Italy, Europe

The Dolomites in February

Deep snow and more sunshine. School holiday weeks in Italy and Germany push crowds up.

BestCold and bright, valley highs near 37F (3C)

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

February is one of the best months of the year to visit the Dolomites. Deep snow and more sunshine. School holiday weeks in Italy and Germany push crowds up.

Weather: Cold and bright, valley highs near 37F (3C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What February is like in the Dolomites

February brings deep snow and more sunshine. Valley highs sit near 37F (3C), days are cold and bright, and the ski runs are in great shape. School holiday weeks in Italy and Germany push crowds and prices up, so some weeks feel busy on the lifts and in the ski schools.

This is one of the best months for skiing, and a strong pick for families who can book early. If you want the same great conditions with fewer people and lower prices, choose March. Hikers should wait for July or September, when the trails and huts are open.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about the Dolomites this month.

Deep snow and blue skies

February often combines a full snowpack with sunny days, the ideal mix for skiing and for winter photos of the peaks.

Ski schools for kids

Schools in Val Gardena, Alta Badia, and Val di Fassa are excellent and used to international children. Book early for holiday weeks.

Winter lunches at the huts

Ski huts along the runs serve hearty lunches, and a sunny terrace in February is one of the best parts of the day.

What to pack for February

Ski goggles and sunglasses for bright days
High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm
Warm layers and a waterproof shell
Hand warmers for cold lift rides

Our timing tip

Check the Italian and German school holiday calendars before booking February, and pick a week that avoids them for shorter lift lines.

Book The Dolomites for February.

Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.

Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in The Dolomites
Opens a hotel search for The Dolomites in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for February
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 February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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 February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit the Dolomites?

February is one of the best months of the year to visit the Dolomites. Deep snow and more sunshine. School holiday weeks in Italy and Germany push crowds up.

What is the weather like in the Dolomites in February?

Cold and bright, valley highs near 37F (3C).

Is the Dolomites crowded in February?

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