Italy Ski Holidays

But don’t misunderstand us, Italy is choc full of world-class skiing, with famous pistes like The Franco Berthod course and the Gran Risa run just a couple of the country’s World Cup routes, and at the other end of the spectrum many of our families think Italy is the top spot to take little ones learning to ski. Between towering spires, gentle slopes unfurl making Italy a haven for cruisy skiers. With resorts like Cervina and Courmayeur checking-in at some of the highest altitudes in Europe, you can expect reliable snowfall and great conditions.

Pick the Italian alps for more than the awesome skiing. Schussing between relaxed restaurants with mouthwatering menus, and friendly bars touting Aperol Spritz and espresso to die for, we love nothing better than kicking back with nibbles and aperitivo, to enjoy spellbinding views of sun-drenched alpine peaks. You’ll find non-skiers in most Italian ski resorts, with Cortina d’Ampezzo a favourite among Italian high society. The cherry on top? Italy is one of Europe's most affordable ski destinations.

There are over 400 ski resorts across the Italian mountains each offering a unique experience. We’ll introduce you to beautiful spa towns like Bormio for a romantic retreat, cosy mountain villages like Madonna di Campiglio for a family friendly adventure, and laid-back destinations like Gressoney where holiday chilling has nothing to do with temperature. Whatever you’re looking for in a ski holiday, there’ll be an Italian ski resort that fits the bill.

We’ve traversed the Italian Alps from the towering Dolomites to the sweeping Aosta Valley and condensed our knowledge and experience into these helpful guides. Delve into our ‘top ten’ lists to find the Italian mountain destination that best suits your own needs. Want miles of piste, lively après ski or off-slope activities? Here you'll find the perfect Italian resort:

Best Ski Resorts in Italy

Fantastic skiing, delicious food and a healthy dose of la dolce far niente come as standard, but the best Italian resorts also have a vast and varied terrain to explore, with accommodation options for most budgets. For old-world faded glamour, ski in the tracks of David Niven in Stephanie van Monaco in Cortina a.k.a. ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ where the Superski pass unlocks a ski area twice the size of the 3 Valleys for about half the price. Selva also has access to the huge Dolomiti Superski area and never fails to wow us with its views of the Sassolungo and Puez Massifs, which turn pink as our Prosecco as the sun sets. Cervinia is another contender for best ski resort in Italy thanks to its snow-sure skiing in Europe’s highest ski area and gobsmacking views of the Matterhorn.

Best Snowboarding in Italy

Italy welcomes snowboarders with tree-lined trails for cruisy carving, epic snow parks for practising your freestyling and plenty of pow for off-piste lovers. The king of Italian freestyling is Livigno where the award-winning Mottolino park includes 3,000+ obstacles including a legendary jump over a Fiat G 91 fighter jet! For experienced riders, few resorts in Italy beat Arabba where powder bowls, steep drops like the Capanna Bill and direct access in the the gargantuan Sella Ronda circuit all wow even the most seasoned boarders. Madonna di Campiglio is another of our fave Italian resorts for snowboarders with wide trails and the the brilliant Zebra Snowboard School for learners plus fast and feisty blacks and the huge Ursus Snowpark for freestyle.

Most Snow Sure Resorts in Italy

For a snow-sure Italian ski holiday (especially in the shoulder months of December and April) higher altitude resorts and glaciers are essential because Italy’s often south facing slopes are so sunny. Sitting at 2,050m and with lifts to 3,883m Cervinia is one of the most snow-sure destinations in Italy. It’s also attached to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise which is skiable all year round. South-facing slopes are usually the ruin of snow-surety but thanks to its high altitude and the Presena Glacier, Passo Tonale has the best of both worlds with oodles of sunshine and good snow conditions all the way to June. Arraba is another safe bet with the bulk of its slopes above 2000m. Winter Olympics host Sestriere is sits at a snowsure 2023m with direct access to the Milky way with skiing up as high as 2823m.

Family Friendly Italian Ski Resorts

Italy’s relaxed atmosphere, low prices and child-friendly cuisine makes it fantastic for families. Passo Tonale often doles out discounted or free lift passes for children, there’s tons of snow-sure blues and reds to ski as a family and lots of ski-in/ski-out accommodation to keep lugging skis around to a minimum! In Sauze d’Oulx, beginners find their feet on the gentle nursery slopes at the foot of the Clotes chair while higher up, more experienced family members have miles of runs in the Milky Way area to explore together. Other top Italian destinations for family ski trips include Madonna di Campiglio which is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland in December and La Thuile with its children’s snow park, Fantaski.

Italy Group Ski Destinations

With huge ski areas, piste-side parties, and seriously good nosh all at affordable prices, there are so many great ski resorts for groups in Italy but we’ve narrowed them down for you. We love Livigno for its mix of terrain and breadth of evening options - alternative between raving to live music in Marcos Pub one night, and relaxing in the Bormio Thermal baths the next. In lively Sauze d’Oulx, 400km of piste means exciting skiing for all abilities and the après scene is just as varied with everything from classy cocktails in Moncrons to all-night parties in Ghost. Selva and Canazei are excellent all round resorts with access to the whopping big Dolomiti Superski area, great après scene and good restaurants.

Best Après Ski in Italy

Land of Aperol, Grappa, Limoncello and more, Italy knows how to host a post ski drink and they do it in characteristically laid-back style. There are over 150 bars in Livigno ranging from sophisticated joints like La Casetta where you can enjoy a glass of bubbles and starlit mountain views, to lively pubs like Marcos for beers and boot stomping. It’s a duty-free town, so Livigno enjoys some of the cheapest après in the Alps. In Corvara, Pralongia Mountain Hut serves local wines with cracking views to match, while proper party animals are well catered for with dance-floor-filling Europop in L’Murin. Selva and Cervinia are also among the best Italian resorts for après where drinks flow in a relaxed atmosphere.

Italy’s Luxury Ski Destinations

Gourmet restaurants, palatial spas and designer boutiques surrounded by glorious peaks create exclusive vacations in Italy’s luxury ski resorts. Crowned ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, home to Michelin-starred restaurants like Tivoli and awash with elegant boutiques, Cortina’s magnificence is undeniable. Set in an enchanting wooded valley, Madonna di Campiglio exudes class with refined piano bars, elegant Victorian buildings and high end shops. In Courmayeur splendid restaurants like Michelin-starred Petit Royal and relaxing spas like Terme di Pre Saint Didier are peppered among dozens of designer shops like Lacoste, Burberry and Hermes.

Pettiest Italian Ski Resorts

Part of the magic of skiing is the gorgeous surroundings and Italy’s prettiest ski resorts serve-up spellbinding sights in spades. The Dolomites which surround Cortina have been named a UNESCO world heritage site for their beauty and the sight of these peaks glowing pink at sunset is utterly mesmerising. In Gressoney you’ll find rustic stone buildings, picture-perfect chalets and a fairy-tale Savoy Castle set amidst panoramic views of the tallest mountains in the Alps: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco on the Italian side of the border), Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Gran Paradiso should all be on your skiing bucket list. Ortisei takes our breath away with its stunning medley of pastel-toned houses, traditional Tyrolean chalets and Renaissance chapels.

Italian Ski Resorts for Beginners

Italy’s uncrowded and gentle slopes paired with its slower pace of life make it great for beginner skiers. In Corvara, the Ladinia Ski School get newbies off to a great start and the mountain is chock-full of beginner-friendly blues thanks to its position in the Alta Badia plateau. Kronplatz is another top Italian ski resort for beginners with 5 ski nurseries, 9 ski schools and blue runs like Plateau and Sonne which gently unfurls through the scenic Italian Dolomites. Unintimidating novice skiing in Passo Tonale and Cortina means wide and beautifully maintained slopes which are rarely busy, so learners can practise their snow plough in peace.

Italy Resorts for Intermediate Skiers

Italy is an intermediate skier’s paradise with joyously cheap lift-passes unlocking miles of exceptional trails. Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere are two of the best Italian resorts for intermediate skiers thanks to their connection to the Milky Way Area. There’s 400km of piste here including 79% at blue and red level, along with some intermediate ‘entry-level’ black trails. Cervinia is surrounded by gentle slopes to ease you back in, higher up the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise has a massive variety of terrain and you can also ski across the border to Zermatt in Switzerland, where there’s another 350km to explore. We love La Thuile with its long reds like the San Bernardo, tree-lined powder on the Diretta and connection to La Rosiere if you fancy skiing in France for a day trip.

Italian Resorts for Advanced Skiers

Italy may have a laid-back attitude but there’s nothing casual about the steeps, deep gullies and backcountry. In Courmayeur, experts can carve hell-for-leather down the black Diretta or take on a 24km powder-route past rocks, crevasses and frozen waterfalls from Punta Helbronner into Chamonix. Powder hounds love the steep off-piste descents of Tofana in Cortina and a handful of blacks that get your adrenaline pumping including the Canalone Staunies which has a 64% decline! Other great destinations for advanced skiing in Italy include Sestiere with its exciting drops and off-piste itineraries and Arabba’s powder fields and long mogul-filled pistes.

Best Off-Piste Skiing in Italy

Surrounded by titans like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, Italy is home to some awesome backcountry and, since it’s a quieter destination, there’s less competition in the morning to make fresh tracks. In Champoluc, spectacular routes from the high-altitude Indren Glacier provide off-piste aficionados with satisfyingly long stretches of powder and the Passo dei Salati-Indren gondola delivers you at the top of a whole mountain of unmarked backcountry. Courmayeur also offers some of the best off-piste skiing in Italy with access to the world famous off piste glacier itinerary down the Vallee Blanche, and lots of challenging local couloirs. Off-piste newbies should try Sauze d’Oulx which has tree-lined powder fields and steady off-piste gradients within easy reach of the lifts.

Best Ski Holidays in Italy on a Budget

Italy’s Bardonecchia was named the ‘best value ski resort in Europe’ based on the price of a week’s lift-pass, kit hire, lessons, drinks and lunch on the slopes coming to a frugal £531.65. With 100kms of groomer, plenty of powder trails and an Olympic snow park, you’re not short changed for pistes here either. Livigno is another cheap ski resort in Italy thanks to its VAT-free status - everything from hotels to hot chocolate comes with a tax-free price tag. Other cheap ski resorts in Italy include Sauze d’Oulx and La Thuile where a pint can be had for around €5.

Summer Ski Holidays in Italy

High-altitude glaciers make for some exceptional summer skiing in Italy. Sitting at 3,500m, The mighty Matterhorn Glacier Paradise above Cervinia is the highest in Europe. It has over 20km of blues and reds open through the summer and the Gravity Park on Plateau Rosa for summer freestyle. Passo Tonale’s Presena Glacier provides scenic runs with the awesome 11km descent of the black Paradiso skiable in a ‘good summer’. In the shoulder season, Arabba is a good choice thanks to the high altitude Marmalada peak which towers to 3,345m.

The Italian Alps and Dolomites are home to some expansive and varied ski areas. With scenic plateaus for chilled afternoon schussing to plunging valleys for upping the MPH and everything in between. The best and biggest Italian ski domains are:

• The Dolomiti Superski - Enthroned in the UNESCO protected Dolomite Mountain Range with 18 peaks over 3,000m, it has great snow and panoramas. 1,200km of lift linked pistes include the 40km Sella Ronda circuit which takes you through the Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Arabba valleys in a single day, if you’re quick enough!
• The Milky Way - The Via Lattea, is a high altitude 400km area including snow-sure slopes to suit a range of abilities. In 2006 it hosted the Winter Olympics and we love having a go on Olympic runs like Kandahar and the women’s downhill at Sansicario.
• Monterosa - Hemmed in by Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, The Matterhorn and Gran Paradiso, this ski area spreads across mammoth mountains, dramatic views and epic descents. There’s 165km of groomers and plenty more miles of unpatrolled, with routes from the Punta Indren providing some of the area’s steepest couloirs.

Discover the top ten best of Italy’s biggest ski resorts.

The range of options is broad, from conveniently positioned purpose-built properties to traditional mountain buildings. Our clients pick Italy’s hotels and chalets for the fantastic prices as well as their service, so call us for help finding the perfect property for your Italian ski trip.

• Ski Hotels in Italy. Choose a traditional, family-run hotel like La Perla in Canazei for a central location near the gondola, or follow in Elvis’ footsteps and book a room in Cortina’s luxury Miramonti Majestic. With swimming pools, spas and restaurants, we’ll show you options that match your taste.
• Italy Ski Chalets. There are fewer chalets in Italy than France or Austria because the government made chalet operators adhere to the more extensive safety rules of a full-on hotel, so call us for help finding a ski chalet in Italy.
• Italian Ski Apartments. More abundant than chalets but with all the homely intimacy, apartments are a popular way to ski Italy on a budget. We have convenient ski-in/ski-out locations, access to swimming pools and spa facilities. and self-catering means you can make the most of Italy’s mountain restaurants.

With short airport transfers and even shorter lift queues, few destinations top Italy for a short break or ski weekend. The best resorts for a ski weekend in Italy include Sauze d'Oulx and Sestriere with access to the awesome Milky Way and a speedy 90 minutes to Turin airport. They also have great ski-in/ski-out hotels to further maximise your skiing time.

When the snow calls, we must answer - our last minute trips to Italy are designed so you can book and go with the minimum of fuss. Italy’s resorts get less attention than more famous names across the border, so there’s often the best availability and prices in our late deals.

If value is top of your priority, browse our Italian Ski Deals or call us for options. There are rental discounts, lift-pass offers and savings on top accommodation.

With peaks rising above 3,000m and big glaciers, Italy’s snow conditions are good between December and April. Both Passo Tonale and La Thuile saw well over 2m of snow blanketing the slopes in March and April last year, while the Matterhorn Glacier has good enough conditions for year round skiing from Cervinia. For a clearer view of resort-specific snow conditions, look at the Italy snow report. If your trip is coming soon, check out the Italy snow forecast to see what snowfall is coming.

Long lunches on sun-drenched terraces are as as central to Italian ski culture as the actual skiing. We love tearing down the slopes, but have to admit that kicking back with a glass of aperol and a platter of antipasto really is La Dolce Vita. Refuel on favourites like pizza and pasta, but you must also try hearty mountain specialties like polenta and fonduta, the Italian version of France’s fondue, which is made extra creamy by adding egg yolks. For the refined palate, Italy is home to gourmet alpine restaurants like the Michelin-starred La Stüa de Michil in Corvara and Dolomieu in Madonna di Campiglio.