Family-Friendly Winter Vacation in the Dolomites

A winter vacation in the Dolomites

The Dolomites: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The Dolomites are renowned for their unparalleled natural beauty and geological significance.

Alpine Village in the Dolomites

Charming Alpine Villages

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Alpine villages offer a charming glimpse into life in the Italian Alps.

Ski Trip to the Dolomites

Ski the Italian Alps

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In the Dolomites, skiing isn't just a sport. It's a lifestyle.

Take your family-friendly ski trip to new heights in the winter wonderland of the Italian Alps at the 3 Zinnen Dolomites resort. We’ve included everything you need to know, from getting there to things to do, as well as why the Dolomites are in a league of their own when it comes to winter vacations.

Prepared By:

Shannon Lowery

Writer & Traveler

Embarking on a weeklong (or more!) winter vacation to the Dolomites is not just a journey into the heart of the Italian Alps but a truly unforgettable alpine escapade for the whole family. At 3 Zinnen Dolomites, a snow-hushed dreamscape of outdoor adventures, cultural enlightenment, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences awaits.

This story was created in partnership with 3 Zinnen Dolomites.

A family-friendly winter vacation at 3 Zinnen Dolomites

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Part of the Italian Alps, the Dolomites are located in northern Italy and easily accessible from many major cities in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. This means travelers have plenty of flight options to choose from. We recommend selecting two different arrival and departure cities and spending a few days in each on either end of your ski week. That way your winter vacation in Europe will have the best of both worlds with a city stay and a mountain retreat.

In addition, there are a few distinctions between European ski trips and their American counterparts. First, the cultural diversity of the Dolomites is incomparable to anywhere in the world, drawing influences from Italy, Germany, and Austria. Here, majestic peaks and pristine slopes are set against the backdrop of oh-so charming and historically authentic mountain villages. From the gastronomy to the language, this region is unlike any other. Moreover, ski trips to the Dolomites are typically more affordable than American ski trips without skimping on experience. Expertly groomed runs are matched with iconic apres-ski vibes for a fraction of the price of a North American ski resort.

Family-Friendly Winter Vacation in the Dolomites

By the end of your trip, your once-in-a-lifetime winter vacation to the Dolomites might just become your newest family tradition.

How to Get to 3 Zinnen Dolomites

First thing’s first: how do you get to the Dolomites? It’s easier than you might think! Bolzano Airport (BZO) is the nearest regional airport with connections from many major European cities. From there, you can hop on a train or bus to reach the 3 Zinnen Dolomites resort.

Speaking of trains, the entire Dolomites region is well-connected by rail from major cities like Munich, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria. This slow travel option is environmentally friendly, scenic, and often cheaper than flying!

Things to Do in the Dolomites

Skiing

Let’s get to the real reason you came to 3 Zinnen Dolomites: the skiing. Spanning five spectacular mountains, the resort’s well-groomed slopes provide a snowglobe playground for skiers of varying ages and experience levels. Here, skiing is a serious sport, but you can also find ski schools with instructors training beginners and those who may feel a bit rusty. Once you’re ready, choose from blue, red, and black ski runs, and don’t forget to show off your skills at the Skimovie experience.

Winter Sports + Outdoor Activities

Skiing isn’t the only outdoor activity you can enjoy during your winter vacation in the Dolomites. Snowboarding is popular, too, and sleds and toboggans offer a less athletic alternative to downhill adventures. Hiking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing are also great ways to experience the incredible landscape. For an extremely unique perspective, get a bird’s eye view of the Dolomites while soaring the skies with a paraglider.

Alpine Villages

In the Dolomites, allure extends beyond the mountains. Picturesque villages provide the perfect framework for window shopping along warm, inviting storefronts. Oozing Alpine charm, these mountain towns are like a scene straight from a Thomas Kinkade painting. Many North American resorts were built to replicate this very same aesthetic with a Disney-like strategy of being incredibly pleasant albeit entirely fabricated. But here in the Dolomites, the authenticity is original. Friendly locals run family-owned shops and people don’t just visit town, they call it home.

Cuisine

World-class skiing has to be fueled by world-class cuisine. Here in the Dolomites, the Germanic, Italian, and Austrian cultural influences are also reflected in the food. Mountain huts are the quintessential apres-ski dining experience, providing a cozy space to come in and get warm by the fire. Enjoy a steaming mug of gluhwein paired with everything from brown bread sandwiches to hearty Tyrolean specialties like kasspatzln and gröstl.

UNESCO Heritage Site + Sustainability

The Dolomites carry the UNESCO World Heritage distinction for their exquisite landscapes and geological significance. From glaciers to sheer rock formations, the region is recognized as one of the most distinct and impressive areas of natural beauty in the world. As such, mountain resorts like 3 Zinnen Dolomites are doing their part to embrace sustainable initiatives to preserve the splendor of the region. From sourcing regional products to eco-friendly transportation and ski lift infrastructure, be sure to take time to understand and appreciate all of the various sustainability efforts when you visit.