Say buongiorno to some of the best skiing to be had in the Alps
There are two things to know about Italy. The coffee really is better and the mountains, scenery and people are truly bellissima.
The Italian mountains are blessed in many ways.
They’re mostly high, meaning guaranteed snow. They’re also on the southern side of the Alps, which, as the Italians say, means a better chance of catching the sunshine. Think sitting out on sun loungers with an espresso or grappa admiring stunning snow-capped mountains – and of course, le signore too.
The skiing suits all abilities. If dropping down steep and narrow gullies for your gram is your thing, happy days. But if on the main, you’re up for cruisy corduroy, fresh powder or some occasional steep stuff, 100s of kilometres of some of the best descents await.
Saluti!
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Euro
Language
Italian
Travel Time (APPROX)
2 hours
from Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+2
The best bits of skiing in Italy
Best family resorts in Italy
Italy loves families and children, this after all is the home of pizza, pasta and ice cream. Civinio and Cervinia are especially welcoming for families. Madonna di Campiglio is one of our faves – over Christmas it turns into a magical winter wonderland and has some of the best views anywhere in the Alps. Think also about La Thuile, which has a snow park for kids. It’s also famous for its chocolate fondue.
Best beginner resorts in Italy
Wide open groomers. Not too many people. Easy runs back to the resort. These are every beginner’s basic needs. Add some spectacular views and alternate activities and everyone’s happy. Pila is home to a network of long blue runs, while Bardonecchia’s beginner-friendly slopes will get you shredding in no time. Head to Cortina for some retro glamour – Bond film For Your Eyes Only was filmed here.
Best high altitude / snow-sure resorts in Italy
For high altitude and guaranteed snow, you want the big mountains bordering Switzerland and France. In the shadow of the spectacular Matterhorn of chocolate bar fame, is Cervinia, which offers piste skiing up to 3,400m, some of the highest in the Alps. That means guaranteed snow but bring your warm gloves. Courmayeur, situated on the south side of Mt Blanc also offers some of the highest skiing – but only for the most advanced. Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx are also sure bets, with runs up to 2,800m.
Food and drink in Italy
There’s so much more to Italian cuisine than pizza, pasta and gelato. Think cheesy fondues, plates of prosciutto and hand-made ravioli or hearty soups to warm the soul after a long day on the slopes washed down with a local Alpine wine. In South Tyrol, which used to be part of Austria and where German is still spoken, you’ll find dishes with a more Germanic twist such as bacon dumplings and apple strudel. Cormayeur, Ortisei and Selva Val Gardena are the places to head for foodies.
Best resorts for apres ski in Italy
For beers by the pitcher, head to Cervinia and find the Yeti, the self styled ‘academy of beer’. For glamour, you need Cortina, whose boutique stores, piano bars and wine lists have long attracted the wealthy, well-to-do – and their wives. If you really want to hit it hard, tax-free Livigno is your Mecca. It’s home to 150 drinking dens and is one of the most famous party towns in the Alps.
Best resorts for off piste skiing in Italy
For those taking their first forays off the groomers, Sauze d’Oulx will get you started, home to some easy and intermediate off and side-piste runs and forested descents. For off the beaten track beauty, things don’t get much more spectacular than the Dolomite mountains above Cortina while for the serious and committed, it’s Courmayeur where you want to go. Here we’re talking big mountain skiing off the shoulders of Mt Blanc, where experience, knowledge and big cojones are definitely required.
Best for ski weekends or short breaks in Italy
If you’ve only got time for a short hit to the mountains, conventional wisdom is to fly to Geneva and go to one of the French resorts. But many of Italy’s are just as accessible. Courmayeur is only 20 minutes further along this route via the Mt Blanc tunnel. Cervinia is only an hour and a half away from Turin while Venice gets you to Cortina in under two hours – and also offers additional options if you want to add some romance to your trip.
Best resorts for group ski holidays in Italy
With its duty free status meaning prices up to a third cheaper than elsewhere, you can’t go wrong booking a group trip to Livigno, especially if you’re looking for a lively après scene. Sestriere is another safe bet but for a different reason – its high and linked ski area offers numerous options for beginners and pros alike, as well as additional activities from indoor golf to ice skating to snow paintballing.
Best time to ski in Italy
Italy’s ski season runs from December to April. For guaranteed snow January to March offers the best window. If avoiding the crowds is key, stay clear of the weeks around Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Easter as these can get busy. Italy also offers some of the best spring skiing with gorgeous blue sky days.
Our favourite ski resorts in Italy
Here are just some of our top ski resorts. To find the perfect one for you, speak to one of our specialists.
Courmayeur
Nestled beneath the gorgeous snow-capped peaks is the Italian village of Courmayeur – and it’s an absolute gem. The ski area, although not that big or high, offers scenic views and good snow cover due to the north and north-west facing slopes and extensive snow-making ability. And you'll find some of the best restaurants in the Alps.
Explore Resort
La Thuile
La Thuile is the perfect place for those looking for a great-value ski holiday in a classic Italian ski resort with access to some awesome skiing.
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Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is the heart of the Dolomites; a stylish ski resort with picturesque views and great skiing! Arguably the most stunning ski resort in the Italian Alps, Cortina d’Ampezzo is a lively resort with lots of chic bars and a varied accommodation offer.
Explore Resort
All Resorts in italy
3 Zinnen DolomitesAlagna ValsesiaAlta BadiaApricaArabbaBardolinoBardonecchiaBavenoBellagioBormioCadenabbiaCampitello di FassaCanazeiCanneroCannobioCervinia
CesanaChampolucClaviereComoCortina d'AmpezzoCorvaraCourmayeurDesenzanoFolgariaFolgaridaGardaGardone RivieraGressoneyKronplatz (San Viglio)La ThuileLavarone
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