From the Alps and the Dolomites in Northern Italy to
the southern portion of the Apennines in Calabria and
Sicily, the mountainous geography
of Italy offers a number of resorts for skiing in Italy
and makes Italy one of the most visited ski destinations
in Europe and the world. Although the Alpine region of
Italy provides the most well known and most popular Italy
ski resorts, there are a number of other ski resorts throughout
Italy, including La Sila in Calabria that makes skiing
in Italy possible whether you are in Northern Italy or
Southern Italy.
Italy ski resorts often offer a number of things
to do. In addition to the common sci alpino (downhill
skiing), sci di fendo (cross country skiing), and snow
boarding, many resorts offer sci alpinisimo, which utilizes
skiing and mountaineering skills on longer trips.
The five most popular ski resorts vacation Italy
are Cortina d’Ampezzo, Madonna di Campiglio, San
Martino di Castrozza, Canazei, and Courmayeur. Cortina
d’Ampezzo, considered the queen of the Dolomites,
is the most famous and expensive ski resort in Italy.
With stunning views of the Dolomites, Cortina also offers
exceptional skiing, including the legendary Staunies black
mogul. Cortina is in the Italian region of the Veneto
and is within 160 miles of Venice,
Verona, and Padua. At the base
of the Italian Alps, in the region of Trentino Alto-Adige
are the Italy ski resorts Madonna di Campiglio, San Martino
di Castrozza, and Canazei. Madonna di Campiglio is one
of the top ski resorts and features a snowboarding park
that has a half pipe, slide park, and border cross. San
Martino di Castrozza is a smaller resort surrounded by
the Parco Naturale Paneveeggio, which is noted for its
alpine vegetation and wildlife. Canazei, located in the
Val di Fassa, has more than 74 miles of downhill and cross
country runs. It is also possible to ski down the nearby
Marmolada glacier in summertime.
Courmayeur is set against the backdrop of Mont
Blanc and borders the French Alps. From Courmayeur it
is possible to take a twenty minute cable car to the resort
of Punta Helbronner on Mont Blanc. All these resorts offer
visitors a great opportunity to also enjoy the food and
wine of Italy.
The Italian southern region of Calabria is a
great destination for a ski holiday Italy outside of Northern
Italy and the Italian Alps. La Sila, located in the Parco
Nazionale della Calabria, is a popular ski destination
between November and February. Within the Parco Nazionale
dell’Aspromonte, located at the southern most tip
of Calabria, is the Gambarie ski resort.
If you are deciding when to go, the main season for
skiing in Italy is from December to March. For a ski holiday
Italy out of season, it is possible to ski year round
at Marmolada Glacier in Trentino Alto-Adige, at Mont Blanc
in the Alps, and at the Mattahorn in the Valle d’Aosta.
If you choose a ski holiday out of season, you can enjoy
warmer weather and can easily combine the trip with visits
to some of Italy's greatest cities, including Florence
and Rome.
Skiing in Italy can be expensive. For ski vacation
deals in Italy, consider traveling during Italy’s
settimana bianca or white week, during which Italians
take their ski holiday. There are also a number of ski
passes available to make a ski holiday Italy more affordable,
such as the Dolomiti Superski, which gives access to 12
regional Italy ski resorts and more than 745 miles of
slopes. For a cheaper hotel for skiing in Italy, especially
at the Italy ski resort Courmayer, go during low season
when hotel rooms can be as much as fifty percent cheaper
than during high season.
