When the first light hits the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, the mountains look vast, indifferent, almost daring. Valleys stretch like frozen veins, lifts hum quietly against the cold, and every slope feels like a test, not just of skill, but of courage. The Dolomiti Superski area, with its twelve valleys and more than 1,200km of runs, is a labyrinth of snow, sun+shadow and possibilities, where each descent becomes a conversation with yourself.

During our most recent tour of the Dolomites we had the pleasure to travel for the first time from Madonna di Campiglio to Cortina passing by Kronplatz, crossing countless winter towns and ski resorts of Trentino-Alto Adige. Here a heartfelt tribute to our beloved winter sports as well as a brief summary of the snowy visions that we will find very hard to forget.

Belonging to some of the most iconic and recognizable mountains in Europe, in Alta Badia, wide red runs are the first invitation to dare, while the black slopes of the world-famous Gran Risa and Saslong (as seen also at the recent Alpine Ski World Championship) push you to confront fear head-on. The main stage of the upcoming Winter Olympics games, Cortina d’Ampezzo, iconic and dramatic, becomes a stage for controlled risk: long and panoramic slopes, endless views, every turn challenging body and mind alike. Plan de Corones, or Kronplatz, spirals upward like frozen calligraphy, its expansive summit demanding perspective, reminding you how small doubt feels against the vastness of these peaks.

For those seeking full immersion, the Sella Ronda circuit is the crown jewel of the Dolomites. You ski around the Sella massif, Marmolada (the highest Dolomite peak) and through landscapes that shift between sheer rock walls, snowfields and alpine meadows, a very long run with each section testing focus, balance, and rhythm. Skiing clockwise or counterclockwise -based on your skiing level- you traverse Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba and Val di Fassa, where every turn becomes a negotiation with gravity—and with yourself—a chance to feel both awe and mastery in a single heartbeat.

But mountain is not just for experts and athletes. Even the gentle blue slopes carry weight. Campo Carlo Magno, near Madonna di Campiglio, or Monte Pana in Val Gardena welcome kids and first-timers with wide runs through quiet forests and a forgiving snow. But still, beneath that softness, the mountain whispers: “Do you trust yourself enough to let go?”, teaching patience and balance, a subtle test of confidence in new movement.

The peaks there feel alive, reminding you that hesitation is just a shadow to confront.