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.
Why choose to go skiing in Italy?
- Scenic villages to giant ski areas
- Terrain for all abilities
- Authentic Italian food and great apres
Ski resorts in Italy are blessed in many ways. They’re mostly high altitude and snow-sure. They’re also in the southern Alps, which means a better chance of catching the sunshine; perfect for sitting out on sun loungers with an espresso or grappa in hand.
Italy ski holidays suit all abilities. If dropping down steep and narrow gullies is your thing, happy days. But if you’re up for cruisy corduroy, and some occasional steep stuff, 100s of kilometres await.
Amongst the best ski resorts in Italy is La Thuile - a classic Italian ski resort and good value too. Courmayeur is a gem for foodies and chilled-out Sestriere, with terrain for all abilities, should definitely be on your list.
KEY INFORMATION
Good to Know
Currency
Euro
Language
Italian
Travel Time (APPROX)
2 hours
from Gatwick
Timezone
GMT+2
Family skiing in Italy
Italy and families are a perfect match, after all this is the home of pizza, pasta and ice cream. For an especially welcoming family ski holiday, Livigno and Bardonecchia are sure bets.
Madonna di Campiglio is one of our faves – over Christmas this family-friendly ski resort turns into a magical winter wonderland and has some of the best views anywhere in the Alps.
It’s also worth checking out the Italian ski resort of La Thuile, which has a dedicated snow park for kids. It’s also famous for its chocolate fondue.
Group skiing in Italy
More affordable, quieter, and with arguably better pizza than its alpine neighbours, group skiing in Italy is a great choice.
Sestriere is another safe bet for groups wanting to ski in Italy, but for a different reason – its high and linked ski area offers numerous options for groups of beginner skiers and pros alike, as well as additional activities from indoor golf to ice skating and snow paintballing. Yes, you read that right, snow paintballing. If that isn't a pub story, we don't know what is.
Italy Ski holidays
Your questions answered by our Italian ski holiday expert
Alexander Blunt (Co-Founder)
When is the best time to ski in Italy?
If you want to experience bucketloads of fluffy white stuff, choosing the best time to ski in Italy is vital when planning your trip.
The ski season runs from December to April. For guaranteed snow, January to March offers the best window. If you want to make the most of this time, the best snow conditions in Italy will likely be found at high altitudes or those with great snow-making systems. Sestriere, Courmayeur, and Cortina, are perfect examples of Italian ski resorts that regularly have great snow conditions. Italy also offers some of the best spring skiing with gorgeous blue sky days.
If avoiding the crowds is key, then stay clear of the weeks around Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Easter, as these can get busy.
What are the best ski resorts in Italy for beginners?
Wide open groomers. Not too many people. Easy runs back to the resort. These are the basic needs of all beginner skiers. Add in the spectacular views and alternate activities and no wonder everyone’s happy learning to ski in Italy.
Pila is home to a network of long blue runs making it one of the best ski resorts in Italy for beginners. Meanwhile, Bardonecchia’s beginner-friendly slopes will get you shredding in no time.
What are the best ski resorts in Italy for advanced skiers?
If diving down steep reds or tackling technical blacks head-on is your idea of fun, then Italian ski resorts have what you need.
Sestriere is one of the best Italian ski resorts for advanced skiers. Let rip and race down the steep red pistes that crisscross throughout the resort. Then hit up the infamous Olimpica piste for a blindingly fast black descent. Coated in thick Olympic heritage, speed devils will find themselves at home on the numerous downhill race slopes.
Linked to the Sella Ronda circuit, Campitello di Fassa provides endless pisted fun, as well as bucket loads of marked freeride options for the more adventurous skier.
What are the best ski resorts for off-piste skiing in Italy?
For those taking their first forays off the groomers, the neighbouring Italian ski resorts of Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere will get you started, thanks to heaps of easy and intermediate off-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, off-piste skiing in Italy doesn’t get any better than Courmayeur. Here we’re talking big mountain skiing off the shoulders of Mt Blanc, where experience, knowledge and big cojones are definitely required.
Another of Italy's best ski resorts for off-piste is Livigno, thanks to its bounty of patrolled free-ride zones, and big powdery plains in the backcountry.
What are the best high-altitude ski resorts in Italy?
In the shadow of the spectacular Matterhorn of chocolate bar fame, is Cervinia, the highest ski resort in Italy. It’s home to some of Europe’s highest-altitude pistes, thanks to skiing up to 3,400m. That means guaranteed snow but bring your warm gloves.
Courmayeur is also one of the best ski resorts in Italy for high-altitude skiing. Situated on the south side of Mt Blanc, it offers great snow-sure skiing in Italy – but only for the most advanced. Sestriere and Sauze d’Oulx are also sure bets, with runs up to 2,800m.
What are the best resorts for snowboarders in Italy?
Just as fun as France or Austria but often more affordable, a group snowboard holiday to Italy is a great choice.
La Thuile is one of the best resorts for snowboarders in Italy. It’s perfect for beginner snowboarders experiencing the joy of mellow blues, or advanced snowboarders hunting for steep pistes and gullies. And its close connection to La Rosiere means plenty of pistes to race around on. Sauze d'Oulx also has plenty to keep freestyle boarders airborne, and back on the ground there's 400km of varied piste just begging to be carved.
But arguably Italy’s best ski resort for snowboarders, Livigno is a dream for all abilities. Big wide groomers, tons of off-piste and snow parks that would make the X-games blush. This mecca of fun has one of the Alps' most lively apres-ski scenes, thanks in part to its tax-free status and 150 bars!
Which Italian ski resorts are best for food and drink?
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. Campitello di Fassa, Courmayeur, Ortisei and Selva Val Gardena are the places to head for foodies.
What are the best Italian resorts for apres ski?
Apres-ski holidays in Italy are more than just a bit of sunshine and Aperol.
For glamorous apres ski, shoot over to Cortina, whose boutique stores, piano bars and wine lists have long attracted the wealthy, well-to-do.
Sauze d'Oulx's apres reputation precedes it. It was formerly coined the Ibiza of the mountains, and while some of it's excesses have been curbed, there's still plenty of bars to keep the night owls happy. Or if you really want to hit it hard, then the tax-free ski resort of Livigno is your Mecca. It’s home to 150 drinking dens making it one of the Alps' most famous party towns.
What are the best ski resorts in Italy for ski weekends or shorts breaks?
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 ski resorts are just as accessible. Only 20 minutes shy of Chamonix, Courmayeur's location just down the Mt Blanc tunnel, makes it the best choice for a short ski holiday in Italy.
What are the entry requirements for Italy?
Entry requirements for Italy completely depend on your nationality. Things can change, so for the most up-to-date visa and passport information, we advise checking the international travel advice for your nationality, below are two examples.
For entry requirements for Italy, from the UK on a full British passport: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
For entry requirements for Italy, from Ireland on an Irish passport: https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/italy/
Most popular 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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Sauze d'Oulx
Sauze d’Oulx is part of Italy’s Via Lattea ski area, better known as the Milky Way. Think hundreds of kilometres of milky smooth pistes, from high alpine runs with panoramic views in every direction, to forested descents leading to sun-kissed terraces.
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All ski resorts in Italy
3 Zinnen DolomitesAlagna ValsesiaAlta BadiaAndalo - PaganellaAostaApricaArabbaBardonecchiaBormioCampitello di FassaCanazeiCavaleseCervinia
CesanaChampolucClaviereColfoscoCortina d'AmpezzoCorvaraCourmayeurFolgariaFolgaridaGressoneyKronplatz (San Viglio)La ThuileLavarone
Why book a Italy ski holiday with Heidi?
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