Looking for the best ski resort in Italy? We’ve got you covered.
As a ski destination, Italy has it all: spectacular scenery, perfect pistes, world class dining, top après ski, incredible hotels, a fun, friendly atmosphere, and great value lift passes.
Want to find out more about skiing and snowboarding in Italy?
Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best ski resorts in Italy…
Contents
Sestriere
By Egissi (CC BY-SA 4.0 licence)
The cosmopolitan ski resort of Sestriere in the Piedmont region boasts incredible advanced level pistes, a great seasonal snowfall record plus substantial snowmaking, and it opens up the way to 400km of additional slopes with the Via Lattea ski pass.
The first rate lift infrastructure offers access to 58 pistes with a 4865 foot vertical drop covering the two main ski areas of Sises and Motta, both of which have varied terrain with incredible off piste for experts in addition to some nail biting Olympic level black runs.
Gently rolling meadows are ideal for beginners, and there are a wealth of blues and reds for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Sestriere ski resort village is filled with chic boutiques, bars and cafés, with plenty of vibrant après action to be found both on and off the slopes. Restaurants range from cozy pizza and burger places to award winning high class dining establishments.
Where to Stay: Hotel Il Fraitevino
This 4 star bed and breakfast hotel is located in a superb central location with panoramic mountain views on the main square of Sestriere village, just 300 meters from ski lifts.
The 20 comfortable rooms feature private bath or shower, satellite colour TV, and balcony.
There is a breakfast room with buffet service, a welcoming lounge with bar, and 2 partner spas offer a range of beauty and wellness treatments just 50 meters distant from the hotel, including sauna and Jacuzzi.
- Great location
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar
- Heated storage room
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is quite simply one of the most stunning ski resorts in the world.
The stylish resort town has an idyllic setting surrounded by tranquil lakes and forest covered mountains in the Dolomites in northern Italy.
This is a glamorous ski resort that has been attracting Italian high society for decades, to which the high end boutiques, classy cocktail bars, and world class restaurants are testament.
But it’s not just the sensational backdrop and the fabulous après ski that makes Cortina d’Ampezzo such a great ski destination. The 105 acres have a gnarly 5794 foot vertical drop, with 120 km of relatively peaceful piste. Snow at the resort is assured thanks to a good amount of natural snowfall boosted by artificial snow making, and the 39 lifts make it easy to get from piste to piste.
So what about the terrain? There are 73 runs in total spread over fantastically varied and challenging slopes.
Take a look at this video for a good look at a day skiing here:
Beginners and intermediates can have a blast at Cortina d’Ampezzo ski resort thanks to the sheltered green runs and nursery slopes, and diverse progressive terrain which includes some excellent steep runs, wide cruisers, and tree skiing.
Around 16% of runs provide advanced and expert skiers with plenty of thrills, from demanding couloirs to chutes and alpine bowls.
Where to Stay: Cristallo, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
This Art Nouveau style luxury 5 star hotel is perched among the peaks of the Dolomite mountains, yet only a quick and easy free shuttle ride from the ski slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo resort.
Each of the luxurious rooms and suites benefits from private terraces with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Rooms are equipped with marble bathrooms, spa baths, flat screen televisions and personal safe. Sophisticated suites feature BOSE sound systems and spacious living rooms.
A state of the art hotel spa boasts an indoor pool, Turkish baths, sauna, indoor swimming pool with panoramic views, and a wide range of soothing health and beauty treatments. The FitWell club provides innovative fitness equipment to ensure guests stay in prime condition.
Three different restaurants offer gourmet dining with unparalleled views. The fine dining cuisine encompasses Mediterranean, traditional Italian, and local flavors.
Unwind in style at the Cristallo Lounge Bar where Luxury Collection signature cocktails are served, alongside select snacks.
- Free shuttle service to ski resort
- Panoramic mountain views
- Choice of 3 restaurants
- Bar
- Pet friendly
- Spa and wellness center
- Indoor swimming pool
- Fitness center
Val Gardena
Ranked among the world’s top 10 ski resorts, Val Gardena is blessed with incredible scenic views of the magnificent Dolomite mountain peaks.
Val Gardena is the biggest ski resort in the Dolomite region, and one of the most popular. Everything here is of a very high standard — from the quality lift system to the awesome ski terrain.
The resort is split into three distinctly different areas over 175 acres, with terrain to please skiers of all different levels of ability, nearly 100% snowmaking, and a 4147 foot vertical drop.
Beginners can benefit from easy and progressive learning slopes, while advanced and intermediate skiers can seek endless thrills on the 30% blue and 60% red runs which include all types of terrain.
10% of the pistes are rated black, but accomplished skiers may find themselves a little short of extreme ski terrain.
Three terrain parks are also available for freestylers, but in general Val Gardena is better suited to skiers than snowboarders.
Off piste there are 3 unique resort villages offering a bounty of après entertainment from peppy live music venues to traditional Tyrolean style bars, and nightclubs. When you’ve worked up a hunger there are plenty of eateries to choose from, from wholesome dishes in mountain huts to refined dining restaurants.
Where to Stay: Boutique Hotel Nives
A family run superior 4 star boutique hotel, Boutique Hotel Nives is an oasis of peace and relaxation in the heart of the Dolomite mountains.
There are just 13 rooms and suites at this intimate hotel, all of which have been carefully and stylishly decorated to create a warm and comfortable ambiance.
Each accommodation includes a private balcony, large windows with picturesque village views, bathroom with shower or bath, and satellite television.
Every morning a delicious Tyrolean style breakfast is served, and in the evening guests can indulge in seasonal Italia, South Tyrolean, and Mediterranean menus in a sophisticated atmosphere.
The Nives Spa offers a full range of revitalising full-body treatments, beauty treatments, massages, and aromatic baths, and the wellness area comes complete with swimming pool, Finnish sauna, steam bath, multi-sensory showers and outdoor hot tub with panoramic views where guests can soothe body and mind.
- Close to village amenities and ski lifts
- Spa and wellness center
- Indoor swimming pool
- 2 dining options
- Bar
Valtournenche
By qwesy qwesy (CC BY 3.0 licence)
Valtournenche ski resort makes up part of the larger Breuil-Cervinia ski area, and offers snow sure skiing — more than 385 inches per each year — along the highest crest of mountains in Europe, and a long ski season.
The resort has 4593 foot vertical drop and the pistes are made up of 11 red runs, 10 blue runs, 2 black runs, plus a kid zone and spacious snowpark.
Lifts at the resort are fast and modern, providing easy access to all runs. The beginners’ zone at Valtournenche is excellent, and most of the piste is intermediate to advanced level, and which include the Reine Blanche, one of Europe’s longest trails at nearly 20 km long.
Glaciers, glades, steeps and gullies — all with amazing views over the Valtournenche and Val’Ayas valleys make up some of the other varied terrain.
Vatournenche is a quiet, quaint, traditional mountain ski resort with a selection of cosy bars, welcoming, laid back restaurants, and several small shops, but don’t expect any raucous après. It’s a great location for families with uncrowded slopes, and offers great value for money.
Where to Stay: Ellex Hotel
The team at the 3 star Ellex Hotel have created a mountain haven in harmony with the environment complete with 21 harmonious and spacious rooms with wide sweeping mountain views, king sized bed, and natural wood flooring, with each room being themed around different fairy tales.
Each room has its own private balcony or terrace, satellite LCD television, and elegant en suite bathroom.
A decadent buffet breakfast is available each morning, and hotel guests are invited to pamper themselves at the Ellex Hotel wellness center with Finnish sauna, invigorating water treatments, massage treatments, and Turkish bath.
- Panoramic views
- Eco friendly hotel
- Wellness center
- Excellent buffet breakfast
- Bar
Passo Tonale
By Gabri80 (CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)
Passo Tonale ski resort offers skiing from autumn to late spring on the Presena Glacier in a high mountain pass between the beautiful Italian provinces of Trento and Lombardy.
The resort is blissfully peaceful, which makes cruising the 100 km of slopes with 28 fast, modern lifts all the more enjoyable.
Glaciers, forest runs, cross country skiing and more offer up some outstanding terrain for skiers and snowboarders alike, whether novice or expert.
A nail biting vertical of 6168 feet awaits those who are willing to take it on. 41 runs are split into 24% blues, 61% reds, and 15 % blacks, including the exceptional Paradiso black run — one of the longest and most visually arresting Alpine ski slopes in Italy — and some challenging off piste.
There are learning areas ideal for beginners, with straightforward progression onto some gentle blue runs, as well as plenty of sweet, long reds perfect for intermediates.
Passo Tonale village is small and relatively calm with a typical chalet style ambiance, but the après scene is increasingly lively, with some vibrant bars both on and off the slopes.
Where to Stay: Hotel Spinale
Enjoy an unforgettable and tranquil experience at the 5 star Hotel Spinale in the village of Madonna di Campiglio.
The Hotel Spinale Spa offers a range of treatments using the purest natural materials, and boasts a sauna, Turkish bath, and heated indoor swimming pool, as well as a Technogym equipped gym.
The 67 guest rooms and suites are the ultimate in understated luxury, and feature flat screen satellite televisions, balcony or terrace, king sized beds, and en suite bathrooms.
The Lounge Bar and Restaurant presents artful dishes using fresh ingredients and organic produce influenced by the flavors of the regional recipes from Trentino.
The hotel piano bar is the perfect après spot, where guests can unwind with a delicious craft cocktail after a day on the slopes.
- Spa and wellness center
- Lounge bar
- Gourmet restaurant
- Heated indoor swimming pool
Corvara
By Zoran Kurelić Rabko (CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)
Part of Europe’s largest ski area, the 1,200km Dolomiti Superski. Corvara ski resort is well positioned for the majestic Sella Ronda circuit — a picturesque 26 km route comprised mainly of intermediate slopes.
With spectacular scenery, a vertical descent of 3800 feet, plenty of fresh snow with 55% snowmaking coverage, 19 modern ski lifts, and extensive wide, sunny slopes and tree skiing, Corvara is the perfect ski resort for a winter getaway.
Of the 38 runs, 54% are blues, 41% reds, and 5% blacks, making it an absolute dream for intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders, however experts may find less to amuse.
There are also over 16 km of cross country trails to enjoy. Cosy and cosmopolitan Corvara village features a traditional central piazza, unbeatable views of the towering Sassongher mountain, and touts some great après options.
There are numerous lively bars from casual to classy, and a wide choice of eating options, from cosy mountain huts to Michelin starred restaurants.
Where to Stay: Hotel Kolfuschgerhof
This 4 star gem perched in the mountain landscape right next to the slopes of Corvara ski resort couples unequalled panoramic views with warm hospitality in traditional Ladin style.
Rooms are decorated with carefully selected furnishings and artworks, and feature private en suite bathrooms, satellite televisions and personal safe, with many rooms benefiting from balconies with mountain and meadow views.
The Hotel Kolfuschgerhof restaurant offers a varied and creative menu of local, Mediterranean, and international culinary delights.
Cocktails and an extensive selection of spirits can be enjoyed at the stylish hotel lounge bar with smoking room, and the hotel’s rustic tavern hosts gourmet fondue evenings.
For the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel spa provides beauty treatments, an extensive range of massages, a spacious swimming pool, sauna area with salt bath, vitarium, cold experience room, tropical experience shower, and relaxation areas with fireplaces.
- Conveniently located close to ski slopes
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Spa and wellness center
- Swimming pool
Madonna di Campiglio
By Wikaly17 (CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)
One of the country’s most elegant ski resorts, Madonna di Campiglio in the Dolomite region of Northern Italy is one of the most important and well known in the Alps.
The village itself is a long time hang out for well heeled Austrians and Italians, and there are numerous classy cafés, upscale boutiques, and elegant restaurants.
Après at Madonna di Campiglio is enthusiastic, with live DJs plqying on mountain terraces, and a good choice of pubs and clubs freauented by celebrities. The village offers direct ski in / ski out access to over 150 km of slopes connected by 61 modern, fast ski lift systems.
The resort has a maximum vertical of 3609 feet, is known as being very snow sure, and has 58 runs, nearly half of which are blues suitable for skiers at beginner and intermediate level.
For advanced skiers 41% of runs include some fantastic downhill pistes and steeps, and some superb off piste terrain and powdery Alpine bowls for the adventurous.
Where to Stay: Cristal Palace Hotel
The Cristal Palace hotel is a 4 star gem nestled among the beautiful Dolomite mountains. Elegant and modern, the hotel rooms are furnished with precious woods and fine fabrics, and benefit from marble en suite bathrooms, satellite LCD television, and personal safe.
At Cristal Energy Spa and Wellness guests can luxuriate in the heated whirlpool swimming pool or steam room; and indulge in special therapeutic treatments including music therapy and Oriental massage.
The hotel restaurant boasts panoramic mountain views and serves typical local dishes and international cuisine. The Caruso lounge bar is ideal for après ski, apéritifs and after-dinner drinks
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Fitness center
- Spa and wellness center
- Indoor heated swimming pool
Alagna
By Massimo Beltrame (CC BY-SA 4.0 licence)
Alagna ski resort is part of the larger Monterosa ski area, and is best known for its outstanding off piste ski and snowboard terrain and deep powder.
It’s also great value for money and relatively uncrowded in comparison to many other Italian ski resorts. Set beneath majestic Monta Rosa Mountain, the views at the resort are spectacular, plus an awesome vertical of more than 6500 feet as well as 132 km of piste with 71% of runs being reds for confident intermediates.
The ski terrain has an incredible mix of gentle blue runs, steep couloirs, tree skiing, wide Alpine bowls, and 1000m vertical of epic freeride terrain.
Alagna resort is based around a sleepy little hamlet of the same name, full of Alpine charm with wooden chalet style buildings and a quaint church.
While the àpres at Alagna isn’t exactly party central, there are a good choice of pleasant bars and restaurants all with a welcoming ambiance.
Where to Stay: MH Olen Hotel
Blessed with a fantastic location in the hamlet of Bonda near the Alagna ski facilities, MH Olen Hotel offers splendid wide sweeping mountain and village views.
Rooms are decorated in a modern, rustic style to offers cozy accommodations complete with natural stone en suite bathrooms, and flat screen satellite televisions.
Ski equipment can be rented directly at the hotel. A delicious buffet breafast is provided for hotel guests each morning.
- Ski in / ski out access to slopes
- Heated garages and ski storage
- Buffet breakfast
- Bar
Which do you think is the best ski resort in Italy?
_-_panoramio.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
