Carezza & Latemar: Family Skiing, the Dolomites Way

If you’re dreaming of a family ski holiday in Italy that blends sunshine, dramatic scenery, delicious food and plenty of fun for all ages, then Carezza & Latemar – Dolomites Region Eggental in South Tyrol/Südtirol, northern Italy, is a destination that should be top of your wish list.

Dolomites region Eggental is the kind of place that instantly feels like a winter home as soon as you arrive. Nestled between the Rosengarten and Latemar massifs, this welcoming valley offers two neighbouring ski areas, Carezza Dolomites and Latemar Dolomites (Obereggen), that together create a playground where beginners, kids, intermediates and experts can all find their perfect rhythm. It’s a favourite destination for family ski holidays in Italy for good reason: big skiing without the big‑resort feel, wrapped in warm hospitality and framed by some of the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites.

With 300 sunny days a year, the Eggental valley is famous for its “Ski the Sun” magic. Here, the slopes of Carezza and Latemar glow under crisp blue skies, and the views stretch across UNESCO Dolomite massifs. You’re skiing beneath the Rosengarten/Catinaccio, Latemar and Schlern/Sciliar, peaks so dramatic they look painted onto the horizon.

Two skiers carving in Carezza Dolomites as the Rosengarten glows pink at sunset © Dolomites region Eggental

Carezza Dolomites: Sunny, Gentle, Perfect for Kids, But With Plenty to Challenge As Well

If you’re planning a South Tyrol family ski holiday, Carezza Dolomites is a dream. Known for its gentle terrain and warm welcome, it’s ideal for beginners, little learners, and mixed‑ability families.

But Carezza Dolomites has plenty to offer more experienced skiers too, with red and black slopes and plenty of challenging skiing for those who want it, including the famous König Laurin Challenge detailed below.

Carezza Dolomites is the sunny sweetheart of the Eggental valley, offering 40 kilometres of beautifully groomed slopes that feel tailor‑made for families and anyone easing into their skiing journey. The terrain is wonderfully welcoming, with 55% gentle blue runs perfect for beginners and children, 30% playful reds for cruisy progression, and 15% blacks that add just the right touch of challenge for confident skiers. With 13 modern lifts gliding smoothly across the area, getting around is effortless, and the whole ski day feels relaxed, bright and full of possibility.

The atmosphere is warm, friendly and full of Dolomite magic, and the ski area also hosts standout sporting moments, including the FIS Snowboard World Cup on 17 December 2026, which adds a splash of high energy excitement to this otherwise wonderfully laid back corner of the Dolomites.

Carezza’s slopes are wide, sunny and confidence‑boosting, great for children finding their feet and adults rediscovering theirs. The ski schools are known for their playful approach, and the kids’ areas are designed to make learning feel like an adventure.

Two young children skiing towards their instructor on a sunny slope in Carezza Dolomites © Dolomites region Eggental

Since winter 2025/26 the new Franzin Gondola with cabins each seating 10 people has given a big upgrade from the old T bar drag lift, running from Moseralm to Franzin Alm. It’s a huge upgrade for families, beginners, snowboarders and guests with limited mobility, offering comfortable, easy access to the heart of the ski area. It’s also the first gondola in Italy equipped with Leitner’s innovative LeitPilot system.

For families with confident skiers, the König Laurin Challenge is a must try: a 7.7 km descent dropping 1,132 vertical metres from the Rosengarten down to Nova Levante/Welschnofen. It’s long, scenic and full of Dolomite drama. Carezza also features a snowboard race track where Czech star Ester Ledecká has twice competed. Ester’s name now appears on one of the Hubertus cable-car cabins and she has won twice on the Pra di Tori.

Skier descending a steep slope in Carezza Dolomites beneath the cliffs of the Rosengarten © Dolomites region Eggental

Latemar Dolomites (Obereggen): Action, Adventure & Evening Magic

Latemar Dolomites is where families with mixed abilities thrive. It’s playful for kids, exciting for teens, and packed with challenges for experts. Yet it still feels intimate, friendly and easy to navigate.

The Latemar Dolomites ski area packs an impressive amount of variety into its sun‑kissed slopes, offering 50 kilometres of skiing that feel wonderfully expansive yet easy to navigate for families. The terrain is beautifully balanced, with gentle blue runs making up 19%, a generous spread of 67% red pistes for confident cruisers, and 14% black slopes that give advanced skiers plenty to grin about. With 18 lifts linking the area seamlessly, it’s simple to move between viewpoints, valleys and villages, whether you’re chasing wide‑open carving terrain or dipping into the woods for a quieter descent.

Latemar’s playful side shines through its two toboggan runs and the ever‑popular alpine coaster, which kids adore and parents secretly love just as much. Scattered across the slopes you’ll find 16 inviting huts, each offering a cosy pause for hot chocolate, hearty lunches and those panoramic Dolomite views that make every break feel special.

The Brunoland children’s park which sits right next to the Obereggen valley station has been redesigned for the 2026/27 winter season. It’s designed as a joyful world of discovery, with playful features that help young skiers learn through fun. It’s part of a broader project to enhance comfort, safety and transport capacity for young guests and families.

Ski instructor chatting with a family on the slopes of Latemar Dolomites in Obereggen © Dolomites region Eggental

At the other extreme, if your family includes thrill seekers, the Latemar Sixpack is a bucket list challenge to tackle six legendary runs which are steep, scenic and unforgettable. They are the Oberholz piste which offers 2.75 km of pure Dolomite perfection, dropping over 500 metres; the Maierl black slope with a 55% gradient and 433 metres of vertical; the Pala di Santa which features the famous “muro della Santa” with a 58% gradient; the long and varied Agnello with its legendary wall section; Cinque Nazioni, the historic red run named after past champions and last but definitely not least, Torre di Pisa, the steepest slope in the area, with a 59% gradient and 459 metres of vertical. It’s a thrilling challenge for advanced skiers and a fun talking point for the whole family over lunch at one of Latemar’s 16 huts.

And then there’s the magic of Obereggen after dark. Twice a week, the ski area transforms into a glowing winter playground, with night skiing, night sledding and an illuminated snow park that lights up the valley. Kids adore it, teens love the atmosphere, and adults can’t resist a few extra runs under the stars. It’s one of those experiences families talk about long after the holiday ends. Latemar also hosts exciting sporting moments, including the Men FIS Slalom Europa Cup on 18 December 2026, adding a touch of high‑energy prestige to this friendly, welcoming ski area.

Across Carezza and Latemar, you’ll find over 40 rustic huts serving everything from traditional South Tyrolean dishes to innovative cuisine and Italian dolce vita classics. Panoramic terraces make every lunch feel like a celebration, and kids love the cosy, welcoming atmosphere.

© Thomas Monsorno

Together, the two ski areas offer over 90 km of perfectly groomed pistes, and if you’re exploring further, nearby favourites like Gitschberg Jochtal and Plose offer even more family‑friendly terrain. All areas are part of the larger Dolomiti Superski pass system, giving access to more than 1,200 km of slopes. Yet despite the scale, the atmosphere remains relaxed, friendly and wonderfully family‑focused.

“Big skiing without the big-resort feel, wrapped in warm hospitality and framed by some of the most iconic peaks in the Dolomites.”

Beyond Skiing: Winter Magic in the Eggental Valley

The Eggental valley is far more than a ski destination; it’s a place where winter feels layered, soulful and full of discovery, especially for families. Beyond the slopes, the valley opens into a world of snowy adventures that invite you to slow down, explore and enjoy time together. Snowshoe hiking takes you through quiet forests and across wide, white alpine pastures, while winter hiking paths, an impressive 160 kilometres of them, wind gently through the landscape. Families who love variety can switch between sledging sessions, scenic strolls and cross-country skiing, with 100 kilometres of trails spread across Nova Ponente/Deutschnofen, Carezza and Passo Lavazè, where you can enjoy pure nature and snow-covered landscapes. As the trails rely almost entirely on natural snow, conditions and availability may vary throughout the winter. And for those who adore deep snow wanderings, the region offers 150 kilometres of snowshoe routes, each one revealing a different angle of the Rosengarten and Latemar giants.

The valley’s charm continues in its family friendly experiences, which feel both playful and wonderfully local. Children love visiting the planetarium and observatory, where the night sky becomes part of the holiday story. Lake Carezza, usually frozen in winter is part of an attractive winter landscape where local legends are told and there are good hiking opportunities. Dumpling workshops bring everyone together in the kitchen, torchlight hikes to the tiny church of St. Agatha feel like stepping into a fairy tale, and the festive atmosphere around Christmas and Carnival fills the valley with colour and warmth. Culinary moments are all part of the experience here, be it cosy hut lunches or stylish aperitivos that let you savour Italian dolce vita with a Dolomite backdrop.

Two skiers raising an aperitivo with Dolomite peaks behind in Dolomites region Eggental © Dolomites region Eggental

Rooted in Respect & Mobility

The Dolomites region Eggental is committed to concrete, meaningful environmental action. Obereggen has held ISO 14001 environmental management certification since 2004. Since 2007, the village has been supplied with heat from a local wood-chip district heating system, while the Oberholz mountain hut uses geothermal energy for heating.

The modern Oberholz mountain hut among snowy trees in Latemar Dolomites © Dolomites region Eggental

The Dolomites region Eggental also encourages arrival by train or long distance bus where possible and practical through its “Take the train and win” raffle. And with the South Tyrol Guest Pass, exploring the region by public transport is wonderfully easy. Guests staying at participating accommodation providers enjoy unlimited use of public transport across South Tyrol. It’s a simple, seamless way to get around and ideal for families who prefer easy logistics and stress free travel days. Carezza Dolomites uses 100% renewable electricity for snowmaking and exclusively HVO fuel for slope grooming. Snowmaking is carried out only when temperatures are suitable, helping to ensure efficient use of resources.

A Winter That Feeds the Soul

The Dolomites region Eggental offers more than a holiday, it offers connection. Families slow down, share moments, laugh on sunny slopes, and discover new adventures together. Whether you’re tackling the Latemar Sixpack, watching your child take their first turns in Brunoland, or enjoying a lantern‑lit walk to Lake Carezza, this valley wraps you in warmth and wonder.

For a family ski holiday in South Tyrol that balances fun, flavour and breathtaking scenery, whatever everyone’s age or ability, Carezza & Latemar – Dolomites region Eggental is a place you’ll want to return to again and again. Sunshine, snow, stories, and shared adventures, the Dolomites way.

Main image © Dolomites region Eggental

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