Early winter · Weather & things to do
Cortina d'Ampezzo in December
Cortina d'Ampezzo cools off: highs slip to 35°F (2°C), from 43°F in November, with lows of 20°F (-7°C) and about 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 45/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 35°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 20°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.2 in (56 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 68%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 23 min
- Comfort score
- 45/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 35°F (2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 20°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 8 h 23 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- The drier spell starts: rain or snow falls to 2.2 in (56 mm) after 3.8 in (97 mm) in November.
- Shortest days of the year, about 8 h 23 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (45 → 45/100).
- Our Dolomites High Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 20°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Cortina d'Ampezzo in December
With highs near 35°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
SanBrite
Michelin-starred restaurant using produce from its own farm.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Enoteca Cortina
Long-running wine bar in the center with a big Italian list.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Rifugio Locatelli
Hut facing the north faces of the Tre Cime, the loop's best lunch stop.
Why now A cozy break on a 35°F day.
Tre Cime di Lavaredo Loop
10-km loop around the three iconic peaks via Rifugio Locatelli.
Lago di Sorapis
Milky turquoise lake reached by a 2-hour trail with ledges and ladders.
Nearby in December
- Val Gardena in December~22 mi · highs 35°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bolzano in December~37 mi · highs 46°F, 1.9 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Lake Bled in December~95 mi · highs 39°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Salzburg in December~97 mi · highs 38°F, 3.1 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,629 m to Cortina d'Ampezzo's ~1,225 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Cortina d'Ampezzo in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Cortina d'Ampezzo?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 45/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 35°F (2°C) and 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain or snow. Our Dolomites High Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Cortina d'Ampezzo in December?
Average highs are 35°F (2°C) and average lows 20°F (-7°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Cortina d'Ampezzo in December?
Not much: about 2.2 in (56 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 41.9 in (1064 mm).
What should I pack for Cortina d'Ampezzo in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 20°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Cortina d'Ampezzo
Planning Cortina d'Ampezzo in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.