Italy is not only renowned for its cuisine and culture, but also for its diverse ski areas that range from high altitude ski resorts to traditional alpine villages. Here, we have listed the 10 best Italian ski resorts for an unforgettable ski holiday in the Italian Alps. For every resort, we've provided a detailed overview along with key features and highlights, offering you a comprehensive perspective to help plan your perfect ski vacation.
Courmayeur is known for its charming Italian ambiance and stunning views of Mont Blanc.
Courmayeur is best for families and those seeking more challenging off-piste adventures.
Turin (147 km), Milan Malpensa, and Geneva
Courmayeur offers a winter wonderland with its cable cars providing quick access to a ski area boasting 100 km of groomed runs and off-piste tracks. With 33 slopes, including the high-altitude Arp at 2,755 meters, the resort caters to various skiing preferences. Eighteen lifts serve this picturesque and consistently snowy landscape, further supported by snow-making systems covering over 80% of the slopes. Courmayeur is not just about the skiing; it's an experience that combines both adventure and elegance.
Recognized for its charming, upscale town atmosphere, the resort offers a mix of stylish shopping, fine dining, and a vibrant après-ski scene.
Madonna di Campiglio is known for its elegant atmosphere and connection to the vast Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta
Madonna di Campiglio is a great choice for families and intermediates seeking diverse slopes with scenic beauty.
Bergamo (approximately 2 hours and 43 minutes by car), Verona (about 2 hours and 20 minutes drive), and Innsbruck (around 3 hours by car)
Madonna di Campiglio is perfect for those seeking an elegant ski experience with quality intermediate slopes, coupled with excellent food and a sophisticated social scene.
The resort town boasts a car-free center, creating a serene and upscale environment. The area is known for gourmet dining, with three Michelin-starred restaurants, and offers a refined après-ski experience that transforms into a vibrant nightlife.
Cervinia is known for its snow-sure slopes, amazing off-piste opportunities, and for linking with Zermatt in Switzerland, offering skiers access to one of the largest skiing areas in the world.
Cervinia is particularly good for beginners and intermediates looking for long cruising runs.
The nearest airport is Turin, located about 121 km (90-minute drive)
Cervinia offers an extensive skiing area with reliable snow conditions, stunning views, and a family-friendly environment.
The village has a compact center with a variety of accommodation options. It offers good dining choices, with over 50 restaurants catering to various tastes and budgets. The village is also known for its lively après-ski scene
Cortina d'Ampezzo is known for hosting the Winter Olympics and its stunning Dolomites setting
Cortina d'Ampezzo is ideal for all levels of skiers, and non-skiers
Venice, about 2 hours away
Cortina d'Ampezzo offers a blend of luxury and superb skiing. Its high altitude and vast terrain cater to all levels of skiers, while the town itself is perfect for non-skiers too, with options like ice skating, and visiting WW1 tunnels or even taking a day trip to Venice.
Known for its chic shops, galleries, and elegant ambiance, the resort boasts beautiful old buildings and refined dining experiences, offering a classy approach to après ski. It's a place where visitors can enjoy both skiing and a luxury lifestyle experience.
Livigno is known for its duty-free status and extensive, snow-sure ski terrain
Livigno is ideal for all levels of skiers and snowboarders
Milan Malpensa and Bergamo, both of which are about a 3 to 4-hour drive from Livigno.
Livigno is an excellent choice for beginners and families, offering a peaceful mountain location with a variety of gentle slopes. It's also a great destination for those looking for a range of winter activities beyond skiing
The town of Livigno is known for its lively and bustling center, with pedestrian-friendly streets. It offers a range of good pubs, lively bars, and clubs, making it a good destination for those seeking nightlife alongside skiing.
Selva di Val Gardena is famous for being part of the Sella Ronda ski circuit and charming Ladin culture
Selva di Val Gardena is suitable for all skill levels, especially those who love extensive skiing with access to a vast ski network
Innsbruck Airport in Austria (about 120 km away), and Venice Marco Polo Airport, around 190 km away.
Selva di Val Gardena is ideal for those who want a blend of excellent skiing on well-groomed slopes and the charm of a Dolomite ski village. The resort's sunny weather, combined with its location in the stunning Dolomites, makes for an exceptional skiing experience
Selva di Val Gardena exudes a traditional and quaint atmosphere, marked by numerous shops offering local woodcrafts. Reflecting its Austro-Hungarian roots, the resort is home to diverse dining and drinking establishments, each contributing to its distinctive cultural fusion.
Ortisei is known for its excellent ski schools, family-friendly facilities and access to the Dolomiti Superski area
Ortisei is perfect for families and beginners.
Bolzano, about 40 km away, and Innsbruck, which is about 120 km drive from Ortisei.
Ortisei is ideal for those looking for a blend of scenic skiing and an authentic village atmosphere. It's particularly suitable for families and those who prefer gentle skiing, with access to more challenging slopes nearby.
Ortisei is a lively and authentic market town, known for its Tyrolean charm. Its pedestrianized center is lined with smart shops and inviting cafés.
Canazei is known for its lively atmosphere and access to the extensive Sella Ronda.
Canazei is ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers seeking a vibrant town with extensive, diverse ski options.
The closest major airports to Canazei are Innsbruck, Venice, Munich, and Milan
Canazei is perfect for skiers who enjoy long cruising days and exploring different villages and rifugios. Its location in the Dolomites also makes it appealing for those who appreciate stunning natural beauty.
With its Ladin-speaking heritage, Canazei offers a unique cultural experience. The town is lively and has preserved its traditional customs and architecture, making it a charming destination both on and off the slopes.
Campitello di Fassa is a traditional Alpine village known for its laid-back atmosphere and family-friendly amenities.
Campitello is suitable for all skill levels, and for those seeking a quieter, more authentic mountain experience
The nearest airport is Bolzano, with other options including Innsbruck, Verona, Venice, Treviso, Brescia, and Trieste, all within three hours' drive.
Ideal for families and beginners, Campitello offers a friendly, intimate skiing experience. It's also a gateway to the larger Sella Ronda circuit, providing a wider range of skiing options.
Campitello is a mix of modern amenities and traditional architecture, offering a great blend of comfort and cultural charm.
Sauze d'Oulx is known for its vibrant après-ski scene, and rich history, including its role as a venue for the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Sauze d'Oulx is great for intermediate skiers, younger crowds and groups looking for a fun, energetic ski holiday.
The nearest major airports are Turin, Milan, and Geneva.
Sauze d'Oulx is ideal for those looking for a mix of good skiing and lively après-ski. Its intermediate-friendly slopes and connection to the broader Milky Way ski area make it an attractive destination for skiers of various levels.
The resort has an attractive, traffic-free center with cobbled streets and traditional buildings, offering a charming and vibrant atmosphere, with a range of restaurants and bars.
Italy offers an exceptional range of ski resorts, each with its own unique charm and appeal. From high-altitude resorts like Cervinia and Cortina to traditional alpine villages like Courmayeur and Selva Val Gardena, there's something for everyone in the Italian Alps. Whether you're an experienced skier, a family looking for a holiday packed with fun, or a group of friends seeking the best après ski, you'll find your ideal ski destination in our list of the top 10 ski resorts in Italy.
