Things to do in winter at Passo Costalunga: skiing, snowshoeing and snow-based activities

Passo Costalunga is a different place in winter. At 1,753 metres, nestled between the vertical walls of the Catinaccio and the towers of the Latemar, the landscape is completely transformed: the Dolomite rocks are blanketed in snow, the air becomes crisp and silent, and the sunset illuminates the Enrosadira more vividly than in summer, thanks to the contrast with the white. It is not just a winter mountain pass: it is a prime gateway to everything the Dolomites have to offer in the cold season.

The Pass is a place to experience, not just a place to pass through. There are resorts, hotels, mountain huts, restaurants, bars and pizzerias just a short walk from the apartment, and the towns of Vigo di Fassa (on the Val di Fassa side) and Nova Levante (on the Val d'Ega and Bolzano side) are less than ten minutes' drive away. But the real difference lies elsewhere: from here, you can walk to the ski slopes, the snowshoe trails, the frozen Lake Carezza and the mountain huts. No car journeys in the morning, no traffic, no stress. Step out the door and you're already immersed in a Dolomite winter.

Skiing in Carezza Dolomites: slopes on your doorstep

The Carezza Dolomites ski area is Passo's winter highlight. Twenty-one slopes, over forty kilometres of skiing, modern lifts and a visual backdrop you'll struggle to find elsewhere: from almost every slope, you can see the Dolomites right at your fingertips, with the peaks of the Latemar and the Catinaccio (also known as the Rosengarten) keeping you company from dawn till dusk. What makes the ski area unique is its scheduled snowmaking system, which begins as early as late October, ensuring that all slopes are open from the start of the season right through to Easter, without interruption.

The ski area offers slopes for every level of experience: the higher you go, the greater the challenge. From CostaLungaHouse, you can walk straight to the lifts. Fancy a change of ski area? With the ski bus stop right outside the apartment and the same "Val di Fassa" ski pass, you can easily reach the slopes at Vigo di Fassa or Buffaure in Pozza di Fassa. The ski pass office, the CarezzaSki Skischule and the Vigo di Fassa Passo Costalunga Ski School (both with instructors for all levels) are just a stone's throw away. Behind the apartment, you'll also find the Le Poppe slope for younger children, the Pra di Tori black run and the Hubertus blue run, which connects to the Paolina: from there, you can reach any part of the ski area.

The slopes cater for all levels. The green and blue runs are perfect for families and beginners: spacious, wide and well served by the lifts. For those looking for something more technical, the Pra di Tori is the go-to black run, where the Snowboard World Championships are held in December. The snowboard park is well equipped, with a halfpipe and freestyle areas. Since last winter, the new Franzin cable car has been opened, further expanding the resort's facilities.

For those who prefer cross-country skiing, Val d'Ega offers groomed trails through the woods, with varying levels of difficulty and scenery that is worth the trip in itself.

Beyond Carezza: Obereggen and the Sellaronda

A twenty-minute drive from the Pass, the Obereggen ski area is the place to be if you're looking for a more thrilling experience. The red and black runs are challenging, the views are spectacular, and twice a week — on Tuesday and Friday evenings — the slopes stay open for night skiing until midnight. There is also one of the longest toboggan runs in the area, perfect for spending a different kind of afternoon or evening.

Further afield, the Sellaronda is the ultimate alpine skiing experience in the Dolomites: the circuit of the four passes — Sella, Pordoi, Campolongo, Gardena — covering 40 kilometres with a cumulative vertical drop of almost 12,000 metres. From Passo Costalunga, you're in Val di Fassa in just a few minutes, and from there the Sellaronda is already within reach.

Snowshoeing and winter walks

You don't need to ski to enjoy winter at Passo Costalunga. The summer trails are transformed into routes for snowshoeing or simple walks in the snow, accessible to everyone, immersed in a silence that doesn't exist in summer, among mountain huts and alpine pastures.

Three routes in particular are worth a visit:

• Trails 21, 13 and 17 towards Malga Latmor Alm and the Latemar: through the Latemar woods, heading for the mountain hut where you can stop for a warm break. In winter, these trails also lead to the charming Latemar open-air mountain cinema, one of the most original art installations in the Dolomites.
• Trail 548 towards Tre Baite and Rifugio Roda di Vael: a scenic route offering views of the Catinaccio and the surrounding glaciers, also suitable for those who are not experienced in winter mountaineering.
• Lake Carezza in winter: just five minutes from the Pass, the frozen lake offers a completely different experience from summer. The water disappears beneath a layer of ice and snow, the Dolomites are reflected in the silence, and on special evenings lanterns are lit along the route.

Behind the house there is also a toboggan run for children (and for adults seeking a gentler thrill) and a fully equipped snow play area.

Lake Carezza in winter: lanterns, ice and the Enrosadira

Lake Carezza is the Pass's summer postcard. But in winter it becomes something different, perhaps even more beautiful. The emerald-coloured water disappears beneath the ice, the Latemar peaks stand out sharply against the blue sky, and the crisp winter air makes the Enrosadira at sunset more vivid than ever: the Dolomite walls glow red and orange with a colour contrast that summer, with its warmer light, cannot replicate.

On the evenings organised during the winter season, the path around the lake is lit by lanterns, transforming a thirty-minute walk into an unforgettable experience. Few tour operators mention it, and very few websites talk about it. Those who come here discover it by chance, and then tell others about it.

Spas and relaxation after a day in the snow

A day on the slopes, or even just a long walk in the snow, is best rounded off with a visit to a thermal spa. In the Passo area, you have two excellent options.

QC Terme Dolomiti, in Pozza di Fassa, is one of Italy's best-known mountain spas: heated outdoor pools, views of the Dolomites, sauna facilities and an atmosphere that lets you switch off completely. CostaLungaHouse guests are entitled to a 10% discount on spa entry. Booking is recommended on weekends during the winter.

Terme Dolomia, in Pozza di Fassa, has a more therapeutic focus: the water is thermal and suitable for specific treatments, and CostaLungaHouse has an agreement in place that allows its guests to access the spa on preferential terms.

Christmas and New Year in the mountains

The Christmas period is one of the most popular times for a stay at the Pass. The villages and mountain huts are decked out in festive lights, and between the end of November and the eve of 5 December — St Nicholas' Day — the towns and hamlets come alive with parades and ancient traditions linked to the Krampus. With the first snowfalls, Christmas markets spring up all over the area.

In Bolzano, reachable in about 30 minutes by car or by the bus that stops right outside the apartment, there is the Bolzano Christmas market, one of the most historic and famous in Italy: woodwork, local crafts, mulled wine and an authentic atmosphere without the hustle and bustle of artificial markets. Less than fifteen minutes away, the Pietralba market in Val d'Ega is more intimate in size but has a character all of its own. In Val di Fassa, every town — Vigo, Canazei, Moena, Pozza — has its own market featuring local artisans and produce.

For those who prefer a New Year's Eve at altitude, the Pass is an ideal base: dinner in a mountain hut, a starry sky free from light pollution and, the next day, the slopes already open right on your doorstep.

Staying at the Pass in winter: why it makes all the difference

You realise the difference between staying in the valley and staying at the Pass first thing in the morning. You step outside, and the ski slopes are right there. No car to load, no parking space to find, no queuing for transport. You wake up, have breakfast, and you're on the slopes just a short walk from the house, or you can hop on the ski bus that stops right outside CostaLungaHouse if you fancy exploring other areas.

In the evening, when the ski areas close and everyone heads down to the valley, you walk back for some après-ski just behind the slopes. The Enrosadira accompanies the sunset, just as it does every day. The sky, at 1,753 metres, is something else entirely: with no light pollution, in winter the stars are visible as you haven't seen them for years — thanks in part to the telescope available in the house.

CostaLungaHouse is an apartment designed for those who want to truly experience the mountains, not just visit them. The welcome basket with local produce, self check-in so you can arrive whenever you like, and spaces designed for rest after a busy day: this is what makes the difference between a place to sleep and a place to stay.

If you're considering a winter stay at Passo Costalunga, in the Catinaccio and Latemar Dolomites, get in touch to check availability for the dates you're interested in. We respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.

Read also: Complete guide to outdoor activities at Passo Costalunga — summer, winter and all year round