When you think of Italy, the first things that come to mind are probably art, architecture, and delicious Italian cuisine. But if you’re thinking of visiting during the winter months, you need to know that Italy is actually one of the best destinations in Europe for skiing.
Its western borders are home to the Swiss, Savoy, and French Alps, which are renowned for alpine culture and outdoor sports. The Dolomites also form a mighty spine of sedimentary limestone peaks in Italy’s north, offering stellar skiing during the winter months.
For ski bums looking to experience Italian ski culture, including storybook scenery, splendid cuisine, and plenty of off-piste endeavors, here are the best places to go skiing in Italy.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Located in the southern Dolomites, Cortina d’Ampezzo is arguably the crown jewel of the Italian skiing world. The ski resort and town itself go by the same name, which is synonymous with world-class alpine skiing.
Cortina forms part of the Dolomiti Superski, a vast region of skiable terrain encompassing 1,200 kilometers and 16 different ski resorts. And as if that wasn’t enough of a pedigree, the town will be hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 120-kilometer resort is especially renowned for its groomed pistes, mountain rifugio huts, multi-level terrain, and expert-level black diamond pistes and couloirs. These advanced runs are courtesy of some of Italy’s most spectacular mountain scenery, so you’re guaranteed great views. Après-ski culture is also alive and well around town, with great dining, drinks, and uber-fashionable Italians whose style proves that ski fashion is alive and well.
Arabba
Another member of the Dolomiti Superski area, Arabba provides access to the stellar skiing on the Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. It’s also a starting point for the Sella Ronda, an extremely popular ski circuit that encircles the Sella massif.
The resort has a reputation for delivering some of the best and most reliable snow in the Dolomites. Among its other accolades, Arabba is home to the highest lifted point in the Dolomites at 3,342 meters, the longest ski trail and vertical run in the Dolomites, and the only skiable glacier in the region. While the sheer slopes of the Marmolada make for great expert terrain, Arabba also has a wonderful assortment of beginner and intermediate pistes. Finally, as a smaller resort and town, this is a great choice for avoiding crowds and long lift lines while still having access to spectacular skiing and cozy après-ski offerings.
Canazei
If you’re looking for a quiet, laidback ski holiday without the crowds heading to other major resorts in the area, the quaint village of Canazei is just the ticket.
One of the main skiing areas in the Val di Fassa, it offers 127 kilometers of groomed beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes on different sides of the valley and varied lift options. It also has cross-country trails. Another plus is that the Sella Ronda can be accessed from Canazei. When not skiing, in town you’ll be charmed by the traditional architecture, hearty dining, and warming drinks.
Courmayeur
Situated in the scenic Aosta Valley of the Western Alps, Courmayeur offers top-of-the-world ski terrain where the views are as good as the skiing. The vista alone is enough to make you want to ski here, as the area is home to such iconic peaks as the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.
The idyllic town of Courmayeur sits at the base of Mont Blanc, with the resorts’ skiable terrain located further up the slopes. For adventurous skiers, Courmayeur is a dream come true with its off-piste runs, ski touring, backcountry routes, and dramatic drops. After heart-pounding runs down the mountain, partake of the town’s special brand of alpine hospitality and après-ski delicacies, from aperitivo cocktails featuring local liqueurs to oysters to heaps of pasta.
Breuil Cervinia
If you’re a newbie skier who wants to ski the Matterhorn but avoid the crowds at Zermatt, this Italian resort on the iconic peak’s southwestern slopes offers high-alpine skiing for beginners and intermediates.
Its 24 lifts service 56 runs over 160 kilometers of terrain, which are kept well-groomed. Above it all looms one of the most famous mountains of Earth, providing a dramatic backdrop for your snowy adventures. With more famous resorts and towns elsewhere on the Matterhorn, Breuil Cervinia offers affordable accommodations and ski packages as well as plenty of dining and après options.
Livigno
Escape the crowded slopes by retreating to the remote alpine enclave of Livigno. A paradise of deep, plentiful snow and off-piste runs in the Alta Valtellina, Livigno is sometimes referred to as “Little Tibet” due to its remote location, sky-high peaks, and high-quality snow. Located in the Lombardy region close to the Swiss border, here a state-of-the-art lift system ferries skiers up the slopes to some of the best off-piste, freeride, and backcountry terrain in Italy.
With a terrain park and ungroomed runs, Livigno is also popular among snowboarders. A multicultural après-ski scene, free bus system, and duty-free shopping, it has plenty to entice skiers apart from the slopes.
Champoluc
Located in the Aosta Valley in the shadows of the Monte Rosa massif, Champoluc is a scenic resort surrounded by forests, glaciers, and peaks. Despite being the biggest resort in the Val d’Ayas area with 180 kilometers of pistes, Champoluc flies under the radar of many ski enthusiasts, meaning emptier slopes for you. While it’s an ideal place for beginner and intermediate skiers thanks to its groomed pistes, it’s also fantastic for more extreme off-piste skiing and even heliskiing.
Madonna di Campiglio
Surrounded by the serrated peaks of the Brenta Dolomites in Italy’s far north, Madonna di Campiglio sits alongside Cortina as one of Italy’s most chic, high-end ski destinations.
While luxury shopping and dining abound in town, skiers flock here for the legendary alpine and downhill skiing. The area has hosted multiple World Cup events in alpine skiing, so adrenaline junkies can get their fix zooming down the slopes. The resort has 150 kilometers of pistes combined with neighboring resorts, with beautiful lift views, all-level terrain, and even tree skiing routes.
Alpe di Siusi
While slope skiing in the Dolomites has amazing views, there’s nothing to beat skiing around an alpine valley with dramatic peaks rising up all around you. Stretching 56 square kilometers, Alpe di Siusi is the largest mountain plateau in Europe, and come winter, it’s transformed into a winter wonderland of deep, white snow crisscrossed by gondolas, lifts, and happy skiers.
As a relatively flat plateau, cross country is king here, but there are some gentle downhill slopes. As such, it’s popular with families, beginners, and cross country enthusiasts. There’s even a connection to the Sella Ronda as well. The plateau is also sprinkled with mountain huts offering warmth and refreshment.
San Martino di Castrozza
Skiing in the Dolomites always offers stunning vistas, but how about skiing inside the pure, untouched natural serenity of a protected nature park? That’s what you’ll find at Dolomiti Superski member San Martino di Castrozza.
Located in the upper Primiero Valley, the majority of the ski area is housed inside Paneveggio-Pale di San Martino Nature Park. The park is home to beautiful mountains, forests, and meadows that offer good alpine and cross-country skiing. Plus, all the lifts are powered by renewable energy, so you can feel good about enjoying nature here without leaving an impact.
Val Gardena
This superstar of the Dolomites skiing scene and Dolomiti Superski offers skiers of all levels 1,200 kilometers of terrain to explore, as well as access to the Sella Ronda. It’s the biggest ski resort in the Dolomites, and its abundance and diversity of intermediate pistes make it a popular choice for families.
Its high-tech, modernized lift system is another plus, as many resorts in the area rely on outdated lift and ski infrastructure. While the resort and town can get extremely busy, it’s easy to head off on the trails and pistes to find some peace and quiet at the mountain rifugio huts. Plus, that bustling resort makes for wonderful après-ski parties!
Bormio
For a quintessential Italian ski holiday, the Lombardy town and resort of Bormio is the complete package. The historic town is full of architecture, art, history, and a lively social scene. But the snow slopes offer up exactly the thrills powderhounds are looking for.
Bormio’s biggest strength are its massive skiable verticals, the longest of which from the summit of the Cime Bianca plummets 1,787 meters down. With good off-piste and fall lines as well, Bormio is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers. You can also take advantage of a free bus system to reach other nearby ski areas like Livigno.
Sauze d’Oulx
Want to ski the same slopes that hosted actual Olympians at the 2006 Winter Games? Head to the Milky Way. This classic resort and town forms part of the romantically-named Via Lattea, or Milky Way ski area.
With 400 kilometers of slopes divided between six different resorts, the Milky Way sits on the border between Italy and France and offers a diverse range of skiing suitable to all ages and experience levels. Sauze d’Oulx in particular caters to intermediate skiers with its medium-level pistes and has enough routes that you can almost always find fresh ones after a snowfall. Tree skiing is especially popular here as well, with pistes winding through quiet larch forests. With great value for lift tickets and a bustling après ski scene, it’s a great spot for families.
La Thuile
Straddling the border of France and Italy, the 152-kilometer Aosta Valley resort of La Thuile actually shares its ski area with La Rosière Ski Resort on the French side.
As if being able to ski in two countries on the same day wasn’t enough of an appeal, La Thuile attracts skiers with its huge amounts of snow, family-friendly terrain, uncrowded slopes, great value, and vast views of rolling, snow-covered mountains. While the resort specializes mainly in beginner and intermediate pistes, advanced skiers can still find excellent off-piste free ride routes, as well as backcountry skiing and even heli-skiing opportunities. Après-ski treats and drinks are alive and well in town and at the resort, but don’t miss stopping in at the mountain huts to partake of their delicious warm meals and beverages.
Alta Badia
If you go on ski holidays more for the après than the actual ski, Alta Badia is the place for you. This South Tyrolean resort and town has a reputation for hosting some of, if not the, best mountain restaurants and bars in the Dolomites. Blending Italian, Ladin, Mediterranean, and South Tyrolean cuisines, every place offers something delectable and new. Plus, après-ski cocktails like calimeros are not to be missed.
These insane culinary experiences can even be found in the mountain huts dotting the ski area. But even if you came for the gourmet après, the skiing here does not disappoint with plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain, a well-equipped and connected lift system, and great snowmaking equipment to complement natural snowfall.
