As the days get shorter and temperatures drop below freezing here in Trento, a whole new world of winter sports opens up. Rather than lamenting the end of summer, why not make full use of winter and try something new—like ice skating. Whether you’re looking for a reliable indoor rink or a beautiful frozen lake surrounded by mountains, there are plenty of options nearby. Below you’ll find our favorite spots, including practical details on how to get there, what you’ll need, and how to check the conditions.
If you’re skating on a lake, safety comes first. It’s important to make sure temperatures have been below zero for at least a week so the ice has time to thicken properly. Avoid any spots that look weak or have cracks, and never skate alone—especially early in the season. A good rule of thumb is to only go out if you can already see that others have been skating on the lake safely. For the best experience, try to go before the first snowfall and ideally during a stable cold period without freeze-thaw cycles. This usually makes the ice smoother and reduces hidden obstacles. In some lakes, locals even shovel the surface to keep it clear of snow and maintain skating conditions.
With the exception of the skating rink in Trento and Lago Smeraldo, you will generally need your own skates. We recommend checking subito.it and Facebook Marketplace for second-hand skates in your size. If you don’t find anything locally, Vinted is another great option with a large selection and shipping directly to your home. You can usually find a decent pair for €20–30, which pays for itself quickly if you’re using free natural ice instead of paying rink entry fees.
PalaGhiaccio – Trento’s Ice Rink
If you want the closest and most reliable option all winter long, the PalaGhiaccio is the easiest choice. It’s located in Trento Sud as part of a large public sports complex with everything from pools to tennis courts to running tracks—and of course the ice rink. From October through the end of April, the ice is open for skating, making it the most consistent place to go even when the lakes haven’t frozen yet. There’s also a bar inside, which makes it perfect for warming up with a coffee or a drink after a session.
As of the 2025/2026 season, skating times are: Wednesday and Friday 21:00–23:00, Saturday 15:00–18:00 and 21:00–23:00, and Sunday 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00. Entry costs €7.30 for adults and €5.40 for students, with skate rental available for €3.
Getting there by public transport is fairly easy. The most direct option is Bus A to Fersina “Zona Sportiva”, but it only runs about once an hour. A more consistent approach is to take Bus 3, 8, or 13 toward Madonna Bianca, get off at Verona “Palazzo Stella”, and then walk around 15 minutes. The rink is located at Via Fersina, 15, 38123 Trento, and you can find up-to-date info on opening times and pricing on https://www.asis.trento.it/.
Lago della Serraia (Baselga di Piné)
Lago della Serraia is one of our top recommendations if you want the experience of skating outdoors on natural ice. It’s a large lake in Baselga di Piné, just a 25-minute drive from Trento. By public transport it takes about 50 minutes, either via the B403 or B402 buses, or by going to Pergine first and checking connections from there. The lake is huge, and the views of the frozen surface, the town along the shore, and the surrounding mountains are genuinely beautiful. Baselga is also one of the most reliable winter destinations in the area because it’s higher up and tends to stay cold—often even when Trento itself feels mild.
This place has a real winter sports tradition too: in the 1980s it was a well-known winter destination and hosted international hockey and skating events. Even if other lakes don’t freeze, Lago di Serraia is often safe for skating from January onward. If you arrive and the lake isn’t frozen, there is also a skating rink in Piné with an outdoor track about 500 meters long, so the trip won’t be wasted.
Lago di Lavarone
This lake sits at around 1,080 meters above sea level in Folgaria and is a promising destination if you’re looking for a scenic frozen lake in the mountains. You can reach it in 35–40 minutes by car from Trento via Vigolo Vattaro. By public transport it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes using Bus B303, though it only runs a few times a day, so it’s worth checking schedules carefully. I haven’t been here yet, but it seems like a great option for skating and winter walks. You can find more info here: https://www.sportoutdoor24.it/viaggi/montagna/lago-di-lavarone-il-gioiello-ghiacciato-dellalpe-cimbra-da-vedere-in-inverno/ and check ice conditions through this webcam: https://www.skylinewebcams.com/it/webcam/italia/trentino-alto-adige/trento/lago-di-lavarone.html
Lago Smeraldo (Val di Non)
Lago Smeraldo is a small artificial lake in Val di Non and is famous for its turquoise water in summer—which is exactly why it’s called the “Emerald Lake.” In winter, it becomes a particularly convenient skating destination because right at the lake there is an indoor skating rink, and when conditions are safe you can also skate directly on the frozen lake itself. One of the coolest things about this destination is that you can rent skates here and use them outside on the lake, which makes it accessible even if you don’t own skates. Furthermore, they shovel and smooth the ice with a Zamboni so for an outdoor lake its uniquely good skating. It’s also one of the rare places where night skating is possible. Rental and entrance cost 8 Euros as of winter 2025/26.
Apparently, the skating rink also monitors conditions and can confirm whether it’s safe to skate on the lake—so it’s worth calling ahead. The indoor rink is open 11 months of the year, which makes it a fun option even outside of winter. By car it’s about 50 minutes from Trento, but unfortunately it’s difficult to reach via public transport. More info is here: https://www.canyonriosass.it/palasmeraldo
If you go here we also recommend checking out the little waterfall at the one end of the lake. This leads into a very beautiful canyon, which you can go into. This is an easy 10 minute walk along a metal pathway. At night they light the canyon path with fairy lights – magical!
Lago di Cei
Lago di Cei is a beautiful little lake above Rovereto that most people don’t know about—and that’s part of the charm. Unlike many of the other destinations on this list, you’re much more likely to be skating alone here, which can feel almost surreal when the conditions are right. From my experience, the lake usually freezes reliably from about February, and when it does it becomes a wonderful peaceful place to skate. It’s only around a 30-minute drive from Trento, but it’s not ideal by public transport since you’ll need to get to Rovereto first and then transfer to a local bus (3 or 5). There’s no webcam here and no official condition updates that I know of, so the only real method is to take a chance—or try checking recent location-tagged Instagram stories before you go.
Laghi di Lamar
The Laghi di Lamar are rarely frozen because they sit lower and in a relatively warm valley. Last year there was only a short period of a few weeks when the ice was thick enough for skating, but when it happens, it’s honestly one of the most magical experiences in Trentino. Gliding over a smooth crystal surface at one of the region’s most beautiful lakes—either alone or with just a handful of others—is hard to beat. The lake is about a 25-minute drive from Trento, and in winter parking is free.
Public transport is tricky, though. The B206 bus that runs to the lakes in summer doesn’t go all the way in winter, meaning you’ll need to get off in Vallene and walk at least 30 minutes. I also don’t know a reliable way to check ice conditions here, but one good trick is to look for recent photos or videos on Instagram tagged with the location to see whether people are skating.
Wolfsgrubner See / Lago di Costalovara (Ritten/Renon)
This lake is farther from Trento and much closer to Bolzano—expect a drive of over one hour. That said, it makes for a great day trip, especially because you can reach the area using the cable car from Bolzano, followed by a short walk. What makes this lake special is the view: on a clear day you can see the Dolomites in the distance, and the scenery is genuinely breathtaking. Because it’s located higher in the mountains, it’s often one of the first lakes to freeze over.
If you don’t have skates, you can rent them nearby in Renon at the outdoor skating rink for €4, with details here: https://www.ritten.com/de/3207-eislaufen. There’s also a sauna directly on the lake, and the hotel running it can apparently cut a hole in the ice for an ice bath afterward. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely a unique experience. To check ice conditions, you can call one of the hotels or businesses on the lakeshore.
Edit January 2026: We have also been told Lago Santo Colombo is a good place to skate! Its just a 30 minute drive from Trento and we’re hoping to check it out soon. If you have more info or pics get in touch so we can add it to this article 🙂
We wrote this article with the help of ChatGPT, but the information stems from us.