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Embark on a journey to the Dolomites, a UNESCO-listed corner of the Alps that matches the grandeur of its neighbors with soaring limestone towers and varied ski resorts for every level. Explore the Dolomites from the iconic Sellaronda hubs; Selva di Val Gardena, Canazei, Arabba, Alta Badia, to the sunlit slopes of Alpe di Siusi, the panoramic realms of 3 Zinnen and Civetta, and the western Brenta Dolomites around Madonna di Campiglio/Pinzolo. Each mountain group offers a distinct skiing experience, from glacier descents on Marmolada to family-friendly meadows and long valley runs ideal for mileage and off-piste adventures. This guide is structured around the Dolomites’ primary mountain groups, highlighting their unique features, and includes overviews and essential information for planning your next ski holiday, covering the best resorts to ski in the Dolomites, the best skiing times, and necessary travel documentation.
Encircling the Sella massif is the iconic Sellaronda, a clockwise or counter clockwise ski safari linking Val Gardena (Selva/Ortisei), Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa (Canazei/Campitello). Expect seamless interconnections, long scenic reds, and easy hut to hut lunches with barely a pole plant on flats. The loop itself is approximatively 40 km of linked lifts and pistes. Plan a full day.
Nicknamed the “Queen of the Dolomites”, Marmolada delivers the highest lifted point in the region via Punta Rocca (3,265 m) and the legendary La Bellunese run down to Malga Ciapela, often the longest continuous descent you’ll ski in the Dolomites. Arabba is the classic gateway.
Dominated by Sassolungo/Langkofel spires and the Puez-Odle Nature Park, Val Gardena blends World Cup heritage (think Saslong) with 175km of linked pistes when combined with Alpe di Siusi. Access the Sellaronda in minutes from Selva; Ortisei connects into Seceda’s wide, cruising terrain and long valley runs
Europe’s largest alpine meadow turns into an intermediate paradise in winter: Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) offers mellow, sun kissed slopes above storybook farms, with direct linkage to Val Gardena for the full 175 km network.
Val di Fiemme spans several areas (Obereggen–Latemar, Alpe Cermis, etc.) with around 120 km of pistes and a top lift to 2,388 m at Latemar. It’s a favorite for families and mileage hungry intermediates, with modern lifts and excellent snowmaking.
The 3 Zinnen Dolomites knit together five mountains facing the celebrated Tre Cime. Expect 115 km of pistes, a 1,070 m vertical in the core sector, and big-view ridge skiing above Sesto/San Candido.
Between Alleghe and Val di Zoldo, Civetta delivers 80 km of varied pistes with a vertical around 1,100 m and access to the scenic First World War ski tour: a quiet, great-value slice of the Dolomites.
Backed by the dramatic Pale di San Martino walls, this southern Dolomites area pairs crowd free slopes with wow factor scenery across San Martino di Castrozza/Passo Rolle (≈60 km)
West of the Adige, the Brenta Group is geologically dolomitic and forms part of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage. It anchors the Campiglio–Pinzolo–Folgarida/Marilleva mega-area, known for immaculate grooming and long top to valley descents beneath cathedral like limestone towers.
Selva di Val Gardena is a lively base village on the Sellaronda circuit, giving instant access to the Val Gardena/Alpe di Siusi ski area. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 880 m (2,887 ft) and a highest lift at 2,450 m (8,038 ft). The nearest airport is Bolzano, roughly 44 km (27 mi) away. Selva is known for race ready pistes like Saslong, broad scenic cruisers, and a compact, walkable center with a convivial après-ski scene.
Ortisei is a postcard-pretty hub linking swiftly by gondola to Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi plateau. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 1,030 m (3,379 ft) and, offers 175 km (108 mi) of pistes; with the highest skiable terrain rising to about 2,450 m (8,038 ft). The nearest airport is Bolzano, approximately 36 km (22 mi) away. Ortisei is known for long, panoramic valley runs, family-friendly facilities, and elegant pedestrian streets.
Alta Badia is a gourmet skier’s dream think impeccably groomed slopes and mountain huts with serious culinary flair. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 1,454 meters (4,770 feet) and has about 130 km (80 mi) of local pistes, with seamless lift links to hundreds more around the Sella. The highest lift reaches 2,778 m (9,144 ft). The most convenient major airport is Bolzano, approximately 65 km (40 mi) away. Alta Badia is known for gentle meadows on the Pralongià plateau and the World Cup-famous Gran Risa giant slalom run.
Canazei sits at the heart of Val di Fassa and plugs straight into the Sellaronda via Belvedere-Pordoi. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 1,190m (3,904 ft) and offers roughly 19 km (11.8 mi) locally (with far more via Dolomiti Superski), with the highest lifts reaching 2,640 m (8,661 ft) depending on sector. The nearest airport is Bolzano, approximately 51 km (31 mi) away. Canazei is known for efficient lift access, varied red runs, and a lively, youthful après vibe.
Campitello di Fassa is a compact village served by a single gondola that rises directly to Col Rodella 2,400 m (7,874 ft) on the Sellaronda. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 990 m (3,248 ft) and around 16 km (9.94 mi) of local pistes, with much more across Val di Fassa on area passes. The nearest airport is Bolzano, roughly 48 km (29 mi) away. Campitello is known for wide, sunny reds, swift links into neighboring valleys, and a relaxed, traditional feel.
Arabba is the steepest and most demanding corner of the Sellaronda and the launchpad for Marmolada. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 1,820 m (5,971 ft) and 63 km (39 mi) of local pistes, with the highest lifted point reaching 3,265 m (10,711 ft). The nearest major airport is Venice. Arabba is known for north-facing fall-line skiing, quick access to glacier terrain, and fewer crowds than the larger neighboring basins.
Alpe di Siusi is Europe’s largest high alpine meadow, a sun soaked playground for cruisy mileage and families. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 993 m (3,257 ft) and 63 km (39 mi) of local pistes. The highest lifts rise to 2,350 m (7,710 ft), depending on sector. The nearest airport is Bolzano, about 35 km (21 m) away. Alpe di Siusi is known for gentle gradients, a renowned snowpark, and peerless Dolomite panoramas.
San Martino di Castrozza pairs calm, uncrowded slopes with the dramatic spires of the Pale di San Martino. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of 953 m (3,126 ft) across roughly 60 km (37 mi) of pistes (including Passo Rolle), with the highest lift reaching 2,357 m (7,732 ft). Common gateways are Venice (135 km/83 mi) and Bolzano (85 km/52 mi). San Martino is known for sunset-lit cliffs, relaxed villages, and rewarding intermediate terrain.
Val di Fiemme is a multi-area domain (Obereggen–Latemar, Alpe Cermis and more) ideal for clocking up kilometres. The area boasts about 120 km (74.6 mi) of pistes, with Latemar’s top lifts around 2,388 m (7,834 ft) and notably fast, modern infrastructure. The nearest airport for most bases is Bolzano (55 km/34 mi). Val di Fiemme is known for immaculate grooming, long top to town descents, and excellent value.
3 Zinnen links five mountains in the Sexten Dolomites, serving up big views toward the Tre Cime spires. The resort boasts 115 km (71 mi) of pistes and a core vertical of about 1,070 m (3,510 ft), with high points above 2,000 m (6,561 ft). Nearest airports include Bolzano (116 km/72 mi) and Innsbruck (138 km/85 mi). 3 Zinnen is known for quieter slopes, sweeping ridge-line runs, and a laid-back, alpine-authentic atmosphere.
Civetta stretches between Alleghe and Val di Zoldo and excels at scenic cruising beneath towering rock walls. The resort boasts 72 km (44 mi) of pistes, a vertical of 1,200 m (3,937 ft), and a memorable 7 km (4 mi) top to lake run (Gran Zuita), plus access to the First World War ski tour. The most convenient big airport is Venice (140 km/86 mi). Civetta is known for value, views, and crowd-beating pistes.
Pinzolo anchors the southern flank of the Campiglio ski area and links by gondola into Madonna di Campiglio-Folgarida/Marilleva. The wider domain boasts 120 km (75 miles) of slopes; locally, skiing tops out on Doss del Sabion at 2,100 m (6,889 ft). The easiest gateway is Verona (151 km/93mi). Pinzolo is known for long, confidence building reds, sweeping Brenta vistas, and direct access to one of Italy’s premier linked ski networks.
Passo Tonale straddles the Trentino/Lombardy border and is prized for altitude and glacier access. The area boasts 100 km (62 mi) of pistes across the Pontedilegno-Tonale network, with lifts up to 3,100 m (10,170 ft) on the Presena Glacier and nearly 1,900 m (6,233 ft) of total vertical across connected sectors. Verona is the usual gateway. Tonale is known for reliable early/late season snow and straightforward, high mileage terrain.
Kronplatz is a broad, sun-kissed summit above Brunico/Bruneck with 120 km of pistes and a reputation for long, confidence building descents. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of roughly 1,345 m (4,412 ft) from the dome shaped top (2,275 m/7,463 ft) to valley bases, and is famed for marquee runs like Sylvester and Hernegg. The nearest airports are Bolzano (98km/60mi) and Innsbruck (122km/75 mi). Kronplatz is known for family friendly zones, modern high speed lifts, and 360° views that make top to town laps a joy.
Cortina the “Queen of the Dolomites” combines cinematic scenery with 120 km (74 mi) of pistes across Tofane, Faloria-Cristallo and 5 Torri/Lagazuoi. The resort boasts a maximum vertical drop of around 1,700 m (5,577 ft) and top lifts approaching 3,000 m (9,842 ft). The nearest major airport is Venice (146 km/90 mi). Cortina is known for World Cup heritage, stylish village life, and bucket list routes like the Lagazuoi-Armentarola run, plus access to the Great War Tour.
Set beneath the limestone towers of the Brenta Group, Madonna di Campiglio links with Pinzolo–Folgarida/Marilleva for 156 km (96 mi) of slopes. The resort boasts a maximum vertical of roughly 1,500 m (4,921 ft), with the highest lifts reaching 2,500 m (8,202 ft) on Grostè. The nearest major airport is Verona (151km/93 mi). Campiglio is known for immaculate grooming, a charming traffic calmed center, and the classic 3Tre World Cup slalom.
The sweet spot for skiing in the Dolomites runs from early December to early April, when temperatures support reliable grooming and the region’s extensive snowmaking keeps pistes in excellent condition. Flagship routes like the Sellaronda typically operate from early December (snow permitting) through early April, while a few high-altitude sectors can continue into mid-April in strong seasons.
British nationals can visit Italy visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180 day period for tourism. Since the UK left the EU, however, some entry rules have changed, so it’s important to check details before you travel.
Please note that entry requirements and travel regulations can change over time. For up-to-date passport and visa information, feel free to visit the British government's travel advice website before planning your trip.
