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HEIDI GUIDE TO
Italy
Ski Holidays
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 altitude, 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. 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
What are the best family ski resorts in Italy?
Italy loves families and children, this after all is the home of pizza, pasta and ice cream. Livigno 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.
What are the best beginner ski 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.
What are the best high altitude / snow-sure ski 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.
What is the best skiing 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.
What are the best ski 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. 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.
What are the best ski 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.
What are the best ski resorts 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.
What are the best ski 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.
What is the 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.
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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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.
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Sestriere
Sestriere is a chilled Italian resort in the Milky Way ski area, offering access to 400km of pistes. With terrain parks, cross-country skiing options, and an energetic après scene, it caters to a range of preferences.
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Pila
Located in Italy's Aosta Valley, the family-friendly alpine village of Pila offers a serene skiing experience amidst snow-dusted pine forests. From gentle bunny slopes for young skiers to thrilling off-piste woodlands for freeride fans, there's something for everyone.
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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.
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All Resorts in italy
3 Zinnen DolomitesAlagna ValsesiaAlta BadiaApricaArabbaBardolinoBardonecchiaBavenoBellagioBormioCadenabbiaCampitello di FassaCanazeiCanneroCannobioCerviniaCesanaChampoluc
ClaviereComoCortina d'AmpezzoCorvaraCourmayeurDesenzanoFolgariaFolgaridaGardaGardone RivieraGressoneyKronplatz (San Viglio)La ThuileLavaroneLeccoLennoLimoneLimone Piemonte
Why book with Heidi?
Flexible
Go where you want, when you want, for as long as you want, from an unbeatable choice of resorts.
Easy
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5 star service
Our stellar UK team are here 24/7 to make sure your holiday runs smoothly. Flight cancelled? Booking amendments? We'll sort it.
On the money
From budget to luxury, find an amazing ski holiday whatever your wallet, knowing our ATOL protection means your money is safe.
Blogs about skiing in Italy
The best resorts in Europe for Intermediate Skiers
Whether you want a relaxing ski holiday with stunning mountain views, a lively apres-ski scene, or an energetic mile-munching skiing experience, there is something for everyone in our top ten list of skiing destinations for intermediate skiers.
Sarah Cramer
11 Apr, 2023
1 min read
The biggest ski areas in Europe
If you wanna go big on your ski holiday, there's no better place than in the heart of these vast European ski areas. With hundreds of kilometres of pistes to explore, you'll clock up some impressive carve time. We countdown from the biggest...
Sarah Cramer
27 Mar, 2023
1 min read
The Best Ski resorts for foodies
Skiing and good food go hand in hand. After shredding the mountain all day, some hearty grub to top up the energy levels is essential.
Sarah Cramer
14 Mar, 2023
1 min read