Ski resorts in Italy are known to fans of winter sports no less than Swiss Courchevel or French St. Moritz. Places like Cervinia, Courmayeur, Bormio or Val di Fassa are on everyone's lips. All these resorts are located on the southern slopes of the Alps. There are, of course, excellent slopes and skiing places in the Apennines, for example, in the mountains of Abruzzo (Prati di Tivo, Monte Piselli), but they work only in the winter season. But the Alpine resorts, due to the high altitude and the presence of glaciers, are available to lovers of skiing, snowboarding, and luge all year round. And everywhere guests can expect the notorious Italian hospitality, sunny and snowy slopes, slopes of any difficulty and excellent European service.
Which place to choose for vacation
Ski resorts in Italy on the map of the country are divided depending on the administrative provinces. Thus, we can talk about the ski areas of Lombardy, Piedmont, Aosta, Trentino and Alto Adige. Alps are in all of them, but this mountain system is too huge tobe monotonous.
The slopes of Lombardy allow you to combine skiing, shopping in Milan and relaxing on the lakes. The Dolomites surprise tourists with their colors and rocky spurs. And the peaks of Piedmont and Aosta are the most majestic, besides, rest in those places allows you to ride in Swiss resorts.
When choosing a holiday destination, don't rely on your own level of skiing. Each resort has at its disposal both steep "black" slopes and "green", gentle slopes for beginners. You should take into account only the time of your vacation (not all places have year-round slopes) and the financial component.
Skiing areas in the Aosta Valley
Valle d'Aosta is located in the triangle that forms the state borders of France, Switzerland and Italy. The region is small in size, but it is here that the oldest, most expensive and best ski resorts in Italy are located. All of them are located at a considerable height, at the foot of never-melting glaciers. Around - solid "four-thousanders" - Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc. The latter is the highest peak not only of the Graian Alps, but of the entire mountain system as a whole, as well as the "roof" of Europe.
Here Mussolini loved skiing, and with him the entire fascist elite. The first ski lifts were built for them, although the resorts of Courmayeur and Cervinia existed at the dawn of European skiing. The tourist infrastructure of this place continues to develop rapidly -new routes are being laid, new roads are being built. One of them allows you to get directly from the center of the capital - Aosta founded by the ancient Romans - to the newest fashionable village of Pyla in twenty minutes.
Ski resort Cervinia (Italy)
It is impossible not to mention specifically this highest ski area. The highest lift takes tourists to 3899 meters above sea level. The trails are wide and suitable for both beginners and intermediate skiers. Aces can move to the opposite, north side and find themselves in Swiss Zermatt. Returning to the top will not be a problem - there is a single ski pass that connects both resorts and the Italian village of V altournenche.
Freeride fans will also get a lot of adrenaline. Here is also the longest ski run of Gran Pista - twenty kilometers of wonderful descent. Of the minuses, one can name only some high cost of the resort (the proximity of Switzerland affects). Therefore, those skiers who are looking for ways to reduce the cost of their holidays stop in the town of Chamonix. From there, buses run to Mount Cervinia (the Swiss name for the Matterhorn). Other famous Italian ski resorts are located nearby: Courmayeur, La Thuile, Gressoney-le-Trinite, Monte Rosa Valley and Champoluc, famous for ski touring lovers.
Skiing in Piedmont
This is the land of nature reserves, clear lakes and rolling landscapes. Anyone who likes the French Alps will certainly appreciate andPiedmont. The heart and unofficial ski capital of the region is the town of Sestriere. It is located at an altitude of more than two thousand meters, and therefore there are no problems with snow cover even in warm winters. The lifts stop working in April.
Most of the slopes here are for intermediate skiers. But in the Grande Galaxy region there are suitable entertainments for aces, as well as snowboarders and heli-ski fans. There are about thirteen kilometers of beautiful tracks for cross-country skiers. Decent Apres-ski is provided by 33 restaurants, a night club, a bowling alley, a skating rink, a sports club with saunas and swimming pools. No less popular are other Italian ski resorts in Piedmont: Bardonecchia and Sauze d'Ulsk, Claviere and Cesana.
Skiing areas in Lombardy
Proximity to the world's shopping capital Milan and large lakes make this region very popular not only in winter. But if you have chosen Livigno as your holiday destination, you will not need to go to Milan to buy goods. Since this ski resort is also a duty-free zone, and all the shops here are duty-free. But freeride in Livigno is allowed only with a guide - the slopes here are avalanche-prone.
The most prestigious ski resort in Lombardy is Bormio. Italy hosts here international competitions of the highest level in winter sports. The town itself is very ancient and has been known since the first century BC thanks to its nine healing thermal springs.
Dolomites
In the Trentino region, you can combine skiing and boarding with visits to iconic places such as Lake Garda, Venice, Verona. The tourist infrastructure here is also very developed. Guests are offered dog sledding and sleigh rides, rock climbing, ice polo. Everyone will find après-ski to their taste: discos, baths, gyms, restaurants and bars will create an atmosphere of enduring holiday.
Italian ski resorts in Trentino are also popular because of the fabulously beautiful nature. One has only to see how the glare of the setting sun plays on the slopes of the Dolomites - and you will strive here again and again. Val di Fassa is considered the most prestigious resort in this region. For beginners, Madonna di Campiglio is more suitable. The perfect family holiday awaits you in Cavalese, Val di Fiemme, Passo Tonale, Vigo di Fassa and other resorts in Trentino.
Alto Adige
This area is also located in the Dolomites. The unsurpassed beauty of these slopes and the riot of colors, the instantaneous transition from the snow-capped peaks to the citrus groves of Limone on Lake Garda make this region very attractive. Until the Second World War, this area belonged to Austria, and this fact still affects the appearance of houses, hotels and punctuality in public transport.
What are the ski resorts in Italy in the Upper Adige region? Reviews mention the Val Gardena ski area. It regularly hosts international competitions infreestyle and downhill. The Val Gardena area consists of three resorts - Santa Cristina, Selva and Ortisei, interconnected by free buses and a single ski pass.
Après ski leisure
In each of the regions mentioned here, the range of services is approximately the same. Somewhere natural hot springs beat, in other places they lure you with dog sledding, snowmobiling, parakiting. In some places, such as Lombard Livigno, a paradise for shopaholics, in others you can easily meet a famous politician or a world star of show business on the ski tracks.
In a word, you can go to Italy to mountain resorts even if you are not skiing at all and are not even going to stand on them. There is enough entertainment without them. However, you should not miss the chance to conquer the slope. Moreover, in each of the resorts there are ski schools for both children and adults. Experienced instructors (including Russian speakers) will help you get rid of the phobia of falling once and for all.
Ski resorts in Italy: prices
The proximity of Courchevel and compatriots throwing money around also affects neighboring Courmayeur. However, this applies only to accommodation in hotels and prices in restaurants. The cost of ski passes at different resorts differs from each other depending on the coverage of territories and peaks. For example, in Aosta they cost 111 Є for 3 days and 240 Є for a week, in Piedmont and Lombardy - 180 for 6 days, and lifts in the Dolomites will empty your wallet in a weekat 233 Є. More significant difference between high and low season (about 5 Є per day).
If you want to visit the famous ski resorts of Italy and not spend a fortune on a trip, book a hotel nearby. Public transport in the country is relatively cheap and punctual. You can also time your holiday to the beginning or end of the ski season.
