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Italy ski holidays & resorts

Ski holidays in Italy

A stay in Italy is all about the perfect balance between serious skiing, deliciously lazy dolce far niente and some of the best food you’ll ever eat. With resorts over the sunny Southern Alps and dramatic Dolomites, a famously laid back vibe on and off the slopes and enticingly lower prices than France, Switzerland and Austria, it’s no surprise that anyone who’s skied here is more than likely to return.

"Top Ten Best" Italian resort lists

List of all Italian ski resorts

It’s no surprise that Arabba has such a loyal following of dedicated skiers and boarders. A charming little village ...more ‣

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Highlights Pretty mountain village High altitude skiing Jaw-dropping scenery

Once a market town and now a trendy snowsports destination, Bardo has lovely forest trails, loads of wide, unpopulate...more ‣

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Highlights Superb snowparks Own rail station Bordering France

A Roman spa town, medieval market town and 21st century ski town are rolled into one in beautiful Bormio. Part of nat...more ‣

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Highlights Ski & Spa resort Near Livigno Historic centre

The cosy village of Campitello, snug amongst the stunning Sella Massif is a hot spot for intermediates with easy link...more ‣

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Highlights Beautiful setting Cuisine and culture Great value

The largest and liveliest Sella Ronda resort, with a central position amongst the majestic Dolomites, Canazei makes a...more ‣

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Highlights Beautiful setting Cuisine and culture Great value

Enjoy snow-sure conditions and terrain for all abilities, then kick back, relax and rub those aching thighs in world-...more ‣

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Highlights Great for beginners Ski 2 countries in 1 day Glacier skiing beneath majestic Matterhorn

Champoluc is a quiet, authentic Italian mountain town with jaw dropping sights of the Italian, French and Swiss Alps ...more ‣

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Highlights Extensive piste Traditional Italian village Scenery

Set in the stunning Dolomites, this elegant town delivers the perfect Italian ski holiday: good food and a relaxed at...more ‣

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Highlights Spectacular scenery Delicious regional dishes Friendly locals

The views are breath-taking, the village is classic and best of all, not many people know just how great Corvara is.....more ‣

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Highlights Great artificial snow coverage Jolly après ski Access to the Sella Ronda

Located on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc tunnel, chic Courmayeur is an intermediates paradise. Whether you want ...more ‣

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Highlights Pretty, car-free village International ski pass

This quiet ski town in West Trentino’s Val di Sole is a perfect place to bring the brood, with a fantastic learners’...more ‣

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Highlights Purpose-built resort Linked ski area Excellent learner facilities

The charming old villages in the Gressoney Valley – the middle of Italy’s very own Three Valleys - are the perfect ...more ‣

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Highlights Awesome scenery Pretty villages Laid back atmosphere

It’s hard to believe somewhere with so many accolades should be relatively unheard of in comparison to the European ...more ‣

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Highlights Authentic Tyrolean charm Pristine pistes Excellent lift system

Ski holidays here are relaxed and affordable, in a friendly atmosphere oozing historical Italian Alpine Charm with al...more ‣

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Highlights Ski 2 countries in 1 day Off piste forest trails Heliski in Valle d'Aosta

The prime place for a spot of La Dolce Vita, La Villa sits snug in Alta Badia, part of the majestic Dolomiti ski area...more ‣

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Highlights Gorgeous Scenery Sella Ronda Access The ‘Hidden Valley’

Livigno’s fast climbing the ladder of Europe’s favourite resorts... and rightly so. We love the snow sure skiing, w...more ‣

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Highlights One of Italy’s highest resorts Duty free shopping Authentic Alpine village

Among the classic destinations for Italian ski holidays, Madonna di Campiglio’s charming mountain village is one of ...more ‣

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Highlights Classic ski village Linked area Epic Dolomites scenery

We love the mix of Austrian and Italian influence that you find throughout Ortisei. It’s the main town in the amazin...more ‣

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Highlights Amazing scenery Charming village Italian & Austrian influence

It doesn’t take long to see why this is one of Italy’s top resorts - Passo Tonale is a treat for any snow lover. Kn...more ‣

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Highlights Glacier skiing Cheap ski holidays Lots of activities

This small Aosta valley resort is made for skiers with cheap, ski-in ski-out hotels and wonderfully groomed pistes. P...more ‣

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Highlights Family friendly Close to Aosta Car-Free

A quiet and peaceful village set in the heart of the Dolomites, this stunning spot is ideal for a leisurely week on t...more ‣

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Highlights Ski the Fassa Valley Quaint spa town Italian charm

Indulge in the sophistication of true Italian culture at this refined hidden-gem resort, tucked away in the Cottian A...more ‣

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Highlights Stunning panoramas Links to Via Lattea Authentic alpine setting Refined atmosphere

For such a tiddly, traditional village, San Cassiano has a tremendous amount of luxury: dine in 2 and 3 Michelin star...more ‣

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Highlights Sella Ronda tour Stunning scenery Dolomiti Superski Pass

Sitting at the heart of the Milky Way with 400km of piste at its doorstep, Sansicario is the ideal base for skiers wa...more ‣

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Highlights Heart of the Milky Way Featured in 2006 Olympics 400km ski area Quiet, relaxed atmosphere

Located high on the Sunny Balcony of the Italian Alps, with amazing Après and an expanse of scenic tree-lined routes...more ‣

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Highlights Links to Milky Way Amazing Italian après Family & group friendly

Comfortably nested within the Dolomites, Selva is part of the largest and arguably most beautiful ski area in Europe....more ‣

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Highlights Access to Sella Ronda Awesome Dolomite scenery Nearby glacier skiing

With world class skiing, beautiful vistas and a relaxed Italian atmosphere, Sestriere offers amazing, high altitude s...more ‣

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Highlights Relaxed atmosphere Cuisine & Culture vast Milky Way

‘Charming’ is used a lot do describe ski resorts but it’s hard to find a better word for St Cristina, a sporadical...more ‣

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Highlights Traditional Dolomite village Linked ski area Access to Sella Ronda

Most popular ski resorts in Italy

Not simply the best known resort in Italy, exclusive Cortina is one of the top ski destinations in the world, making it a definite feature on the ski bucket list. A common factor makes Cortina and nearby Selva, Madonna di Campiglio, Arabba and the Fassa Valley some of Italy’s top places to ski - the majestic Dolomiti Superski is the biggest (at 1,200km) area in the country – and has some of the most jaw-dropping scenery you’ll ever see.

Piedmont houses another of Italy’s leading ski areas – the 400km Milky Way, where in turn you’ll find some of the country’s leading resorts – laid back Claviere, après favourite Sauze d’Oulx and former Olympic town Sestriere.

The snow sure reputation of Cervinia, where you can ski with views of the Matterhorn and Livigno whose duty free status attracts crowds of shopaholics and party lovers every year, make these resorts winners when it comes to amazing snow. Passo Tonale is also snow sure thanks to the presence of the Presena glacier which you can usually ski throughout the year.

Alongside Cervinia in the Aosta Valley is Gressoney, much loved for its authentic, unspoilt setting in Monterosa ski (recently voted “Best Upcoming Resort” in the World Snow Awards). Courmayeur is another popular Aosta resort - good all round and positioned on the other side of Mont Blanc from French alpine legend Chamonix.

The Italians make best food in the world and the mouth-watering menus you’ll find in every Italian resort are a huge attraction of ski holidays here. If we had to pick a foodie favourite, Alta Badia where you’ll find Corvara and La Villa would probably win hands down - there are numerous highly acclaimed restaurants in the area, including a good few Michelin stars and best of all, you won’t be forking out a fortune to enjoy it.

Italian ski resorts FAQ:

Italy has plenty of magnificent ski resorts right across the Alps. Whether you're looking for a huge ski area like the Dolomiti Superski (Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alta Badia, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, Val di Fassa Arabba) covering over 1200km of pistes, snow-sure slopes like Cervinia or a quaint ski resort like Livigno, Italy has something for everyone.

Look no further than Cortina. The local ski area has 140km of pistes, and you also have access to the 1200km of Dolomiti Superski area, included in the area lift pass. It has bundles of history too – from a battleground in the First World War to hosts of the seventh Winter Olympics. Visit the local church which was built in the 1700s and the Olympic Ice Stadium.

Cortina and Canazei are big towns in the enormous Dolomiti Superski area, opening up a whopping 1200km of ski terrain which can all be accessed on an area lift pass. Discover more of Italy's biggest ski resorts.

291 was the total number of Italian resorts when we last checked. That number may change slightly as resorts merge or new ones are built (this information was accurate when written)

Cervinia is Italy's highest ski resort, with the highest piste sitting at 3480m. Lifts usually open in mid-late November, and you can even ski on the glacier in summer - Cervinia has the best snow conditions all season! Courmayeur and Champoluc are also great options for early season skiing in December due to their high ski areas.

Sauze d’Oulx is in the Milky Way ski area and has access to over 400km of pistes suited to all abilities. The town has many exceptional bars and restaurants - it has a great buzz about it. January tends to be the coldest winter month and thanks to the south-facing slopes, you'll feel the cold a lot less in Sauze d'Oulx. Livigno, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Sestriere are also firm favourites among skiers looking to beat those January blues.

February is the busiest month of the ski season, and an excellent place to go to avoid the crowds is San Cassiano. It is a charming resort, slightly off the beaten track but it has access to the massive Dolomiti Superski area. However, if you're looking for something a bit quieter, you can stick to the local area.

Passo Tonale is the place to get a mix of snow and sun in March. The resort sits at 1883m with skiing up to 3000m - the perfect height to keep the snow conditions in great shape. This south-facing ski resort will make sure that you get the best of spring skiing. Selva, Arabba and Canazei also come top of the list for sunny skiing in March.

Cervinia is Italy's best resort to ski at the end of the season. It has some of the best end of season snow anywhere in the Alps. You can ski on the glacier all summer - proving Cervinia to be the best place to ski all year round.

Italy is the perfect place for a first-time ski trip, whether you're taking the kids away or going with some friends. Cervinia is the ideal beginner resort for new skiers and snowboarders to build confidence, with a vast learning area and plenty of wide blue runs. If you prefer a smaller ski resort in Italy, try Corvara, with over 50% of runs being Blue there's more than enough terrain for a first-time ski holiday.

Italian resorts you can drive to are Courmayeur, La Thuile and Cervinia. Italian resorts less than a 90-minute transfer from the nearest airport include Sauze d’Oulx, Cervinia, Pragelato and Champoluc.

Cervinia, Passo Tonale and Arabba compete for top spot each year as some of the highest and most snow-sure ski areas in Italy. Sitting well above 2000 metres, they receive plenty of the white stuff, with January-April being the months with the deepest snow. Read more on our top 10 Italian snow-sure resorts page.

Cortina tops the list of most luxurious in Italy, closely followed by other magnificent resorts like Madonna Di Campiglio and Courmayeur. See our page on luxury resorts in Italy to read all about these and more.

Yes, is the general consensus these days. Helmets protect against serious head injuries that you could get when skiing or boarding. We’ve put together a page of mountain safety and advice to help you stay safe on the slopes.

Some more tucked-away, less-visited Italian resorts are Arabba, Gressoney, La Villa, St Cristina, Madesimo and Champoluc.

Cortina, aka the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ oozes elegance and Italian charm with quaint buildings, belissimo restaurants and fashionable boutiques. Scenes from several films, including a Bond classic, have been shot here. Treat your loved one to a bombardino (an Italian brandy drink), authentic pasta dishes and perhaps something sparkly...

Cortina in the heart of the Dolomites - a UNESCO world heritage site - has blow-your-ski-socks-off scenery. The town is jigsaw puzzle perfection. In the evenings, pedestrianised cobbled streets are lined with candlelit wine bars. Check out our prettiest resorts in Italy page.

Which are the best Italy ski holidays?

Property Resort Price (per person)
Chalet Soldanella Selva £ 779
Hotel Mignon Selva £ 880
Hotel Evaldo Arabba £ 819
Hotel La Perla - Canazei Canazei £ 849
Hotel Le Rocher Champoluc £ 809
Hotel Col Alto (Corvara) Corvara £ 989
Hotel Pozzamanigoni Selva £ 1229
Hotel St. Michael Livigno £ 939
Charme Hotel Alexander Livigno £ 1059
Hotel Stella Selva £ 1299

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