Italy, Europe

The Dolomites in January

Solid ski month after the holiday rush. Short days and cold mornings on the slopes.

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

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

January is a good month to visit the Dolomites. Solid ski month after the holiday rush. Short days and cold mornings on the slopes.

Weather: Cold, valley highs near 34F (1C), reliable snow
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What January is like in the Dolomites

January is a solid ski month once the holiday rush clears. Valley highs sit near 34F (1C), snow is reliable, and mornings on the slopes are cold. Days are short, so lifts close by late afternoon. Crowds settle after New Year, and prices ease slightly from December's peak. The Christmas markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano usually run into early January.

This month suits skiers and families who want good snow without February's school holiday crowds. It is not the time for hiking or photographing summer meadows. If you want brighter, longer ski days, February and March are better. For hiking, come in July or September.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about the Dolomites this month.

Quiet slopes after New Year

Once the holiday crowds leave, lift lines shrink and the pistes in Val Gardena and Alta Badia feel roomy.

Sella Ronda ski circuit

The roughly day-long loop around the Sella group is a classic. Start early, since short January days leave little slack.

Last days of the Christmas markets

The markets in Bolzano, Bressanone, and Merano usually run into early January, good for a city afternoon off the slopes.

What to pack for January

A warm ski jacket and insulated pants
Thermal base layers and a neck gaiter for cold lifts
Ski goggles and sunscreen for glare off the snow
Warm boots with good grip for icy village streets

Our timing tip

Book ski school lessons and hotels for mid to late January, after the holidays and before February school breaks push prices up.

Book The Dolomites for January.

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

What's on in January

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.

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.