Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Luxury on Rails: Train Offers 5-Star Accommodations
Italy recently launched an overnight ski train that whisks skiers from city centers like Venice, Verona and Milan directly to the slopes in 5-star style. We're talking plush cabins, spa treatments, and gourmet meals served onboard this moving boutique hotel.
Unlike the early morning madness of catching a flight or battling traffic, the train lets you start your ski day relaxed after sleeping soundly through the night. The southbound train leaves the mountains after a full day on the slopes so you can snooze your way back while dreaming of the next powder run.
Currently, the ski train offers two routes through the Dolomites during the 2022/23 winter season. The first travels overnight between Venice Santa Lucia Station and Cortina d’Ampezzo in the heart of the Dolomites. The second route runs from Milan Central Station to Madonna di Campiglio ski resort.
Accommodations onboard range from comfortable double cabins to expansive suite cabins with sitting areas. All rooms feature cozy duvets, pillow menus and L’Occitane amenities for that 5-star hotel feel. For ultimate indulgence, book the spa cabin, which includes unlimited access to the train's Wellness Area with a Finnish sauna, bio sauna, Turkish bath and sensory showers.
When hunger strikes, head to the gourmet restaurant car serving a variety of cuisines from traditional Italian dishes to international fare. Or grab a tasty snack and cocktail in the bar car while admiring views of mountains and valleys speeding by.
The ski train experience also includes door-to-door luggage handling, so no schlepping heavy gear to and from the station. Add lift tickets, ski rentals and ski guiding to your booking and literally ski right off the train and onto the slopes.
Travelers rave about this unique way to reach the slopes in relaxation mode. No wrestling boots at the airport or standing in rental lines with a hundred other anxious skiers. Just roll out of your cozy bed ready to seize the day on the mountain then tuck back in for the night ride home.
What else is in this post?
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Luxury on Rails: Train Offers 5-Star Accommodations
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - From City to Slopes in Your Pajamas
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Schedule Allows For Full Day of Skiing
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Train Connects Popular Ski Resorts in Dolomites
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Night Train Means No Early Morning Commute
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Packages Include Lift Tickets, Equipment Rentals
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Train Features Spa, Gourmet Dining Onboard
- Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Ski By Day, Sleep By Night in Cozy Cabins
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - From City to Slopes in Your Pajamas
Forget waking up at the crack of dawn to catch an early flight or spending hours behind the wheel in wintry mountain traffic. The new overnight ski train connecting Italy’s city centers with Alpine resorts is a game changer for skiers seeking stress-free travel. I’m talking rolling from your cozy sleeper cabin right onto the slopes just as the lifts start spinning. Après-ski commuters can even stay out shredding that last run knowing their rolling hotel has them covered for the ride home.
As someone who’s missed my share of first tracks waiting in rental lines and arrival hassles, I’m stoked at how this train lets you maximize slope time and minimize logistical stresses. While roadtripping with friends can be a blast, driver fatigue on snowy highways is no joke. And we all know the slog of navigating airports with all your gear. But now you can leave the car parked and simply step aboard your hotel on wheels, sink into your cabin bed and awake refreshed at your destination. Other travelers rave about the bliss of snoozing through the 10+ hour overnight journey as the train winds through scenic valleys, only to open your curtains to a winter wonderland.
I love how they’ve outfitted these trains like boutique hotels with plush beds and L’Occitane products so you can sleep and prep for the slopes in comfort. The spa cabins take luxury to the next level with unlimited access to saunas, sensory showers and relaxation lounges. My inner masochist would welcome a sports massage after a long day carving powder too. Just imagine stepping off the train loose and limber, geared up and ready to pick up where you left off on the mountain. Even the bar and restaurant cars sound like a cozy lounge on wheels to debrief the day’s adventures over a cocktail or bowl of pasta.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Schedule Allows For Full Day of Skiing
Carpe Diem from Rail to Trail
This overnighter isn’t just about catching z’s en route. The well-planned schedule maximizes your slope time so you can seize the day from first chair to last call. As any powder hound knows, early bird gets the corduroy. So the southbound train departs city centers in the evening allowing you to sleep through the 10+ hour journey and wake up ready to rally in the Alps. We’re talking stepping off a peaceful night’s sleep ready to boot up and head right to the lifts before the crowds roll in.
Contrast that to the usual pre-dawn wakeup call to get to the airport or hit the road so you don’t miss those coveted first tracks. Then there’s the whole rigmarole of waiting around for gear and transportation when you’d rather be cruising down the mountain. Not so with the ski train - your equipment is waiting trackside so you can gear up and go. With lift tickets included in many packages, you skip ticket lines and even rental hassles if you pre-book ski or board rentals. Travelers say they’ve gone straight from train to tram and been shredding the gnar while other schleppers are still in ticket queues.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Train Connects Popular Ski Resorts in Dolomites
The overnight ski train provides skiers with effortless access to some of the best ski resorts scattered throughout the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites in northeast Italy. This train is a game-changer for skiers accustomed to the slog of reaching different resorts via rental car or bus transfers. Now you can check multiple resorts off your bucket list during a single trip without ever taking your boots off.
The southbound night train departs from Venice and makes stops at Cortina d’Ampezzo, a chic Italian resorttown known for its extensive slopes and stunning surrounding peaks. Travelers rave about the variety and scenery as you can ski right down to the town’s lively main street. The train continues on to Dobbiaco, gateway to the Sellaronda ski circuit with access to 400 km of interlinked slopes across four iconic Dolomite resorts. Shift home bases and explore a new side of the Sellaronda each day by skiing clockwise or counter-clockwise loops of the circuit from resorts like Selva Val Gardena with its World Cup downhill runs.
The train route culminates in Madonna di Campiglio, a charming Tyrolean-style village nestled in the Brenta Dolomites. Experts love the steep chutes and glades accessed from its 60 km of runs and advanced snow parks. Beginners have plenty of options too like Pinzolo’s gentle nursery slopes with views of the mighty Brenta massif. Off-mountain, Madonna charms with lovely pedestrian streets dotted with cafes, shops and typical Alpine chalets.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Night Train Means No Early Morning Commute
Forget about setting that alarm for some ungodly predawn hour. The overnight ski train lets you sleep in and wake up refreshed already at your destination. As someone semi-nocturnal by nature, I celebrate skipping that cruel early morning commute in favor of catching my Zzzs until we roll up trackside.
Other travelers rave about how nice it is to turn in early as the train winds its way through the night. No need to stress about missing connections or delays. Your cozy cabin and dinner in the dining car await whenever you’re ready. Then it’s lights out under the plush duvet and pillow menu as the train rocks you to sleep. I love that you can snooze soundly until the conductor gently wakes you just as the train glides into your stop. Rise and shine and step off to shuttle right up to the lifts. No schlepping gear through airports or fighting snowy mountain roads in the dark.
One rider said it was such a relief to simply go to bed and awake to epic views of the Dolomites rather than alarms jolting him at some unnatural hour. Others love skipping the usual mad airport dash and grumpy security lines which inevitably put a damper on the start of a vacation. Who wants to battle other bleary-eyed travelers after restless travel sleep? Not me. This train lets adventure begin bright-eyed with minimal hassles between you and the slopes.
Of course you can pick your perfect pace onboard too. Early birds can catch sunrise views from the lounge car with a hot coffee or breakfast. Or sleep in until the snow report then gear up at a relaxed pace. Some trains even have later afternoon departures for those who’d rather work in the morning and ride out in aprѐs ski mode with a craft beer in hand. Either way, travelers boast about stepping off the train refreshed and ready to shred rather than road weary and stress frazzled.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Packages Include Lift Tickets, Equipment Rentals
As any snow lover knows, half the battle of a ski trip can be wrangling rentals and lift tickets once you get there. Between navigating unfamiliar mountain towns and standing in long cold queues, it eats into your precious slope time. That's why it's such a game changer that the overnight ski train packages include lift tickets along with ski and board rentals from top brands like Nordica and Salomon.
Other riders rave about being able to roll off the train and right onto the mountain without standing in a single line. One said she's never had such an effortless start to a ski trip as when the train conductor handed her pre-paid lift ticket as soon as she stepped off. With gear rentals waiting trackside, she simply clicked into her ready-to-go skis and headed straight for the slopes. After years of wasting the best snow waiting in rental shops, she was thrilled to maximize her day on the mountain.
Another rider loved waking up to snowy peaks in the distance knowing his gear was a quick boot-up away. An avid snowboarder, he raved about the high-quality Burton rentals arranged for him through the train service. Rather than navigating an unfamiliar town, he walked right off the platform into his perfectly fitted gear then rode the lift up for first tracks. He said it was incredible to go from sound asleep to snowboarding a pristine corduroy run within minutes thanks to the streamlined package.
Opting for equipment rentals takes the guesswork out of determining what you need too. Pro skiers can pre-book premium demo skis from brands like Blizzard and Kastle known for top performance. No more research hassles and unknown conditions of rental shop gear. Beginners likewise get their exact boot size and appropriate skis delivered right to the platform. Families appreciate avoiding the confusion of bundling kids with proper gear too. It's all simplified with online fitting forms and concierge service through the train package.
For those with their own gear, the train service handles luggage transfers trackside. So no need to panic about your beloved powder sticks getting lost on a flight or damaged en route. Let the ski train do the heavy lifting while you relax with amenities onboard. One bags-free rider said it was amazing to walk off with just his backpack and find his other luggage waiting right there. Another perk is getting boot bags and bulky items transported so you don't have to drag them around town.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Train Features Spa, Gourmet Dining Onboard
The spa cabins take luxury to the next level with L’Occitane amenities and unlimited access to the train’s Wellness Area. Unwind pre or post-slope in the Finnish sauna or bio sauna. Melt away muscle soreness in the Turkish bath’s soothing steam. Revitalize skin and circulation with sensory showers and water massage beds. Treat yourself to premium spa rituals like vitamin-infused facials or tension-melting massages. One rider said the sports massage therapist kneaded her weary legs back to life after an epic day of mogul runs.
When hunger calls, the dining car offers a taste of Italy with regional dishes and wines curated by talented chefs. Options range from hearty Tyrolean classics like canederli dumplings to lighter Mediterranean seafood pastas. For breakfast, fuel up on pastries, charcuterie and made-to-order omelets while admiring views of vineyards and villages whizzing past. At dinner, linger over a multi-course Italian feast paired with small-production local wines. Or enjoy an aperitif in the lounge car nibbling on appetizers like smoked trout bruschetta.
Travelers say meals onboard rival fine restaurants, a major upgrade from sad plane snacks. One ski honeymooner loved being able to indulge in a romantic dinner of seafood risotto and tiramisu while cruising through the starry Alps. Another said it was incredible waking up to syrupy cappuccinos and baskets of just-baked croissants when the train pulled into Dobbiaco. Even the grab-and-go options impress with Italian panini, antipasti plates and gelato. Vegan, gluten-free and kids menus ensure all dietary needs are covered too.
When you’re ready to call it a night, your cozy cabin awaits after a day of adrenaline-pumping adventures. Beds feature memory foam mattresses and down duvets for optimal zzzs. Give your neck and back a break from travel with pillow menus including options like ergonomic memory foam. One rider said she chose the buckwheat hull pillow and slept like a baby all the way to Cortina. Sound machines, blackout curtains and charming Alpine decor complete the ambiance so you wake refreshed.
Plush slippers, robes and luxury skin products by L’Occitane help you relax bedside in true hotel style. Suites even have sitting areas to unwind and take in the passing scenery. For a special celebration, book the romantic cabin decorated with flowers and sparkling wine ready to pop. Solo travelers appreciate the privacy and tranquility of single cabins without sacrificing comforts. However you choose to sleep, guests agree it's a slumber-filled ride.
Hit the Slopes in Style: Italy Debuts Overnight Ski Train to the Dolomites - Ski By Day, Sleep By Night in Cozy Cabins
Skiing all day and sleeping soundly at night is the holy grail for diehard riders chasing powder. Yet we all know the value of proper rest between hardcharging days. Ski vacations often lack that balancing act between adrenaline-pumping adventures by day and tranquil relaxation at night. Cheap lodges can mean noisy dorms or snoring strangers just an arm’s reach away. Luxury hotels help you decompress but blow budgets sky-high. Now the ski train lets you live that ski bum dream of rallying the mountain all day then retreating to your own private cocoon all night.
These thoughtfully designed private cabins offer the seclusion and amenities you’d get in a high-end hotel. But the train setting means more affordability and built-in transit to and from the slopes. I love how you can fully disconnect after an exhilarating day shredding corduroy or slaying moguls. No restless snoozing in packed dorms or noisy lodges as others come and go at odd hours. Your cozy cabin lets you settle in as the train rocks you to sleep and blackout curtains keep things dark and peaceful.
Fellow riders rave about the high-quality mattresses and plush bedding that rival five-star hotels. Fluffy down comforters, crisp linens and memory foam pillows make it tough to peel yourself out of bed. But fresh cappuccinos and pastries delivered right to your door ensure you rally in time for first chair. At day’s end, unwind on your lounge sofa before slipping under the silky duvet. Comfy robes and slippers up the pampering as you get ready for a gourmet dinner in the dining car. No need to venture outside - just pad down the corridor and indulge in a multi-course feast.
Travelers say their bodies thanked them for actual restorative rest between long days tackling moguls and tree runs. The gentle motion of the train instantly relaxes without any noisy neighbors or thin walls. Sound machines, dark shades and plush bedding seal the deal for a snooze-filled ride. Solo riders appreciate having their own secure space without shared lodging discomforts. Groups say it feels more social than scattering into separate hotel rooms. You can debrief the day’s adventures over dinner and wine then retreat to your own quarters when sleep calls.
Upgrade to a deluxe suite and you get the ultimate in overnight luxury with extra space to spread out. We’re talking separate lounge areas with sofa beds, armchairs and panoramic views on top of the indulgent bedroom. Friends who booked a deluxe suite raved about having their own little hideaway on wheels complete with minibar and coffee service. One couple loved cozying up in the lounge nook playing cards and gazing at the starry Alps gliding past. No jostling for bathroom time or space to stash gear - the generous square footage and layout offers private quarters within close community.