What to Wear Skiing in the Dolomites: Cortina, Alta Badia and Val Gardena Style Guide

What to wear skiing in the Dolomites is simple once you know the days: technical skiwear for long circuits like the Sella Ronda, a lighter layer and sunglasses for slow lunches at mountain huts, and a warm knit and coat for evenings in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia and Val Gardena. There is no official dress code anywhere in the Dolomites. For winter 2026/27, Perfect Moment covers both the piste and the village, and you can shop the full range in our women’s ski pants edit, starting with the High-Waist Aurora Flare Ski Pant in Snow White.

Skiing in the Dolomites: The Basics

The Dolomites are pale limestone peaks in northeast Italy, spread across the provinces of Belluno, Bolzano and Trento. Skiing here feels different from the big French and Swiss resorts. Valleys connect through high passes, and one Dolomiti Superski pass lets you move between them. Villages are small and Italian in rhythm: a proper lunch at a rifugio, the local name for a mountain hut, is part of the day, not a break from it.

That shapes what you pack. You will often ski for a few hours, sit outside on a terrace for an hour, then ski back across a pass in the afternoon chill. Layers you can open and close beat one heavy coat.

Cortina d’Ampezzo After the 2026 Olympics

Cortina is the Dolomites’ best-known town, in the Veneto, and it carries a lot of history. It hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, and in February 2026 it co-hosted Milano Cortina 2026 with Milan. The women’s downhill, super-G, giant slalom, slalom and combined all ran on the Olympia delle Tofane, the same slope used for the men’s downhill in 1956. Curling took place in the Olympic Ice Stadium, and bobsleigh, luge and skeleton moved to a rebuilt sliding centre on the site of the historic Eugenio Monti track.

The Games are over, but the attention has stayed. Expect a town that is busy, stylish and walkable, with a main pedestrian street for the evening stroll.

What to wear in Cortina on the slopes

The Tofane has long, steep runs, so dress for speed and cold at the top. A down jacket with a snow skirt is the base. The Polar Flare Down Jacket in Burgundy is cropped and flared, with 10K waterproof fabric, 700-fill-power down and a helmet-compatible hood. Pair it with the High-Waist Aurora Flare Ski Pant in Wine for a tonal look that reads well against white rock and snow.

What to wear in Cortina in the evening

Evenings in Cortina lean polished, but there is no dress code. A fine knit set and a warm coat cover most dinners. The LA Tour Merino Wool 1/4 Zip Sweater in Wine with the Chalet Merino Wool Knitted Pant in Wine makes an easy matching set. Add a long down coat, a hat and boots with grip for icy pavements.

What to Wear in Alta Badia

Alta Badia is a cluster of villages, among them Corvara, San Cassiano and La Villa, in South Tyrol, on the Sella Ronda loop. The Gran Risa slope at La Villa hosts a men’s World Cup giant slalom each December. The provisional date for 2026 is Sunday 20 December. The area is known for food, and many skiers plan the day around lunch.

For sunny terrace days, swap the heaviest jacket for a gilet over a merino layer. The Merino Wool and Cashmere Down Gilet in Blush has a merino wool and cashmere knit outer with 700-fill-power duck down, and pairs with a ski sweater underneath. Keep a shell in your pack for the ride back across the pass. If you go to watch the Gran Risa race, stand-up spectating on snow calls for a long coat, warm boots and a hat.

What to Wear in Val Gardena

Val Gardena takes in Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva, with the Saslong World Cup downhill run above Santa Cristina. In 2026 the men’s super-G and downhill are scheduled for 18 and 19 December, subject to the FIS snow check. Val Gardena is also the gateway to the Alpe di Siusi, a wide, high plateau with gentle runs.

It suits a sportier look. A sleek jacket and a flared pant work all day, and a statement knit covers the bar after. The Star Dust Merino Wool Sweater in Cloud Blue has the brand’s all-over star print and sits well under an open shell. For a softer German-Alpine look, Bogner’s Vally Down Ski Jacket in Beige is a good alternative.

Dressing for the Sella Ronda

The Sella Ronda is the Dolomites’ signature ski day: a loop of roughly 40 km around the Sella massif through Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa, signposted in both directions. Sources differ on how much of it is on lifts. You will spend a lot of time sitting on chairlifts and gondolas, which is where cold creeps in.

• Start with a full base layer, top and legging, because lifts are colder than skiing.
• Wear a jacket with a snow skirt and a hood that fits over a helmet.
• Carry a light gilet you can add at the top of a pass.
• Pack goggles and sunglasses. Bright sun off pale rock is intense, and passes can cloud over fast.
• Keep a small backpack for water, sunscreen and a spare layer, since you will be far from your base by lunch.

Our how to layer for skiing guide explains the three-layer system in more detail.

Dolomites Ski Outfits at a Glance

A White Ski Look for the Dolomites

White skiwear photographs beautifully against pale limestone, and the Dolomites suit it. Start with the Snow White Aurora flare, then add a white jacket such as the Classic Waisted Down Ski Jacket in Snow White, which has 700-fill-power down, a snow skirt and a ski pass pocket. Add one bright accent, such as a red beanie, so you stay visible in flat light. Our white ski jacket guide covers care and styling.

For a wider view of Europe’s top resorts, see the world’s luxury ski resorts and what to wear in each. If you are heading on to Switzerland, read what to wear in St. Moritz, and for evenings, our apres-ski outfit guide. Readers in the UK, the US and the Middle East can check sizes in our Perfect Moment Europe guide, which converts XS to XL into IT 38 to 46.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear skiing in the Dolomites?

Wear a waterproof, insulated ski jacket with a snow skirt, a stretch ski pant with snow gaiters and a full base layer. Add a light gilet for sunny lunches on mountain hut terraces. Pack goggles and sunglasses, because the light off pale rock and snow is bright.

Is there a dress code in Cortina d’Ampezzo?

There is no official dress code in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The town has a stylish reputation, and many visitors dress up a little for the evening walk and dinner. For a specific hotel, restaurant and club, check the venue’s own guidance.

When were the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics?

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics ran from 6 to 22 February 2026. All the women’s alpine skiing races were held on the Olympia delle Tofane in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina had hosted the Winter Olympics once before, in 1956.

How long is the Sella Ronda?

The Sella Ronda is a circuit of roughly 40 km around the Sella massif, though tourism boards quote figures up to 44 km. A good part of the distance is covered by lifts, and the route is signposted in both directions. Allow a full day and dress warmly for long chairlift rides.

Is the Dolomites ski pass valid across all resorts?

The Dolomiti Superski pass covers 12 ski areas and about 1,200 km of slopes, including Cortina d’Ampezzo, Alta Badia and Val Gardena. Local area passes are also sold if you plan to stay in one valley. Check current pass options before you travel.