A ski trip to Italy quite simply offers everything fans of the white stuff could ever wish for. Spoilt for choice in terms of resorts with something to suit all abilities, most offer a friendly welcome, delicious food to keep you well fuelled, cultural attractions to vary your days, and legendary après-ski to keep you entertained. We’ve investigated some of Italy’s best resorts and destinations to help you find the right fit for your winter vacation or settimana bianca.
Northern Italy – a skier’s paradise
Northern Italy is hard to beat. Its three large, linked ski areas include the mega Dolomiti Superski region, which covers eight hundred miles of pistes through these stunning UNESCO listed mountains. The Dolomites offer some of the most dramatic scenery in the Alps and a number of different resort options, from the glamorous Cortina d’Ampezzo and classy Madonna di Campiglia to the more traditional and atmospheric Arabba. The area also boasts lots of other activities, such as cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice skating, and a bobsled run that is floodlit for night-time sledding.
Also in the Dolomites, Val Gardena has the longest ski slope in the South Tyrol region. A more intimate ski field than its larger, flashier neighbours, it offers some of the best Dolomites skiing and, although beginners are catered for, there’s plenty to keep advanced and expert skiers happy. Val Gardena also provides access to the famous Marmolada Glacier.
The Aosta Valley – spectacular scenery and fantastic food
Further west, the Aosta Valley combines some of the best skiing in Italy with some of the country’s finest gastronomy, and that’s saying something! Most, importantly, burning off all those calories on the slopes is the perfect excuse to take “refuelling” seriously. The region’s best-known ski resorts include Courmayeur and Cervinia, with the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc not far away as the region borders both France and Switzerland. Courmayeur is located at the foot of Mont Blanc and boasts incredible views, as well as some prime off-piste skiing. Cervinia stands on the slopes of the Matterhorn (Monte Cervino in Italian) and allows you to ski over into Switzerland while also offering heliskiing for the more experienced.
At the end of a tough day on the slopes, sample some traditional fondu made with local Fontina Valdostana cheese, hearty polenta baked with more melted cheese, or chicken valdostana made with chicken, butter, ham, and, yes, you’ve guessed it, more cheese!
Best ski resorts near Milan
The 2026 Winter Olympics with be held in Milan and Cortina. The multi-sport event will take full advantage of everything the region has to offer, with the skiing planned for the slopes of the Dolomites up in Cortina and the ice disciplines scheduled in Italy’s second city.
For the non-Olympians amongst us, it’s possible to be on the slopes within two hours of the fashion capital, allowing you to combine a visit to the Bel Paese’s most stylish city with some fun in the snow. Pila is the largest ski area within reach of the Lombard capital and boasts ski options for everyone from beginners and children to freestyle, telemark, and snowboarding.
Other great options include Gressoney La Trinité, popular with young people due to its vibrant après-ski scene, and Chiesa in Valmalenco, with a cable car that takes you up to 6,000 feet and into a wintry panorama that feels like another world. Both offer great skiing for all levels and access to other connected resorts.
Further south
While there’s no doubt Northern Italy is where it’s at, there are plenty of Italian ski resorts further south, in the Apennines or even in Sicily—the slopes of Mount Etna even offer the chance to ski down an active volcano! Only a couple of hours drive from Rome, the Abruzzo region is popular with local skiers who come out from Naples and Rome at the weekends, and therefore tends to be quiet during the week. Opt for the picturesque medieval village of Rivisondoli or the well-equipped Roccaraso.