Italy, Europe
The best time to visit the Dolomites
Two great seasons, summer hiking and winter skiing, with two dead zones in between.
- Best months
- Feb to Mar, Jul and Sep
- Think twice
- May and Nov
- Quietest
- May
- Cheapest
- May
The straight answer
The best time to visit the Dolomites is late June to mid September for hiking, when the lifts and mountain huts are open, or January to March for skiing; avoid May and November, when lifts and most huts are closed between seasons.
Pick your season first. For hiking, go from late June to mid September, when the cable cars and the rifugi (mountain huts) are open and the high trails are mostly clear of snow. For skiing, go from January to March, when snow is reliable across the huge Dolomiti Superski area and the days are getting longer and sunnier.
The in-between months are where trips go wrong. From roughly mid April to late May, and again from mid October to late November, most lifts stop, the huts close, many hotels shut for their break, and high trails are either snowy or muddy. You can still drive the valleys and see the peaks, but the Dolomites experience runs on lifts and huts.
Within summer, early July and the first half of September are the sweet spots. Mid August is the crowd peak, when Italians and Germans on holiday fill Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and the Tre Cime parking lots. Afternoon thunderstorms are routine in July and August, so start hikes early.
The Dolomites, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryGoodCold, valley highs near 34F (1C), reliable snowSolid ski month after the holiday rush. Short days and cold mornings on the slopes.Hotels for January →CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryBestCold and bright, valley highs near 37F (3C)Deep snow and more sunshine. School holiday weeks in Italy and Germany push crowds up.Hotels for February →CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchBestSunny, valley highs near 45F (7C)Long bright days, softer spring snow, and lower prices. A favorite of experienced skiers.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilTradeoffsMild in valleys, highs near 52F (11C), snow up highSki season winds down around Easter or early in the month. After that, lifts and many hotels close.CrowdsPrice
- 05MayThink twiceSpring, valley highs near 61F (16C), snow on high trailsThe dead zone: most lifts and huts closed, high passes may still be snowbound, many hotels shut.CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneGoodWarm, valley highs near 68F (20C), snow lingering up highLifts reopen through the month and meadows bloom. Some high trails and huts open only late in June.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyBestWarm, valley highs near 73F (23C), afternoon stormsEverything open, wildflowers everywhere. Start hikes early to beat both the crowds and the storms.Hotels for July →CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustGoodWarm, valley highs near 72F (22C), thunderstormsFull summer, but the most crowded weeks, especially around Ferragosto on August 15. Book huts and hotels early.Hotels for August →CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestCrisp and clear, valley highs near 64F (18C)Stable weather and thinner crowds. Many huts and lifts close from mid to late September.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberQuiet valueCool, valley highs near 55F (13C), early snow possibleGolden larches and quiet trails, but most lifts and huts are closed. Great for valley walks and harvest food.CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberThink twiceCold and gray, valley highs near 43F (6C)Between seasons: lifts closed, many hotels shut, not enough snow yet. Christmas markets start late in the month.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberGoodCold, valley highs near 34F (1C), snow buildingSki season opens early in the month and the Christmas markets glow. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book The Dolomites for February.
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- Hotels for February
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The DolomitesOpens a hotel search for The Dolomites in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The DolomitesWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The DolomitesTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Dolomites for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to the Dolomites
Some of the most dramatic peaks in the Alps
Pale limestone towers rising straight out of green meadows. The Dolomites are a UNESCO World Heritage Site for exactly that scenery.
Hut to hut hiking
A network of mountain huts serves real food and beds high on the mountain, so you can walk for days with a light pack.
A giant, connected ski area
Dolomiti Superski links a dozen areas on one pass, including the famous Sella Ronda loop around the Sella massif.
Italian and Austrian at once
South Tyrol is bilingual with Ladin valleys too. You get dumplings and strudel next to pasta and espresso.
Things to do, and when to do them
Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop
The famous three peaks, reached by a toll road to the Auronzo hut. Arrive early; the lot and road can fill in summer.
Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm)
Europe's largest high alpine meadow, with gentle trails and the Sassolungo behind it. Private car access is restricted during the day in season, so use the cable car from Siusi or Ortisei.
Seceda ridgeline, Val Gardena
Take the lift from Ortisei for one of the most photographed ridges in the Alps. Early lifts beat the crowds.
Lago di Braies
The famous emerald lake with rowboats. In peak summer the access road is restricted and parking must be booked; check current rules.
Sella Ronda
A roughly day-long ski circuit around the Sella group in winter, and a classic road cycling loop over four passes in summer.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
The glamorous resort town and a base for the Tre Cime, Cinque Torri, and the wartime open-air museums.
Val di Funes
The postcard view of the Santa Maddalena church against the Odle peaks. Quieter than Val Gardena.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano
Late November to early January
Bolzano hosts one of Italy's best-known markets. A good reason to combine a city break with early-season skiing.
Alpine Ski World Cup in Val Gardena and Alta Badia
Mid to late December
The Saslong downhill and the Gran Risa giant slalom draw big crowds and fill hotels in both valleys.
Maratona dles Dolomites
Early July
A huge amateur cycling race over the Dolomite passes from Alta Badia. Passes close to cars during the event.
Autumn cattle drives (Almabtrieb)
Mid September to early October
Cows come down from summer pastures decorated with flowers and bells, often with village festivities.
Torggelen season in South Tyrol
October into November
Farmhouse taverns serve new wine, roasted chestnuts, and hearty food after the harvest.
Beat the crowds
- Take the first lift of the day in summer. The famous viewpoints (Seceda, Alpe di Siusi, Tre Cime) are quiet before 9am and crowded by 11am.
- Choose the first half of July or the first half of September over August. Everything is open and the huts are far easier to book.
- Base yourself in quieter valleys like Val di Funes, Val di Fassa, or the Val Badia side villages rather than the busiest parts of Ortisei or Cortina.
- Book mountain huts months ahead for overnight hikes in July and August; the popular ones fill early.
Open or closed
- Most summer lifts run from about mid June to mid or late September; some keep running into early October. Winter lifts run from early December to early April.
- Mountain huts generally open from about mid or late June to mid or late September. Outside those weeks, overnight hiking is not practical.
- Many hotels close for several weeks in the spring and autumn gaps, usually from around mid April to late May and from mid October to late November.
- High mountain passes can close briefly for snow even in early summer or late September. Tre Cime and Braies access rules change year to year, so check them before you go.
With kids in tow
- Alpe di Siusi is the family winner in summer: flat and gentle trails, farm huts with playgrounds, and cable car access from the valley.
- Ski schools in Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and Val di Fassa are excellent and used to international kids. Book lessons early for February school holidays.
- Many huts serve food at lunchtime and make great turnaround points for younger hikers. You do not need to summit anything to have a great day.
- For homeschool families, the World War I front ran through these peaks; open-air museums and tunnels around Cortina and the Lagazuoi make history very tangible.
Getting there
- Venice (VCE) is the most common gateway, about 2 to 3 hours by car to Cortina or Val Gardena. Verona, Innsbruck, Munich, and Milan also work.
- From the US, fly into Venice or Munich (both with US nonstops) or connect through a European hub.
- Trains reach Bolzano and Bressanone; from there, regional buses serve the valleys. A car gives the most freedom, but summer buses are good and parking at famous spots is limited.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
The Dolomites for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where the Dolomites makes our ranked list.
The Dolomites timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit the Dolomites?
For hiking, July or early September. For skiing, February or March. Each gives full lift and hut access without the absolute peak crowds of mid August or Christmas.
What is the cheapest time to visit the Dolomites?
The shoulder weeks, early June and October, are cheapest while some things are still open. May and November are cheaper, but most lifts, huts, and many hotels are closed.
When do the lifts and huts open in the Dolomites?
Summer lifts and huts generally open from mid to late June to mid or late September. Winter lifts generally run from early December to early April.
When is the Dolomites most crowded?
Mid August around Ferragosto and the Christmas to New Year period. School holiday weeks in February are also busy on the slopes.
When is it rainy in the Dolomites?
Summer afternoons often bring thunderstorms, especially in July and August. Plan hikes to finish by early afternoon, and check forecasts daily.
Can you visit the Dolomites in October?
Yes, for golden larches, valley walks, and harvest food in South Tyrol. Most lifts and huts are closed, so it is not a high-altitude hiking trip.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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