Italy, Europe

The Dolomites in December

Ski season opens early in the month and the Christmas markets glow. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

GoodCold, valley highs near 34F (1C), snow building

Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Dolomites — The DolomitesPhoto: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder. Feel free to use my photos, but ple, CC BY-SA 3.0

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit the Dolomites. Ski season opens early in the month and the Christmas markets glow. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

Weather: Cold, valley highs near 34F (1C), snow building
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in the Dolomites

December is when winter returns. Valley highs sit near 34F (1C), snow builds, and the ski season opens early in the month. The Christmas markets glow in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano. The Alpine Ski World Cup races in Val Gardena and Alta Badia draw crowds in mid to late December. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

It suits skiers, families on holiday, and anyone who loves festive markets in the mountains. Book early for the holidays. If you want quieter slopes and lower prices, come in early December or mid January.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about the Dolomites this month.

Christmas markets

Bolzano's market is one of the best known in Italy. Pair a market day with early season skiing.

Ski World Cup

The Saslong downhill in Val Gardena and the Gran Risa giant slalom in Alta Badia run in mid to late December and fill hotels in both valleys.

Early season skiing

Lifts open early in the month, and the weeks before Christmas are quieter than the holidays.

What to pack for December

A warm ski jacket and pants
Thermal layers
Goggles, gloves, and a helmet
Warm boots for markets and villages

Our timing tip

Ski in the first half of December for lower prices, and book any World Cup week or Christmas stay months ahead.

Book The Dolomites for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The Dolomites
Opens a hotel search for The Dolomites in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in The Dolomites
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in The Dolomites
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in The Dolomites for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in December

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.

Things to do in the Dolomites

Full guide

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Seceda ridgeline, Val Gardena

Take the lift from Ortisei for one of the most photographed ridges in the Alps. Early lifts beat the crowds.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

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.

Tickets and tours →

Cortina d'Ampezzo

The glamorous resort town and a base for the Tre Cime, Cinque Torri, and the wartime open-air museums.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

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.

Know before you go

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.

The Dolomites in December, quick answers

Is December a good time to visit the Dolomites?

December is a good month to visit the Dolomites. Ski season opens early in the month and the Christmas markets glow. Christmas to New Year is peak pricing.

What is the weather like in the Dolomites in December?

Cold, valley highs near 34F (1C), snow building.

Is the Dolomites crowded in December?

the Dolomites is busy in December, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in the Dolomites in December?

Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano (late november to early january); Alpine Ski World Cup in Val Gardena and Alta Badia (mid to late december).