Sunrise to sunset skiing in Trentino

With consumer confidence on the rise and snowsport enthusiasts desperate to make up for a lost season, the Italian region of Trentino is offering skiers and boarders even longer days on the slopes in the Dolomites right up until Easter.

From sunrise and sunset skiing excursions and illuminated night skiing, to soaking up the springtime sun on the terrace of a mountain hut while devouring delicious gourmet Trentino dishes, or unwinding in a private spa at dusk, there many reasons why Trentino is the place for springtime skiing this season.

Sunrise to Sunset Skiing

To get the most out of the snow days before the end of the season, sunrise skiing is organised in resorts across Trentino throughout spring, while sunset skiing excursions and night skiing will mean they can be the last ones on the slopes at the end of the day.

Trentino SkiSunrise takes place across Trentino on select dates throughout the season for skiers, and sometimes snowshoers too, when lifts are opened exclusively early for visitors to experience untouched slopes at the first light of day, followed by a hearty breakfast at a gourmet mountain hut.

Advance booking is required. Dates available up to 17 March, 18€ for adults; 12€ for children (12 and under) (lift pass not included) www.visittrentino.info/en/guide/events/trentino-skisunrise_e_318133  

There are further experiences to extend the day on the snow too with sunset skiing in the resort of Madonna di Campiglio in the Brenta Dolomites. With a torch in hand, skiers and snowboarders can take the lift after the last run, enjoy a snack in a mountain hut and then ski down under the starry sky accompanied by the ski instructors.

24 February, 10 and 17 March; 40€ per person. www.campigliodolomiti.it/topexperience

If skiing up to the last light of day isn’t enough, numerous slopes across the region offer ‘skiing under the stars’, where visitors can ski, sled or snow tube late into the night on illuminated slopes. For example, in Val di Fiemme, the Olimpia 3 slope at Alpe Cermis and Obereggen at Ski Center Latemar are open until 22:30, meaning skiers can have dinner in a mountain hut and then ski back down to the lifts under the stars. Twice a week, the Paganella ski area opens a 3km slope until 22:30, suitable for skiers and boarders of all levels to practice in the moonlight. Budding racers won’t want to miss the illuminated Aloch piste in Val di Fassa, which is open at night twice a week until 22:00 and is where the Italian Alpine Skiing team train.

Prices vary, for more information and other flood-lit slopes in Trentino:

www.visittrentino.info/en/articles/ski-and-fun/night-skiing

Sun terraces for springtime skiers

As the “home” of mountain huts, or ‘rifugi’, Trentino’s slopes are dotted with authentic places to eat delicious local produce, drink an aperitivo and soak up the sun from their huge terraces, making it one of the best destinations for springtime and fair-weather skiers.

The chic Chalet 44 Alpine Lounge in Val di Fiemme is close to the top of the Bellamonte lift and so easily accessible for a gourmet lunch. Its suspended terrace is carefully designed to provide shelter from the northeast wind and has a glass railing that creates the same effect as an infinity pool with views of the Pale di San Martino and the Lagorai chain. For unrivalled views of the Brenta Dolomites in western Trentino, the Rifugio Dosson is in the popular Paganella ski area and has a large natural terrace where skiers can stop for a drink and relax on a deck chair before facing their next decent. The hut opens late on Tuesdays and Fridays during the winter season for dinner. For a more refined cuisine, for over 70 years Malga Ces in the San Martino di Castrozza ski area, has been a place for superb, traditional cuisine, prepared exclusively with local products. Its large terrace sits in what is a green meadow during the summer and is framed by the surrounding mountains.

Spend the night at the top of the mountains

For those that want to soak up every last bit of the sun’s rays, the fresh mountain air and tranquil surroundings, some mountain huts offer overnight stays with exclusive wellness experiences to enjoy when the crowds have descended back down to the villages.

At 2,225 metres above sea level, on the famous Sellaronda slope, in the Col Rodella ski area in Val di Fassa, the Salei mountain hut has a large wellness area overlooking the slopes and the Trentino Dolomites. It is a small paradise with saunas and heated pools and a relaxation area on its large private terrace. Inside, rooms and suites are even more comfortable and welcoming thanks to the extensive use of wood and a variety of internal and external lounge corners. The hut can be reached on skis, but also by the hut’s snowmobile from Passo Sella.

Deluxe rooms are from 470€ per nights, half board, based on two sharing. www.rifugiosalei.it

In the upper Val di Sole, above Passo Tonale, at the foot of the Presena glacier, the Capanna Presena mountain hut – designated a Green Mountain Hut this season - has eight suites and a sauna with a Jacuzzi that overlooks the glacier. As a designated “green” mountain hut, it only uses energy from renewable sources, is plastic-free, uses only Ecolabel products and serves organic food and wine harvested locally and bearing certified quality labels.

Double rooms are from 238€ per night, half board, based on two sharing.

www.rifugipassotonale.it/it/capanna-presena.html.

From the spa of the Solander mountain hut, in the heart of the Folgarida-Marilleva ski area, guests can admire the spectacle of the Brenta Dolomites that light up with bright colours at sunset. The hut offers comfortable, alpine-style rooms for two, three and four people.

Rates from 77€ per person per night on half board. www.rifugiosolander.com/it/brentaspa