Best known as a warm-weather escape, Lake Garda, Italy takes on a quieter character in winter, when snow arrives on nearby Monte Baldo and the towns around the lake turn toward Christmas markets and seasonal traditions. Monte Baldo offers seven ski lifts and 25 miles of snow-covered trails, giving travelers a chance to combine time on the slopes with the culture and scenery of one of northern Italy’s most celebrated lakes.

At Cape of Senses, an adults-only retreat perched about 600 feet above Lake Garda, winter days can move easily between mountain and lake. Guests can explore the “Natale tra gli Olivi” Christmas market as well as holiday markets in Bardolino and Lazise, or seek out the underwater Nativity display in Peschiera del Garda. Back at the hotel, après-ski, panoramic lake views and the 21,000-square-foot Senses Spa offer a slower counterpoint to a day outdoors, with the resort providing a warm retreat as the landscape settles into winter.

The Curated Take: Lake Garda’s winter appeal comes from the combination of experiences rather than any single seasonal attraction. Travelers can ski in the morning, explore Italian Christmas traditions in the afternoon and finish the day overlooking the lake from a sophisticated wellness retreat. For luxury travelers who already associate Garda with summer, winter presents a different rhythm, one that pairs Alpine activity with Italian culture and the pleasures of a lakeside escape.