Summary
From the Alps and Dolomites of northern Italy to Mount Etna on Sicily, Italy offers abundant opportunities for skiing and winter sports vacations. Moreover, many ski resorts also provide excellent options for summer hiking and climbing adventures.
The Italian Dolomites
The Italian Dolomites, bordering Austria, provide spectacular mountain scenery along with a variety of Italian skiing villages. Consequently, due to the elevation of some mountains, it is possible to ski nearly year-round in select locations. The Dolomites cater to both beginners and advanced skiers and feature other winter sports as well. For instance, Ortisei is an excellent choice for cross-country skiing, while Cortina d’Ampezzo and Val Gardena are among the most renowned ski areas.
The Dolomites are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is located in the Italian Dolomites within the Veneto Region of northern Italy, approximately 451 km from Milan-Malpensa Airport. As one of Europe’s most exclusive resorts, Cortina d’Ampezzo is surrounded by stunning scenery, making it not only a fantastic skiing destination but also a remarkable place to visit, albeit at a premium cost. The village features a museum, art gallery, movie theater, indoor tennis, restaurants, and hotels. It has 47 ski lifts, and skiing here generally suits beginners and intermediates, with a resort altitude of 1224 meters and a top elevation of 3248 meters. Additional winter sports options include tobogganing, bobsledding, ice skating, and ice hockey.
The ski area of Val Gardena is situated high in the Dolomites and has hosted prestigious World Cup skiing events. Val Gardena is part of the expansive Sella Ronda circuit and is equipped with 80 ski lifts, covering a ski range from 1563 to 2518 meters, ensuring plentiful snow. It is particularly suited for intermediate skiers. The resort village of Selva Gardena, located at 1563 meters, boasts numerous restaurants, ice skating opportunities, and indoor sports activities.
Cervinia and the Matterhorn
Located near the Swiss border and the well-known Swiss ski resort of Zermatt, the village of Cervinia, positioned in the Valle D’Aosta, lies at the base of the magnificent Matterhorn or Monte Cervino. Although Cervinia may not possess the same charm as Zermatt, it is more affordable and boasts exceptional Italian cuisine. Unlike Zermatt, which is car-free, visitors can drive directly to Cervinia. Moreover, excursions to Zermatt are conveniently accessible. Cervinia features a casino, restaurants, a swimming pool, ice skating facilities, a movie theater, and shops. The village stands at 2050 meters high, positioned 124 km from Turin Airport and 184 km from Milan-Malpensa Airport.
Cervinia offers an impressive run that exceeds 20 km, making it one of the longest in the world. Due to substantial snowfall and elevated terrain, skiing is available nearly year-round. The area is most suitable for intermediate skiers, with more advanced skiing options found nearby in Zermatt, Switzerland. The highest ski elevation reaches 3480 meters and the facility includes 30 ski lifts.
Courmayeur in Monte Bianco
Courmayeur, also located in Valle D’Aosta, lies on the opposite side of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) from Chamonix, France. This traditional alpine village is renowned for its stunning location and excellent scenery, positioning it as one of Italy’s premier all-around ski resorts. Visitors to Courmayeur can enjoy fantastic shopping, delectable Italian cuisine, and an active nightlife. The village is situated at an altitude of 1224 meters and is 153 km from Turin Airport and 214 km from Milan-Malpensa.
The peaks surrounding Courmayeur share the title of the highest mountain in Europe, with several peaks exceeding 4000 meters. This provides consistent snow coverage throughout the year, as well as challenging skiing opportunities. The highest ski elevation reaches 2763 meters and features 16 ski lifts. While the skiing in Courmayeur suits intermediate skiers, more advanced runs are available, and experienced skiers can cross over into France for additional challenges. Courmayeur also becomes a favored destination for climbers and hikers during the summer and early fall months.
Piemonte, the Home of the 2006 Winter Olympics
The Piemonte (Piedmont) Region, located in northwest Italy, is well-known for its skiing and mountain sports, particularly in villages that hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics. This region provides the opportunity to ski where Olympic athletes once showcased their skills. The mountains of Piemonte also offer a multitude of winter sports, tranquility for leisure enthusiasts, ample space for beginners, as well as rich cultural and gastronomic heritage. Piemonte boasts 53 ski resorts and around 1300 km of ski runs.
Mount Etna, Sicily
On Mount Etna, Sicily’s volcano and the highest point on the island at 3350 meters, skiing opportunities abound. Mount Etna regularly experiences significant winter snowfall and offers 1400 meters of vertical skiing; however, some ski lifts have been impacted by volcanic activity. Two ski areas exist on Etna, with the southern slope at Rifugio Sapienza and the northern slope ending at the resort of Linguaglossa. Both regions offer accommodations, ski instruction, and rental services. Mount Etna can be accessed easily from nearby cities such as Catania and Taormina.
Abruzzo
Italy’s Abruzzo region, located a few hours from Rome, features 21 ski areas with 368 km of runs within the highest regions of the Apennines. Interestingly, this area sometimes receives more snowfall than the Alps. Roccaraso is the most developed ski resort in the region. Additionally, the Gran Sasso, noted as the pinnacle of Italy, provides exceptional skiing options, including cross-country skiing and various winter sports.
