Ski Dolomites

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Ski Dolomites Cortina d
Ski Dolomites Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Ski Dolomites Kronplatz
Ski Dolomites Kronplatz
Perfect piste from Alta Badia heading to Arabba Marmolada.
Perfect piste from Alta Badia heading to Arabba Marmolada.
Dolomites train transport to 3 Peaks and Kronplatz ski resorts is world
Dolomites train transport to 3 Peaks and Kronplatz ski resorts is world's best.
Exquisite steeps at Cortina d
Exquisite steeps at Cortina d'Ampezzo ski resort.
Explore the Dolomites village of Sesto at 3 Peaks ski resort.
Explore the Dolomites village of Sesto at 3 Peaks ski resort.
The Dolomites includes the Armentarola trail from Cortina to Alta Badia.
The Dolomites includes the Armentarola trail from Cortina to Alta Badia.
Perfect for families - Civetta ski resort in the Dolomites.
Perfect for families - Civetta ski resort in the Dolomites.
The Dolomites above Canazei. The Belvedere, Val di Fassa ski resort.
The Dolomites above Canazei. The Belvedere, Val di Fassa ski resort.
Historic Bressanone, one of many wonderful Dolomites cities.
Historic Bressanone, one of many wonderful Dolomites cities.
Fun slope at the Dolomites ski resort of Val Gardena.
Fun slope at the Dolomites ski resort of Val Gardena.
Mountain huts & rifugios abound in the Dolomites - Val di Fassa ski resort
Mountain huts & rifugios abound in the Dolomites - Val di Fassa ski resort
Classic Dolomites skiing on Lagazuoi, Cortina d
Classic Dolomites skiing on Lagazuoi, Cortina d'Ampezzo.
The Vallon chairlift and trail high above Corvara in Alta Badia ski resort.
The Vallon chairlift and trail high above Corvara in Alta Badia ski resort.
Off-piste freeride powder on the flanks of Pelmo in the Dolomites
Off-piste freeride powder on the flanks of Pelmo in the Dolomites
Après ski in the Dolomites
Après ski in the Dolomites
Dolomites food experience is exceptional. Alta Badia ski resort.
Dolomites food experience is exceptional. Alta Badia ski resort.
Family friendly Colfosco in the Dolomites.
Family friendly Colfosco in the Dolomites.
Passo Fedaia below Marmolada glacier has skiing in May every year.
Passo Fedaia below Marmolada glacier has skiing in May every year.
Ski and snowboard the Dolomites - 3-Peaks (Drei Zinnen) ski resort.
Ski and snowboard the Dolomites - 3-Peaks (Drei Zinnen) ski resort.

Ski Dolomites

Readers Ratings

Dolomites

Dolomites4/518
Dolomites4 out of 5 based on 18 reviews
  • Recommend
    94%
  • Would Revisit
    89%
Be guided to the best spots for ski touring & powder in the Lyngen Alps of Norway with Aurora backcountry
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Dolomites Ski Resorts

3 Peaks Dolomites
Alta Badia
Arabba Marmolada
Brixen - Plose
Civetta
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Gitschberg Jochtal
Kronplatz
San Martino - Passo Rolle
Val di Fassa
Val Gardena

Dolomites Maps & Stats

    Dolomites Ski Resorts Map
  • Dolomites Ski Resorts
  • Vertical (m)
    950m - 3,269 (2,319m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    4 - 10m (includes Marmolada Glacier)
  • Lifts (450)
    Yes, that's 450!!
  • Opening Dates & Times
    Late Nov to early May
    8:15am to 5:00pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 1,200 km (97% with snow making)
    Longest run - 12 km
    Advanced - 10%
    Intermediate - 60%
    Beginner - 30%
  • Lift Pass Prices
    Day Ticket 23/24
    Local Ski Resorts Lift Passes
    Adult - €40 to 74
    Child - €20 to 52
    Child u/8yr - Free with adult

    Dolomiti SuperSki
    (valid all Dolomites resorts)
    Adult: €72 to 80
    Senior >65yr: €65 to 72
    Child: €50 to 56
    Child u/8yr - Free with adult
    All passes are cheaper if pre-purchased online

Dolomites (Dolomiti) Italy

The Dolomites ski region provides one of the largest and most delicious ski networks in the world. Named after the incredible limestone rock that is found naturally in these spectacular mountains, the Dolomites offer a unique ski holiday experience that every skier should experience at least once in their lives. The Dolomiti Superski offers 12 Bellissima ski areas connected by 450 ski lifts all under the one lift pass.

The Dolomiti Superski area takes great delight in offering a true Italian foodie experience, as you combine an impressive high alpine environment, beautiful rifugios, history and great skiing with tasty local al dente pasta washed down with your choice of local vino, espresso, bombardino or calimero. It’s la dolce vita (the sweet life) in the Dolomites!

Pros & Cons for the Dolomites Ski Region

Pros

  • Huge ski region with a lifetime of exploration.
  • Indescribably spectacular mountain scenery.
  • Incredible range of on-piste trails.
  • Off-piste routes & couloirs unique in the ski world.
  • High quality & efficient interconnected lift system
  • The most amazing ‘fun slopes’ in the world.
  • Good value lift pass comparative to the number of lifts & terrain that it covers.
  • Integral part of the Sella Ronda ski circuit & Dolomiti Superski area.
  • Abundant lively après ski & restaurant options.
  • World’s best on-mountain ski-in ski-out accommodation in the many rifugi.
  • Diverse village accommodation options, with luggage transfer services to facilitate multi-resort ski safaris – woohoo!
  • Beautiful local cities (Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico) with oodles of history (for a break from the slopes)!

Cons

  • A gargantuan ski region that does get busy in some areas.
  • Decreasing natural snowfalls can limit off-piste freeride terrain - flexibility & timing is the key!
  • Some resorts have limited advanced terrain (but several have exceptionally good black runs on-piste).
  • Accommodation can be hard to get in some popular villages & may be relatively expensive.
  • Not terribly snowboard friendly (but it does depend on the ski resort area).
  • Aside from Kronplatz & 3-Peaks, public transport to the ski resort villages can often be convoluted.
  • Dolomiti Superski lift pass prices are the highest in Italy, and higher than many resorts in the Alps (but still great value on a global scale).

Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)

  • With so many villages & rifugi, it can be difficult to decide where to stay (nice problem to have!).
  • The lower valleys may, or may not, have natural snow in them.
  • Piste trails spread across a huge distance, so it is possible to end the day far from your accommodation or even (gulp) get lost - plan ahead, know when to turn around & be able to follow maps & signs.
  • The Dolomites include Italy’s most popular ski area - Val Gardena.

Skiing & Snowboarding the Dolomiti

Italy’s Dolomites have numerous ski resorts, but it is the 12 Dolomiti Superski resorts that rightly or wrongly attract most of the attention. The Dolomiti Superski offers more than 1,200km of “guaranteed” pistes ranging between 950m and 3,269m in elevation & up to 12km long. The terrain includes high alpine glaciers on the Marmolada; kilometres of perfect piste trails especially good for families, beginners, and intermediates; masses of interesting fun-slopes and terrain parks; plus, when the snow is deep, excellent off-piste bowl, chute & even tree skiing. The best way to experience this skiing area is with the “Dolomiti Superski” Pass which accesses all the ski slopes & lifts that are spread across the Dolomites Superski network.

Check out the gargantuan ski trail map for Dolomiti SuperSki below.

Dolomiti SuperSki Ski Trail Map
Dolomiti SuperSki Ski Trail Map

The Dolomiti doesn’t receive as much fresh powder as Austria or Switzerland, but it is one of the snow sure ski areas in the world for on-piste skiing. There are over 4700 snow making machines covering an eye-watering 1,160km (97%) of piste runs across the resorts. And what it doesn’t have in the deep snow stakes; it makes up for with beauty. The Dolomites is so beautiful that it has been classified as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, but one has to wonder at the deleterious impact of all that snow-making & ski lift infrastructure!.

The 12 main ski resorts across the Dolomites ski region are: classy Cortina d’Ampezzo; impressive Kronplatz; the fine food & terrain of Alta Badia; the expansive & popular Val Gardena; diverse Val di Fassa; the area's highest ski resort Arabba-Marmolada; beautiful 3 Peaks Dolomites (Drei Zinnen a.k.a Sesto); Valle di Fiemme - Obereggen; San Martino di Castrozza - Passo Rolle; the Eisacktal (Valle Isarco) resorts of Brixen - Plose & Gitschberg-Jochtal; Alpe Lusia - San Pellegrino; and gorgeous, quiet Civetta (our personal favourite!).

The Dolomites is famous for two major on-piste ski tours. The Sella Ronda is a busy 36km loop that goes across four of the ski valleys (Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa and Arabba-Marmolada), whilst the Great War Ski Tour (Giro della Grande Guerra) packs in historical landmarks, lots of ski slopes, and even a horse drawn “ski lift” over a surprisingly arduous 80km. The Sella Ronda can be particularly packed with skiers, so once done, avoid it for the rest of your stay! Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t complete the Great War Ski Tour in one day, lots of skiers don’t. You just gotta know when to call a taxi to avoid getting stuck too far from home!

For off-piste freeriders, when the snowpack is deep, the Dolomites is home to numerous unique ski routes. The northern flanks of the Marmolada glacier, the couloirs of Tofana, Faloria, Cristallo & Lagazuoi at Cortina, plus the many descents off the Sella massif from Saas Pordoi or over Piz Boe, are unlike anything you will ever experience anywhere else. One just needs to be flexible and follow the snow. Much of the more interesting freeride terrain & couloirs are hidden from view & often require local knowledge and/or climbing skills (via ferrata/crampons etc) to access. If in doubt, get a guide. See our Dolomites Ski Lessons & Guiding page for options.

The interlinked nature of the ski areas & connectivity with local buses makes the Dolomites perfect for a multi-resort ski safari. If confident & able to plan it, we suggest trying to do your own. If wanting some company & the ease of an experienced local guide, book into one of the carefree tours listed at the bottom of the page.

Lift Passes

Whilst the all-encompassing Dolomiti Superski Pass is valid at all of ski areas in the region and reasonably good value on a world scale, it is worth noting that each ski resort has its own 'local' lift pass as well. Local lift passes will be valid in the discreet resort area only, and depending on the size of the resort, can be significantly more affordable than a Dolomiti Superski Pass. Smaller ski areas like Brixen-Plose, Civetta & San Martino-Passo Rolle have local passes up to €15/day cheaper than Dolomiti Superski. All depends on where you want to ski on your Dolomites snow holiday.

Additionally, international visitors may be pleased to know the 'Ikon Pass' is valid in the Dolomites, but with conditions/limitations.

For more information on skiing, snowboarding, lift passes & trail maps in the Dolomiti Superski region, see the Dolomites Ski Resorts page.

Where are the Dolomites Italy?

The main Dolomites (Dolomiti) ski region is close to Austria in the north-east of Italy, starting about 100km south of Innsbruck. The major city of Bolzano has excellent transport connections & is close to all Dolomites ski areas.

As with most European ski areas, the Dolomites are relatively easy to travel to but with some notable exceptions (i.e. Civetta). For all international travellers the best gateway airports to the Dolomites are Munich (MUC), Venice Marco Polo (VCE), or at a stretch, Milan Malpensa (MXP) airport. For flights originating in the UK, Europe or Scandinavia, Innsbruck (INN) airport in Austria is an excellent starting point, particularly if renting a car.

Transfer services are available to take you directly to the major Dolomites ski resorts. Car hire is available at all the airports, however the Powderhounds recommend taking the train & bus from the airports to at least a major local city near the Dolomites, if not the entire way to the relevant ski resort. For those that just cannot abide public transport or are travelling in larger groups, the most efficient mode of travel is a private transfer. Search & book all transfers to any Dolomites destination.

The Italian train operators Trenitalia & SAD can efficiently get you to the Dolomites from Milan or Venice (via Verona). From Verona one can approach the Dolomites either via the Venezia S.Lucia - Calalzo di Cadore line, or the Fortezza-Dobbiaco railway line north of Bolzano. Two ski resorts (3 Peaks & Kronplatz) are directly accessible by train on the line north of Bolzano (Bozen). Two other ski resorts are awfully close to the train near beautiful Bressanone (Brixen-Plose & Gitschberg Jochtal). Bus transfer services are available for the main resorts & local public buses or taxis will get you to the rest.

Train links from Munich & Innsbruck to the Dolomites via the Brenner Pass are excellent to the major northern Dolomites cities of Bolzano, Bressanone & Brunico. Search & book train tickets to Bolzano, Bressanone & Brunico.

For more information on the best ways to get there, see the Travel to the Dolomites page.

Where to Stay on a Dolomites Ski Holiday

An Dolomites ski holiday in Italy offers a superb cultural & winter experience. Schussing the slopes & ski touring the mountains, valleys & villages is only part of the fun. Away from the slopes (or just next to them as the case may be!) there is an emphasis on enjoying long lunches, vino, panoramic views, over-nights in mountain rifugi, multi-course dinners & hanging out with the fabulously friendly locals.

See the full list of Dolomites ski accommodation.

As to where to stay when skiing the Dolomites? It will largely depend on what one is seeking & perhaps even one’s budget amongst other things. There are numerous hamlets, villages & towns to suit all purposes but the choices are nearly unlimited: Alba, Alleghe, Arabba, Bolzano, Bressanone, Brunico, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Campitello, Canazei, Corvara, Colfosco, Dobbiaco, Malga Ciapela, Ortisei, Passo Pordoi, Passo Sella, Pozza di Fassa, San Cassiano, Selva, Sesto or some lone rifugio high on a peak – the list goes on & on & on.

See the individual ski resort pages via the links for ideas on the best places to stay. Or even better, see our Dolomites Accommodation Info page for a full summation of our favourite villages, rifugi & cities and the reasons why!

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Why Ski or Snowboard in the Dolomites?

Whilst the region does not boast the highest mountains or the largest number of glaciers, the Dolomites does offer some of the world's most spectacular & unique alpine environments, tonnes of sunshine, fabulous food & an awesome light show off the pale mountain backdrop throughout the day. The ski terrain on-piste is perfectly suited for families, intermediate skiers & snowboarders, lift assisted ski touring & other pleasures such as the local Trentino, Venetian, and South Tyrolean cuisine & warm welcoming village atmospheres.

The interlinked Dolomiti Superski pass, Sella Ronda, Great War Circuit plus the massive investment in snow making capabilities demonstrates the passion and ingenious use of technology and cross-region co-operation to provide an excellent skiing & culinary experience to benefit both the tourists & the locals.

And just because you may know a little Italian language, also be prepared to hear the local “Ladin” dialect and German. The main language spoken varies from valley to valley, adding to the sense of adventure. If you meet their passion with your passion for their mountains & culinary delights, you should be fine!!

Review

The Powderhounds have visited the Dolomites on multiple occasions, most recently in 2022. We enjoyed its natural wonders, delectable food, fun après ski & incredible piste trails. Click on the review link in the left column (or top of the page if on a mobile) to read the latest inciteful & droll postulations!

See how the Dolomites & its ski resorts compare to the rest of the Italian ski resorts on the Italy ski resort ratings page, or compare to the rest of Europe the European ski resort ratings page.

Follow Powderhounds Europe on Instagram to see where we are currently skiing. Follow our main Powderhounds page on Facebook to stay in touch with up-to-date info, tours, and discussions.

Ski Tours in or near the Dolomites

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

SPECIAL Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED SKI SAFARI | DOLOMITES
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
A special ski adventure set amongst the awe inspiring landscape of the Dolomites. Linking 9 ski resorts via groomed slopes by ski, taxi, helicopter & snowmobile, spend 5 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Join a "fixed date" tour or get your own group together for a custom tour.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours during the 2024 season, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 4,176
View Details
 
CLASSIC Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED ON-PISTE SKI SAFARI
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
The very best skiing in the Dolomites linking 6 ski resorts & spending 4 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Ski the best groomed trails in the Dolomites on this classic ski safari. Join a "fixed date" tour in January or March.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours in 2024, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,496
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DOLCE TEMPO Dolomites Ski Safari
HOSTED RELAXED PACE SKI SAFARI
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Intermediate to Strong Intermediate
Ski the best of the Dolomites at a relaxed pace, linking 6 ski resorts & spending 4 nights in mountain rifugi under the guidance of your dedicated host. Ski the best groomed trails in the Dolomites on this classic ski safari. Join a "fixed date" tour in January
Price p/p From price based on fixed date tours, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,496
View Details
 
See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Dolomites here

Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area Tours

Skiare SILVER Packages
MIXED GROUP GUIDED INSTRUCTIONAL PACKAGES
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Ski Days
Ability: Beginner to Expert
Make the most of your Dolomites ski holiday, guided by local instructors showing you amazing Dolomiti skiing, sights & restaurants, whilst helping you to improve your skiing. Based in Alta Badia, fixed date packages are based on 7 nights, however can also be fully customised for groups of 4 or more ....
Price p/p From price based on twin/double-share in low season.
Base/invoice currency is in AUD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 3,504
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Dolomites Powder Skiing Safari
GUIDED POWDER SKI SAFARI | VAL GARDENA
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Skiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
The ultimate guided Dolomites powder ski safari incorporating lifts & touring to access the best snow & terrain the region has to offer. Experience a night in a classic mountain hut & ski up to 2,000 m vert descents. Join a "fixed date" tour or get your own group of 4+ together for a custom tour.
Price p/p From price based on fixed date 8-day tours, min 6 people, twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in EURO inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,365
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Val Gardena VIP Downhill Race Tour
HOSTED ON-PISTE VIP SKI SAFARI
6 Days | 5 Nights | 4 Ski Days
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Ski the Val Gardena World Cup Downhill course & experience the race as a VIP in the 'Saslong Camel Humps Lounge'. For advanced skiers only, the fully hosted & guided tour spends 5 nights in a deluxe rifugio above Val Gardena, skiing the best black runs in the Dolomiti SuperSki. Join the fixed date December 2023 tour.
Price p/p From price based on twin-share, fixed date tours in Dec 2023
Base/invoice currency is in EURO incl taxes.
USD 3,100
View Details
 
See all Single-Base, Multi-Ski-Area tours that visit Dolomites here
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