Winter in South Tyrol also offers plenty for fans of city life to enjoy. While snow in Bozen/Bolzano is usually cleared away, there is plenty of
winter fun to be had in the surrounding area. As a start there are the nearby ski areas of
Reinswald,
Rittner Horn and
Jochgrimm with their 35 kilometres of pistes, covered with pleasant powder snow and all boasting snowmaking facilities. Families in particular will love the toboggan runs, while cross-country skiers also have plenty to choose from: quiet cross-country ski trails lead through the snowy natural landscape, suitable both for relaxing and for hard training. Hikers can enjoy walks through the winter wonderland either in the snow-covered valley bowl of Bolzano or through forests and meadows up above the city. There are numerous snowshoe excursions and ski tours to be had, while the winter landscape at lower altitudes around Lake Kaltern has an appeal all of its own, even without a coating of snow; also many other lakes are transformed into a glittering ice-skating paradise in natural attire. The charm of winter in South Tyrol covers Bolzano and environs like icing sugar sprinkled on a cake.
The holiday region’s metropolitan ambience is also noticeable in winter. Famous far and wide, the Bozen/Bolzano
Christmas market with its idyllic wooden stands offers delicious regional produce, handmade products and traditional mulled wine. A winter holiday in and around the city combines charm and cultural attractions.
The skiing areas of Bolzano and environs at a glance
- Jochgrimm: a family-friendly ski area with 7 kilometres of slopes divided into 5 pistes, with 4 lifts, a kids’ toboggan run and a natural toboggan run, a children’s piste and a playground for the little ones, cross-country ski trails linking to the Lavazé Pass, a ski school and ski hire
- Reinswald: 9 pistes totalling 14 kilometres, 4 lifts, several cross-country ski circuits, one of South Tyrol’s longest natural toboggan runs (4.5 km), with refreshments available at the Sunnolm, Pfnatsch Alm and Gertrumalm huts
- Rittner Horn: wide slopes totalling 14 kilometres, suitable for beginners and leisure skiers, 3 lift systems, wonderful toboggan run, premium winter walking trail with 360° views for snowshoe excursions and ski tours, a ski school and ski kindergarten, with refreshments available at the Hotel Schwarzseespitze, Felturner Hut and Unterhornhaus mountain hotel