Can white dazzle? Certainly. It always does here.
Imagine getting up when you feel like it one morning after an abundant night time snowfall. You’re on winter holidays in the Dolomites and have all the time in the world. As you lean out of your terrace, the sun has already begun to take its place in the sky, the few remaining clouds are gradually melting away and, before turning your attention to a tasty, filling breakfast, you enjoy the blue-white contrast, the light of the sun and the crisp pure air directly from your accommodation.
The spectacle is one you’ll never get used to. Magnificent. The view stretches from sky to land, from the sparkling white Dolomites horizon to pine forest cloaked in snow, the sun shining on the roofs of the houses which seem to be enjoying their new, white cloak. Everywhere there is silence with even the slightest noises reaching you muffled and distantly. The sensation is one of peace and quiet and the day begins with a dream. This is the very soft impact of a winter in San Vigilio di Marebbe and San Martino in Badia and it is certainly one of the best reasons for a winter holiday in the South Tyrol. But it certainly isn’t the only one.
A winter holiday here in the South Tyrol is a complete holiday, offering all the pleasures, sports and thrills you’re looking for. From the morning on, as we have seen! Sunny days - an extremely high percentage even in winter - mean that the cold will not put you off and you’ll be keen to get out and enjoy a bit of free time.
Whether you appreciate a little well-deserved solitude or you’re looking for company and fun, here in beautiful Badia you’ll always find what you’re looking for.
From winter sports like downhill skiing, Nordic ski or sledging to walks and trips out with snowshoes, romantic horse-drawn sledge trips, tasty Ladin dinners and fun evenings in the refuges. On your own, in groups, couples or families with children, whether you’re looking for a thrill or the most complete peace and quiet, winter in our Dolomites, UNESCO natural heritage site, is a not-to-be-missed holiday and a sure winner. For everyone!
In winter, the Dolomites around San Vigilio and San Martino in Badia become the undisputed kingdom of alpine skiing. The most authentic version of alpine skiing finds its ideal territory here, with skis covered with seal hides, that become a way of reaching peaks and summits that are otherwise completely cut off, before descending through fresh snow, between the peaks of the nature parks of Fanes Senes and Braies or Puez Odle. The altitudes, between 2000 and 3000 meters, are ideal for always having good snow cover, while the varied hillsides offer a multitude of tracks to practice this sport surrounded by show-stopping landscapes.
But do take care: the mountain must always be approached with caution and respect; any risk can be fatal and it is absolutely necessary to follow weather reports and avalanche forecasts!
The Passo delle Erbe has always been able to surprise visitors, who reach in winter the 2,000 m to enjoy the tranquillity of this place. At the foot of the Dolomitic peak Sas de Pütia, from this winter you can hear not only the cross-country skiers or the murmur of walkers, but also the little steps in the snow of the Siberian Huskies. The adventure of the "far north" with the sleighs driven by dogs makes a stop in Antermoia-Passo delle Erbe, on the border of the Puez-Odle Nature Park. With the guidance of an expert "Huskysleddog" the participants will be able to take in hand the sledge, which pulled by the Siberian Huskies, will pass into the fresh winter air. This special experience, which takes great attention and respect for animals and the environment, is suitable for the whole family with children from 3 years of age.
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Wrapped in a warm blanket and comfortably seated in a sleigh pulled by a mighty Norico, the horse-drawn sleigh rides in the Dolomites hold a fascination that transports us back to ancient times, to the silence broken only by the noise of the animals, to the steam rising from their rumps and the white glow of the snow and the whitewashed landscape. It's a trip around San Vigilio, but it’ll feel like you’re living in a dream, like a scene from a movie like Dr Zhivago, burning with passion for his beloved Lara.
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The sled is the best winter entertainment to learn as a child. They will remember forever. For some time now, it has also been revived as an alternative pastime to skiing or to walking and excursions, and there are more than a few ski resorts that have tracks for a descent into the valley by sled. It has also become possible, as an alternative to climbing on foot, to go back up using the cable cars, and then sled back down. A particularly welcome solution for families with children, who can have fun together with their young ones, but that is also enjoyed by groups of friends looking for a new activity.
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Ice skating is one of the most absorbing and fascinating winter sports to experience. Whether you prefer it as the game of ice hockey, fast-paced and dramatic, or as the elegant movements of figure skating. Easier said than done, however, and for many people success is simply being able to move with sufficient confidence, mastering the skates that slide quickly over the frozen surface. Yet, when approaching an ice rink, there are very few, especially among children, who can resist the temptation to give it a try. As in all the village centers in the Dolomites, in San Vigilio and San Martino you can also spend a few hours skating on the ice on their well-maintained ice rinks. All you need is a bit of courage and to rent the skates and most of the work is done.
