Dolomites Ski Holidays

The Dolomites Superki area is undoubtedly the largest ski region in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Its size, beauty and variety of ski experiences naturally place’s it on every ski and snow sports enthusiasts bucket list. The Dolomites are a land of pure beauty and full of hidden gems. From sun-drenched valley views in the summertime to winter's powdery white slopes - it never disappoints! With 1,200 kilometres of pistes that stretch across some of the most magnificent mountain landscapes anywhere on earth, the Italian Dolomites is truly a dream ski destination. Aptly named after dolostone, the white rocks that the majority of the mountain formation is made from, the name Dolomites simply translates as “Pale mountain”, in reference to the pale hue of the dolostone mineral. Although it is classified as the Alps, it has a distinctively different landscape formation, owing to its outer-worldly and rugged mountain range appearance. The Dolomites are well known for their extraordinary beauty, which is a result of their geographical and geological formation. Millions of years ago some of the mountain range here was submerged under the sea, which is what lead to the limestone and the large reddish-purple stones in the rocks which illuminate in the sun, displaying a dreamy light effect known locally as “enrosadira”. Back to the present day, the end result of the earth restructuring has blessed us with a unique and unparalleled natural wonder. The Dolomites ski region is a vast collection of 16 ski areas, each of which is unique and offers a different adventure from each other. With what feels like unlimited kilometres of pistes, there are more than enough runs to cater to every ski ability across the board. The Dolomites skiing experience can be described as a mixed bag of fantastic flavours as it involves a myriad of various conditions including contrasting weather systems, to the South Tyrolean and Ladin fusions, and the different ski terrains across the different ski resorts, varying from gentle slopes to steep, vertical drops. All skier profiles will fit right at home at the Dolomites. Families with young children, romantic couples on a ski retreat, professional snowsports athletes, travelling ski buddies and more. With one ski pass, you can access a state of the art network of 450 lifts, interconnected across 16 ski areas and 1,200 kilometres of well-groomed, snow-sure pistes. There are up to 30 snow parks across the region, several floodlight slopes for nighttime skiers and a multitude of ski schools and instructors for beginners and even cautious intermediates. If you and your travelling group are visiting for the pleasant atmosphere, you can look forward to meals in rustic snow huts on the slopes, drinks on large sunny terraces, a fantastic variety of apres-ski experiences and a multitude of children's entertainment and activities.

Dolomites Ski Holidays

The Dolomiti SuperSki Area is an excellent option to consider for a ski holiday thanks in so small part, to its vast number of ski areas and resorts to select from and with each of these ski areas having 4 or 5 different ski resorts within them, the options are seemingly endless. More importantly, it allows one to plan carefully according to one’s budget and travel requirements, which can come in very cost-effective for families on a budget. There are a number of budget-friendly options to select from. With so many options available, it makes it easier to simply assess what resort in the Dolomite region offers the best possible environment to match the requirements of the travelling group or solo skier. For example, if you are after a family-friendly and child-focused resort, you can consider Val di Fassa or Alpe di Siusi; snowsports fanatics can naturally head to Cortina or Marmolada, whilst party hunters may be able to sense the parties kicking off in Canazei. Regardless of what you are after at the Dolomites, one thing that is guaranteed is the memorable experience you are in for. It doesn’t matter how long your holiday lasts, or what resort you choose, you can never get enough of the village charms, piste availability and breathtaking panoramic views. We have identified a few resorts that may prove interesting options to look at. Please feel free to contact us directly for any more detailed information on other resorts in the area.

Best Ski Resorts in the Dolomites

With so many ski areas and resorts in the Dolomites, it could be difficult to choose where to stay, however, with a wealth of options available, this could actually be perceived as a good problem to have. We have put together a list of some of the best resorts in the Dolomites area worth having a lookout for.

Cortina D’Ampezzo

There’s only one place to start when trying to select a ski destination in the Dolomiti Superski region. Located on the Sellaronda circuit, the ski resort of Cortina D’Ampezzo is renowned as one of Italy’s most iconic and fashionable ski resorts. It is also unofficially regarded as the most photographed ski resort in Italy and hailed as the 'Queen of the Dolomites. It is not only famous for its sheer beauty but owing to its excellent snowy conditions it has also played host to numerous snowsports competitions such as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, Women’s World Cup ski race and SkiTour Olympia. It is also going to play host to the Milan-Cortina Olympics in 2026. Cortina D’Ampezzo is made up of the ski resorts of Auronzo di Cadore, San Vito di Cadore, and Misurina; all of which have ski areas that have a combined total of 72 pistes spread across all ski ability levels. There are also 78 kilometres of cross-country skiing tracks including a 30km long track between Fiames and Cortina. Snowboarders visiting the area have a snow park in Faloria which is adequately equipped with kickers, rails and a half-pipe. Away from the slopes, Cortina D’ Ampezzo is also well known for its excellent accommodation, gourmet restaurants, variety of shops and vibrant apres-ski.

Val Gardena

Val Gardena is a visibly stunning ski area located in the South Tyrol region of Italy. It's the ideal ski holiday destination for exploring all that this incredible area has to offer, from hiking through the mountains in the summer to world-class skiing in the winter. The ski resort of Val Gardena is a truly fascinating adventure to experience not only for its skiing attractions and majestic surroundings but its diverse Austrian and Italian historical relevance and imprint on the area. Since the 1970s, Val Gardena has hosted the World Cup FIS Ski races on its legendary Saslong slopes. This event welcomes the absolute best ski racers in the world competing against each other. Val Gardena forms part of the Dolomiti Superski network which includes a total of 12 ski areas that can be accessed with just one ski pass that covers the whole area. The ski area in Val Gardena is incredibly diverse as it is equally ideal for families with young children as well as top snowsports athletes seeking a challenge. The area has a total of 500 kilometres of slopes, 115 kilometres of cross-country skiing slopes and 30 kilometres of winter hiking routes. This vast expanse of ski terrain is shared by the 3 charming Val Gardena villages of Selva Val Gardena, Ortisei and Sal Cristina. Val Gardena is just as well known for its activities off the slopes as it is for its activities on them. Well known for its apres-ski scene, Val Gardena also plays host to several events each year; for example, Rock The Dolomites is a huge music event that brings together rock bands from the area for a full week of wild rock music.

Ortisei

Ortisei’s rise to fame came from the discovery of its elaborate carved wood sculptures which have been a mainstay of the area for generations and which still carries on till the present day. A small lovely village to discover, Ortisei is dotted with traditional buildings and structures, including the self-proclaimed “most beautiful shopping street in the Dolomites; which is the pedestrian area of the village that connects the chapel to the shopping centre. Surrounded by the mountain range, Ortisei has the advantage of being the perfect location from which to kick start any of the available adventures; whether that be hitting the ski slopes or setting off on a winter hike.
The pistes here are great for all ski ability levels with beginners finding a few nursery slopes in the village, where they can practise and build some confidence. Intermediates have a run of the manor, with some great runs on the Corvara and Alta Badia circuit to explore. The popular Men’s Downhill Cup run at Saint Cristina is an excellent run for advanced skiers. In between all the skiing, there are a few mountain ski huts to stop over for some tasty gourmet meals. Not particularly recognised for having a loud apres-ski as its neighbouring resorts in Val Gardena, Ortisei is very well known for its excellent culinary experience. It has more than 40 restaurants to choose from, most of which have a rustic and authentic atmosphere with traditional wooden interiors. The food here is near Michelin standard but don't be put off if you are on a budget, even the smaller pizzerias and restaurants have excellent quality. A great option for the family.

Val di Fassa

Just about everyone visits the Dolomites to have a fantastic ski experience but if you are visiting only for the sights and atmosphere experience, we wouldn’t hold it against you at Val Di Fassa. Visitors to Val di Fassa get a front-row seat to capture the magical “enrosadira” light show where the Dolomite rock gets a purple-pinkish glow in the sunset. The resort sits at the base of some of the most beautiful yet alien-looking rock formations in the Dolomite region; sights of the Trentino Dolomites are bound to be captured and framed for the living room walls and linger long in the memory after you have returned home from holiday. Made up of seven ski villages, Val di Fassa is also a fantastic cultural hub in the Dolomites. It is one of the regions that is home to the ancient Ladin people, who have very proudly and successfully preserved their ancient traditions over centuries. Val di Fassa is a fantastic destination for all ski ability levels, with intermediates getting the most joy out of the ski area. There are excellent nursery slopes in Canazei and Campitello which are perfect for beginners. Advanced skiers can find off-piste opportunities in Pordoi Pass but are strongly recommended to go only with a local guide. There is a wide variety of non-ski activities across the 7 villages which make up Val di Fassa. The nightlife in Canazei comes alive with its good selection of bars, restaurants and a few nightclubs that remain open until late. There is also a large variety of spas and wellness centres for skiers looking to relax and recover after a long day on the slopes. Children and families are perhaps most looked after in Val di Fassa. Acquafun San Candido is a water park complete with indoor pools, a wild waterslide and a sauna. The Climbing Centre Nordic Arena is an ultra-modern indoor climbing facility that has a wide variety of climbing routes perfectly designed for children. There are other standard activities such as toboggans and family dog sleigh rides available at the various villages that make up Val di Fassa.

Contact Us

Choosing the right ski area in the Dolomites is no easy task, but the end result is surely worth it, a thousand times over. With so many ski areas, and so many villages and resorts within these areas, it could be quite the task no doubt, but that’s what we are here for. Please do not hesitate at any point to get in touch with us for more information about these areas and what ski packages we have available for any of the resorts in the Dolomites.