Val di Sole: Winter experiences and ski holidays in Italy in a new way is written by Anna-Sophie Christensen. The editors were invited along for the ride Visit Trentino. All opinions are, as usual, those of the editors.
Can you go on a ski holiday without skiing?
I've always dreamed of going on a ski vacation. The idea of enjoying a hot cocoa or a trip to the spa after a long day in the snow in the fresh mountain air sounds really appealing.
There's just one problem: I can't ski. The one time I tried, I never learned to stop, and with my clumsiness, I don't even dare think about hurtling down a slope on a pair of thin boards.
Still, I've never given up on the dream of a ski holiday. So I was pretty excited when I found out that you can actually go on a ski holiday – or should I say 'snow holiday' – without skiing. And what better place to go on my first ski holiday than in Italy, where I can combine my snow activities with fantastic food and magnificent scenery?
So I set off on my first snow adventure to Val di Sole in Trentino in northern Italy, right by the Dolomites. And let me just say this: This won't be the last time I go on a snow vacation.
Here is a guide to what you can do on your ski holiday, regardless of whether you want to supplement your skiing with unique experiences or ditch the skis altogether and enjoy the snow-covered mountains in another way. Or whether you are a mixed group with different wishes that need to be accommodated.
Ski holiday in one of Italy's best ski areas
Even though I didn't click on my ski boots on my 'skiing holiday' in Val di Sole, that doesn't mean others can't. In fact, the area is one of the most popular ski destinations in Italy, and I understood why when I whizzed down the black piste on the Passo Tonale glacier. In the safety of a gondola, of course. I don't think you'll find a more beautiful setting to embark on a breakneck adventure.
For those who actually want to ski and not just drink hot cocoa, enjoy the view and eat pasta like me, Val di Sole is a pure ski paradise. Here are three ski areas with something for everyone, from families with children to those who are not afraid to test the limits on the black slopes.
The three ski areas in Val di Sole offer something for everyone. The ski area “PEJO3000” is located in the middle of the Stelvio National Park and is the world’s first plastic-free ski area, where all plastic bottles and the like are banned. PEJO is perfect for families and new skiers.
The second is Pontedilegno-Tonale, known for its slopes on the Presena glacier, and last but not least, in Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta you can whizz down more than 150 kilometers of continuous slopes.
The areas each have their own unique charm, and what they all have in common is the magnificent nature and fantastic food experiences. It's just a matter of choosing the place that best suits your needs and level.
If there is someone in the family who doesn't ski, there are still plenty of options. The experiences are close to each other, so while some are whizzing down the slopes, others can take a snowshoe tour through the winter-clad landscape or pamper themselves in the spa.
Wow experiences you won't soon forget on a ski holiday in Italy
What do a sleigh ride, a cooking class and a private spa experience have in common? They are all part of the 'Wow experiences' that Val di Sole offers. Here you can try everything from stargazing in the winter darkness to dog sledding, sunrise hiking and cycling in the snow. In other words, experiences that will make you forget about everyday life.
I tested three of them, and I have to say that “wow” is the perfect description. First it was snowshoeing in the mountains with a guide. I was a little nervous about spending more time in the snow than on my snowshoes. But as we walked through the crackling snow landscape under a cloudless sky, past frozen waterfalls, mountain lakes and animal tracks, I was sold. It definitely won’t be the last time I snowshoe.
After the adventure in the snow, it was time to slow down, and what could be more luxurious than a private spa? Yes, you read that right. An entire spa area just for me, finished off with a massage at the Terme di Pejo spa. Need I say more?
The best part is that you can also book the entire spa area for yourself as part of Wow experiences. If you've dreamed of having a sauna, steam room and thermal baths all to yourself, then this is your chance.
The next day I swapped my snowshoes for an apron and threw myself into a cooking class in the chalet, where I lived. Here I learned how to make the popular dessert apple strudel. It was a wonderful – and tasty – way to gain insight into the area's food culture.
Val di Sole offers 27 different wow experiences, ranging from culture and gastronomy to active excursions and pure relaxation. What do they all have in common? That they give you a completely unique insight into the soul of the area. And a place in the travel memory album you will never forget. And it's easy.
Alpine idyll and family fun in Italy
When I arrive at my accommodation, Chalet Alpenrose Bio Wellness Nature Hotel, it feels a bit like stepping into a movie. Even though the mountainsides around me are covered in snow instead of blooming meadows, I expect at any moment that someone will come singing around the corner.
Chalet Alpenrose is located in the middle of a national park and is a family-run hotel where you immediately feel at home. Everything is built in wood, and it all exudes coziness, warmth and soul. After a long day in the snow, I especially enjoyed sinking into the hot sauna in the spa department and letting my muscles completely relax.
A chalet is a very classic building in the alps. It is the epitome of alpine idyll, and if you want to experience the authentic and cozy Val di Sole, I can highly recommend staying in one. They are located like pearls on a string in the valley, often surrounded by untouched nature in national parks, where you can really relax and enjoy the silence of it. northern Italy.
It was certainly a unique experience to spend the night in a classic alpine chalet and get up and pull the curtain back to a view of towering mountain peaks. The cozy chalets often also have really good food, which in my book is just a big plus.
My first concert in an igloo in Val di Sole
One of the most magical experiences on the trip to Val di Sole was, to my surprise, not on, but under the snow.
Imagine sitting in an igloo 2600 meters above sea level surrounded by ice on a mountaintop while music fills the room. That's exactly what Paradice Music offers. And oh yeah, a little detail: All the instruments are made of ice. In fact, everything is made of ice, from the stage to the instruments, the seats and of course the igloo itself.
It takes about a month and a half to build the igloo, which is made entirely of snow and ice from the area where the concert is held. In fact, only three people are responsible for making all the instruments out of ice using a very special technique.
It was a truly unique experience to sit in a giant igloo and listen to the music, and I quickly forgot all about the cold. But a little tip: bring warm clothes. Your experience will be best in ski pants, so leave the nice set at home.
A slice of Val di Sole makes your ski holiday to Italy perfect
Can you say Italy without thinking about food? I certainly can't. For me, the local food is an inevitable part of any trip, and Val di Sole certainly didn't disappoint.
In Val di Sole, local produce and tradition are woven into every meal. Many of the ingredients come directly from the fields and mountains of the Italian valley. This applies to everything from creamy cheese to honey and meat, which I think is the icing on the cake of an already pretty perfect meal. Their Casolét cheese in particular is a fantastic delicacy, as are the juicy apples from the nearby Val di Non valley, which find their way into everything from desserts to main courses.
I think it added an extra bonus to the already wonderful food experiences to know that almost everything I ate was grown and produced locally. Here, food is not just about enjoyment. It's also about sustainability, respect for nature, and a zero-plastic policy that makes a real difference.
And what is a ski holiday without a local specialty in a glass that can warm your feet after a long day on the slopes?
I was tempted to try one of the area's famous ski drinks, Bombardino, which means 'little bomb' in Danish. I guess I haven't said too much. It can at least be recommended for warming up your limbs after a day in the snow.
If you also want to pamper your taste buds on your ski holiday in Italy, then head to Val di Sole in Italy. And if you want a snow holiday with activities for the whole family, this beautiful place is also an obvious choice.
Have a great snow and skiing holiday in Italy and Val di Sole!
10 amazing experiences on your ski holiday to Val di Sole in Italy
- Snowshoe hiking
- Experience Paradise Music
- Take a cooking class
- Relax in the thermal spa of Pejo
- Experience the view at Passo del Tonale
- Stay overnight in a cozy chalet in the middle of a national park
- Ski
- Go on a sleigh ride
- Go cross-country skiing
- Go on a winter hike in the snow
Did you know: Here are the 7 cities in Europe with the most hours of sunshine
7: Nice in France – 342 hours/month
6: Valencia in Spain – 343 hours/month
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