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A child runs through the snow on a large alpine plateau. Large mountains in the background. This is Alpe di Siusi in the Dolomites, Italy.

Family Packing List for the Dolomites in the Winter

Are you heading to the Dolomites in the winter?  Do you need some help brainstorming what to pack for your trip?

I’m a mamma of three living in central Italy and I’ve been visiting the Dolomites since 2004 – in the summer and the winter.  I’ve helped families visit the area since then as well – first as a guide, and now I bring my own family up to the Dolomites to play. 

I’ve got three boys (four, if you count my husband), so I know that packing can feel like a job!  I hope my list below will help you get organized for your trip.  And, know that you can find almost anything you need in the Dolomites*, so don’t stress!

I’ve also included a printable packing list, and I’ll give you some things to think about when packing for the Dolomites in winter and tips that I’ve picked up over the years.

Good To Know:  There will be things on this list your family may not need to pack.  For example, I’ve included a tablet (like an iPad), but your family may not choose to bring one.  Likewise, there may be items specific to your family that I haven’t included.  This list should be a good starting point for your packing.

Happy packing and enjoy the Dolomiti with your family!

*Things like glasses and prescription meds are harder to replace on vacation, so pay extra attention when packing these items.

You may also want to check out
Dolomites with Kids (Winter Edition)
Dolomites without a Car (Winter Edition)
Alpe di Siusi with Kids (Winter Edition)
Bolzano with Kids (Winter Edition)
Bolzano’s Christmas Market

Packing for Winter in the Dolomites – Things to Think About

Boy in brown jacket and black/red hat walking on a hiking path in the forest in the Dolomites near Bolzano, Italy. Large coniferous trees on either side of the path and some snow as well.
On a walk with my son above Bolzano

Before you start throwing clothes in your suitcases, it’s important to consider:

  • Length of trip
  • How you’ll be traveling – It’s easier to carry extra luggage if you’ll have your own car.
  • How much time you’ll spend in one place – If you’ll be moving accommodations during your trip, pack lightly so it’s not as difficult to move.  You can bring more luggage if you just need to get it to one spot for the entire trip.
  • Access to laundry – Will you have laundry in your hotel/apartment or at least nearby?
  • Your kids (body temperature, messiness, attention span) – For example, one of my boys runs hot, so I have to make sure he’s got layers that can be removed easily.  He’s also a messy eater, so I bring extra clothes for him.  And, I like to have activities for waits at restaurant dinners (like UNO, paper/pen).
  • Activities during your trip – Will you be playing in the snow? 

Dolomites-Specific Packing Tips for Winter

Mom and son taking a selfie on a grassy hill in front of Fiè allo Sciliar rooftops below and the Sciliar mountain range in the back. It's a cloudy day and there is some snow on the ground.
On a walk with my son. We’ve already shed our hats and my scarf. We wore these coats on the mountain and in towns. I used this backpack as my purse.

Dress for comfort.  This isn’t the moment to try out a new outfit.  Wear comfortable clothes that you know and love.  If you get new clothing before the trip, try it out before you leave.  It’s not fun to try to find and remove an itchy tag while you’re on the snowy mountain.

Layers are key.  Also make sure you have somewhere to put them when they come off (backpack).

Don’t worry about dressing up.  The Dolomites is a super casual area year-round.  Yes, you will see some people dressed up, but you’ll see more people in sporty, mountain gear like fleeces, technical pants, and sneakers at dinner and walking around cities and towns. 

Pack activity appropriate clothing.  I’ve included gear for playing in the snow, but if you’ll just be visiting cities, you may not need all of it.

Don’t stress about forgetting to pack something.  You can buy everything you need – and more – for your kids in the Dolomites.  In fact, you may want to leave a little extra room in your luggage for clothing from the area.  Also, if you’ll be visiting the Dolomites in January and early February, you can shop at Italy’s bi-annual saldi (sales).

Measure your kids’ heights pre-trip.  If you need to buy clothing here in the Dolomites, it’s often by height.  Have your kids’ heights handy so you can pick out what you need quickly.  Measurements also come in handy for snow equipment rentals (like ski gear).

Choose darker colors.  You may get splashed by mud or a sauce at dinner.  Leave the white coat at home.

Bring laundry bags and plastic bags.  I like to keep a laundry bag hanging so everyone can just throw their dirty clothes during the trip.  I bring a couple of garbage bags to put any wet clothes or boots in if we’re leaving and I can’t get them dry in time.

Winter Family Packing List for the Dolomites

People shop at a market stall at the Bolzano Christmas market. The stall sells local herbs and essential oils. A family shops along with an elderly person.
People shopping at the Bolzano Christmas market. People dress for comfort first!

Clothing

  • Warm coat
  • Warm, breathable layers – I always wear a base layer top (like Icebreaker’s merino base layers or Patagonia’s capilene layers).  I pack other casual layers (like fleeces and cashmere sweaters.  I usually just wear pants (no layers underneath them).   Pack layers for the mountain and for casual wear in towns (they can be the same style but make sure you have enough so you aren’t stuck with a sweaty layer for the evening).
  • Sweaters or Fleeces – These can be part of your ‘warm, breathable layers’ above.
  • Pants
  • Hat
  • Gloves/Mittens – Gloves or mittens with the little patches for use with your smartphone are helpful (so you don’t have to remove them when you want to search for something on your phone, look at the sudtirolmobil app, etc).
  • Scarf or neck gaiter
  • Cozy socks
  • Comfortable shoes.  Make sure your shoes have decent tread, are warm, and at least water-resistant.  Bring two pairs.  Make sure they’re worn in.  Read more about the Best Shoes for Italy and Kids Shoes for Italy.
  • Pajamas
  • Warm socks or slippers for your hotel room
  • Swimsuit – if your hotel has an indoor pool or you think you’ll visit thermal baths
  • Underwear
  • Bras
  • Dressy outfit – If you want to dress up.
  • Workout clothes – For hotel gym, jogs around town.
  • Laundry bag

Toiletries

  • Toiletry Bag
  • Sunscreen
  • Skin moisturizer like Aquaphor – You’ll need something for sunburned or chapped skin after a day out playing in the snow.
  • Vitamins
  • Prescription medication
  • OTC medication
  • Face wash
  • Face moisturizer
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Contacts & sol’n
  • Makeup
  • Hair products
  • Hair bands/ties
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Toothpaste/toothbrush
  • Dental floss
  • Sanitary pads/tampons
  • Nail file
  • Nail polish
  • Razor
  • Tweezers
  • Basic 1st aid kit
  • Brush
  • Prescription glasses
  • Face masks – For buses or trains.

Electronics

  • Smartphone
  • iPad or tablet
  • Kindle
  • Chargers – For phone, tablet, Kindle, etc.
  • Converters/adapters – Make sure you have the right adapter for Italy
  • External charger – Your phone battery will deplete quickly in the cold weather (and with all of the photos you’ll be taking of the gorgeous winter landscape!).
  • Noise-canceling headphones
  • Hairdryer, straightener, or curling iron
  • Camera

Miscellaneous

  • Ziploc bags  – For keeping your phone or wallet dry while you’re out playing and exploring.
  • Book or other entertainment
  • Small backpack – Better than a purse.  You can use it day or night and if you need to put it in a locker while you’re playing in the snow, you can.
  • Travel umbrella
  • Swiss Army knife
  • Travel pillow
  • Wallet or purse – I usually use a small backpack in the winter in the Dolomites.
  • Packing cubes
  • Favorite snacks from home
  • Guidebook & phrasebook

You may want to check out
Italy Coloring Pages for Kids
Map of Italy for Kids
Who Was? Books for a Family Trip to Italy

Documents

  • Passports
  • Driver’s License – If you’re planning on driving in the Dolomites
  • Int’l Driving Permit – If you’re planning on driving in Italy (and you’re not from the EU); read more about the IDP and if you need one
  • ETIAS – Likely sometime in late-2025
  • Travel Insurance Policy
  • Visa (if required)
  • Allergy Translation Card – English-Italian-German
  • Copy of Prescriptions
  • Credit Card
  • ATM Card – Make sure it’s a 4-digit PIN
  • Cash – Sometimes contactless or credit cards don’t work (it’s happened to me on Dolomites buses)

Snow-Specific

In addition to the warm coat, warm socks, etc. that are listed under ‘Clothing,’ here are a few more things to pack if you’ll be playing in the snow:

  • Sunglasses or goggles
  • Handwarmers
  • Snow pants
  • Long underwear

Good To Know:  You can rent your ski and snow equipment in the Dolomites.  For example, we arrived with warm clothing and rented the rest (helmets, ski boots, skis and poles, snowboard, sleds) on Alpe di Siusi.

Printable Winter Family Packing List for the Dolomites

To print my winter family packing list for the Dolomites, just click on the list and a high-quality PDF will open up in a new tab. You can print it from there.

Check out more packing lists
Italy Packing List
Italy Packing List for Kids
Italy Packing List for a Baby or Toddler

You may also want to check out
Best Places to Visit in Italy with Kids
Fun & Memorable Things to Do in Italy with Kids
Italy with a Baby or Toddler
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