10 things to do in winter in Canazei
In addition to lots and lots of skiing you can also take it easy and enjoy the culture and good food
A mountain village surrounded by the imposing beauty of the Italian Alps, this is Canazei, a village in Val di Fassa that becomes a winter wonderland for ski lovers. All this thanks to its strategic position in a basin that has the Marmolada to the south-east, the Sella Group to the north-east, Sassolungo to the north-west — pretty much anywhere you look you’ll see the Dolomites!
The many ski slopes which, thanks to the ski lifts, you can reach from Canazei are part of the Dolomiti Superski resort, on the biggest ski resorts in the world.
What if you don’t ski? There are so many things for non-skiers to do. First of all, you can explore Ladin culture, admire the architectural beauty of Gries, a hamlet near Canazei or you can relax in a wellness centre or take a walk in the snow. There is no chance for you to be bored.
Here are 10 things we recommend doing in Canazei in winter!
Explore the village and discover Ladin culture
The first thing you should do after dropping off your suitcase is to take a stroll through the village. San Floriano, a 16th-century church in Piaz de Sèn Floriàn, is a must see, as is Cèsa La Floriana, a building that is sure to catch your eye thanks to its colourful Ladin decor.
Ski at one of the world’s most famous resorts
Canazei is in the perfect location for people who love to ski. From the village, you can easily reach the Belvedere-Col Rodella, Buffaure-Ciampac, and Marmolada ski areas, which are all part of the Dolomiti SuperSki, the place to go for avid skiers.
Skiing at Canazei-Belvedere
Easy to reach from Canazei, this ski area offers skiers 21 km of slopes of varying difficulty. It is directly connected to Giro del Sellaronda, and from here it connects to the Skitour Panorama from which you can ski to the Buffaure and Ciampac ski areas, from Pozza to Sass Pordoi.
Skiing on the Ciampac slopes
From the hamlet of Alba di Canazei you can reach Ciampac with the D-Line ski lift. From here you can enjoy the magnificent panorama overlooking the entire Val di Fassa and Fiemme, from the Sella and Catinaccio groups all the way to the Marmolada.
Take your children to play in the Indian Village
On Ciampac, at the cable car arrival station, you will find Val di Fassa’s highest children’s park in the snow at a whopping 2000 metres asl! Swings, slides, wooden play structures, and an ice hut. What is more, close by there is a slope for sleds and inner tubes so that you can have all the thrill of going down a slope but be perfectly safe doing so!
Crossing the Sellaronda on skis
From Canazei you can take the ski lift and go to the starting point of the Sellaronda, the best known ski tour in the Alps. A 40-km trail (26 of which you can ski) around the Sella massif, crossing though Italian Alpine passes. Pordoi, Campolongo, Gardena and Sella.
Snowboarding
Whether you are a beginner or expert snowboarder, the Dolomiti Family Park & Funslope is the place for you! You will find it at the heart of the Belvedere ski area, and it can be easily reached with the ski lift from Canazei. It is divided into 3 areas: the Family Park, for little ones, the Funslope, for beginners to learn to freestyle, and the Funcross, for more expert snowboarders.
Try cross-country skiing
A holiday in Canazei can be an excellent opportunity to learn how to cross-country ski. The Canazei Cross-country skiing centre is the perfect place to learn the fundamentals of this sport that gives your arms, legs, and chest a workout! You can access the runs direct from Canazei, from Ciasates.
Relaxing at Dolaondes
After so much physical activity, it is now time to relax in a hot sauna, a steam bath, and then soak in a hot tub. It is time to go to Dolaondes — a 2,400-m2 water centre with pools, slides, and a wellness centre. The perfect place to recharge!
See the view from Sass Pordoi
We’ll let you in on a little secret, one of the most breathtaking views of the Italian Alps, so much so that Sass Pordoi has been given the nickname the Terrace of the Italian Alps. To get to the summit (almost 3,000 metres asl) you can take a ski lift that you can walk to from the centre of the village.
