Ski holidays
Skiing in the Dolomites: the Sella Ronda, best areas and where to stay
The Dolomites have one lift pass for twelve ski areas, runs beneath sheer rock walls and some of the best mountain restaurants in the Alps. Here is how to choose your area.
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In short
The best place to stay for skiing in the Dolomites is Val Gardena, with ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti in Ortisei as our first choice. From there you can ski the Sella Ronda, the four-pass circuit. Alta Badia is best for food, Alpe di Siusi for calm days and Cortina for style. One pass covers all 12 Dolomiti Superski areas.
Our first choice: ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti in Val Gardena. Check availability and prices
It is half past four, and the light over the Sella massif turns from grey to pink. The effect has its own name here, enrosadira, and most skiers stop on the slope to watch. Lunch was eaten at a rifugio, with homemade pasta and a glass of South Tyrolean wine.
The Dolomites were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, and the ski areas are spread between the valleys. That makes choosing an area more important than choosing a hotel. Below we explain the lift pass and the Sella Ronda, and which four areas we would stay in.
Dolomiti Superski: one pass, twelve ski areas
Dolomiti Superski is a shared lift pass for twelve ski areas, from Cortina in the east to Val di Fassa in the west. Together they make up one of the largest ski areas in the world. You do not need to ski them all, but the pass makes it easy to spend a day in the next valley.
The Sella Ronda: the circuit over four passes
The Sella Ronda is a ski circuit around the Sella massif, over the Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo passes. You can ski it clockwise or anticlockwise, signed in orange and green. Allow a full day, with lunch on the way.
One thing to know: the circuit is popular, so lifts can queue in the middle of the day in high season. Start early, and check the last lift back to your own valley.
Val Gardena: best for the Sella Ronda
Val Gardena, with the villages of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva, sits right on the Sella Ronda, and the World Cup downhill runs on the Saslong every December. The valley is known for woodcarving, and the mood is traditional. From here you can also reach Alpe di Siusi.
Where to stay: ADLER is in the centre of Ortisei and has a large spa for the evenings.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at ADLER Spa Resort Dolomiti
Read more: Val Gardena: skiing on the Sella Ronda, and where to stay
Val Gardena
Snowy trees and hotels in Val Gardena, at the foot of the Sella massif.
Alta Badia: for food lovers
Alta Badia, with Corvara, Colfosco, La Villa and San Cassiano, is known for its food, with several Michelin-starred restaurants in the valley and excellent rifugios on the slopes. The pistes are wide and gentle, and the World Cup giant slalom is held on the Gran Risa at La Villa. The valley is also on the Sella Ronda.
We have not yet picked a hotel in Alta Badia. Stay in Val Gardena instead, and spend a day over the pass.
Alpe di Siusi: calm days on the plateau
Alpe di Siusi is one of the largest high-alpine meadows in Europe, with gentle slopes and long cross-country trails. That makes it well suited to families and beginners. The ski area links with Val Gardena, so experienced skiers are not far from steeper terrain.
Where to stay: COMO Alpina sits in the middle of the plateau, with the trails right outside.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at COMO Alpina Dolomites
Read more: COMO Alpina Dolomites
Cortina d’Ampezzo: style and Olympic history
Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and again in 2026. The town is elegant, with a car-free main street and dramatic peaks around it. Cortina is part of Dolomiti Superski but sits outside the Sella Ronda, so it suits anyone who wants to stay in one town.
Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental Cristallo sits just above the centre, with valley views and its own spa.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mandarin Oriental Cristallo
Read more: Cortina d’Ampezzo: skiing in the Dolomites and where to stay
When is the best time to ski in the Dolomites?
The season in the Dolomites usually runs from early December to early April. The area has many sunny days and extensive snowmaking, so conditions are often good even in dry winters.
January and March give the best balance between snow and space on the slopes. The holidays and February are busiest, so book your hotel early.
Frequently asked questions
Where should you stay for skiing in the Dolomites?
Val Gardena is the best base for most people, because it sits on the Sella Ronda and is close to Alpe di Siusi. Alta Badia suits those who want to eat well, and Cortina those who want an elegant town. Alpe di Siusi is best for families and beginners.
What is the Sella Ronda?
The Sella Ronda is a ski circuit around the Sella massif in the Dolomites, over four mountain passes. You can ski it in either direction, and it usually takes a full day with lunch. You need to be comfortable on red runs, and you should start early to catch the last lift home.
What does the Dolomiti Superski pass cover?
Dolomiti Superski is one lift pass for twelve ski areas in the Dolomites, including Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Cortina and Val di Fassa. It lets you ski several valleys on the same trip. If you only plan to ski one valley, a local pass for that area is often cheaper.
Which airport do you fly to for skiing in the Dolomites?
Innsbruck, Verona and Venice are the most common airports for skiing in the Dolomites. Innsbruck is closest to Val Gardena and Alta Badia, while Venice suits Cortina best. Allow two to three hours by car or transfer coach, depending on the airport and the valley you are heading to.
Are the Dolomites good for beginners?
Yes, the Dolomites suit beginners well. Alpe di Siusi and Alta Badia have plenty of gentle, wide slopes, and the ski schools are good. The Sella Ronda needs more experience, but beginners can still enjoy the views and the easy runs around the villages in the valleys.