Early winter · Weather & things to do
Val Gardena in December
Val Gardena 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.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 20°F (-7°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 2.2 in (56 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
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 places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Val Gardena 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.
Rifugio Emilio Comici
Hut at the foot of Sassolungo known for fresh seafood at altitude.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 35°F.
Gostner Schwaige
Small alpine hut on the Alpe di Siusi known for creative mountain cooking.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Museum Gherdëina
Ortisei's museum of woodcarving, Ladin culture and local fossils.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 35°F.
La Cërcia
Ortisei wine bar with a deep list and South Tyrolean snacks.
Why now A cozy break on a 35°F day.
Sassolungo Circuit
Full-day loop around the Sassolungo massif past several huts.
Nearby in December
- Bolzano in December~16 mi · highs 46°F, 1.9 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Cortina d'Ampezzo in December~22 mi · highs 35°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Füssen in December~83 mi · highs 38°F, 3.3 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- St. Moritz in December~87 mi · highs 28°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,629 m to Val Gardena's ~1,233 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.
Val Gardena in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Val Gardena?
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 Val Gardena 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 Val Gardena 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 Val Gardena 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 places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Val Gardena
Planning Val Gardena 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.