The 7 Best Ski Resorts in Italy

While southern Italy is known for its year-round warm weather, making it an ideal spot for some winter sunshine, the north of the country is the complete opposite. The Dolomites and the Alps course through northern Italy, and winter brings heavy snowfall and icy conditions, making Italy the perfect destination for your next skiing holiday.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned professional, Italy is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, so there is something for everyone when it comes to skiing in Italy. From family-friendly slopes to expert-grade slopes which many professionals train on during the winter, and not forgetting the other amenities such as bars, restaurants, accommodations and more, these are the best 7 ski resorts in Italy.

1. Livigno

Livigno Ski Resort is found close to the Italian-Swiss border and is ideal for those who are either beginners or at an intermediate level of skiing. However, that is not to say that expert or advanced-level skiers need to turn away – with over 115km of slopes to choose from, there’s something for every ability.

For the 2024/25 ski season, Livigno has upgraded its lift systems, installing not one, not two, but three new ski lifts, all of which will help to speed up the process of getting to the top of the slopes and save on waiting times at the bottom. Furthermore, there is ample room for snowboarders as well, so if you’re into both snowboarding and skiing, Livigno is one of the best choices for your Italian skiing holiday this winter.

Livigno is also famed for its bars, many of which host resident DJs throughout the ski season, spinning everyone’s favourite tunes well into the early hours of the morning to keep the party going – what better way to end a day of skiing than letting your hair down and getting your groove on?

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 30th November 2024 – 4th May 2025

Nearest Airport: St. Moritz (16km), but most people prefer to fly into Milan Bergamo (100km)

2. Selva Gardena

Found in the centre of the Italian Dolomites, Selva Gardena is another fantastic ski resort in Italy. It is also home to one of the largest ski circuits in Europe, the 26km-long Sella Rona circuit, perfect for cross-country (or off-piste) skiers who want to experience a good day’s skiing without going up and down the slopes all day.

Selva Gardena offers incredible views all around. The jagged snowcapped peaks of the Dolomites break through the clouds on some days, while on others there is a natural phenomenon known as ‘Alpenglow’, which is where the sun is reflected off all of the natural landscape, and the mountains are illuminated in all sorts of shades of pink, red and orange.

Visitors can purchase a Dolomiti Superski pass, which gives them access to all 12 resorts across the region, which is ideal for those planning on spending a few weeks at Selva Gardena and other nearby areas.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 6th December 2024 – 7th April 2025

Nearest Airport: Bolzano Airport (45km).

3. Cortina d’Ampezzo

Located in northeastern Italy, close to the Italian-Austrian border, Cortina d’Ampezzo is another excellent ski resort in Italy. While there are slopes of all grades here, if you are a beginner or an amateur, then Cortina d’Ampezzo is one of the best resorts you can visit.

The resort itself is very large, but 120km of slopes are dedicated solely to beginner and intermediate skiers. Many of the other slopes for more advanced skiers share the same characteristics thanks to the geography of the landscape, which means they are generally quite wide, meaning the chance of crashing into another skier is minimal.

Cortina d’Ampezzo also has a multitude of highly qualified ski instructors who work there throughout the ski season (which is one of the longer ski seasons in Italy), and guests can book classes with them during their stay for more advanced methods on how to ski, or beginner classes for first-time skiers.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 29th November 2024 – 30th April 2025

Nearest Airport: Treviso Airport (137km), but most people prefer to fly to Venice Marco Polo Airport (148km)

4. La Thuile

La Thuile, found high in the Aosta Valley near the French border, makes an appearance on this list not just because it is an excellent Italian ski resort, but because it is one of the cheapest ski resorts in the country.

It’s not just the resort that’s cheap, though – the numerous bars and restaurants offer world-class Italian cuisine at a fraction of the price of other ski resorts. Most people who visit La Thuile find it inexpensive enough to be able to eat out every night – how good is that?

Furthermore, the slopes themselves are suitable for skiers of all abilities. There are several black (expert) slopes which offer slalom courses through the trees, making La Thuile one of Italy’s – and Europe’s – most underrated, underappreciated and therefore best ski resorts.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 30th November 2024 – 21st April 2025

Nearest Airport: Geneva Airport (142km)

5. Sestriere

Originally constructed in the 1930s, Sestriere is Italy’s oldest purpose-built ski resort. Any ski resort that can survive and still be in operation for almost 100 years is a testament not just to how well it has been and currently is run, but also to the quality of the skiing that it offers.

Sestriere is also very easy to get around – while it is around a 3-hour drive from Geneva Airport in neighbouring Switzerland, it is worth it. The resort is very accessible for everyone once you arrive. The resort is also home to over 50 restaurants, all serving up Italian classics and comfort food favourites, perfect for warming up after a day of hitting the slopes.

The resort is also one the highest in Italy, with an altitude of 2035m. In turn, this means that the quality of the snow is excellent – and the resort accommodates skiers of all levels, from the gentle intermediate level ‘blue’ slopes to the famous Kandahar Banchetta black slope for experts, which was also used during the 2006 Winter Olympics.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 7th December 2024 – 6th April 2025

Nearest Airport: Turin Airport (90km)

6. Cervinia

Sharing the magnificent Matterhorn Mountain with Switzerland, Cervinia is a resort on the Italian side of the mountain and offers an incredible skiing experience at this wonderful resort.

One of the most unique features of this resort is that guests who purchase a ski pass can also use the resorts on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn mountain for even more high-altitude skiing – with some of the slopes starting at well over 3000m above sea level.

However, the Cervinia resort itself is host to a number of green and blue runs, perfect for beginner and intermediate skiers, and especially those who have never been skiing at a high altitude (the highest slopes reach a staggering height of 3480m). 

There is also an 11 km-long stretch dedicated to intermediate-level skiers and above, called the Ventina Run, which is often regarded as one of the best ski runs in Italy.

So, if you want to ski in both Italy and Switzerland during the same trip – in fact, even on the same day, then a visit to Cervinia is a must.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 26th October 2024 – 4th May 2025

Nearest Airport: Turin Airport (120km)

7. Passo Tonale

For those who are planning a skiing holiday with the family, Passo Tonale is the perfect ski resort in Italy from which to do so. Found in northern Italy, equidistant from the Swiss and Austrian borders and on the famous Tonale Pass, this resort is fantastic for beginner skiers and expert skiers alike.

With many family-friendly amenities and facilities, you never have to walk too far with all your ski gear which is a bonus compared to other ski resorts. There are a host of gently sloped runs which make it perfect for exploring with the family, especially if you have small children.

Aside from just skiing, there are numerous other winter sports that guests can try out at Passo Tonale, such as snowboarding, ice skating, dog-sledding and much more.

With a wide range of Italian restaurants and other bars, bistros and cafes serving up a range of food and drinks, you’re truly spoiled for choice when it comes to booking an Italian skiing getaway at Passo Tonale.

2024/25 Ski Season Dates: 26th October 2024 – 1st May 2025

Nearest Airport: Bolzano Airport (96km)