Top Winter Experiences in the Dolomites

If you're not a skier then how better to discover the fascinating snowy landscapes of the Dolomites than on a guided hike. Alta Badia offers a variety of hikes depending on your interests. Discover the Ladin culture as you walk through the scenic hamlets, stopping for lunch at the Alfarëi farmstead, which was built in 1285, for a traditional Ladin dish. Or perhaps you wish to learn about the region's wildlife along the snow-covered Armentara meadows? There's also an opportunity to experience the magic of the Dolomites after dusk as you make your way through the snow-covered landscape by torchlight, pausing for a spot of stargazing.

Stay in the wonderful Casa Feroze, a charming stand-alone chalet located in the centre of Colfosco. Completed in 2016, this beautifully-designed chalet combines modern design with an authentic alpine ambiance. Relax in the cosy living room, enjoy a glass of wine at the bar, put your feet up in the charming 'stube' TV area and unwind in the sauna.

Head to Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Cortina Adrenalin Centre, and enjoy an exhilarating ride down the icy bobsleigh run as a passenger (two per bobsleigh) with a professional pilot and brakeman to keep you safe.

If you would prefer to leave the action to the experts and just watch instead, then head to the Eugenio Monti Bobsleigh & Skeleton Track, which was part of the 1956 Olympics, to observe practice runs and races. The track featured in For Your Eyes Only, a famous James Bond film from the 1980s.

Where else would you stay than Cortina d’Ampezzo itself? Winter sports apart, for chic designer boutiques, restaurants and bars aplenty, Cortina has attracted visitors for centuries and comes highly recommended. Known as the Queen of the Dolomites, it has been a tourist destination for a very long time and has hosted many major international sporting events.

Chalets LV-01 and LV-02 are two of three fine chalets forming an exclusive ‘village’ just a few minutes’ walk from Cortina’s centre. Both are beautiful, spacious properties with fantastic facilities.

If you are not quite as coordinated on your skis as you would like, or if you prefer to be seated as you travel down the slopes, a sledge ride down the mountains is a fun and exhilarating way for the whole family to enjoy the spectacular mountain terrain and breathtaking views of the Dolomites.

At night, try a toboggan or sleigh ride by the light of the full moon, perhaps heading from rifugi to rifugi and enjoying fabulous local cuisine as you go. The final sleigh ride downhill to the valley below, with just the moon (and sleigh headlamp) to light the way, is sure to be a memorable experience. The Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm area has sledging slopes to suit everyone from beginner to expert which are accessible on foot or by cable car, all just a few minutes by road from Selva di Val Gardena.

Stay in Chalet Sellaronda, a new chalet for the 2021/22 season located in Selva. Set over two levels, this elegant chalet boasts a sauna, Jacuzzi, infrared cabin and wellness shower. Guests also have access to the facilities at the adjacent Hotel Rodella which include an indoor/outdoor pool and treatment rooms.

Selva di Gardena is the perfect destination in winter, thanks to its central location as part of the Sella Ronda, the world’s largest ski carousel around the Sella mountains. The village centre has numerous shops, bars and restaurants, where you can relax after your activities on the slopes and enjoy the panorama of the Dolomites.