Winter in Trentino is not only about skiing. There is snow falling silently over the woods, the lights of the Christmas markets in the squares, the scent of mulled wine, a tub of warm water outdoors while it snows, and the view of the Dolomites that becomes even sharper in winter. Yes, the skiing here is good, but all around the slopes there is a whole other winter to live, made of snowshoe walks, family sledding, thermal baths and quiet moments. In this guide we tell you what to do in Trentino in winter, even if you never put on skis. We at Italy Holiday have been welcoming guests to this land for a long time, and these are the places we would recommend to a friend on the way for the cold season.

1. Christmas markets in Trento, the warm heart of winter

If there is one way to step straight into the atmosphere of a Trentino winter, it is an evening among the wooden chalets of the Christmas markets of Trento. During Advent, the squares of the old town, in particular Piazza Fiera and Piazza Mostra, fill with decorated wooden chalets, beside the ancient city walls. From one chalet to the next you find crafts, tree decorations, candles, ceramics and many local food specialties to taste on the spot.

It is one of the most beloved Christmas markets in Italy: festive lights, a large tree, the scent of mulled wine and warm sweets. It is perfect for an evening stroll in the cold, cup in hand, before heading back into the warmth. The markets open in the period from late November until Epiphany, but it is best to check the updated dates and hours on the official website before you go. If you like markets, you will find more ideas in our guide to the Christmas markets of Trentino.

2. Madonna di Campiglio, the slopes among the Brenta Dolomites

For those who love to ski, Madonna di Campiglio is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Alps. It is an elegant mountain town at around 1,550 metres of altitude, surrounded by the Brenta Dolomites and the Adamello glaciers. Its slopes are wide and well groomed, linked with those of Pinzolo and Folgarida-Marilleva to form one of the largest ski areas in Trentino, with many kilometres of runs for every level.

Even if you do not ski, it is worth coming up here in winter. The town has an elegant centre, welcoming places and a spectacular frame of mountains. The lifts in winter run roughly from late November until spring, but it is best to check the openings and updated hours on the official website. If you want a full picture of the region's slopes, read our guide on where to ski in Trentino.

3. Paganella and Andalo, snow for families at the foot of the Brenta

On the Paganella plateau, above Andalo, winter is designed with families in mind. The Paganella Ski Area offers wide slopes at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites, with many easy runs and some areas set aside for children and for those taking their first steps on snow. It is the right place to learn calmly, with ski schools and practice fields both up high and near the village.

But even without skis on your feet, here the snow is the star. Andalo and the villages on the plateau offer spaces to play in the snow, sledding and walks, while from above the views open onto the Brenta Dolomites. It is a handy base for those travelling with children who want a day in the snow without stress. If you are travelling with little ones, you will find more ideas in our guide on what to do in Trentino with children.

4. Alpe Cimbra, snowshoes and silence between Folgaria and Lavarone

To discover winter on foot, Alpe Cimbra is one of the most beautiful areas in Trentino. It is a broad plateau in the south of the region that gathers Folgaria, Lavarone, Luserna and the Vigolana, among meadows, woods and old First World War forts. In winter the snow covers everything and the plateau becomes ideal for a walk on snowshoes, among fir trees laden with snow and silent clearings.

Beyond snowshoeing, there is a lot of cross-country skiing here, with long groomed trails such as those of the Millegrobbe area, and downhill slopes for the whole family. Snow is usually reliable from the heart of winter until spring, thanks in part to programmed snowmaking, but it is best to check the updated conditions on the official website. It is a fine idea for those seeking quiet mountains, far from the crowds.

5. Monte Bondone, snow a short hop from Trento

A few minutes from Trento, Monte Bondone is the home mountain for those who want snow without travelling far. It is an amphitheatre of gentle slopes with wide, always-snowy runs, a snow park and a well-equipped cross-country ski centre at Le Viote. The soft slopes are perfect too for family sledding or for a simple day in the snow with children.

Precisely because of its altitude and its open shape, Bondone is an easy destination for snowshoe walks, including flat trails suitable even for the youngest, in the natural area of Le Viote. In winter the climb is convenient even by public transport, with a ski bus linking Trento to the mountain. It is a great idea for a quick day in the snow, perhaps combined with an evening at the markets in the city.

6. Terme di Pejo, the warm bath while it snows outside

One of the loveliest things about winter in the mountains is sinking into warm water while there is snow all around. The Terme di Pejo are in Val di Pejo, inside the Stelvio National Park, at around 1,390 metres of altitude, surrounded by the peaks of the Ortles-Cevedale group. Their mineral waters have been known and valued for centuries, and the facility pairs thermal treatments with a wellness area featuring an indoor pool, hydromassage tubs, a sauna and a Turkish bath.

It is the right place for a pause of pure relaxation after a day in the snow, or simply to treat yourself to calm and warmth in the heart of winter. The wellness area is open in the cold season too, but hours and openings may change, so it is best to check the updated information on the official website before you go. The frame of the national park, with its snowy mountains, makes the experience even more special.

7. Terme di Comano, gentle relaxation in the Adamello Brenta Park

If you are looking for a slow winter, made of wellbeing and nature, the Terme di Comano are a perfect choice. They sit in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, where the thermal water flows naturally at around 27 degrees. It is a water rich in bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium, known for centuries for its gentle properties on the skin, so much so that the centre is among the most important in Italy for treating conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis.

The baths are set in a large park with meadows, ancient trees, streams and small ponds, an oasis of calm even in the cold season. It is the ideal place for those who want to slow down, take care of themselves and enjoy nature without the rush of the slopes. Hours and programmes may vary with the season, so it is best to check the updated information on the official website. For more wellness ideas, read our guide on thermal baths and relaxation in Trentino.

8. Passo Paradiso and Tonale, the high-altitude view over the snow

To close, we take you up high, where winter is at its grandest. Passo Paradiso is a panoramic terrace at around 2,585 metres of altitude, above the Passo del Tonale, on the border between Trentino and Lombardy, near the Presena glacier. From up here the gaze takes in wide, bright mountains, and the high-altitude air makes the snowy landscape even sharper.

The whole Tonale area is perfect for winter: beyond the ski slopes, there are snowshoe routes and walks on the snow suited to those who want to experience the mountains at a slow pace. Thanks to the glacier, snow lasts a long time here through the season. It is the most distant point on this list and sits high in the mountains, so it is best to check the lift openings and road conditions on the official website before you go, but for a day of views over the snow it is worth the trip.

Where to stay for a winter in Trentino

If you look at the map of these places, you notice one thing: winter in Trentino is made of many different experiences, and many are within easy reach from a good base in the valley. From a home in the area of the Valsugana lakes, around Caldonazzo, Levico and Calceranica, you can reach Trento and its markets in a few minutes, go up Monte Bondone for a day in the snow, get to Alpe Cimbra for a snowshoe walk and plan day trips towards the big slopes and the thermal baths.

In the morning you wake up in the warmth, choose whether to live the snow on the slopes or at a slow pace, and in the evening you head back to a cosy home after a cup of mulled wine at the markets. If you like the idea of a quiet winter with the mountains all around, the area of the Valsugana lakes is a handy and versatile base.

We at Italy Holiday welcome guests right in this area, in homes designed to make you feel at home from the very first moment. If you dream of a winter of snow, markets and relaxation, discover where to stay near the Valsugana lakes and pack your bag: Trentino in winter is waiting for you.

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