Winter sports Italy: The Ultimate Guide

Enjoy sports in the fresh Italian outdoors. Beautiful views over the snowy peaks of the Dolomites or Alps. Good food in a mountain hut on the slopes. And not to forget fun après-ski after all that effort. Winter in Italy is a must for anyone who loves winter sports in a beautiful and cozy environment. Ideal for snowboarders, skiers, cross country skiers, winter hikers. Did you know that in the Dolomites you can also enjoy ice climbing?

Ice climbing in Val Gardena

The ski resorts in Italy are located in the Alps and Dolomites. Every winter sports destination is easily accessible by car. It is even easier to get on a plane. From the airports in Milan, Venice, Innsbruck or Bolzano you can reach your destination in no time.

1. The different ski slopes in Italy

In the ski resorts of Italy you will find slopes in three colours:

• The blue slopes are relatively easy slopes for beginners.
• Advanced skiers can go to the steeper red slopes.
• The black runs are the most challenging. The steep slopes are suitable for experts.

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By the way, colour doesn't say everything about the difficulty. Narrow pistes, for example, are more difficult than very wide pistes. Unprepared, very snowy or icy pistes make it a lot harder to get down safely. And a quiet red slope is sometimes less challenging than a blue slope that is blackened by people.

2. Ski resorts Italy top 11 with map

France and Austria are of course very well known for their many winter sports destinations. Italy is sometimes overlooked. Completely unjustified, because Italy has a lot to offer during the winter months. In this article we have listed the top 11 ski areas in Italy for you. Including a map with the location and the most important features.

Val Gardena and Pila, for example, are perfect for advanced users. Monta Rosa and Breuil-Cervinia have great snow security. Via Lattea is the largest ski area in Italy with 400 kilometres of slopes. Seiser Alm is ideal for beginners and Kronplatz is again known for its cozy après-ski. Each ski area has its own characteristics. In addition to these top 11 ski areas, there are of course many other beautiful winter sports areas in Italy. Think for example of Bardonecchia and Mondolè Ski.

2.1 Val Gardena: plenty to experience

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In the ski resorts top 11 of Italy you will find first of all the area Val Gardena. The 'place to be' when you want to enjoy a winter sport in the Italian snow as a beginner. There are several blue slopes. Tightly groomed and with beautiful views. The area is very child friendly. Children up to 8 ski for free with parents. Also for advanced skiers there is much to do in Val Gardena. Enough red and various black slopes to suck from. The Ciampinoi Saslong, for example, is one of the most beautiful slopes. There are also several long trips possible.

On après-ski occasions no lack in Val Gardena. Enjoy the conviviality in the various bars on the mountains and in the villages. Especially the villages Wolkenstein and Sankt Ulrich are known for their fun après-ski. The food on the slopes is delicious. For example, enjoy an Italian pizza or a piece of fish in the restaurant Emilio Comici.

Val Gardena is located on the south side of the Alps. The snow security is therefore moderate. Fortunately, snow cannons help to keep the slopes white. The ski area is a bit more expensive than average. You do get real value for money.

2.2. Kronplatz: enjoy the snow with the whole family

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Beginners and advanced skiers are well catered for in the Kronplatz ski area in northern Italy. A perfect place for winter sports with the whole family. Because of the many lifts and the wide slopes it is never very crowded. The area is also very child friendly. There are several children's countries on the mountain and in the valley. Children up to 8 years ski for free with a parent.

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The area is quite small and therefore not very suitable for the real experts. For example, the off-piste possibilities are also limited. If you want a lot of challenge, you'd be better off in Val Gardena or Via Lattea, for example. Après-ski is of course also possible in Kronplatz. That's part of winter sports! From cosy drinks in a bar to exuberant parties.

The area is quite low and the snow security is therefore moderate. Fortunately, snow cannons lend a hand. The area is attractively priced when it comes to accommodation and food.

2.3. Alta Badia: a winter sports paradise for beginners

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Dolomiti Superskipas offers more possibilities. For children the winter sports area is excellent. In every village you will find a children's land. Children up to 8 years old ski for free with a parent. Alta Badia is known as paradise for anyone who loves good food. In the many mountain huts and restaurants you can enjoy delicious food at great prices. And après-ski? That goes here on his Italian with tasty snacks and good wines. Not exuberant so as in Austria.

Snow security in the area is poor. Luckily there is always enough artificial snow. One of the great advantages of the area is the peace and quiet. You hardly ever have to wait for the lift. Really busy on the slopes is almost never.

2.4. Breuil-Cervinia: snow sure and beautiful trips!

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The ski area Breuil-Cervinia is one of the largest winter sports areas in Italy. Ideal for a winter sports holiday with the whole family. There are several blue and simple red slopes. Perfect for beginners and toddlers. Tours can also be made very well in the ski area. Also for advanced skiers there are a number of beautiful slopes. Really challenging, however, the ski area is not if you can ski quite well. Up to an age of about 7 years children can ski for free with a parent. The slopes are generally nice and quiet. Waiting times at the lift are exceptional.

2.5. Livigno: peace, snow and fantastic food

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Rust, child-friendly, very snowy and fantastic food. These are some of the advantages of the Livigno ski area in northern Italy. For beginners and advanced skiers there is plenty to do on the different slopes. Here you will find simple blue slopes, but also particularly challenging slopes. And the off-piste possibilities are very good. The child friendliness in Livigno is very good. Children can learn to ski in the various children's countries in the village. Up to an age of about 7 years children can ski for free with their parents.

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The ski area is not very large and therefore very quiet. Livigno is also a tax-free village. As a result, prices for accommodation and food are lower than in other areas in Italy. In the restaurants on the slopes you can enjoy delicious food. And in Stalet or Hotel Bovia the après-ski is more than cozy! Finally, the snow security. This is excellent in Livigno. The winter sports season here is nice and long.

2.6. Seiser Alm (Alpe di Siusi): the place to be for beginners

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For beginners Seiser Alm in Italy is the perfect area to go on winter sports. Most slopes are red, but very easy to do. Nice and wide, no long steep stretches and well prepared. Moreover, the ski area is quiet. You will not encounter many advanced winter sportsmen. The slopes are not challenging enough for that. Plenty of space for you as a beginner. In short, nice wide turns and occasionally quite a pace make.

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For children Seiser Alm is also a nice ski area. In Compatsch you will find a large children's area. Children up to 8 years old also ski for free with a parent. Enough effort in the snow? Then you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer or other drink in the various huts. You won't find real exuberant après-ski in Seiser Alm.

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Although the area is fairly low, the Seiser Alm is very snow-assured. The slopes are almost always beautifully white. Prices for accommodation and food are fine. Would you like to sleep on the Alm, for example in Compatsch? Then you will lose a little more money.

2.7. Via Lattea: the largest ski area in Italy

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The Via Lattea ski area is the largest ski area in Italy. Actually that is not quite correct. The area is partly located in France. It is a true paradise for beginners and advanced skiers with no less than 400 kilometers of slopes. There is plenty to do for lovers of winter sports. From beautiful blue slopes to very spicy black ones. Long trips are excellent. Just like off-piste skiing or snowboarding.

Via Lattea is very child friendly. There are many easy and slow ski slopes. The ski pass for children is also cheaper than for adults. The ski area is not known for its exuberant après-ski. However, there are several cozy places where you can have a drink. Thus Montgenèvre for example, a very nice village. Due to its high altitude, the Via Lattea ski area in Italy is quite snow sure. Skiing is almost the whole winter possible on the higher peaks. Less snow are the lower lying areas.

2.8. Monterosa: snow guaranteed ski area and lots of beautiful slopes

Did you just come to see the world of winter sports? Or do you already have extensive experience? Everyone is welcome in the Monterosa ski area in Italy. Here you will find simple blue pistes, spicy and less spicy red pistes and steep black pistes. There are also plenty of opportunities for off-piste and beautiful tours. The area is not too busy. Fine, because that means you have little trouble with other skiers and snowboarders. Only in the weekends it is sometimes a bit busier.

For the younger generation of winter sports enthusiasts, the area is a bit large. The slopes are often quite challenging for children. Children up to an age of about 8 are allowed to ski for free with a parent. After skiing you can have a snack and drink in one of the huts on top of the mountain. Also in the villages is enough fun to find. For exuberant après-ski is not good here. Other advantages of the area are the great snow security, the good food and the low prices.
Monterosa is one of the cheapest areas in Italy when it comes to winter sports.

2.9. Val di Sole: beautiful slopes and cosy après-ski

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Lovely quiet, beautiful tours, well groomed slopes, good food and cozy après-ski. These are some of the advantages of the Val di Sole ski area in the Dolomites. Of the ski resorts in Italy this is one of the higher ones. The highest point can be found at 3000 meters. Both for children, beginners and advanced there are more than enough slopes. Make a beautiful trip on blue slopes. Or go down steep red or black pistes.

Val di Sole is not very snow sure. On the higher parts, however, you can almost always ski. And snow cannons help to provide the rest of the area with a white blanket.

2.10. Pila: paradise for lovers of deep snow and off-piste

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Small but fine! That's a good description for the ski resort of Pila. Has it snowed a lot, then the off-piste possibilities here are fantastic. Have fun on the slopes or choose a beautiful route through the forest. Especially for light and advanced skiers, the ski area is a wonderful snow playground. For beginners, the area does not have much to offer. For children there is a children's meadow in the village and a long blue slope. Fine, but not ideal for the little ones.

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You won't find exuberant après-ski in Pila. You will find tasty dishes, snacks and drinks in the various huts and restaurants. The prices in Pila are fine. Especially the food and drink is very cheap. Pila is quite high and is therefore quite snow sure. Does it snow? Then the flakes often come out of the air. If fast, the slopes are covered with deep snow. There are few accommodations in Pila itself. But in a few km away in Sarre there are more possibilities

2.11. Val di Fassa: the most beautiful ski resorts in the Dolomites

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The last one in our top 11 ski areas is the Val di Fassa ski area in Italy. Excellent for the advanced skier and snowboarder. One of the most beautiful ski areas in the Dolomites of Italy. From the area you have access to the Sella Ronda. This is the largest tour you can make on the long slats. Also off-piste possibilities are plenty.

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For beginners and young children there are beautiful blue slopes. There are several children's areas in the villages. Children up to 8 years of age ski free of charge when accompanied by a parent. As a beginner, you will quickly get bored of the blue slopes. The red slopes are soon too steep. Val di Fassa is quite quiet and has no exuberant après-ski. You can have a nice drink and good food in one of the huts or restaurants. The ski area is quite cheap. That depends on the village.

The snow security in Val di Fassa is not great. Long live the artificial snow. Thanks to snow cannons, the slopes are almost always white. Especially in January and February.

3. Extra possibilities ski pass Italy

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In a number of ski areas you can buy an umbrella ski pass. With such a pass you have access to several ski areas in the region. Great if you want to spend a day skiing or snowboarding somewhere else during your holiday. The Sella ronda, the most beautiful ski tour through the Sella massif, crosses the ski areas Val Gardena, Alta Badia and Val di Fassa. Would you like to follow this ski route? Then a Dolomiti Superskipass is a must.

The following ski passes are possible: Dolomiti Superski and Skirama Dolomiti. Keep in mind that you usually have to take a ski bus or car to reach another ski area. And between some ski resorts the distances are great.

4. Italy is also the country of pizzas and delicious snacks in winter

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Eating in Italy? Then you probably immediately think of pizza and tasty snacks. You can also enjoy a delicious meal during winter sports. Both on the slopes and in the villages. Pizza, pasta, a cheese or meat platter or just a good piece of meat. Everything is possible.

Prices vary greatly per area, per restaurant and of course per dish. For less than 5 euros you can order soup with bread. A luxury dinner quickly costs you several tens. And with a good glass of wine, the price is even higher.

Eating pizza on the Italian slopes

5. On to the Italian snow. What do you pay attention to when booking?

Wintersport booking to Italy? Then pay attention to the following points of interest:

• Many accommodations are fully booked well in advance during the Christmas and spring holidays. So don't wait too long with booking.
• A travel insurance is no superfluous luxury. Winter sports is not entirely without risks.
• Check any extras from a ski pass. For example, children can ski for free in many areas under the supervision of a parent. Some ski areas offer attractive 2 for the price of 1 deal. Or you get a discount on the ski pass in the spring.
• A winter sports holiday is usually best booked in the period between December and mid-March. This is when the snow is at its best. Some high areas can also be visited in April. The days are longer and you have more chance of sun.
• Are you going on winter sports for the first time? Or would you rather learn skiing or snowboarding? Then arrange ski lessons or snowboard lessons at one of the ski schools in Italy. It's best to arrange this in advance. This way you can be sure that there is a place for you in the group.

6. Winter sports to Italy. What do you have to bring?

Are you going to Italy for winter sports? Lovely prospect! Put at least the following stuff in your bag or suitcase:

• A warm ski suit
• Tough gloves
• Skipully's
• Eventally thermal underwear
• Skis socks or snowboard socks
• Sunglasses
• One helmet
• Skis, poles & ski boots or
• A snowboard & snowboard boots
• Tough walking shoes or snow shoes

You can rent some things in Italy. Think of skis, poles, ski boots, a snowboard and snowboard boots. You pay between 50 and 200 euros per week per person. The price depends on the area and your experience.

7. Book a winter sports holiday to Italy

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