attraction of Civetta is the five-kilometer Val Zoldana descent, marked in black. The terrain is quite rocky, posing a danger for skiing on virgin snow. Snowboarding enthusiasts can enjoy the slopes of Mount Fertazza, where a specialized area with jumps is equipped.
For children, the Piani di Pezze park with various attractions is open. Here, kids have fun under the supervision of animators. Civetta offers a rich entertainment program for all tastes. After exciting descents, you can swim in the pool, work out in the fitness room, relax in the sauna, and visit the ice arena. Wine bars, exquisite restaurants, pubs, and discos brighten tourists’ busy days. Bus services connect the ski region with major cities in Italy. The nearest airports are in Bolzano and Treviso.
Sella Ronda Ski Route
Almost all skiers who come to the Dolomite Alps resorts go through the famous route at least once. This track has various names. Some call it the “carousel,” others the “round-the-world trip.” But it truly offers a lot to see. Skiers on this route circle the Sella mountain massif. Ascents alternate with descents, but overall, the route is not difficult, and even beginners can ski here. Be sure to bring a camera – you won’t see such landscapes anywhere else.
It is hard to give directions on where and how best to get to this track. You should take a map, see where you are, and then find Sella Ronda. It is marked with green and orange colors. If you are not very confident in your abilities, it is better to start with the “green” track. It goes counterclockwise, with closely spaced signs. There are about 23 km of ski tracks and 15 lifts. The difficulty is minimal, and the panoramic view is very beautiful. The route will take 3 to 4 hours.
More experienced skiers and snowboard enthusiasts prefer the “orange” track. It is a bit harder to navigate, with signs farther apart. There are 11 lifts, and the track length is also about 23 km. On average, the route can be completed in 2.5-3 hours.
People come to the Dolomite Alps resorts all year round. There is always something to do in both warm and cold seasons. Summer here is rarely hot, usually not exceeding +25 C. You can walk, bike, hike in the mountains, or simply wander the streets of ancient towns. Just be sure to carry an umbrella or light raincoat – unexpected rains can occur. Autumn is cooler, with temperatures around +10 C, and snow often falls in November. This is a good time for those seeking quiet and peace, as most tourists have left. The forest-covered mountains are very beautiful in early autumn before the leaves fall.
Spring air warms up relatively late – by May. This is beneficial for skiers. But all tourists enjoy the abundance of sunny days and flower meadows. In winter, the Dolomite Alps are a true Mecca for skiers. Severe frosts, down to -20-25 C, are rare, with temperatures usually around -5-8 C. The bright sun gives skiers a wonderful tan. The Dolomite Alps are an extraordinary place on the planet. It is worth visiting to see for yourself.
