20 best ski resorts in Italy
Surprisingly diverse Italy has a network of first-class mountain regions suitable for outdoor activities. The world-famous alpine towns and cities have a developed infrastructure, many ideally equipped trails and a wide range of entertainment services. Excellent living conditions, excellent service and bewitching mountain beauties – the ski resorts of Italy are famous for this property.
Bormio
The Italian city of Bormio is located at an altitude of 1200 meters in the Lombard Alps. Here, excellent ski areas are combined with ancient architectural monuments and healing thermal springs. Hotels, bars, boutiques, nightclubs and sports centers – all this allows Bormio to establish itself as one of the popular and first-class Alpine corners. Budget and luxury hotels offer comfortable apartments to the guests of Bormio.
The ski area is more than 100 kilometers of modern tracks of various difficulty levels. Most of the routes run through the forest. Relatively gentle blue areas are expanse for intermediate skiers. Professional athletes will love the red and black downhill slopes, where the vertical drop reaches 1700 meters.
Snowboarders can hone their technique on special grounds with sports facilities. There are sports schools in the city, staffed by highly qualified instructors. Leisure and wellness facilities include thermal springs, a fitness center, an outdoor pool and a sauna.
Livigno
On the border with Switzerland, there is a dynamically developing and sunny ski village of Livigno. It is surrounded on all sides by majestic mountain ranges rising up with sharp snow-covered peaks. The cozy city is an excellent natural area with excellent conditions for outdoor activities. The status of a duty-free shopping area and developed infrastructure make Livigno a special attraction.
Shops, bars, restaurants, as well as hotels with apartments of an average price category are open for tourists. A modern network of cable cars lifts athletes to a height of 2,797 meters, from where a string of blue, red and black slopes descends. The largest number of routes are equipped for experienced skiers. Freerider connoisseurs highly appreciate the spacious snowy wide gentle fields, abundantly interspersed with coniferous forests.
Snowboarders are welcomed by specialized areas equipped with springboards and an air cushion for the safe performance of acrobatic jumps. Guests of Livigno can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, sledding, a fitness centre, swimming pool and relaxing at the spa.
Val di Fassa
Many tourists from all over the world flock to the Val di Fassa, surrounded by the majestic mountain ranges of the Dolomites. This region brings together several popular villages that have all the necessary amenities for a memorable holiday. In the cozy towns of the valley, hotel houses have been erected with a fairly democratic pricing policy. The hotels are built in the traditional Tyrolean architectural style.
In each settlement of the valley there are sports complexes with gyms and swimming pools. More than 200 kilometers of luxurious trails are at the service of travelers. The prevailing majority, which are marked in blue and red. Skiers of an average level of training will find wide and extended slopes with a height difference from 1,190 to 2,638 meters a real expanse. Extreme lovers have access to off-piste difficult sections passing through the snow-covered virgin lands. The gem of Val di Fassa is the 40 km route around the Sella mountain range.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Cortina d'Ampezzo is one of the world famous Alpine cities in Italy, attracting the attention of connoisseurs of mountain landscapes and active sports. The resort place is framed on all sides by monumental and unique rocky dolomite ridges. An atmosphere of luxury and wealth reigns everywhere here. Luxury hotels guarantee guests a first-class level of service. The central streets of Cortina d'Ampezzo are full of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. The skiing area is of particular interest to winter sports enthusiasts with an intermediate and beginner level of training.
The total length of green, blue and red slopes is 115 kilometers. The elevation difference is 1,224-3,000 meters. Some slopes are not serviced by lifts. You can get to them on ski buses. The wide and long sections of the Tofana slope will appeal to inexperienced skiers. Professionals will get an unforgettable experience from the descents from the peaks of the mountains of Ra Valles and Forchella Staunies, whose height exceeds 2,000 meters.
Those wishing to get a portion of extreme sensations are offered all kinds of winter adrenaline rides. These are bobsleigh, snowrafting, snowbiking and snowkiting. Tourists will have the opportunity to visit the Ice Palace of the Olympic format, where you can see an exciting hockey match with the participation of local teams.
Madonna di Campiglio
The fashionable place of the Italian Dolomites is the town of Madonna di Campiglio. This region amazes its visitors with the extraordinary beauty of the mountain peaks, which play in the hours of dawn and sunset with all shades of pink. The picturesque settlement is located at an altitude of more than 800 meters above sea level.
Madonna di Campiglio has a sports centre, ice skating rink, swimming pool, restaurants and an abundance of playgrounds. Boutiques with goods of famous fashion designers of clothes and shoes are available for shopping lovers. On the territory of the town there are about a hundred luxury hotels and budget chalets. Superbly prepared snow slopes are interconnected by a modern cable car network. Ski slopes occupy a vast area of the mountain range at altitudes from 1,500 to 2,500 meters.
Most of the routes are ideal for people who are uncertain about skiing. These are wide, flat and safe blue areas with minimal slope. Experienced athletes can put their skills to the test on the winding red slopes. Snowboarders are advised to visit a specialized snow park equipped with slides, jumps and sports facilities.
Chervinia
Among the Alpine peaks covered with eternal ice, there is one of the highest mountain villages in Italy – Cervinia. It lies at an altitude of 2,050 meters. This popular locality is famous for its abundance of excellent trails, which are distinguished by high quality snow cover. The prospect of skiing above the clouds and the subsequent descent through them will give tourists a lot of indelible impressions.
The hotel fund offers guests fairly budget accommodation options in small cozy hotels (3-4 stars). A fitness center with swimming pools, as well as an ice skating rink and a spa, contribute to spending free time with benefit. The resort area is an alternation of gentle, steep and high-speed sections of routes, which is of interest to winter sports enthusiasts. The highest point is Chervino Peak (3883 m).
For lovers of calm and unhurried skiing, blue slopes are provided, which lie in different parts of the resort area. A large number of long red slopes allows experienced athletes to get unforgettable pleasure. Freerider fans can test their skills on off-piste routes. In addition to skiing, such sports as snowboarding, rock climbing, snowkiting, and motorized sledges are popular here.
Kurmayor
At the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc, at an altitude of 1,224 meters above sea level, is the luxurious city of Courmayeur. It has a reputation as an aristocratic alpine corner, where luxurious hotels, gourmet restaurants and fashionable boutiques are hospitably waiting for their visitors. Carnivals, social events and noisy parties are regularly held here. Dense coniferous forests and ski routes are intertwined into picturesque patterns. From any point of the city offers a bewitching view of the surrounding mountain valleys.
Courmayeur is recommended for intermediate skiers. The skiing area is 100 kilometers of perfectly polished trails to perfection. On the slopes of Checrouit and Val Veny prepared red and black areas. Descents without a single tubercle amaze the eye with their grooming, which guarantees a lot of positive emotions for professionals. The breathtaking trails across the virgin snow create the perfect environment for those who wish to enjoy the absolute freedom of skiing and snowboarding. The routes pass through secluded places surrounded by sheer cliffs and coniferous trees.
La Thuile
The Italian village of La Thuile occupies a picturesque alpine location surrounded by the grandiose peaks of the Mont Blanc mountain range and the majestic Ruitor glacier. A feature of this cozy village is the harmonious combination of old wooden and stone buildings with modern examples of architecture.
A calm and measured atmosphere of village life dominates here, allowing tourists to get the most out of the wide and long ski slopes. Local hotels are not particularly luxurious. The snowy slopes are great for inexperienced beginners and advanced skiers looking to improve their skiing skills. Bars, restaurants and pizzerias are open in the city.
Guests of La Thuile are offered a varied palette of routes of any complexity. Blue, red and black areas are organized here. They stretch with a height difference from 1,441 to 2,641 meters. Connoisseurs of cross-country skiing will appreciate the slopes laid through coniferous forests. For beginners, there are few gentle slopes without sharp turns. It will be interesting for experts to make a race from the top of Le Suchet (2200 m).
Saw
The cozy and modern village of Pyla is of genuine interest to travelers who want to comfortably and actively spend their vacation days on the mountain slopes. A friendly and literally homely atmosphere reigns here, since this small ski town has hardly been affected by the wave of mass tourism. Mostly residents of Northern Italy flock here to relax.
Fascinating landscapes of Alpine nature give the resort a special charm. It lies in a bowl-shaped basin, framed on all sides by snow-covered mountain ranges, glaciers and coniferous forests. Hotel complexes are built in the immediate vicinity of the cable car. A fairly compact ski area is like an amphitheater.
At altitudes from 1,800 to 2,752 meters, there are trails of medium difficulty. There are 30 red, 4 blue and 4 black sections for vacationers. Experienced skiers enjoy conquering the picturesque slopes of Grimondet and Chamolais. The distance of the longest route is 6 kilometers. Guests of Peel can visit the fitness centre, swim in the pool and play bowling. Numerous restaurants serving Italian cuisine are at the guests' disposal.
Monte Rosa
Monte Rosa is a popular Italian ski area with a vast area for skiing. The region takes its name from the majestic peak (4663 m) that rises above several villages: Antagnon, Alanya, Champaluc, Brusson and Gressoney. The realm of snow-white fields, delightful slopes and numerous routes – all this favors exciting winter sports.
The splendor of natural landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent. This is a unique labyrinth of sheer cliffs, gorges and valleys. A large ski resort equally attracts both avid sportsmen and connoisseurs of a quiet romantic holiday in the bosom of pristine nature. Tourists are offered to stay in comfortable chalets, campsites and luxury hotels.
From a height of 3,600 meters, various trails originate, the total length of which reaches 300 kilometers. An impressive area of sports recreation is connected by an extensive network of lifts and funiculars. On the wide mountain slopes, the snow cover retains its impeccable qualities throughout the season. Experienced skiers have at their disposal difficult routes with significant slopes, sharp turns and elevation changes.
Val Gardena
The fabulous beauty of the Val Gardena lies at the foot of the Sassolungo mountain range. The main advantages of this ski area in Italy are incredible natural landscapes, cozy villages and endless opportunities for skiing. In the Val Cardena valley, the Alpine villages of Ortisei (1235 m), Sant Cristina (1466 m) and Selva Gardena (1563 m) are located at different heights. All of them have a well-developed infrastructure.
Experienced skiers can expect fast, long, winding and wooded slopes descending from the peaks of Ciampinoi and Seceda. On the Monte Pana plateau, flat and short sections are organized, ideal for skiers who are unsure of skiing. Freerider fans can go to conquer the snow-covered virgin lands, stretching at around 2950 meters. The routes pass through narrow canyons and sheer cliffs. Snowboarders like snowparks equipped with sports facilities to perform tricks.
Kronplatz
One of the pearls of the Italian province of South Tyrol is the extensive ski region of Kronplatz. It consists of more than ten towns located at altitudes from 787 to 1,650 meters. Among them, the picturesque village of San Vigilio, a cozy corner of Riscone and the village of Brunico with an abundance of entertainment for every taste are especially popular with tourists.
Kronplatz is covered by a modern network of lifts and has a well-developed infrastructure. The resort area is centered around the majestic wooded mountain of the same name. At its top, from a spacious open plateau, numerous well-groomed paths of different difficulty categories fan out. Wide and gentle slopes are combined with fast and winding sections, making Kronplatz an ideal destination for beginners and advanced skiers alike.
On the northern slopes of the mountain range there are black routes descending from a height of 2,275 meters. Here professionals can test their physical and technical skiing skills. For a comfortable stay, tourists are offered apartments in first-class hotels and traditional Alpine chalets. Kronplatz stands out in particular for its wide variety of entertainment. In the cities of this ski area, guests will find indoor swimming pools, sports centers, restaurants, branded boutiques, cinemas, ice stadiums and discos.
Alta Badia
The northwestern side of the Dolomites is occupied by the Alta Badia ski area. It consists of several villages interconnected by a modern network of cable cars. Numerous mountain peaks give the region a sense of wonder and magic. Majestic sheer cliffs with sharp peaks play under the sun's rays with all shades of red. Ideal conditions have been created here that can satisfy the desires of even the most demanding tourists. This is facilitated by impeccable tracks, an excellent choice of hotels with excellent service and an abundance of entertainment venues.
Various slopes, the total length of which is 130 kilometers, are famous for the perfect quality of the snow cover. Most of the routes are designed for beginner skiers. The sports zone is literally dotted with fairly wide and gentle blue areas covered with coniferous forests. The height difference of simple descents varies within 200 meters. For experienced athletes, there are several roads marked in red and black.
These are long narrow slopes with sharp turns and significant slopes. After skiing, guests of the villages of Alta Badia can relax in the spa, swim in the pool, visit the gym, play bowling or tennis. Culinary gourmets will enjoy a considerable number of gourmet restaurants. For young tourists there are children‘s park complexes, ski schools and toboggan runs.
Val di Fiemme
In the autonomous Italian province of Trentino lies the picturesque Val di Fiemme, crowned with rocky Latemar peaks. This place is especially popular among beginner skiers and athletes with an average level of training. Lively alpine villages dotted around the sun-drenched valley offer excellent opportunities for sports and leisure activities. The cities of Predazzo and Cavalese deserve attention.
These cozy small settlements compare favorably with a combination of developed infrastructure with affordable prices for accommodation and meals. The ski area stretches at altitudes of 1,280-2,600 meters. More than a hundred kilometers of well-prepared marked trails have been laid here. Most of them meet the requirements of skiers who prefer calm and safe skiing. The wide blue areas have a slight elevation difference.
For experienced athletes, a narrow five-kilometer wooded descent with several intricate turns on the slope of Alpe Cermis is of interest. For lovers of snowboarding, there is a specialized park with jumps and rails. The valley has trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In the villages of the Val di Fiemme, tourists will find shops, restaurants, bars, swimming pools and ice stadiums. Sports and entertainment centers with swimming pools, spas, gyms and saunas guarantee a pleasant active pastime.
Arabic
The Arabba ski village is a cult place for avid fans of winter sports. It is located in the center of the Sella Ronda mountain range, which forms the legendary circuit around the Dolomites. This is a calm quiet place where a serene atmosphere reigns without the fuss of the idly staggering public. Tourists can stay in budget hotels built in the traditional Alpine style. Many hotels have swimming pools and saunas.
Here lies a string of first-class and fairly long difficult ski roads. The hallmark of Arabba is direct access to the grandiose Marmolad Glacier, located at an altitude of 3,340 meters. Dizzying high-speed red-black descents with extreme relief stretched from its top. Routes require maximum composure and perfect possession of equipment. Excellent skiing is facilitated by strong snow cover and an extensive network of lifts. Sledding, snowshoeing and rock climbing diversify active recreation.
Nurse
The famous Italian town of Sestriere was founded in 1937. It is located at an altitude of 2,035 meters above sea level, surrounded by grandiose snow-capped peaks. The small town gained worldwide popularity after hosting the sports disciplines of the XX Winter Olympic Games in 2006. Tourists are given a unique opportunity to ride on the tracks where the best athletes of the world competed.
Both modern luxury hotels and rather modest mountain cottages hospitably welcome their guests. The impressive size of the skiing area consists of 400 kilometers of well-equipped sections. A well-developed network of ski lifts connects Sestriere with the peaks of the Sizes (2,600 m), Banquet (2,555 m) and Freiteve (2,700 m) mountain ranges. For beginners and experienced skiers, blue easy roads and difficult red-black slopes are provided, respectively.
Professional athletes are attracted by the nine-kilometer Rio Nero track with a significant elevation difference, as well as the Kandahar slalom descent. Contemplating the amazing mountain landscapes and breathing in the crystal clear air, tourists can go skiing on the off-piste vast flat area. At the disposal of vacationers there is a sports complex with a swimming pool, tennis courts, a sauna and a gym. Numerous bars and restaurants are open in the city until late at night.
Limone Piemonte
One of the oldest resort areas in Italy, Limone – Piedmont pleases its guests with the pristine beauty of nature, the delightful hilly landscapes of the Alpes-Maritimes and picturesque slopes. The surviving medieval buildings give this cozy town a special historical entourage. Visitors to Limone Piedmont are provided with three and four star hotels, as well as guest cottages and chalets.
The zone of active pastime has picturesque trails of different difficulty levels. Enthusiastic fans of winter sports are offered blue, red and black sections, the total length of which is 80 kilometers. Experienced skiers will enjoy high-speed descents with sharp turns and drops. Beginner athletes can ride on wide and gentle paths. Long direct routes enable vacationers to calmly contemplate the panoramas of the southwestern Alps.
For young travelers, there is a children's park with safe snow slides, trampolines and other entertainment. After a busy sports day, tourists can relax in the spa, swim in the pool, take a steam bath in the sauna, visit the gym. Pleasant impressions will leave a walk through the medieval streets. Cozy restaurants, bars and cafes offer visitors an abundance of local culinary delights.
Bardonecchia
The list of the best skiing places in Italy includes the city of Bardonecchia. It is located in the western part of the Piedmont region and occupies an intermountain hollow surrounded by majestic peaks. Here, a high level of service is combined with first-class Olympic slopes. Tourists expect ample opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and rock climbing. On the territory of the resort corner there is a sports and entertainment center with football, volleyball and tennis courts, as well as swimming pools and gyms.
Hotels (2-4 stars), chalets and hotel cottages hospitably accept guests. The main asset of Bardonecchia is an extensive sports area, consisting of two zones. The first one consists of three wooded slopes, where blue, red and black tracks are laid. The second zone is the Jaffro region with snow-covered alpine fields at an altitude of 2,800 meters. For fans of snowboarding, the Olympic theme park with the famous halfpipe is of particular interest.
Trentino
On the border with Austria and Switzerland is the autonomous Italian region of Trentino, which attracts many tourists with its magnificent slopes of the Dolomites. Among the snows sparkling under the rays of the bright sun, dense forests, spacious valleys and picturesque mountain ranges, there are more than 700 kilometers of well-groomed ski routes.
Especially popular are such high Alpine towns of Trentino as Val di Fasa and Madonna di Campiglio. They have all the advantages of a developed infrastructure. At the disposal of vacationers there are first-class and budget hotels, numerous bars and restaurants, sports complexes and branded stores. Skiers and snowboarders appreciate the high quality of the blue, red and black slopes. Gentle trails with a negative slope are ideal for families with children.
Trentino is surrounded by a network of trails for cross-country skiing on flat terrain. Thrill-seekers will find for themselves a considerable number of long extreme high-speed sections, replete with significant elevation changes and sharp turns. Experienced athletes will like the most difficult slope of Paradiso. This is a three-kilometer downhill, which originates from the glacier basin. The height difference reaches 710 meters, which delights experienced skiers.
Passo-Tonale
The Passo Tonale Valley is a natural amphitheater located at altitudes of 1,800 to 3,000 meters. This amazing region is surrounded by majestic alpine “three-thousanders”. An interesting extensive recreation area attracts both inexperienced skiers and family tourists with children, as well as professional athletes and extreme sportsmen. Passo Tonale consists of high-rise buildings of modern architecture. Plain blue and gently sloping areas are concentrated on a vast mountain plateau. This is ideal for the first steps in conquering the snowy slopes.
For professionals, there are black runs on the Presena glacier, relief areas in a pine forest, as well as extended slopes. Experienced athletes are interested in the world-famous Pizgan descent. Its length is 14 kilometers. Special attention is paid to toboggan runs, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Passo Tonale offers its guests a traditional tourist package. There are a variety of hotels and restaurants, bars and pizzerias, a sports complex and an ice rink, a cinema and nightclubs.