Picture this: a cold, clear winter day. You walk for an hour in beautiful snowy scenery, with the snow making a crunching sound under your boots. You’re heading to the warm and cozy Rifugio La Montanara. A tasty lunch will be waiting there to warm you up.

But there’s more! Imagine swinging high in the air, looking out over the amazing Dolomites mountains. You breathe in the fresh mountain air and then get ready for the real fun – a fast sled ride down the hill!

This isn’t just a dream winter trip. You can really do this at the Rifugio La Montanara!

Options for Reaching Rifugio La Montanara

For enthusiasts of walking, our recommended excursion begins with parking in Andalo. Alternatively, ascend via gondola from Molveno or opt for a snow cat ride (to baita Pineta or directly to Montanara Lodge).

The walking path to the sled track is made from an old ski slope, so it can be pretty steep in some parts, especially at the very end. But the good news is the view is amazing! Also, the track itself is packed down, so even if it hasn’t snowed recently, there will still be enough snow to sled on for a long time. This means you might need to pull your sled a little in some spots, but that’s okay!

Why Families love Rifugio La Montanara

This lodge is perfect for families, both indoors and outdoors!

Inside: It’s cozy and friendly, with high chairs and a changing table for little ones. They even have a special menu with smaller portions of yummy pasta and meat dishes for kids. We shared two big meals for the three of us – a delicious soup and some yummy gnocchi – that everyone liked, even our baby!

Outside: There’s a beautiful playground with a view of the Dolomites that will take your breath away! There’s a swing right in front of the mountains, making you feel like you can touch them. It’s amazing! Our baby and us loved it! The playground also has a slide, a little house, and a cute little swinging motorcycle. There’s plenty of space for your kids to play in the snow while you relax and enjoy the view.

The lodge has a sled track right outside! It’s free to use, but you can only go down on a sled, not by walking or on a bobsled. You can also rent sleds at the lodge, and leave them at the bottom for 15 euros. Our sled even had a comfy little seat in front for babies, perfect for naps (Edo felt asleep at the end of the track). But any sled will work, as long as you’re ready to have fun together! The track isn’t super steep, but you can still go pretty fast in some parts. Honestly, it’s hard to say who has more fun, adults or kids! Sledding is just a blast at any age.

In short, Rifugio Montanara is the perfect place for a fun-filled winter family trip!

Find more hiking and sledging trips in the Dolomites in our dedicated post and within the Trentino hiking section!