How to choose the best Dolomites ski resort for you

The ancient peaks of Italy’s Dolomites are dramatic silver-grey canvases for the elements, reflecting the ever-changing hues of the skies. Come winter, fresh powder dusts the UNESCO World Heritage-listed mountain range and the area becomes a sprawling playground for snow-lovers. Encompassing 12 diverse ski resorts and over 745 miles of pistes, the Dolomiti Superski area enables visitors to combine picturesque skiing with the rich cultural heritage of South Tyrol, Trentino and Veneto.

The Alpine border territory maintains a genuinely unique identity, in addition to presenting deliciously distinctive cuisine. Whether you’re looking to relax after a day on the mountain or seeking an exciting new adventure, we’ve rounded up the best Dolomites ski resorts for every traveller.

Best for adventurers: Cortina d’Ampezzo

The self-styled ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, Cortina d’Ampezzo is encircled by an extravagant citadel — towering shards of rock that turn apricot, gold, pink and lilac at dawn and sunset. Simply riding the Cortina Skyline lift is an adventure. It whisks riders over dense forest to the spectacular Cinque Torri area and Falzarego Pass, a former First World War battle zone. Next, head up to the peak of Mount Lagazuoi for the scenic five-mile-long Armentarola red piste, which ends with a magical horse-drawn tow (for a small extra cost).

Keep going, and you can ski over approximately 31 miles across the Dolomiti Superski area, through eight villages and four distinct ski areas. Beyond the slopes, Cortina also has a range of other activities on offer, from snow kiting and cross-country skiing to fat-biking and ice climbing.

Best for food-lovers: Alta Badia

Alta Badia comprises six picturesque villages clustered at the base of the Sella massif in the heart of the Dolomiti Superski region. The valley has earned a reputation as the culinary epicentre of the Alps, a pathway forged by the acclaimed chef Norbert Niederkofler — who earned three Michelin stars (as well as a Michelin Green Star for sustainability) for St Hubertus restaurant at the Rosa Alpina Hotel. Alta Badia’s culinary reputation is upheld by the likes of Andrea Irsara at the Gourmet Hotel Gran Ander, Simon Tirel at Hotel Diana and Michael Niederkofler’s Ütia Crëp de Munt.

Food-lovers don’t even have to wait until sundown for the gourmet fun to start, with decadent lunches on offer at the many cosy mountain huts that pepper Alta Badia’s ski slopes. Some of these, including Club Moritzino, receive daily seafood deliveries (try the squid ink taglioni with clams and scallop carpaccio). Visit during the annual ‘Taste for Skiing’ event to try special dishes created by Michelin-starred chefs.

Best for relaxation-seekers: Alpe di Siusi

Europe’s largest high alpine pasture, Alpe di Siusi (also known as Seiser Alm) is a place of Arcadian beauty. Ringed by the muscular spires of the Sassolungo and Sella massif, the meadowland is only accessible by cable car in winter. The ideal spot for a tranquil getaway, the plateau is home to an exclusive collection of spa hotels, their outdoor infinity pools and hot tubs steaming invitingly in the crisp mountain air.

Highlights include the 30-room Adler Alpe di Siusi, which channels an African safari lodge vibe with its chunky timber architecture and firepits while delivering dramatic panoramas through its glass walls. The Alpina Dolomites also keeps the Dolomites centre stage with vast picture windows, as well as bringing a hint of Balinese wellbeing to the Alps with its holistic Como Shambhala Retreat.

Best for families: Kronplatz

Affectionately referred to by locals as ‘the panettone’, a reference to its loaf-like shape, Kronplatz defies the classic ski resort format. Where a tangle of lifts typically start from a base village, diverging as they travel upwards, Kronplatz features a smattering of villages around its rotund base, with pistes criss-crossing the entire mountain to converge on its top. At the summit, panoramic views extend to the north and south.

With the exception of five long black runs (favoured by Austria’s World Cup ski team for training), Kronplatz’s 75 miles of pistes are mostly cruisy reds and blues, and there are dedicated nursery slopes to boot. Visit the large Snowpark and the fascinating mountaintop Reinhold Messner Museum, which showcases traditional mountaineering. There are diverse activities on offer, too, ranging from Olympic games for kids to horse-drawn carriage rides, tobogganing and pottery workshops.

Best for groups: Val Gardena

The Gardena Valley spans the three villages of Selva Val Gardena, Ortisei and Santa Cristina, with 109 miles of local pistes, plus direct access to 311 miles of lift-connected trails within the Dolomiti Superski region. Good for groups of mixed skiing abilities, Val Gardena offers slopes for learners and more seasoned skiiers alike. Handily for beginners, each village has a local ski school and gentle nursery slopes rising from its heart (Selva Val Gardena claims the most extensive network), with inexpensive lift passes exclusively for these areas.

Once novices have found their feet, they can build confidence on the gentle blue Monte Pana pistes above Santa Cristina and Plan de Gralba blues above Selva Val Gardena before considering the ultimate challenge: the Sellaronda circuit. Possibly the most panoramic circuit in the ski world, the 25-mile route (of which 16 miles are skied, with the rest covered by lifts) circumnavigates the Sella massif. The circuit rewards fit and committed skiers (who make an early start) with an immense sense of achievement.