Winter - snow, sun, joie de vivre
South Tyrol looks back at a long tradition as a winter sports resort. The range of activities on offer is correspondingly broad: extreme athletes meet for ice climbing on the Ortles/Ortler, for Alpine ski touring in the Val Sarentino/Sarntal and to enjoy free-riding in Alta Badia. Families are well cared for on the Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, perhaps in the company of a family ski instructor, or enjoy the ultimate in family fun sledging down one of South Tyrol’s 130 toboggan runs. Lovers of solitude and the great outdoors are in their element hiking on snowshoes across the snowy landscape remote from the crowds on the Passo delle Erbe/Würzjoch or gliding on cross country skis along the 1,300 kilometres of trails belonging to the Dolomiti Nordic Ski association. For downhill skiers powder snow beckons on the 1,200 kilometres comprising the Dolomiti Superski circuit. In addition, picnics on the slopes, skiing by floodlight or dinner cooked by Michelin star chefs in quaint Alpine huts.
Tips
South Tyrol: a Winter Paradise for the Young and Young at Heart
Ski schools with comprehensive day care, easy runs, and creative programme ideas: South Tyrol’s ski areas are truly a paradise for children. more...
‘In The Know’ South Tyrol Winter Guide
The InTheSnow magazine has published a South Tyrol special. In 14 pages, it opens the window for you on food & wine, skiing and great outdoors. The guide to the region is available in the InTheSnow magazine (November issue) and The Telegraph. more...
Sensual and thrilling descents
Alpine ski circuits
Long downhill runs with stunning views, or even so challenging that they are used for World Cup ski races. South Tyrol’s downhill ski circuits guarantee genuine emotions. Not to mention a circuit around an entire Dolomite massif. Around 1,200 km of downhill runs embracing all levels of difficulty await skiers –amid some of the highest summits in the Alps in the west, or surrounded by the Dolomites in the east. more...
Spectacular gradients
The white kick
Snowboard & fun parks
Freestyle professionals feel most at home between heaven and earth. Perhaps it’s down to the ultimate thrill of speed and the feeling of freedom, though also the excitement of performing spectacular stunts in half pipes in South Tyrol’s fun parks. Broad downhill runs for boarders are set amid breathtaking mountain scenery with unforgettable powder snow descents, with half pipes beckoning daredevils to try acrobatics. Danger: this mountain scenery can prove addictive. more...
Adrenalin surge in winter
Action sports set pulse rates soaring even more than skiing and snow boarding. Have you ever heard about snow kite?
Snow kite on Lago di Resia/Reschensee LakeOf mountain peaks, pasta and knödeln
Ski huts & Alpine farms
Many mountain farmsteads offering accommodation are situated in scenic spots with stunning views of the Dolomites and guests are indulged with delicious Alpine fare. Most Alpine huts boast a large terrace where sun worshipers can take a break from the slopes and perhaps savour a pre-prandial aperitif. The atmosphere is often so congenial that it becomes difficult to tear yourself away. more...
Explosive après ski
Weave down to the valley in deep snow, join in the après ski party at the bottom and whet your appetite with a sparkling glass of prosecco. Or you might prefer to glide across a crystal clear Alpine lake on skates. On a ski holiday in South Tyrol you are quickly in congenial company.
Ganischger hut - best après ski partyIce magic
Ice skating
Could there be anything more enjoyable than skating with friends on a frozen lake? For example on the small lake set in the forest directly beneath the Schlern mountain at Fiè/Völs at 3,400 feet elevation. The Lake of Costalovara/Wolfsgruben on the Renon/Ritten mountain above Bolzano/Bozen at a similar elevation is a favourite among skaters and also Bavarian-style curling enthusiasts. more...
The most stunning skating lakes
Winter adventures on climbing skins
Alpine backcountry skiing
Abandoning the ski lifts in favour of climbing skins, and carve your own trail in the soft virgin snow remote from the bustle of the ski resorts. Here nature reigns supreme. And once you reach the mountain’s summit you are richly rewarded with a 360° panorama. 12 Alpine schools are at your disposal in South Tyrol to ensure you savour your high mountain experience in safety. And South Tyrol’s majestic mountain scenery boasts some of the most stunning routes in all Europe. more...
The peak of delights
In search of virgin powder snow, solitude and unspoilt nature, energetic skiers attach skins to their skis and head for the summits. Absolutely essential: good equipment, stamina and physical fitness, comprehensive planning and an awareness of natural dangers.
moreEnergetic pursuit remote from the crowds
Snowshoe hikes
An energetic alternative to the ski slopes, especially for lovers of nature and solitude: along idyllic trails or through snow-blanketed pine forests. The efforts are richly rewarded with grandiose feeling of pleasure. A tip for those unfamiliar with the surroundings: contact the Vitalpina Hotels and become acquainted with a new tour in South Tyrol’s winter landscape several times a week. Or set off on snowshoeing adventures alone. A hike at full moon is a truly memorable experience. more...
Snowshoe hikes – the most rewarding
Sleigh rides using horse-power
Horse-drawn sleigh rides
Horse-drawn sleighs were once the only means of transport in the snow-mantled villages, while today horse races have been reintroduced as a nostalgic link with the past. Local people still come together once a year in Alta Badia for the ‘slittada da paur’. The participants go for sleigh rides dressed in traditional rural costume . Holidaymakers can enjoy a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride across South Tyrol’s snowy landscape snug under warm rugs in numerous places. more...
‘Slittada da paur’ in Alta Badia
Each year on the last Sunday of the carnival period the farmers in Alta Badia meet in La Villa with their sleighs for the “slittada da paur”. They dress in traditional rural costume and set off on a horse-drawn sleigh ride which ends in La Villa, after which a sleigh race takes place.
moreGliding across the countryside
Cross-country skiing & biathlon
A day spent skiing along the same trails as those used by international biathlon athletes – a long yearned-for ambition? How about a biathlon workshop in Anterselva/Antholz, venue for World Cup events, where accurate shooting is combined with long distances to overcome on skis? Enthusiasts can take to South Tyrol’s 1,800 kilometres of cross-country ski trails alone. Whether your preferred style is the classic or skating, whether you are a beginner or advanced skier, whether your favourite trails are through the forests or circular beyond the timberline, you are spoilt for choice in South Tyrol. more...
Fantastic perspectives
Icy challenges
With crampons and pick
Ice climbing
Only the most audacious climbers tackle precipitous frozen waterfalls, for example on the Legerwand in Solda/Sulden. It takes courage, stamina and concentration. Once at the top the endorphins kick in. There are also numerous artificial ice towers to practise on under more controlled and safer conditions, for example at Monguelfo/Welsberg. Those who prefer to remain safely on the ground can admire the world’s top ice acrobats in the annual ‘ice fight’ world championships on the Rabenstein Ice Tower. more...
Challenge: ice
Negotiating Bends on runners
Tobogganing in company
Ski schools with all-day child care, easy runs, fun-sledging descents: South Tyrol’s ski resorts are a paradise for children. They really love sledging down a long, well-prepared run in jolly company, preferably after dark at full moon after an enjoyable party in an Alpine hut. more...
The longest toboggan runs
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