Best ski resorts in Italy
Discover the best places to ski in Italy, whether you're skiing with friends, with your family or looking for the adventure of a lifetime. Grab your skis, and let's go.
What do you think of when we say “Italy”, do you imagine a big bowl of spaghetti, perhaps the Trevi fountain behind you, with some opera playing in the background? #SoCultured but Italy has so much more to offer. Yes, the food and friendly locals are world class, but Italy is also home to some of the most stunning mountain Winter resorts.
Are you a piste bunny? Freerider? Freestyler or maybe a professional apres skier? Whatever your slopestyle, Italy is the perfect place to take a ski holiday or indeed spend the winter if you want to do a winter ski season. From the Dolomites in the East or to Piedmont and the Aosta Valley in the North and West, Italy has next level mountains. Views for days and you can finish off the day with a massive bowl of pasta. Heaven!
That’s why we thought we would put together a list of the top ski resorts in Italy. Not only that but we have put together some “insider secrets”, hints and tips, giving you guys the unmissable resort secrets, enabling you to choose which ski resort is perfect for you. We also finished up with a few hidden gems, the best kept secret ski resorts and we can go on the record to say, they will ensure an unforgettable ski getaway!
Ps, you know when we say “ski” we mean ski AND snowboard, we mean everyone can enjoy these #OnPoint ski resorts!
Embrace Italy's slopes in comfort and style
Embarking on an Italian skiing adventure calls for the right attire. You're not just aiming to keep cosy - you need flexibility and style as you tear up those eye-catching, snow-dusted slopes. Our assemblage presents a diverse range of precisely-chosen men's ski coat and women's ski coat destined for the high demands of winter sports.
Alongside giving you maximum comfort, coupling our ski coats with our selection of top-tier skiing gear will empower you to glide through Italy's enchanting winter landscapes with elegance and ease. After all, it's not just about the skiing - it's about dressing to impress those slopes! Make sure you head off to Italy suitably suited and booted and ready to conquer those mountains in style.
How we rated the pricing
Price ranges explained
We looked at the price of ski passes, gear hire, food/drink, hotel/Airbnb for each region and assigned a rating based on the average cost of staying for 7 nights and 6 days of skiing in mid- January.
€ – Inexpensive, perfect for skiers/snowboarders on a budget
€€ – Middle of the range budget required
€€€ – Expect to pay premium prices
So strap on your ski’s, or maybe just your slippers for the moment, sit back and let’s dive right in!
Best ski areas in Italy
Courmayeur
Getting there
Where: Aosta Valley
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Aosta 1hr (Best super markets found there, stock up before you head up the mountain), Turin 1.5 Hours
Driving Tip: Always spit the journey into 2 days. If you are driving from Germany, stop off in Nuremberg, from Holland, stop in Strasbourg or Dijon and the same from the UK. Swedish pals, make 2 stops, one in Hamberg then another in Frankfurt or continue to Strasbourg.
Get to know Courmayeur
Courmayeur is a beautiful ski resort. Its the ideal balance of traditional and modern. There are 2 excellent ski school plus one of the oldest mountain guide offices in the alps which means if you want to try some of the backcountry in the area- which by the way, is truly sensational, you will be in excellent hands. Go freeriding then have a late lunch at Pizzeria Christiania at Plan Checrouit their pizza is too good!
Insider Tip: The cable car now stays open until midnight, stay up the mountain for dinner for a unique and memorable experience.
Ridestore Recommends: Take vintage James Bond vibes cable car up to Cresta Youla then to Cresta Arp and thrash the freeride zone back down to Zerotta! (DONT FORGET THE EQUIPMENT.)
Livigno
Getting there
Where: Lombardia
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 2.5 hrs, Milan 3hrs
Closest City: Tirano 1hr (There is a train station there too)
Driving Tip: We got our driving tip from the experts at Livingo tourism, (I have never driven myself, plus its a bit of a trouble to get too).
“Coming from central Europe, Livigno is reachable via the Passo del Gallo (Munt, the SCHER), open all year round, which connects with Switzerland and through the Ofenpass, with Val Monastero.
Coming from Milan, is reached via Lecco Livigno and Bormio, Valtellina and walking through the Foscagno, where frequent snowfall in almost all seasons required to have snow chains on board at least from October to May. “
Get to know Livigno
In Livigno, there really is something for everyone: 12 black slopes, 37 red slopes and 29 blue slopes. Expert skiers can put their skills in speed to the test on the long and technical runs like the Giorgio Rocca trail. Little Tibet also has modern ski lifts: 6 gondolas, 13 chair lifts and 11 ski lifts. This means crowds aren’t an issue, as they immediately spread out. It’s also tax-free heaven!
Insider Tip: The snowpark is literally unmissable beckoning riders from all over the world, brush shoulders with people like Shaun White!
Ridestore Recommends: There is night skiing on Thursdays!
Cervinia
Getting there
Where: Aosta Valley
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Aosta 1hr (Best supermarkets found there, stock up before you head up the mountain), Turin 1.5 Hours
Driving Tip: Always spit the journey into 2 days. If you are driving from Germany, stop off in Nuremberg, from Holland, stop in Strasbourg or Dijon and the same from the UK. Swedish pals, make 2 stops, one in Hamberg then another in Frankfurt or continue to Strasbourg.
Get to know Cervinia
Under the watchful eye of the majestic Matterhorn, Cervinia is the world-famous ski resort of Zermatt’s more chill younger sibling. Cervinia has it all, excellent freeride that’s inbounds, i.e. easily accessible, 360km of piste between Zermatt and Cervinia as well as vibrant apres ski. In fact, apres ski in Cervinia begins on the mountain and you can slowly make your way down to the town and rub shoulder to shoulder with the Swedish royal family, seasonnaires, celebs and athletes. This eclectic mix is what makes Cervinia so down to earth and unique ski resort.
Insider Tip: Apres ski at Chalet Plan Torrette and Principe Delle Neve.
Ridestore Recommends: Take the Cime Bianchi cale car to Plateau Rosa, firstly take an epic selfie on the Swiss/Italian boarder then either take the Ventina Red run to Valtournenche (one of the longest in Europe or take the freeride route under the cable car- for experts only.
Champoluc
Getting there
Same as Courmayeur and Cervinia (All the ski resorts are in the same valley!)
Where: Aosta Valley
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Aosta 1hr (Best supermarkets found there, stock up before you head up the mountain), Turin 1.5 Hours
Driving Tip: Always spit the journey into 2 days. If you are driving from Germany, stop off in Nuremberg, from Holland, stop in Strasbourg or Dijon and the same from the UK. Swedish pals, make 2 stops, one in Hamberg then another in Frankfurt or continue to Strasbourg.
Get to know Champoluc
This is a freeride paradise! A hidden gem which is slowly getting the recognition it deserves. So many freeride world tour riders have called this ski resort home. It’s a perfect balance. Let us set the scene for you, morning coffee and brioche at the base of the lift, head up for a day shredding. Then take a late lunch followed by a cold drink as you watch the sun go down in the valley.
Insider Tip: Head up to the freeride zone, between Gressoney and Champoluc.
Ridestore Recommends: Get your freeriding legs back or try your hand at off piste on the easy to reach gentle runs between Bettaforca to Ciarcero.
Selva
Getting there
Where: South Tyrol
Closest Airport: Bolzano 1hrs, Brescia 2.5 hrs
Closest City: Innsbruck 2hrs and Verona is 3hrs (Great for a little trip)
Driving Tip: Use the Brenner Motorway (A 22) to reach the town. If you are coming from Scandinavia, then make a stop in Berlin then again in Nuremberg or Munich. Friends from central Europe can make the drive in a day!
Get to know Selva
Few places in the world offer such breathtaking views as the Dolomite mountains. The rock formation is coral, so when the sun hits, they glow with the most insane spectrum of colours. Not only that but you have access to the Dolomiti super ski area which is a whopping 1000km. Base yourself in Selva and explore the area!
Insider Tip: So the ski safari around the ski resorts, stopping in each spot for a Bombardino. Cover as much terrain on the piste as possible. Dress up with your friends and take it to the next level.
Ridestore Recommends: Test your skills on the World Cup piste, the Saslong!
Sauze D'Oulx
Getting there
Where: Piedmont
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Pont St Martin or Ivrea 1.25 hrs (Great for supermarkets, stock up there before you head up)
Driving Tip: Central European friends should consider stopping in Munich, Nordic friends, make it a 3 day trip, drive ro Brussels, then Paris and stop in both.
Get to know Sauze D’Oulx
Sauze is synonymous with gorgeous scenery, cultural offerings, shopping and local gastronomy, this charming ski resort has plenty of things to keep you entertained on and off the slopes. The main streets in Sauze d’Oulx village have kept their charm: cobblestones, lined with trattories specialising in Piedmont wine. Plus Sauze D’Oulx is at the heart of the Milky Way ski area which plenty of off and on piste to discover plus a few epic terrain parks.
Insider Tip: Head over to Montgenèvre for the day and enjoy the duality of France and Italy for the day.
Ridestore Recommends: Head to the Moncrons area after a big snowfall to ride
Sestriere
Getting there
Where: Piedmont
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Pont St Martin or Ivrea 1.5 hrs (Great for supermarkets, stock up there before you head up)
Driving Tip: Central European friends should consider stopping in Stuttgart. Nordic friends, make it a 3 day trip, drive to Hamburg, then Zurich and stop in both.
Get to know Sestriere
Sestriere ski resort is known for its excellent conditions: it’s high altitude,North West facing and has extensive snow-making. There is plenty of unmissable off-piste among a handful of tree-lined slopes. Head out to the Milky Way ski area, and you’ll experience 400km of piste that’ll take you to the neighboring ski resorts of Sauze d’Oulx, Claviere and to Mongenèvre in France. Sestriere village is quieter than Sauze d’Oulx, but there’s still a good choice of apres ski bars if you want a few bevs after a day on the mountain.
Insider Tip: Put your skills to the test on the Women’s Olympic downhill run, number 79 – from Monte Fraiteve and the Men’s World Cup downhill course at the top of Sises.
Ridestore Recommends: Head to the Banchetta and Cit Roc chairlifts for a challenge on the piste!
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Getting there
Where: Veneto
Closest Airport: Venice 2.5hrs, Verona 3hrs
Closest City: Venice city is just 2hrs away. Worth a visit no?
Driving Tip: Friends driving from the Nordics why not stop in Denmark then head to Leipzig. Central European friends can also break up the drive in Leipzig.
Get to know Cortina
There is nowhere, quite like Cortina. A famous racing town and host of the 1956 Olympics, it certainly has some legit skiing. Cortina is also Italy’s most fashionable ski resort, and many visitors take their “passigare” which is lunching and early-evening parading/shopping, more seriously than their Skiing, it;s La Dolce Vita. The result is that pressure on the ski slopes is chill. No queues, no crowds, pistes really well looked after and a chance to live your fanciest lifestyle.
Insider Tip: They have a new freestyle snow park, which is an absolute must visit!
Ridestore Recommends: Check out the Vertigine Bianca, Forcella Rossa and Labirinti for a challenge.
Madonna Di Campiglio
Getting there
Where: Trentino
Closest Airport: Bolzano 1hrs, Brescia 2.5 hrs
Closest City: Bolzano is an amazing city where Austro Hungarian culture meets Italian, plus stunning nature.
Driving Tips: When coming from the Nordics, stop first in Rostock, then again in Nuremberg. Central European friends can take a break in Munich.
Get to know Madonna Di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio is another super fancy ski resort located at 1550 m of altitude (which is comparative low but in optimum geo location) in a natural valley nestled between the Brenta Dolomites mountain range and the Adamello and the beauts Presanella glaciers.
So much mountain to explore! The slopes spread out widely, connecting with the neighbouring villages of Folgarida and Marilleva, and with the neighbouring resort of Pinzolo via a spectacular 16-minute gondola ride.
Insider Tip: Check out the tree-lined runs lower down. Plus the peaks of which many have impressive views of the iconic Brenta Dolomites – especially up towards Spinale and Groste.
Ridestore Recommends: Take your touring gear to the Cinque Laghi area, an amazing open space just 30 mins away!
Top secret destinations in Italy
Now let’s check out some of Italy’s best kept secrets. The ski areas and resorts you may not have heard of but absolutely need a visit!
Pila ski resort
Getting there
Where: Aosta Valley
Closest Airport: Turin 2 hrs, Milan 2.5hrs
Closest City: Aosta is 30 mins away and the best spot to stock up on food before heading up the hill! There is also a large train station and bus station.
Driving Tip: Always spit the journey into 2 days. If you are driving from Germany, stop off in Nuremberg, from Holland, stop in Strasbourg or Dijon and the same from the UK. Swedish pals, make 2 stops, one in Hamberg then another in Frankfurt or continue to Strasbourg.
Get to know Pila
As you climb the mountain towards Pila and the valley drops away behind, it reveals the most impressive mountain range. Pila is in a truly unique location where you see four of Europe’s five major peaks from one stunning vantage point. Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, Matterhorn and Grand San Bernard. You will never ski anywhere where the piste are as good as Pila, impeccably maintained, fast steep and so fun, perfect corduroy day in day out!
Insider Tip: Try run 27 called the “Face” and run 11 called the “Wall” both are insanely scarily but totally unmissable. A real rush!
Ridestore Recommends: Grab your ski touring gear and head up to Monte Grivola.
Gressoney ski resort
Getting there
Where: Aosta Valley
Closest Airport: Turin 1.5 hrs, Milan 2hrs
More info: head up to Champlouc, there ski resorts are a mere 30 min drive apart so the info is the same!
Get to know Gressoney
Gressoney is such a cute and quaint little ski resort which oozes charm. Chocolate box chalets, friendly and down to earth locals, cheap prices and the best mountain. Linked with Champlouc but with so much to explore on the Gressoney side between Gressoney La Trinite, St Jean and Alagna. The mountain is a delight for freeriders, so inspiring. Spend your evenings planning your route and enjoy the resort.
Insider Tip: Head over to Alagna and explore your own freeride terrain with all the accessible routes! Or ski tour up on the Colle Bettaforca for the killer views.
Ridestore Recommends: Amazing freeride areas around Punta Indren.
Bardonecchia ski resort
Getting there
Where: Piedmont
Closest Airport: Turin 1 hrs, Milan 2hrs
Closest City: Turin is really close and also well worth a visit!
Driving Tip: Central European friends should consider stopping in Munich, Nordic friends, make it a 3 day trip, drive to Brussels, then Paris and stop in both.
Get to know Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia has kinda been overlooked until the 2006 Turin Olympics which then brought investment to the town and raised its profile. Its now known as a great value beginner and intermediate destination. It’s in a sunny valley, right on the French border with interlocking mountain areas. It’s a quaint town, with an ice rink, sports centre with lively little après scene. Be sure to wander a little further afield with a day’s Skiing in Montgenèvre in France.
Insider Tip: It’s an Apres ski tip, Colomion di Cipo, a chalet-style property at the base of the Campo Smith slopes is famous for après-ski as is White & Green Bar at Les Arnauds.
Ridestore Recommends: The tree lined slopes of tree-lined slopes of Campo Smith are perfect in bad weather.
Alta Badia ski resorts
Getting there
Where: South Tyrol
Closest Airport: Innsbruck 2.5hrs, Venice 3hrs
Closest City: Venice isn’t far and its well worth a visit
Driving Tip: Friends driving from the Nordics why not stop in Denmark then head to Leipzig. Central European friends can also break up the drive in Leipzig.
Get to know Alta Badia
“Speaking of cuisine, Alta Badia is the showpiece region in South Tyrol: no other valley in the Alps has such a density of highly decorated restaurants in such a small area, including 2 Michelin-starred restaurants with altogether 4 stars. “- Alta Badia. They have epic freeride as well.
“Speaking of cuisine, Alta Badia is the showpiece region in South Tyrol: no other valley in the Alps has such a density of highly decorated restaurants in such a small area, including 2 Michelin-starred restaurants with altogether 4 stars. “- Alta Badia. They have epic freeride as well.
Insider Tip: Stay at residence Araldina and save some pennies- Spend it on food instead!
Ridestore Recommends: Head to the Sella Massif ski area for the best freeride zone!
Sappada ski resorts
Getting there
Where: Udine
Closest Airport: Bolzano 2.5 hrs, Innsbruck Airport 3hrs
Closest City: Bolzano and its a must visit while you are there!
Get to know Sappada
Sappada really is the best kept secret in the Italian alps. Sappada is home to some pretty impressive tree skiing too, ideal after a fresh snowfall day, plus it holds the snow well. The offer of other activities is vast as well: alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ice climbing and many other adrenaline and gastronomically fueled activities. A must visit.
Insider Tip: Try snowmobiling, incredible backdrop and a unique activity in the area!
Ridestore Recommends: “Sappada is a real paradise for ski touring and offers countless places of various types to appreciate quiet and solitude, admire the stunning views of the Dolomites and set off across the fresh snow. “-Sappada Tourism
FAQs
What is the typical ski season in Italy?
The ski season in Italy generally starts in December and can last until April, with the best snow conditions typically found between January and March.
Can beginners go skiing in Italy?
Absolutely! Majority of Italian ski resorts cater for all skill levels, with plenty of options for beginners. Most resorts offer ski schools and lessons to ensure newcomers get off to a great start.
Wrapping up
That’s it for the moment, guys, we hope you find this article useful! Italy is well worth a visit for skiing and snowboarding and we hope this article has proven that. All the inspiration you could need.
If you are heading on an adventure this Winter, send us a pic, tag us online and let us know how you got on tag @dopesnow or @ridestore using #Dopesnow #Ridestore.
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