5 Best Ski Resorts in Italy

Did you already decide on your ski vacation spot? Check out our Italy's guide for Best Ski Resorts in Italy.

Mountain destinations are undoubtedly a significant aspect of Italy's endless tourist attractions. During the winter season, ski resorts all over the country are crowded with riders eager to hit the slopes and have a blast, creating unforgettable memories of sport and togetherness.

From Sestriere in the west-north part of Italy, very close to France mountains, via Livigno on the north Italy-swiss border to Cortina d'Ampezzo on the east-north part of Italy close to Austrian Alpes.

All the resorts (red circle on the map) located in driving distance from airports in Italy or Austria (blue circle on the map)

I also created a public google map that you can enjoy. The map is updated with ski resorts, airports, best restaurants in the resorts, and excellent sports and spa hotels:

Sella Ronda

Sellaronda is a glazier connecting in a circle 4 big ski resorts - Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Val di Fassa, Arabba Marmolada.

Together they connect more than 500km of slopes, well connected by 193 ski lifts. Many other articles review each one of the ski resorts separately, but it's wrong. I visited Sella Ronda in January and February 2023, and I can assure you that you can stay in one resort and spend the whole day in another, they are so well connected.

Another amazing fact about sellaronda - this is the first resort I wasn't using a map, the signs and directions are so good that i was able to navigate without looking at the map.

What we like about Sella Ronda

Italy's largest ski resort and the second largest in the world.
Offers the best selection of intermediate piste trails in the Dolomiti Superski area, and potentially even in Italy.
The lift system is of high quality.
An integral part of the Sella Ronda ski circuit and Dolomiti Superski area.
Provides ski-in, ski-out accommodations both on the mountain and in the villages.
One of the most visually stunning mountain areas in the world.
A fantastic destination for a family-friendly snow holiday.
Features spectacular off-piste freeride routes from Saas Pordoi and Marmolada.
Known for its world-class snow-making capabilities.
Offers superb piste trails specifically designed for beginners.
Has the longest skiable vertical and longest ski run/trail in the Dolomites.
The only place in the Dolomites with glacier skiing.
Many amazing après-ski options available daily.

What we don't like about Sella Ronda

It can get quite crowded in specific areas.
Accommodations may be challenging to secure and relatively expensive.
There is no single main village or center.
Some lifts and piste trails can become overcrowded.

Alta Badia

Alta Badia, located in Trentino Alto Adige, is a ski destination with vast ski slopes that connect different ski resorts including Colfosco, La Villa, Corvara, San Cassiano, Pedraces, S. Leonardo, Badia and La Val. The ski area offers access to the Sellaronda circuit and its connected stations via Colfosco and the Gardena Pass. The giant slalom World Cup race takes place on either the Gran Risa or the Armentarola slope. Additionally, the descent from Passo Gardena is peaceful and spectacular. The ski destination is part of the Dolomiti Superski area, which has 450 ski lifts and over 1200 km of slopes.

For cross-country skiing lovers, there are nine tracks for 35 km divided into two centers: Alta Badia – Enervit in San Cassiano / Armentarola and Corvara-Colfosco. Freeride lovers can enjoy a 3 km long descent in the Val Mezdì where the difference in height to overcome is 1,100 meters and the average gradient is 34%. Every year in March, the Alta Badia Freeride takes place here. Another option is the less demanding descent of Piz Ciampei towards Armentarola.

The Tour de Sas ski mountaineering race is equally famous and takes place every year under the Sasso Croce in the Fanes-Senes-Braies nature park. It covers a distance of about 20 km with a difference in height of over 2000 m. The snow sports offer is completed by 3 toboggan runs, the Alta Badia snow park on the Piz Sorega plateau, a fun park for snowboarding, 4 playgrounds for children’s fun in the snow, 80 km of winter trails, and countless ski mountaineering climbs accompanied by guides.

Val Gardena

Val Gardena, located in Trentino Alto Adige, is a must-visit destination for snow riders. The area boasts an impressive 175 km of slopes for alpine skiing, as well as 115 km of cross-country trails spread throughout the resorts of Selva di Valgardena, Santa Cristina, and Ortisei. Visitors can enjoy the famous Sellaronda circuit, a ski tour that connects Selva di Val Gardena and Santa Cristina. The Alpe di Siusi is also accessible, which, together with the Dolomiti Superski, offers over 500 km of connected slopes with just one ski pass.

Expert skiers should not miss the Saslong, which hosts the World Cup downhill competitions that descend to Santa Cristina. For thrill-seekers, the descent from Passo Gardena to Selva is recommended.

Freeride enthusiasts can enjoy the stunning descents of Forcella Mezdì, Val Lasties, and Forcella del Pordoi. Two snow parks, the Piz Sella and the King Laurin Snowpark, cater to freestylers with various obstacles and features.

Val Gardena is renowned for its quality of slopes, snow, facilities, overall tourist offerings, and breathtaking views of the Sasso Lungo, the Sella Group, and the Odle. It is undoubtedly one of the top ski resorts in Italy.

Val di Fassa

The Val di Fassa is a breathtaking valley located in Trentino, offering a range of stunning skiable areas that are all part of the Dolomiti Superski ski area. Among them, the largest area is situated in Canazei and Campitello, where skiers can enjoy the Belvedere and Col Rodella areas that are both included in the Sellaronda circuit. This circuit is connected with Val Gardena and Arabba, allowing skiers to explore a vast area. Additionally, the new funifor that climbs from Alba di Canazei to the Belvedere connects the opposite side of the area where the small yet interesting Ciampac – Buffaure ski area is located. Meanwhile, at the other end of the area is Pozza di Fassa, standing at an altitude of 1320 meters above sea level, and also equipped with an illuminated slope for night skiing.

Going down the valley, we can find the skiable area of Catinaccio and Vigo di Fassa, followed by the Carezza – Passo Costalunga ski area, which has 40 kilometers of slopes suitable for children and families. Finally, the Tre Valli area in Moena is another great skiing option in the region.

Canazei is a part of the Sellaronda Skimarathon, a night-time ski mountaineering competition for couples that takes place over 42 km along the Dolomiti Superski ski carousel. This marathon connects the four Dolomite passes of Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, and Campolongo, making it a fantastic opportunity for skiers to explore the four valleys surrounding the Sella massif.

Arabba Marmolada

Arabba Marmolada ski resort, nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, boasts of breathtaking scenery with soaring peaks such as Marmolada, Sella massif, Padon, and Col di Lana. It is considered one of the most popular skiing destinations, not just for its stunning location but also for having the best snow quality and quantity among all the Dolomites ski resorts. This, along with the resort's highest lifted point, longest ski run, and excellent piste trail variety, makes Arabba Marmolada a must-visit place for skiing enthusiasts.

Despite being the smallest of the Sella Ronda resorts, Arabba Marmolada offers a unique skiing and snowboarding experience with the mighty Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites. Its high alpine glacier boasts of the Dolomites' highest and longest ski run, the 12km, 1,820m vertical Bullunese run. Skiers can start at Punta Rocca near the summit of Marmolada at 3,265m and ski down the glacier to Passo Fedaia at 2,057m. The run ends with a long schuss in a forested valley to Malga Ciapela at 1,446m, providing an exhilarating skiing experience. The glacier sector is also perfect for off-piste skiing in powder.

The north-facing ski slopes from Porta Vescovo in Arabba offer the Dolomites' best advanced pistes. In contrast, the slopes below the Sella massif on the opposite side of the valley provide a haven for beginner and intermediate skiers on sun-soaked, perfectly groomed piste. For those seeking powder, the broad off-piste trails interspersed with trails towards Belvedere and Passo Pordoi provide an excellent skiing experience.

Madonna di Campiglio

What we like about Madonna di Campiglio

This is an excellent destination for a family-friendly snow holiday.
Snow is guaranteed here, with higher snowfalls than in all the Dolomites.
The village provides easy access to multiple lifts.
There are exceptional piste trails for all abilities on diverse terrain aspects.
The ski lifts are generally modern and comfortable.
Tree skiing is available.
The views of the Brenta Dolomites are beautiful.
There is a fabulous range and extent of non-ski activities.
The resort is linked with Folgarida Marilleva and Pinzolo.

What we don't like about Madonna di Campiglio

Finding day parking in the village can be challenging.
There is limited alpine off-piste freeride terrain.
Accommodation in the village tends to book out quickly.
There are several long flat traverses and old slow lifts in critical locations.
The ski lift passes are relatively expensive, particularly if purchased at a ticket office (buy online!).
Some pistes can get extremely busy and skied off quickly, especially the trails from Marilleva to Madonna.

Nestled in the picturesque Brenta Dolomites, north of Lake Garda, lies the world-renowned ski resort of Madonna di Campiglio. Known to many as one of the most stylish ski resorts in Italy, Madonna di Campiglio offers an extensive ski area with 150km of well-groomed pistes, making it a popular destination for both intermediate and advanced skiers alike.

At an altitude of 1,550m, the resort offers fantastic skiing opportunities supported by great snowmaking, with access lifts that come right down into the town. The modern, comfortable chairs and gondolas provide access to almost all the key trails, with the terrain stretching as far north as Folgarida and as far south as Pinzolo. The area has a long and storied history, with skiing first starting here in the 1930s, before becoming a popular tourist destination in the '50s. The Rendena Valley is dominated by the towering peaks of the Brenta Dolomites, providing a stunning backdrop for skiers.

For intermediate skiers, Madonna di Campiglio offers long, confidence-building blue runs that wind through the forest, allowing skiers to explore the different sectors of the ski area. The feeling of discovery is enhanced by emerging above the tree-line and descending back into it to reach the base of the next lift, before popping out again. With 22% of the pistes rated black, advanced skiers will find plenty to challenge themselves with, including the famous Monte Spinale run, heading towards Marilleva.

The neighbouring village of Pinzolo boasts its own medium-sized ski area below Doss del Sabion, with modern lifts that provide access to its slopes. On the other side of the Val de Sole, the resorts of Passo Tonale, with its high altitude, year-round glacier skiing, and Pejo, above the old village famous for its thermal springs, are also included on the area ski pass, as is Monte Bondone, next to the biggest nearby city, Trento.

Madonna di Campiglio is not just renowned for its skiing, however. The resort is also a very chic destination, staging grand balls and polo-on-ice tournaments that you might expect to find in St Moritz. However, prices in Madonna di Campiglio are much more reasonable, and the scenery is just as stunning. The town itself is a pretty Alpine town with a smart, car-free centre, surrounded by a small park and a lake that is used for skating, and there are some good cross country trails in the valley.

For après ski, Madonna di Campiglio has a reputation that rivals its skiing. There are buzzy bars and restaurants, particularly at the foot of Monte Spinale, where people watching begins as soon as the lifts close. While the bars and restaurants retain a quiet sophistication until the small hours, the legendary nightclubs come alive as the night goes on. Popular bars include Ober 1, the Home Stube, and the upmarket Cantina Suisse, which is known for its cocktails and live music until midnight. Food throughout the resort is usually a highlight, both at the many excellent mountain restaurants and in town. With three Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from, including Il Gallo Cedrone, the Ristorante Dolomieu, and the Stube Hermitage, gourmet dining has become a huge feature in the area. However, even if your pockets are not that deep, Madonna di Campiglio can cater for most tastes, so long as you like Italian food!

All in all, Madonna di Campiglio offers an unbeatable combination of stunning scenery, excellent skiing, and chic après ski. Whether you're an intermediate skier looking to build your confidence or an advanced skier

Cortina d'Ampezzo

What we like about Cortina

The location boasts stunning views and landscapes.
There's an interesting variety of on-piste trails suitable for all levels.
The Armentarola trail is considered one of the world's best intermediate trails, thanks to its perfect piste, scenery, frozen waterfalls, history, horse-drawn skiing, and rifugios.
You'll find Italy's best range and number of black (advanced) piste trails here.
When the snow is deep, there's challenging freeride terrain aplenty, unlike anywhere else.
The après ski and nightlife are excellent.
Great restaurant food and drink.

What we don't like about Cortina

The area could have a better recent snow record.
The lift infrastructure is old, although upgrades are currently underway.
The lift pass is relatively expensive.
Several separate ski areas are not lift-linked, and transportation between them by bus can be a pain.
There's limited ski-in/ski-out accommodation available.

The Dolomites were awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation due to its glacier-carved vertical faces and rocky pinnacles. Moreover, the skiing opportunities in this area are world-class. Cortina D'Ampezzo, the most famous of the dozen Dolomite ski resorts, has been a popular spot since the 1956 Winter Olympics were held there.

The setting of Cortina is simply breathtaking, with the five peaks of Cinque Torri towering over the town, providing a spectacular stage-set backdrop, and offering runs that go from near the top of the peaks right down into the town. With over three dozen lifts available, skiers can get from their hotel doors to snowfields just below the summits of the highest ridges. The Dolomiti Superski pass offers full access to lifts and trails in the region's 11 other resorts.

Families with beginning and intermediate skiers will find plenty of terrain at Cortina d'Ampezzo. The slopes and trails cater to beginners, with about half of the skiable terrain being intermediate. Children will enjoy the gentle wooded trails in the Mietres area. On the other hand, expert skiers will not be bored, as there are plenty of pistes for them to tackle, including the Olympia slope in the Tofane, which hosted the Women's Alpine skiing World Cup in 2019.

The new Son dei Prade-Cianzopè-Bai de Dones 10-person gondola is an added attraction for skiers this season. It connects the Cinque Torri area with the Tofana, allowing skiers to reach the Dolomiti Superski area from the center of Cortina with their skis on. This link will ease the traffic on the road between Cortina and Passo di Falzarego, and connect the Tofane region to the Sellaronda.

Apart from the downhill ski facilities, Cortina d'Ampezzo has numerous cross-country ski trails through spectacular mountain landscapes, a floodlit bobsled run for night sledding, and an Olympic rink for ice skaters. Although a number of international ski competitions were canceled in 2021, the FIS World Championships were held in Cortina d'Ampezzo as scheduled. In 2026, the Tofane area will host the Winter Olympics Alpine skiing events, while bobsleigh, luge, skeleton, curling, and biathlon events will occur throughout the resort.

Cortina is well-equipped with hotels, ranging from mid-range to high-end, smart shops, restaurants, cafés, and several spas. It is the most fashionable of the Dolomite resorts by far, and a favorite of jet-setters.

Finally, Cortina will share the 2026 Winter Olympic events with the city of Milan, 70 years after the Cortina Olympics in 1956.

Via Lattea – Sestriere

What we like about Sestriere

Located at high altitude with reliable snow conditions.
Features the best advanced on-piste trails in the area.
Offers enjoyable and fast intermediate ski terrain.
Weekdays are generally less crowded.
Provides a diverse range of freeride off-piste skiing options, including high-alpine and tree skiing.
Very cheap ski pass.
Provides direct access to other Via Lattea ski resorts, such as Sauze d'Oulx and Sansicario, via the Fraiteve gondola.

What we don't like about Sestriere

Weekends are usually crowded.
There are few trails suitable for beginners.
The accommodations are typically overrated.
The après-ski scene only livens up on weekends.
It may not be the most attractive village.

Your ultimate guide to skiing in Sestriere, the highest ski resort in the extensive Milky Way ski area. Founded in 1930 and largely financed by Giovanni Agnelli, the then-head of the Fiat industrial empire, it was one of the world's very first purpose-designed ski resorts. In its heyday, prior to world war 2, it became one of Europe's most fashionable resorts, welcoming royalty, Hollywood movie stars, and other celebrities of that era.

Sestriere is part of the Via Lattea (Milky Way), which straddles the Italian-French border and stretches across 400km of lift-linked pistes. It hosted historically significant ski races, including the famous Kandahar Trophy races, founded by the winter-sports pioneers Sir Arnold Lunn and Hannes Schneider. It's still features one of the classic fixtures on the annual FIS Alpine World Cup tour.

When Turin was selected as the host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics, Sestriere was chosen to stage the blue-ribband downhill events. This heralded something of a renaissance for Sestriere, placed it once again under the spotlight on the world stage. It is still arguably this region's most upmarket resort, and it presents the strongest all-round choice for beginners and keen intermediates planning to visit this easily accessible and interesting corner of Italy.

Sestriere's local ski area has two distinct linked sectors: Monte Sises, directly overlooking the town, and Monte Motta above the linked village of Borgata to the east. The upper slopes of Monte Sises house a small snowpark and a selection of wide red and black runs, including the floodlit World Cup & Olympic Slalom piste, sweeping down to the edge of the town. The spacious snowfields at the foot of Monte Sises, closest to the resort centre, are mostly designated as beginners' zones and are served by a number of short drag lifts, which facilitate cross-slope traverses from one end of the town to the other.

Borgata and the Monte Motta sector can be reached from Sestriere by a choice of blue or red pistes, with chairlifts providing the links in the opposite direction. The upper reaches of Monte Motta houses Sestriere's most extensive ski area, predominately red-graded; this sector also has a number of long red and black summit-to-valley descents, among them the historic 'Kandahar Banchetta' World Cup & Olympic Downhill course.

Deep powder is not a staple of Sestriere skiing, but there's plenty of sidecountry, inter-piste terrain to play in. There are some runs through the trees from both Monte Sises and Monte Motta, and the trees are generally less dense than in many resorts. Other parts of the Milky Way, accessible on the wider area liftpass, offer more tempting terrain however. If you're a dedicated powder hound, you're probably better off heading for the area around Claviere and Montgenevre.

As you might expect of a resort that has hosted a relatively recent Winter Olympic Games, Sestriere's sports facilities are rather good. Nevertheless, Sestriere's off-slope attractions are really still rather limited - its slopes and its proximity to Turin are its principal assets. The village does a fair selection of shops and cafés, and several nice restaurants. There are also a handful of pleasant bars, and even two small nightclubs, but weekday evenings are normally very low-key.

When Friday comes, everything steps up a gear: day-trippers and weekenders from Turin pour into the resort, livening up the bars and the clubs on Friday and Saturday night and thronging the slopes, the streets and cafés on Saturday through

Livigno

What we like about Livigno

The lifts are modern and up-to-date.
There are plenty of freeride off-piste opportunities for adventurous skiers.
There is an excellent variety of piste trails suitable for novices, beginners, and intermediates.
The terrain parks are world-class.
The après ski and nightlife are excellent.
The town offers delicious food and drink options at its restaurants.
There is 'ski in' accommodation available.
There is a wide range of non-ski activities to enjoy.
The local bus network is efficient and free.
The village enjoys sunny weather all day long.

What we don't like about Livigno

Throughout the season, the town and slopes are bustling with activity, especially when the sun is shining.
The ski area is divided into two separate areas on opposite sides of the valley, but a Ski-Link shuttle operates effectively during the day to connect them.
Advanced skiers may find the selection of piste trails limited.
Hotels relatively costly.

Despite not being a well-known skiing destination, Livigno boasts of having the best terrain parks in Europe, attracting skiers who appreciate its remote location. Its secluded setting, along with its affordable prices and guaranteed snow, make it a popular choice among skiers. The ski resort stretches across both sides of the valley, with the western Costaccia-Carosello side offering excellent slopes for beginners and intermediate skiers, while the Mottolino area on the east is renowned for its freestyle parks. The main terrain park has over 60 features that cater to skiers of all levels, along with an airbag. In addition to the slopes, experienced skiers can venture into the off-piste powder or take advantage of the newly added heli-skiing opportunities. Livigno is set to host the snowboarding and freestyle skiing events of the 2026 Winter Olympics. With a total of 110 kilometers of ski runs - 12 for experts, 37 for intermediates, and 29 for beginners - Livigno caters to all skiing levels. For non-skiers, Livigno has approximately 250 VAT-free shops, as the small valley below the Swiss border is a duty-free zone.