Christmas in the Dolomites: 3 unmissable experiences
With their snow-covered mountain landscape and numerous opportunities for winter sports, the Dolomites are always an unforgettable experience in winter, but at Christmas they are particularly beautiful: outdoor adventures and unique nature experiences combine perfectly with charming Christmas markets and exciting events.
Cosy and pleasant, stimulating and sporty, creative and extraordinary: you are sure to find something to suit you among our three recommendations. Treat yourself to a holiday in the Dolomites and enjoy an unforgettable experience that will make your Christmas in South Tyrol truly special!
At Christmas, you can discover snow-covered winter landscapes in the Dolomites of Südtirol.
IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige | Harald Wisthaler
Wolkenstein is located directly on the slopes of Gröden ski area and of the famous Sellaronda in the Dolomites.
DOLOMITES Val Gardena / Gröden - Diego MoroderChristmas in the mountains in Kastelruth: Christmas market in the Dolomite region of Seiser Alm
There are many Christmas markets in South Tyrol that spread a magical atmosphere, but the one we particularly like is Christmas in the mountains in Kastelruth: it takes place from 29 November to 28 December 2025 and is open during this period on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on 8 and 24 December.
The Kastelruther Bergweihnacht is an atmospheric Christmas market in the Dolomite region of Seiser Alm.
Seiser Alm Marketing | Helmuth Rier
At the Christmas market in Kastelruth, you will find beautiful gift ideas.
Seiser Alm Marketing | Helmuth RierKastelruth is not only the home of the Kastelruther Spatzen, it is also one of the most beautiful places in Italy, listed among the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia'. And then there is its dream location near the Seiser Alm and the imposing Sciliar massif!
The village square in Kastelruth offers a picturesque setting for the Christmas market with its carefully arranged stalls and family-friendly ice rink.
Take a look at the website of the Dolomite region Seiser Alm for the detailed programme of Christmas in the mountains in Kastelruth and experience an authentic Christmas in the Dolomites, with mulled wine and Christmas biscuits, an art exhibition not to be missed and lots of live music!
Our special tip for those who love wild and noisy fun
Next Saturday, 13 December 2025, the traditional Krampus parade will take place in Kastelruth. The event is organised every two years by the Tuifln of Kastelruth: Krampus and other scary figures from Italy, Austria, Germany and Switzerland will parade through the town centre starting at around 5 pm. After the Krampus parade, the party will continue with a DJ.
At the Christmas market in Kastelruth, you can enjoy regional specialties.
Seiser Alm Marketing | Helmuth RierGreat War Tour: skiing adventures around Col di Lana
Have you already completed the Sellaronda tour with ease and feel ready for a particularly challenging ski tour in the Dolomites? Then the Great War tour is just right for you, with breathtaking views of the Dolomites that are even more impressive and extra-long descents.
Important data and information:
- Total length: 82.5 km (including 31 km of ski slopes and 18 km of ski lifts)
- Partial sections with ski bus, taxi and horse-drawn sleigh (for a fee)
- Total duration: 7-8 hours
- 2 variants: the variant marked in red in an anti-clockwise direction and the variant marked in purple in a clockwise direction
- In German, the tour is called "Gebirgsjägertour".
If you aim to conquer the First World War Ski Tour in just one day, an early start with the first cable car is a must. Corvara ist an ideal starting point.
Lagazoi by Alex Moling für Alta Badia
When you ski the Gebirgsjäger Tour counterclockwise, a spectacular descent from Lagazoi to Armentarola | St. Kassian in Alta Badia awaits you.
Lagazoi by Alex Moling für Alta Badia4 ski areas and many famous Dolomite peaks.
We recommend that you take the Great War tour in an anti-clockwise direction, because the descent from Lagazoi to Armentarola | St. Kassian in Alta Badia is simply spectacular.
The circular tour can be started in Alta Badia, more precisely in Corvara. It can be done in one day, but you need to take the first chairlift at 8:30 a.m. If you want to explore the different ski areas at a more leisurely pace, split the tour into two days and plan your overnight stay along the route in advance. Whether it's one day or two, this ski tour in the Dolomites requires you to be in good physical shape and have no problems with black runs.
The FirstWorld War Tour takes you through 4 various Dolomiti Superski ski areas in Südtirol and the province of Belluno in Veneto.
Lagazoi by Alex Moling für Alta BadiaThe Great War tour passes through the following ski areas belonging to Dolomiti Superski: Alta Badia, Arraba/Marmolada, Civetta and Cortina d'Ampezzo (venue of the 2026 Winter Olympics). Alta Badia is located in South Tyrol, while the other ski areas are located in the province of Belluno/Veneto.
The tour centres on Col di Lana, the scene of fierce battles during the First World War, from which the circular tour takes its name. In addition to breathtaking views of Monte Pelmo, Tofana, Sassongher and many other famous Dolomite peaks, during the Great War tour you can also see historical evidence of the war in the mountains, such as the entrances to the tunnels.
You can find up-to-date information and a map of the tour's slopes on the Dolomiti Superski website.
Our special tip for those who want to try the longest descent in the Dolomites
If you have enough time, we recommend taking the cable car from Malga Ciapela to Punta Rocca (3,270 m) on the Marmolada: you can then enjoy a 12 km descent through a unique landscape!
Snow sculpture competition: winter event in Wolkenstein in Gröden
At the snow sculpture competition in Wolkenstein in Gröden, you can marvel at breathtaking monumental artworks carved from snow.
DOLOMITES Val Gardena/Gröden | Diego MoroderGröden is known as an exciting hiking and skiing area in the Dolomites, but also as the home of numerous artists and craftsmen. In particular, the art of wood carving boasts a centuries-old tradition here.
During the snow sculpture competition, sculptors and artists demonstrate their skill and creativity not on pieces of wood, but on huge blocks of snow: from 27 to 30 December 2025, they work on 3 m x 3 m x 3 m blocks of snow without the aid of power tools. Visitors are fascinated not only by the finished works of art, but also by the creative process, which lasts for hours.
In view of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the theme of this year's snow sculpture competition is WINTER GAMES. A jury of experts will select the main winners and a public prize will also be awarded. On Tuesday 30 December 2025, at 4 p.m., the award ceremony will be held on the municipal lawn to crown the event.
Every year, the snow sculpture competition features a new theme – in 2025, it will be WINTER GAMES.
DOLOMITES Val Gardena/Gröden | Diego Moroder
Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, a snow sculpture competition takes place in Wolkenstein in Gröden.
DOLOMITES Val Gardena/Gröden | Diego MoroderOur special tip for all those who love Alpine Christmas romance
A visit to the Christmas market in Wolkenstein is worthwhile, and not just during the snow sculpture competition. Aromatic gingerbread and wooden decorations, traditional Christmas carols and pleasant conversations: at Mountain Christmas, you can experience the warm Christmas atmosphere in Ladin style.
At the Christmas market in Wolkenstein in Gröden, you can enjoy gingerbread, mulled wine, wood carvings, and more.
DOLOMITES Val Gardena/Gröden | Diego MoroderHave a wonderful Advent and a Merry Christmas! 💫🎄❄️
