❄️ Ice Skating on Frozen Lakes Near Bolzano: unique winter magic with a Dolomites View

Ice skating on natural frozen lakes in South Tyrol is one of the purest winter experiences you can have in the Dolomites. Just above the city of Bolzano, on the Renon (Ritten) plateau, lies Lake Costalovara (Wolfsgrubensee) an alpine lake that turns into a natural skating rink when winter brings cold enough temperatures.

For outdoor lovers, families, and travelers seeking an authentic winter escape, skating here is a quiet, enchanting moment framed by Dolomite peaks.

🏒 Other Winter Activities on the Ice

Lake Costalovara is more than just a skating rink, it becomes a lively winter playground for several alpine ice traditions:

Ice Hockey

Locals often set up small informal hockey fields. It’s common to see quick matches, friendly competitions, and kids learning the basics with sticks and pucks.

Curling

Curling has a long tradition in South Tyrol, and Costalovara is no exception.
Natural-ice curling lanes are sometimes prepared on the lake, offering a rustic, atmospheric version of the sport simple stones, hand-smoothed lanes, and the Dolomites as a backdrop.

Ice Bocce (Eisstockschießen)

A beloved alpine classic.
Ice bocce — similar to curling but faster and more playful — is a social winter sport enjoyed by families and groups.
The frozen lake offers just the right amount of smoothness and unpredictability to make the game fun.

These activities create a warm, communal atmosphere on the ice, even on the coldest days.

🚜 How the Ice Is Prepared: The Lake’s Jeep Machine

One of the most fascinating local traditions at Lake Costalovara is the way the ice is cared for.

Instead of a modern Zamboni, the lake is maintained using a custom-adapted jeep equipped with a smoothing and scraping system. Locals have transformed this sturdy vehicle into an “ice groomer” that:

smooths uneven patches
removes snow from the surface
levels out the natural ice layer
ensures safer skating and better glide

It’s one of those details that makes Costalovara unique compared to most alpine skating spots.

🚶‍♀️ How to Reach Lake Costalovara

Getting to Lake Costalovara is easier than you might think and you don’t necessarily need a car. Here are the best ways:

By Public Transport

From Bolzano (Bozen), take the Ritten (Renon) cable car, whose valley station is about a 10-minute walk from Bolzano Central Station.
The cable car runs very frequently (every ~4 minutes) and takes about 12 minutes to reach Soprabolzano.
From Soprabolzano, you can take the narrow-gauge Ritten train (trenino del Renon) to the Costalovara / Wolfsgruben stop or take a 10 minutes panoramic walk.
bus lines 165 and 163 also serve the area, with a stop “Costalovara / Wolfsgruben” a few minutes’ walk from the lake.

By Car

From Bolzano, follow the road toward Renon.
The last stretch goes through forest and mountain road; in winter the road is usually cleared.
There is a free parking lot at Wolfsgruben / Costalovara near the lake.

If you can’t rent them on site, you can buy skates for cheap in Bolzano, Decathlon store.

🕒 When to Visit and Skate

Ice conditions: Skating on Lake Costalovara depends heavily on weather. The ice is only safe when conditions are stable.
Best time: Mid-winter (typically January–February) is more reliable, but always check local ice-safety updates.
Transport timing: If you plan to use public transit, aim for cable car and train times; winter schedules may change, so check current timetables.

🔗 A Note on wilDolomites

If you love exploring authentic, lesser-known Alpine spots like Lake Costalovara, you’ll appreciate wilDolomites, my photographic exploration app for the Dolomites. In the app, you’ll find curated routes, hidden lakes, seasonal activities, and local “insider” tips true escapes off the beaten path. Inside there’s also a lot of pins dedicated to rent shops and such, to help help you enjoy your time here in the best way.

🏔️ Final Thoughts

Skating on Lake Costalovara is not just a winter activity. It’s a peaceful, atmospheric experience far from busy tourist hubs. Whether you arrive by cable car, train, or bus, you’ll feel like you’re stepping into a different world.

So lace up, breathe the crisp mountain air, and let the Dolomites surround you as you glide on ice under a winter sky.