Travel guide · Italy · The Dolomites turn pink at sunset
What to Wear in the Italian Alps in Winter
The Italian Alps are winter at its most elegant: the boutiques of Cortina, long lunches on sunny terraces, the Dolomites glowing pink at dusk. Days are often bright, but valley nights fall to −10°C, and a cold spell can bring −20°C.
The short answer
Sun on the terrace, frost in the shade: dress for both.
An Italian ski day moves between bright sun at lunch and deep cold on shaded slopes and chairlifts. Merino under your ski wear keeps you warm in the shade and comfortable at the table, without bulk.
Month by month, Cortina d’Ampezzo (1,224 m)
When to go, and what to pack
Average temperatures and daily hours of sunshine. Cold spells can bring nights of −20°C, and the top of the lifts is about 10°C colder.
January, place by place
From 6°C in Milan to −17°C on Mont Blanc
Average temperatures in January, the coldest month, and which Sleet weight to pack.
Air cools by roughly 6°C for every 1,000 m you climb. Livigno sits in a high valley where cold air settles: in a cold spell, nights of −20°C are common and −25°C is possible.
Winter moments
Four Italian winter moments, and what to wear for them
The Dolomites at sunset
At dusk the pale peaks turn pink and gold. Watch it from a mountain hut as the cold sets in.
Wear: 300 GSM, top and long john.
Ski around a mountain
A full day on skis through four valleys of the Dolomites, lift after lift.
Wear: 300 GSM, top and long john.
Mont Blanc by cable car
From Courmayeur, rotating cabins climb to 3,466 m, face to face with Mont Blanc.
Wear: 300 GSM under your coat.
Evening in Cortina
Shops, galleries and an aperitivo on the Corso Italia as the lights come on.
Wear: 240 GSM for village evenings.
Italian mountain lunches are long and the huts are warm. Merino breathes, so you stay comfortable at the table and warm again on the slope.
Which Sleet weight
Choose for the coldest place on your trip
240 GSM Midweight
Milan · Cortina and Courmayeur villages · evenings out
Warm for towns and villages, light enough for long lunches, shops and evenings out.
Shop 240 GSM To −30°C300 GSM Heavyweight
Livigno · Cervinia · Sella Ronda · Skyway · ski days
For full ski days, high lifts, summits and cold spells.
Shop 300 GSM For every travellerTwin Layer & Kids
Sensitive skin · children
Twin Layer: soft cotton inside, merino outside, cut for men and for women. Kids: extra-fine merino sets.
See the collectionSkiing every day? Take 300 for the slopes and 240 for the village evenings.
How to layer
Three layers, easy to take off
- Base layerMerino against the skin, top and long john. Warm on the lift, cool enough at lunch.
- Middle layerA fine wool or cashmere jumper, or a light ski fleece. Off at the table, on again outside.
- Outer layerSki jacket and trousers for the slopes; a tailored wool coat for the village.
Italy dresses well, even on the mountain. A merino base layer lets you wear a slim ski suit or your good coat and still be warm.
Packing list
- Merino base layer: two tops, one long john
- Fine wool or cashmere jumper
- Ski jacket and trousers, and a wool coat for the village
- Hat, neck warmer and ski gloves
- Wool socks, two or three pairs
- Boots with grip for icy streets
- Sunglasses and sun cream: the Dolomites are sunny
Questions travellers ask
How cold is Cortina in winter?
In January, about 1°C by day and −10°C at night. Cold spells can bring −20°C. Take 240 GSM for the village and 300 GSM for ski days.
Is Livigno colder than other resorts?
Yes. It sits high in a closed valley, and January nights average about −17°C. Choose 300 GSM.
Do I need thermals for Milan?
A 240 GSM base layer is enough for Milan in winter: about 6°C by day and just below freezing at night.
240 or 300 GSM?
240 for towns, villages and gentle days; 300 for skiing, high lifts and cold spells. If you ski every day, take one of each.
What size should I take?
See the size guide, or message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
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Going to the Italian Alps this winter?
Tell us where you will stay and how much you will ski. We will tell you which weight and size to take.
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