Seasons in the Dolomites
The Dolomites have two main seasons. Summer runs from late May to early November for lifts, huts and mountain roads. Winter runs from late November or early December to April. In between lie two quiet periods when many lifts are closed.
We have no verified climate figures, so we do not quote temperatures or sunshine hours. What we can give you is something more useful for planning: the dates when lifts run and the weeks when access rules apply. High summer has the most visitors and the strictest rules. September is quieter. Dates below are for 2026, and most operators have not published 2027 yet.
Summer lift and bus dates (2026)
Status as of 19 October 2026. A dash means no verified figure.
| Lift or service | 2026 dates | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Seceda cable car (Ortisei) | 22 May to 2 November | 8:30 am to 5:30 pm |
| Alpe di Siusi cable car (Siusi) | 22 May to 2 November | 8 am to 6 pm, until 7 pm from 7 June to 6 September |
| Lago di Carezza lifts | 23 May to 1 November | – |
| Lagazuoi cable car | until 18 October | 9 am to 5 pm |
| Cinque Torri chairlift | 6 June to 11 October | – |
| Tofana (Freccia nel Cielo) | from 13 June to 27 September | – |
| Faloria (Cortina) | from 11 July | 8:30 am to 4:20 pm, last descent 5 pm |
| Shuttle bus 444, Dobbiaco to Tre Cime | 31 May to 11 October | Reservation required |
The Tre Cime toll road normally opens at the end of May and closes at the end of October, but snow can close it temporarily. The huts around the Tre Cime are open from June to September. The Lagazuoi opening day is given as 30 May or 6 June, depending on the source.
Dolomites tours by season
Guided hikes, photo tours and day trips, with live prices and availability.
Access rules by month (summer 2026)
Choosing the best month to visit the Dolomites also means choosing your rules: most restrictions apply in high season. Book ahead for July and August.
May and June
Lifts open from 22 May (Seceda, Alpe di Siusi) and 23 May (Carezza). Bus 444 starts on 31 May. Huts open in June. On 6 June the four Sella passes were closed to motor traffic for the Sellaronda Bike Day, and on 20 June Falzarego and Valparola closed for the Dolomiti Bike Day.
July and August
Peak season. From 1 July to 15 September the Braies valley needs a booking between 9 am and 4 pm (combined ticket €44). The Alpe di Siusi car park booking has been required since 29 June (€30 per day). Seceda sells 30-minute slots (€74 return). The Maratona dles Dolomites closed the Giau, Falzarego and Valparola passes on the morning of 5 July.
September
Quieter. The Braies rule ended on 15 September; from 16 September there is no traffic restriction and no reservation. The Sellaronda Bike Day closed the passes again on 12 September. The Tofana lifts stopped on 27 September.
October and November
Cinque Torri and bus 444 stopped on 11 October, Lagazuoi on 18 October. Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi cable car run until 2 November, the Carezza lifts until 1 November. The Tre Cime road normally stays open until the end of October. The rowing boats at Lago di Braies are scheduled until 1 November 2026 (10 am to 4:30 pm from 28 September to 30 October).
The shoulder seasons
On the Alpe di Siusi the shoulder seasons run from mid April to mid May and from early November to early December. The cable car is closed then, but the road stays open all day. Parking at Compatsch costs €15 per car (€80 per bus) instead of the €30 summer fee. Other lifts have their own dates, see the table above.
These weeks are quiet, but you lose the lift-assisted hikes, and the huts are mostly open only from June to September. We have no verified information on winter closures of passes such as Pordoi or Falzarego, so check road conditions before you drive. Dates for summer 2027 have mostly not been published. According to the Braies valley tourism site, the traffic rule will return in summer 2027, with details in spring. The Tre Cime shuttle should restart in summer 2027.
The Dolomites in winter
Skiing starts late November to early December in 2026.
Start dates differ by area. Cortina expects its first lift openings from late November to early December. A sales calendar quoted by a secondary source starts on 20 November 2026. Lago di Carezza opens its lifts on 4 December 2026 and keeps them open until 29 March 2027. Cortina's main areas run until early or mid April.
Cortina advertises its first winter after the Olympic Games, with a new 10-seat gondola from Lacedel to Socrepes and the Olympia delle Tofane piste. The 1-day Dolomiti Superski pass costs up to €89 in high season. For the area, the Sella Ronda and prices, read our skiing guide.
Best time of year to visit the Dolomites for each trip
Pick by activity.
Best time of year to hike in the Dolomites
Our sources give roughly June to October for the main trails. Huts are mostly open from June to September, and the lifts run from late May to early November. September is quieter than high summer.
Best places to visit in the Dolomites by season
In summer the lift-served places such as Seceda, the Alpe di Siusi and Lago di Carezza are open until early November, and the Tre Cime road normally until the end of October. In winter the ski areas open between late November and early December.
Best time to visit the Dolomites: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Dolomites for hiking?
Our sources give roughly June to October for the main trails. Huts are mostly open from June to September, and the lifts run from late May to early November. September is quieter than high summer.
When do the cable cars close in autumn 2026?
Seceda and the Alpe di Siusi cable car close on 2 November, the Carezza lifts on 1 November. Lagazuoi closed on 18 October, Cinque Torri on 11 October and Tofana on 27 September.
When does the ski season start in the Dolomites?
Between late November and early December 2026, depending on the area. The 1-day pass costs up to €89 in high season.
Is it worth going in the shoulder season?
If you want quiet, yes. Expect closed lifts and huts that are mostly open only from June to September. On the Alpe di Siusi the road is open all day then, and parking costs €15 instead of €30.
Do I need to book in July and August?
In 2026 yes for Seceda, the Tre Cime toll road, the Braies valley between 9 am and 4 pm, and parking on the Alpe di Siusi.