The Best Dolomites Day Trips From Venice in Winter

What is different about a winter Dolomites day trip?

In winter, expect:

• snow-covered peaks
• frozen or partly frozen lakes
• colder temperatures than in Venice
• shorter daylight
• winter driving conditions
• ski-season crowds in Cortina
• none of the summer lake activities

The scenery can be spectacular, but the day feels nothing like a June or September trip, and you spend more of it in the town and at viewpoints.

Best winter route from Venice

For a first winter visit, the most practical route is:

Venice → Pieve di Cadore → Lake Auronzo → Lake Misurina → Cortina → Venice

Every stop is reached by road, and none of them needs a high-altitude hike or a summer lift. The Cortina and 2 Lakes listing describes this route, with around 2 hours 15 minutes at Lake Misurina including lunch and about an hour of free time in Cortina on Corso Italia.

1. Cortina d’Ampezzo: the strongest winter stop

Cortina matters more in winter than in spring or autumn. The official Cortina tourism site promotes a long list of winter activities:

• skiing and snowboarding
• snowshoeing
• ski mountaineering
• cross-country skiing
• ice climbing
• curling
• ice skating
• husky sled-dog outings

Even if you never put on skis, Cortina gives you cafés, shops, snowy mountain views and a busy resort to walk around. On a day trip from Venice, it is the stop least likely to disappoint in any winter weather.

2. Lake Misurina in winter

Lake Misurina stays on the route, but you will not see the summer version of the lake. In winter you may find:

• snow-covered shores
• a frozen or partly frozen lake
• white mountain scenery all around
• fewer casual visitors

The summer boat rental and chairlift are closed outside June to September. The stop is still a good one; you walk the shore and photograph it instead of going out on it.

3. Lake Auronzo in winter

Lake Auronzo works as a short scenic stop. It is not the reason to book the trip, but snow makes it very photogenic, and because it sits on the road to Misurina it adds variety without a detour.

4. Pieve di Cadore

Pieve di Cadore makes a useful first mountain stop. It breaks the drive from Venice and gives you:

• village scenery
• a lake viewpoint
• a short walk
• a chance to stretch your legs before the road climbs into the Dolomites

Is Lake Braies good in winter?

Yes, but it becomes a different place. The turquoise water from the summer photographs gives way to:

• ice
• snow
• a white mountain backdrop

If Lago di Braies is on your must-see list, a winter visit can still be memorable. If you are coming for the rowing-boat picture, winter is the wrong season; our Lake Braies day-trip guide covers the months when the boats run.

Can you visit Lake Braies and Cortina in winter?

Yes, on two departures, depending on road conditions on the day. The Cortina and Lake Braies day trip (4.8/5 from 632 reviews, from $170) gives you an hour and a half at the lake and 45 minutes in Cortina in a minivan of up to eight, and from 6 December to the end of March it offers an optional self-drive snowmobile ride to Monte Piana, about 30 minutes and €30 paid on the day. The Misurina and Cortina day trip (4.7/5 from 621 reviews, from $212) visits San Candido and Lake Braies in place of the high Misurina side from 15 November.

Both make for a longer, more ambitious day than Cortina and Misurina. For a straightforward first winter trip from Venice, take the shorter eastern route; pick Braies if the frozen lake is the picture you came for.

Is winter a good time for photography?

Yes. Winter gives you:

• snow-covered peaks
• low-angle light for most of the day
• frozen lakes
• fewer visitors at some viewpoints
• dramatic weather

The downside is that low cloud or snowfall can hide the mountains completely. If photography is the reason for the trip, keep your dates flexible.

What should you wear?

Dress much more warmly than you would for Venice. Bring:

• a thermal base layer
• an insulated mid-layer
• a waterproof outer layer
• warm trousers
• waterproof walking shoes or boots
• a hat
• gloves
• warm socks

The Cortina and 2 Lakes listing asks for warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Is a guided tour better than self-driving in winter?

For many travellers, yes. Winter driving can involve:

• snow
• ice
• winter tyres
• chains
• narrow mountain roads
• changing visibility

If you have not driven mountain roads in winter, a guided tour removes most of the stress. Our car or guided tour comparison sets out the costs of each.

When is self-driving better?

Drive yourself if:

• you have winter-driving experience
• you want complete flexibility
• you may stay overnight
• you want to stop for photographs whenever the light is good
• you want to change the route to suit the forecast

Can you take the bus to Cortina in winter?

Yes. Cortina is one of the easiest Dolomites destinations to reach without a car. The direct ATVO bus from Venice suits you if you mainly want the town and not a day of several stops. Our guide to the Dolomites without a car has the route and timetable notes.

Best winter option for non-skiers

A sightseeing day by road. You do not need to ski to enjoy:

• Cortina
• snowy mountain scenery
• Lake Misurina
• short winter walks
• cafés and restaurants

The official Cortina site also lists snowshoeing, ice skating and curling among its winter activities.

Best winter option for families

A small-group sightseeing tour is usually easier than a self-drive route, because you do not have to manage:

• snowy roads
• parking
• navigation
• changing conditions

Check each listing’s age rules before booking: the Cortina and 2 Lakes day trip is not suitable for children under 6, and the Cortina and Lake Braies day trip sets its limit at under 3.

Best winter option for couples

Cortina and the scenic lakes. That gives you winter scenery, a town to wander, café stops and photographs, without needing to ski.

Best winter option for photographers

Stay overnight and drive yourself if you can. That gives you:

• sunrise
• sunset
• breaks in the weather
• quiet viewpoints

A same-day tour from Venice is convenient, but it cannot wait for the light.

December

December brings:

• Christmas lights and events, with Cortina’s Christmas programme from 5 December to 6 January
• more snow cover as the month goes on
• the start of the full ski season
• busier weekends towards Christmas

It is a good month for a first winter visit; our Dolomites from Venice in December guide covers it in detail.

January

January usually has settled snow cover and is colder than December. The ski season is in full swing, and Cortina is busy.

February

February is still firmly winter. Snow conditions are usually good, and Cortina runs as a major ski resort.

March

March can still be very wintry at altitude, but the days are longer. It suits you if you want snow with more daylight for the drive and the stops.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Bad weather is the biggest winter risk. Low cloud, heavy snow or poor visibility can take away most of what a scenery day is for. Book a listing with free cancellation (the three named here allow it up to 24 hours ahead) and check the forecast the day before.

Are winter tours from Venice worth it?

Yes, if you want a winter mountain day and not a summer one. The winter trips that work are the ones that still deliver when:

• the boats are off the water
• the summer lifts are closed
• hiking is limited
• the lakes are frozen

Cortina and Lake Misurina pass that test, which is why they make a strong winter pair.

My winter pick

For a first winter day trip from Venice, book the Cortina, Lake Misurina and scenic lake-stops route. It is simpler than the Braies days and depends on nothing that closes for the season.

The Cortina and 2 Lakes day trip follows this route, rated 4.9/5 by 1,184 travellers and from $182 per person. If Lake Braies matters more to you, the Cortina and Lake Braies day trip costs $12 less and adds the winter snowmobile option. Check your exact date on the listing, because winter itineraries can change with the snow.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Dolomites from Venice in winter?

Yes. Day trips by road reach Cortina and the lakes through the winter, weather permitting.

Do winter tours still run?

Several road-based sightseeing tours list winter dates, and two advertise winter itinerary changes. Check the itinerary for your exact date.

Is Cortina worth visiting in winter if you do not ski?

Yes. It has shops, cafés, a busy resort atmosphere and winter activities beyond skiing, such as snowshoeing and ice skating.

Is Lake Misurina open in winter?

You can still reach and walk around the lake, but the boat rental and chairlift run only from June to September.

Is Lake Braies worth visiting in winter?

Yes for snow scenery, but not if you want the classic summer picture with turquoise water and rowing boats.

Is driving difficult?

It can be, especially in snow and ice. Winter tyres or chains on board are generally required on mountain roads from mid-November to mid-April.

What is the best winter day trip?

Cortina with Lake Misurina is one of the strongest practical combinations, because none of it depends on summer lifts or boats.

Do you need special clothing?

Yes. Dress for winter mountain conditions: thermal layers, a waterproof jacket, waterproof boots, a hat and gloves.

Related reading

• Official Cortina winter tourism information
• The Dolomites from Venice in December
• The best time to visit the Dolomites, month by month
• Lago di Braies or Lake Misurina: which one should you see?
• Every Dolomites departure from Venice