A paradise for skiers? If we had to name one place on Earth truly worthy of the title, we could not leave out any of the Alpine countries, and Italy would be right at the top. The magnet that draws hundreds of thousands of ski enthusiasts to the country is the Dolomites, with their majestic peaks and countless runs where the days pass in the unmistakable atmosphere of the Dolce Vita, the joy that comes from the sweet life.
In northern Italy, lovers of winter adventure have an incredible number of ski runs at their fingertips. Access to them opens up through many of the leading ski resorts, including some famous for hosting major sporting events. Here are 5 perfect spots for a skiing holiday in Italy, each with something special that sets it apart from the rest.
Livigno
This major ski resort, set at 1,809 metres above sea level, lies in the Lombardy region, on the sunny side of the Lombard Alps. The town is known for its annual telemark festival, "La Skieda". Held at the end of the season, the event draws visitors with a programme that includes plenty of themed activities and beginner courses, plus the chance to try out your gear.
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When it comes to the sport itself, Livigno offers 115 km of runs for every skill level and 31 lifts. The wide slopes, kept in shape by a fleet of grooming machines, also give more experienced skiers a place to test themselves. Night skiing on runs that stay open into the small hours is considered one of the resort's biggest attractions. There are also two top-class snow parks.
In the village you can take to the toboggan run or the ice rink, and there are mountain hikes on offer, along with snowmobile and quad bike rides. The historic part of town is dotted with churches holding works of art dating back to the 17th century. Winter sports fans and shoppers alike will find the prices here appealing: Livigno is a duty-free zone, which means no tax on the goods sold in town.
Cortina d'Ampezzo
A world-class town in the Veneto region, sitting at 1,211 m above sea level in the very heart of the Dolomites, ringed by three-thousand-metre peaks (Tofana, Monte Cristallo, Sorapiss). It is the only Italian resort in the "Best of the Alps" association, which brings together the most distinguished places in the Alps. The resort is known as the "queen of the Italian Dolomites". In 1956 it hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
The ski area, bordering South Tyrol and Trentino, has 120 km of runs, some of them steeped in Olympic history, and 37 modern lifts. On the Venetian side of the arena lies the Skigebiet Arabba-Marmolada ski area, linking 63 km of varied runs beside a magnificent glacier. Freestyle fans will find a snow park with obstacles in the form of kickers, tables, boxes and rails.
This popular and luxurious winter resort boasts the famous "Corso Italia" shopping promenade, with boutiques and a huge choice of pizzerias, restaurants and mountain huts serving local specialities. Film buffs who love winter sports should make a point of visiting this resort too. The mountain scenery has served as a backdrop for Hollywood movies such as "James Bond 007".
Sestriere
Sestriere sits in the very heart of the Alpine region of Piedmont, about 100 km from Turin at roughly 2,035 m above sea level, right on the border between Italy and France. It is well known both at home and abroad for winter sports. Here you will find one of Italy's most important ski resorts. Its international reputation was secured when it hosted the Turin Winter Olympic Games in 2006.
Sestriere lies within the Via Lattea ski area, known as the "Milky Way", which stretches across both sides of the border. This vast ski domain (the largest in Italy) has 400 km of runs for skiers of all levels and 71 lifts rising to altitudes of 1,380 to 2,800 m. It all adds up to the perfect setting for world-class skiing.
In this place, famous for its World Cup alpine ski races and other sporting events, you can count on skiing becoming an unforgettable experience. The region also offers a wide range of leisure options: from outdoor pools to tennis and squash and the highest golf course in Europe. The evenings here are lively, with cosy restaurants, bars and clubs in true Dolce Vita style.
Ortisei
Surrounded by a picturesque mountain panorama, the town lies at 1,236 m above sea level in the Val Gardena valley, one of the most important ski resorts in the Dolomites. The legendary mountaineer Luis Trenker and the famous ski racer Isolde Kostner both hail from this Italian village. Ortisei gives direct access to Groden/Seiser Alm, the largest ski area in South Tyrol.
Here, visitors are greeted by sunny valleys, gentle slopes and steep cliffs. The region has 176 km of runs and 82 lifts at altitudes of 1,236 to 2,518 m, all backed up by modern snow cannons. The ski area is towered over by the Ciampinoi peak, home to the alpine skiing World Cup. The region also takes in the Alpe di Siusi plateau, the largest high-altitude meadow in Europe!
After a few hours on the slopes, you can enjoy a wide choice of entertainment in Ortisei. At the centre of the resort there is a shopping arcade with plenty of cafes, shops and museums. The resort is also known as the "cultural pearl" of Val Gardena. Beyond skiing, it has a rich tradition of crafts, mainly wood carving. The town is also ideal for walking (there is no car traffic).
Bressanone
The oldest and, at the same time, third-largest town in South Tyrol lies on the Isarco river at 560 m, 40 km from Bolzano. It is the birthplace of the Italian Himalayan mountaineer Reinhold Messner. Within easy reach are ski runs and the Plose summit, rising to 2,505 m. Set in the Valle Isarco valley, the town lets you enjoy skiing in a medieval atmosphere.
The Valle Isarco region, in the very heart of South Tyrol, welcomes all skiers, from beginners to advanced. For winter sports there are 95 km of runs at various levels. Families with children can have plenty of fun on 43 km of them. Skiers are carried up the snow-rich slopes by 28 lifts.
Beyond winter sports, Bressanone also offers cultural attractions. As a bishop's town, it shows off its sacred buildings in the tourist brochures. Here you can admire the fully preserved Bishop's Palace, along with beautiful churches, monasteries and chapels. The unique little streets are lined with souvenir shops and charming pubs.
