Where green meets adventure: discover Carezza Dolomites and its fairy-tale lake

Carezza Dolomites is the ultimate mountain haven for those who can't get enough of the great outdoors. Whatever the season, this is the place to be. Easy to reach and ideal for families, sports enthusiasts and keen hikers, it has everything you need for a holiday filled with adventure and jaw-dropping Dolomite scenery.

With state-of-the-art lifts and a real commitment to sustainability, you can enjoy the mountains whenever and wherever you like. Hit the slopes in winter, set off on long hikes in summer, cycle through the forests, savour surprisingly good local cuisine, and discover places that are so stunning they could easily be mistaken for AI creations. Here's what you need to know.

Carezza Dolomites is the green ski and hiking area less than half an hour from Bolzano that will make you fall in love with the mountains. A prime location at the foot of the Catinaccio and Latemar massifs guarantees love at first sight: views here are nothing short of spectacular.

Scenery aside, there’s more to appreciate. Carezza is one of the most environmentally conscious resorts in Italy and is committed to reducing emissions, using renewable energy and managing natural resources responsibly.

The modern, efficient, and beautifully designed lift systems make the mountains easy to reach and accessible all year round.

Visitors will always enjoy new ways to explore, have fun or relax in this happy place between Val d’Ega and Val di Fassa. 

There are 40 kilometres of slopes to suit beginners, families and expert skiers, with panoramic runs, snow parks, cross-country trails and toboggan runs. In winter, you can also go snowshoeing or enjoy long scenic walks at the foot of the Rosengarten-Catinaccio.

When the snow melts, it’s time for hiking, mountain biking, climbing on via ferratas, horse riding, swimming in lakes or perfecting your swing on the golf courses of Val d’Ega.

The Carezza Dolomites lift system opens the door to the most adventurous and spectacular corners of Trentino-Alto Adige, a region to explore on and off the ski slopes.

The surrounding area is home to surprising and unexpected sights: the Bletterbach Gorge in Aldino, the earth pyramids of Collepietra, and the Astro Village in Cornedo all’Isarco, the first of its kind in Europe.

Clearly marked itineraries cater for every pace and pedal stroke. One of the most rewarding is the King Laurin Tour, a family-friendly circular trail that offers constant views of the Catinaccio. The stroll among a picture-perfect landscape, mountain huts and charming alpine lodges leads to Lake Carezza, a legendary gem whose emerald waters and shimmering rainbow colours have inspired a local tale about a wizard’s unrequited love for a lake nymph.

Beyond the hiking paths, the Carezza area brags kilometres of mountain bike routes, the most adrenaline-pumping being the Carezza Trail, a 4.5 km track featuring fast bends and sections that weave through the forest. The local accommodation is fully geared up, too, with plenty of bike-friendly hotels to choose from.

For those seeking a true (and heart-pounding) connection with the rock, via ferratas represent the perfect adventure. There are six protected climbing routes crossing the Dolomites up towards the sky, making it possible to safely scale peaks like the Rosengarten, Roda di Vaèl and Passo Santner.

Rounding out the experience are cosy mountain huts, traditional alpine restaurants serving local delicacies, wellness hotels (excellent even for a day spa retreat), riding centres and golf courses.

40 kilometres of ski slopes, 16 kilometres of cross-country trails, 1 snow park, 1 toboggan run, 4 beginner-friendly ski schools, 6 protected climbing routes, and 4.5 kilometres of mountain biking through the woods: these are just some of the impressive numbers that tell the story of Carezza Dolomites.

The true pride of the area lies in its 13 ski lifts: cutting-edge, safe and designed to make mountain access simple and seamless in the winter and summer seasons.

The entire resort is served by chairlifts, cable cars and gondolas that offer easy connections between pistes, trails and hiking routes.

Thanks to innovative technology and clever architectural design, getting to higher altitudes is quick and comfortable (and becomes an experience in itself). Every ride comes with spectacular views to admire and enjoy.

The Cabrio cable car Tires is among the highlights. It's the first in Italy to feature an open-air rooftop terrace. Travellers can ascend in the open air with uninterrupted, 360-degree views of the Dolomites and the Catinaccio massif. The experience is worth the trip on its own. Both the departure and arrival stations are seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape to minimise visual impact.

The same principle has been applied to another standout feature of Carezza Dolomites, the König Laurin II gondola lift: its mountain station has been carefully designed to blend into the surroundings and almost disappear into the landscape.

Carezza Dolomites is a shining example of how responsibly mountain tourism can be done. The resort assumes a holistic approach to sustainability, which shapes every aspect of the management, from the lift systems to daily operations to actively raising awareness among visitors.

Carezza is one of the first climate-certified ski areas and is fully committed to continuously monitoring its environmental impact and structurally reducing CO₂ emissions. Every decision is guided by one clear goal: achieving climate neutrality.

This commitment is backed by concrete action. The resort runs on renewable energy, snow-making systems have been optimised to cut water and energy consumption, and transport connections are designed to limit car use and reduce local traffic.

Carezza Dolomites’ green philosophy also extends to its facilities, restaurants, partners, and guests, creating a virtuous network that works together to protect the natural heritage of the Dolomites for generations to come.

In practice, this means simple but meaningful choices: visitors are motivated to use refillable water bottles to reduce plastic waste, local mountain huts serve zero-kilometre produce, and staff contribute too: many travel to work by carpooling to help minimise car use.

Such a mindful, consistent approach has earned Carezza Dolomites major recognition, including the Climate Investment Award and the prestigious GSTC certification, the highest international tourism sustainability standard.