The 5 most popular ski resorts in and around San Candido

San Candido is located in one of the most beautiful skiing regions in the world. Why? It's simple: the mighty Dolomite peaks surrounding San Candido are part of the world's largest ski carousel, Dolomiti Superski, and five of them are directly connected by modern lift facilities.

Thanks to their interconnectedness, the ski areas of Helm, Rotwand, Stiergarten, Kreuzbergpass, and Col d'la Tenda form the heart of the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski region and are considered a hidden gem of the Dolomiti Superski. They impress with a spectacular variety of slopes, guaranteed snow, new ski lifts, meticulous slope preparation, and cheerful après-ski. However, the standalone Haunold family ski resort in San Candido and the small but very attractive Rienz ski area in Dobbiaco are no longer insider secrets; they are well-known and appreciated among die-hard winter sports fans for their skiing fun and unique challenges.

We at the Glinzhof love our hometown of San Candido and, of course, our local mountain Haunold above all else. That’s why we advise every one of our winter sports-loving guests to visit the Haunold family ski resort in San Candido.

The Haunold mountain is located right in the center of San Candido and impresses all age groups and skill levels with its first-class descents. With a total of 23 kilometers of slopes, five lift facilities, four ski huts, a 3-kilometer-long toboggan run, a snowboard park for spectacular stunts, and a floodlit slope for night skiing, every winter sports enthusiast is sure to find exactly what they are looking for.

Even the ascent to the Haunold ski area at an altitude of 1,500 m with the four-seater chairlift is a true delight. The view of the stunning mountain backdrop of the 3 Zinnen region simply makes every winter sports enthusiast's heart beat faster and builds anticipation for the rapid descents that the Haunold ski resort has to offer.

The Helm ski mountain is the number 1 ski mountain in the Alta Pusteria. Thanks to the most powerful snow-making system in Northern Italy, the Helm ski resort can be covered in snow within 40 hours. This ensures that even in this already snowy and sunny region, slope conditions are always perfect.

At the Helm ski resort, you can expect a total of 63 kilometers of slopes of all difficulty levels, 9 ski lifts, and the longest descent in the Alta Pusteria: the 4.8-kilometer Helm-Versciaco slope. Furthermore, Helm is nicknamed the "Event Mountain" because numerous events take place there, especially in winter—such as the exclusive Helm Mountain New Year's Eve with a five-star menu and fireworks, the annual longest giant slalom with 104 gates called Helmissimo, or the crazy snow shovel race known as "Helm-Juchiz."

But the Helm ski mountain also delights winter sports enthusiasts of all ages with its stunning panoramic view of the Sesto Dolomites—including the peaks of the Cima Nove, Dieci, Undici, Dodici, and Una, as well as the Punta dei Tre Scarperi and the Haunold.

The Stiergarten ski resort in Sesto can be reached via two gondola lifts and is situated at an altitude of 2,100 m. It delights beginners, families, and advanced skiers alike.

The Stiergarten ski mountain impresses with its quiet location and magnificent scenery. Directly from the mountain station, you have a view of the Sesto Sun Dial and the world-famous Three Peaks (Drei Zinnen).

The easy nature of the slopes and the picturesque Dolomites make the descent a relaxing pleasure. Here, you can get back into the swing of things at your own pace after the long summer break, practice new techniques, or simply carve to your heart's content.

The Rotwand in Sesto, standing at an altitude of 2,000 m, is one of the largest ski mountains in the Alta Pusteria and offers numerous highlights for gifted skiers and snowboarders. Approximately 80 percent of the roughly 16 kilometers of slopes are classified as intermediate to difficult, challenging winter sports enthusiasts in a variety of ways.

Nevertheless, families and beginners also feel perfectly at home on the Rotwandwiesen. The breathtaking view of the imposing Dolomite peaks, paired with the only reindeer herd in South Tyrol and guaranteed snow, turns the Rotwand ski resort into a wintry fairy-tale landscape year after year.

Once a week, you can take part in a guided tour of the reindeer enclosure, and regular reindeer sleigh rides across the snow-covered meadows of the Rotwand are also offered.

But it's not just the reindeer that amaze ski holidaymakers young and old; the eight-meter-high snowman family at the foot of the Rotwand is also a major attraction in the sun-drenched Rotwandwiesen ski area.

A small but very attractive ski area is the Rienz Ski Center in Dobbiaco. Surrounded by beautiful, dark fir forests at an altitude of 1,200 m to 1,410 m, it invites beginners and families in particular to enjoy relaxed skiing and snowboarding. However, professional athletes also enjoy spending time on the 3.9 kilometers of slopes.

The experts among winter sports enthusiasts truly get their money's worth on the Trenker slope. In terms of ski technology, this slope is considered one of the best racing tracks in Italy and can be rented for professional ski training. This offer is frequently used by various national teams, such as the Swiss team, whom you might spot training on the Trenker slope if you're lucky.

To introduce children to skiing in a playful way, the Rienz Ski Center offers a children's park with a magic carpet and a mini ski lift. The local Dobbiaco Children's Ski School (www.scuolasci-dobbiaco.com) has even been awarded the gold seal of quality for its high-standard ski instruction.

Our ski holiday guests often ask us for ski school recommendations, where they can rent skis, snowboards, or sledges, and whether wearing a helmet is mandatory in Italy. Therefore, we have summarized the most important information for your skiing holiday at the Glinzhof here.

Which ski school can we recommend?

Just as with the ski resorts, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to ski schools, as Italian ski and snowboard instructors are generally considered among the best in Europe. Before they are allowed to give lessons, they must pass practical, didactic, and theoretical examinations. In addition, mandatory regular training and specialization courses ensure that the technical skills and teaching quality of the instructors are always maintained at a high level.

In the ski areas in and around San Candido, there are five state-certified, high-quality ski schools. They offer group courses, private lessons, childcare, ski guiding, end-of-course races, ski shows, and group torchlight descents, among other things.

For young ski beginners, there are specialized children's ski schools, which in Italy are marked with a bronze, silver, or gold seal of quality. This seal evaluates the scope and quality of the services offered to children for modern and didactic-pedagogical ski instruction. For example, are special ski kindergartens available? Are there practice lifts and easy-to-understand learning materials? Is full-day care with children's programs and lunch provided? In the San Candido area, there are three children's ski schools that have been awarded the gold seal of quality.

In and around San Candido, there are numerous opportunities to rent the right equipment for your favorite winter sport. Whether it's alpine skis, cross-country skis, sledges, snowboards, boots, or snowshoes, the ski rental and service shops are sure to have exactly what you need. Here you will find an overview of all ski rentals in San Candido, Sesto, and Dobbiaco.

Tip: For a faster rental process, most ski rental shops offer online booking or online reservations.

Martin Trojer Ski Rental
In Via Fasching 2 in San Candido, Phone: +39 0474 912482. Located directly at the valley station of the Haunold ski resort in San Candido.

Papin Sport - Rent a ski
In Via Matthias Schranzhofer 7 in San Candido, Phone: +39 0474 914271. Located opposite the ski lifts of the Haunold ski resort in San Candido.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Snowspace - Rent a Ski - Maestro Walter
In Via Schatten 5 in Versciaco, Phone: +39 340-7823054. Located directly at the valley station of the Helm ski resort in Versciaco-San Candido.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Skiverleih in Sexten:

Skiverleih und Depot Sextner Dolomiten
In der Dolomitenstraße 45/10 in Sexten, Telefon: +39 0474 710757. Befindet sich an der Talstation des Skigebiets Helm in Sexten, gleich neben der Skischule.

Öffnungszeiten: Montag bis Sonntag von 8.30 bis 18.00

Sport Mode Kiniger Ski Rental
In Via Dolomiti 39a in Sesto, Phone: +39 0474 710433

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Holzer Sport Alpe Ski Rental
In Via San Giuseppe 20 in Sesto, Phone: +39 0474 710376

Rent and Go Sesto Moos
In Via San Giuseppe 15 in Sesto, Phone: +39 0474 712005. Located near the Bruggerleite ski lift in the Helm ski area in Sesto.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm; on Saturdays open continuously from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm

Rotwand Ski and Toboggan Rental
In Via Val Fiscalina 23 in Sesto, Phone: +39 0474 710757. Located at the valley station of the gondola in the Rotwand ski resort.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm