Italy is one of the world’s champions of tourism. A land with the biggest number of UNESCO-protected sites on the planet, fantastic cuisine, and immediately recognizable cities like Venice, Rome, and Florence, this country is an excellent winter destination too. Thanks to the Alpine grandeur of the North you have miles of pistes, impeccable service, authentic atmosphere, and gorgeous vistas.
Italian ski resorts are a force to be reckoned with, easily giving neighboring Austria, Switzerland, and France the run for their money. Yet here it’s usually more affordable, more accessible, with fewer crowds and a more easy-going vibe. And the skiing isn’t limited only to the Alps, you can find great slopes as far as Sicily. Here’s our collection of the best ski resorts in Italy where you can enjoy high-quality snow combined with first-class food and countless Aperols.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
Set against the dramatic backdrop of rocky Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo is the first ski resort in Italy that comes to mind when you think about an upmarket winter holiday. Having been an epicenter of mountain tourism for more than a century, this spectacular little Alpine town is an ultimate destination full of sights, restaurants, boutiques, activities, and wellness. Here the traditional Tyrolean chalets host premium fashion brands like Bulgari and Gucci, elegant historic hotels compete in the luxury proposition, and fine dining joints deliver culinary experiences out of this world. But it’s not the only reason people come, Cortina d’Ampezzo is easily the winter capital of Italy with 120 kilometers of slopes and 37 ski lifts. Also, it will soon host the Winter Olympics of 2026. No matter which lift you choose, you’re guaranteed breathtaking Dolomite panoramas and slopes in great condition.
Val Gardena
Villages Ortisei, San Cristina, and Selva form one of the best ski resorts in Italy called Val Gardena. A winter sports enthusiast’s paradise located in the heart of the Dolomiti Superski interconnected area, the resort offers a whopping 175 kilometers of slopes that cater to all levels and interests. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with an extensive map of local lifts and slopes get your ski boots on and hit the magnificent pistes all running through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. There are myriads of accommodation opportunities across the whole Val Gardena area ranging from budget-friendly boutique hotels to exclusive five-star lodgings. Oh and definitely don’t miss the après ski scene here, it’s among the most vibrant in Italy, especially in Selva.
Sestriere
A staple of the romantically-named Milky Way (or Via Lattea) skiing area between Italy and France, Sestriere is among the best ski resorts in the Western Alps. Its close proximity to Turin makes this town a popular holiday destination that has everything a winter aficionado needs. As a host city of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games Sestiere boasts an incredible variety of slopes and it is conveniently interconnected with the other resorts of the Via Lattea. Downhill lovers should definitely check the iconic ‘Kandahar Banchetta’ World Cup and Olympic course while beginners will be delighted to ski the relaxing Monte Sises slopes. Piedmont delicacies are a must-try in local eateries and Turin is just a little more than an hour away so be sure to explore it too.
Madonna di Campiglio
Fairytale-like cragged peaks of Brenta Dolomites are a sight to behold, something you have to see to believe. Madonna di Campiglio allows you to stay right in the middle of this spectacular kingdom of stones while enjoying all the perks of Italy’s most favorite ski resorts. The location can’t be better with kilometers of lifts taking you to the variety of slopes around the Brenta Group. Garda Lake and historic Trento are short drives away making for a perfect day trip. Thanks to the diversity of courses, Madonna di Campiglio is considered a prime family winter destination. Expect to see mostly Italians here, the resort is very popular with locals. If you’re into some tasteful adventures, the town has not one but three Michelin-starred restaurants.
San Martino di Castrozza
With an unbelievable view of the sharp Alpine peaks from every corner, San Martino di Castrozza has been a popular winter resort since its inception back when the Trentino region was a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today it’s a charming, chalet-filled holiday destination that is quieter and more affordable than its famous Italian resort counterparts. San Martino is ideal for a hassle-free winter getaway without major crowds and in the midst of pure mountain beauty. Still, if you are looking for some snowy action 60 kilometers of slopes and 22 lifts will keep you more than busy catching wind and marveling at the Dolomites.
Breuil-Cervinia
One of the highest ski resorts in Europe, Breuil-Cervinia checks all the boxes when it comes to the superior winter vacation experience. Views come first. You just can’t remain indifferent to the mighty sight of Matterhorn peak towering over the town. Then there are 350 kilometers of skiable area and 24 lifts ensuring smooth slope riding. Cervinia is considered to be the best place in Italian Alps for beginner and intermediate skiers due to the gentle courses. Other activities are represented too, you can hit the rails at the large snowpark, go on a snowshoeing hike, chase powder freeriding, and cross country ski through breathtaking Matterhorn Valley. Another great advantage of Cervinia is the possibility to ski on an actual glacier. The stunning Plateau Rosa offers excellent skiing opportunities both during the winter and the summer.
Alagna Valsesia
Are you looking for some advanced-level activities in the Alps? Alagna would be your best pick. For starters, this quaint Piedmontese village is a part of an interconnected Monterosa Ski area that has 180 kilometers of slopes. But the real beacon here are the many challenging opportunities that await adventurers ready to venture further uphill. Alagna is one of the mountaineering centers of the world and a starting point for Margherita hut (Europe’s highest mountain refuge) and many breathtaking peaks of Monte Rosa massif. Also, the village is frequently called the freeriding paradise because of the many great pistes that you can access from here. You will be accompanied by magnificent panoramas of the Alps and don’t forget that we’re in Italy, so a superb food proposition is guaranteed too.
Livigno
It doesn’t get more picturesque than Livigno. With a crystal alpine lake, beautiful wooden houses, and mountain peaks everywhere you look, this Italian ski resort next to the Swiss border is a dreamy destination. It doesn’t have many challenging black pistes and its skiing area with 115 kilometers of slopes is not the largest, but that’s exactly the thing. Livigno is perfect for a slow holiday, the one when you unhurriedly spend mornings cruising the intermediate courses, contemplate the rocky peaks from the cool après ski joints, and then descend to explore the local bar scene (and it’s impressive in Livigno). So book your own Lombardian chalet and enjoy life in the mountains. And don’t miss the pretty Beata Vergine church with paintings by none other than Caravaggio in the town’s center.
Courmayeur
Proximity to France (both geographically and culturally) means that Courmayeur gives you a unique chance to take the best from both. And when it comes to skiing, these two countries certainly know how to ensure the highest level of service. Much like its French counterpart Chamonix that sits right across iconic Mont Blanc mountain, Courmayeur doesn’t only have pistes, it provides a quintessential resort experience with stylish bars, top-notch restaurants, luxurious hotels, and high-end shopping. Although its ski area with 110 kilometers of slopes is far from Italy’s largest, Courmayeur has one of the world’s most gorgeous panoramas thanks to the expansive Mont Blanc massif.
Bormio
Not only is Bormio a perfect Italian ski resort, but it’s also one of Europe’s best spa towns with an abundance of thermal springs and plenty of accommodation choices to enjoy them. A true leisure paradise, everything in this old Lombardian town works for you to have an ideal break. Get warm in the local springs, ride from the summit-to-base 3000-meter slope, experience the iconic Stelvio ride that will host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and discover the charms of the centuries-old Bormio historic core.
Alta Badia
A part of the Dolomiti Superski area, Alta Badia is an exemplary Italian ski resort. The diversity of its 120 kilometers of runs will satisfy all kinds of skiers and the easy lift connection to other resorts will give you a chance to have a definitive skiing experience. Once the ski boots are off, it’s time to eat. And it is in that domain that Alta Badia with three Michelin-starred restaurants and a stunning variety of other eateries truly shines. Be sure to try the game meat (deer, roebuck or chamois) typical for the Dolomites region, have the Tris di Canederli (three ball-shaped stuffed dumplings) and indulge yourself with an Apfelstrudel Dolomiti style.
