Set by the Alpe Cermis, Cavalese is among eleven small resorts making up the Val di Fiemme ski area and, along with Predazzo, is the main winter sports centre of the valley. Skiing enthusiasts can enjoy the Alpe Cermis, the nearby facilities of Pampeago-Obereggen and Lavazè-Oclini, and the majestic range of Lagorai, a frequent destination for ski touring and summer trekking. The Sella Ronda circuit is in the resort’s immediate vicinity.
Cavalese offers 70 kilometres of slopes, with buses linking the area’s 150 kilometres of runs. The majority of the easy runs are reached via a cable car, allowing for some breathtaking views along the way. In general, Cavalese is great for accessing many other areas, and offers limited local skiing for beginners and lower intermediates. Otherwise, some 78 percent of the runs are geared towards intermediates, while the expert runs amount to 20 percent. There are ten lifts in the area, catering to the 14 slopes. The facilities’ uplifting capacity is 12,470 people per hour.
Cavalese, originally an old Medieval village, is a quiet place offering a vast array of accommodation and dining options. Normally, it’s used as a base to tour the region's other ski resorts. Its major clientèle are the so-called Langlaufers, as Cavalese is the local centre for cross-country skiing. Off the snow, visitors might want to try the local swimming pool, sport centre, ice skating rink, spa, sauna and hot tub options, as well as the site’s paragliding centre. The après-ski scene is represented by a decent selection of bars and restaurants serving traditional Italian food. This resort also has a nightclub, which reaches its peak during the weekends.
As the settlement developed during the 12th Century, the village still retains some remainders of its historic tanneries and sawmills. It soon became the political, religious and economic capital of the valley. The summer residence of the bishops of Trento in the 16th Century, and seat of the Magnificent Community of Fiemme, the village boasts some older structures, including the Palace of the Magnificent Community, the Franciscan Convent and the Church of St. Vigilio. Other landmarks include the Tower and Church of St. Sebastiano and Fabiano, with its imposing clock quadrant. Cavalese is still inhabited by Episcopal civil employees and has its local gentry.