Ski resorts in Italy: Best areas and resorts for Brits

Think “Italy” and you might picture sunny beaches, romantic architecture and fresh Mediterranean food. But the country is also a surprising gem for snowsports. From the Dolomites’ dramatic peaks to hidden powder paradises, Italy has something for every skier and snowboarder.

This guide explores some of Italy’s top ski resorts including luxury and budget options, family-friendly destinations, and the best areas for beginners, intermediates and experts. It also covers travel tips on packing, après-ski, staying safe on the slopes, and spending money in euros.

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Why choose an Italian ski resort?

Italian ski resorts blend adventure with relaxation, offering dazzling scenery, good infrastructure, exceptional food and wine, and a vibrant après-ski scene.

Italy’s largest lift-connected area is in the Dolomites — a mountain range so stunning that it holds UNESCO World Heritage status. The country also offers access to the Western Alps, often at lower prices than France or Switzerland.

Different types of ski resorts in Italy

Luxury ski resorts in Italy

• Cortina d’Ampezzo – Known as the Queen of the Dolomites, Cortina has stunning Alpine scenery, charming architecture and extensive skiing. In the town centre you’ll find quaint streets, luxury boutiques and a Gothic bell tower. Your lift pass covers the entire Dolomiti Superski area, offering 1,220 km of slopes suitable for every level. Cortina is also known for its fine dining, boasting eight Michelin star restaurants.
• Madonna di Campiglio – Nestled in a forested valley beneath the Brenta Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio is a picturesque village offering reliable snow, 156 km of pistes and a sophisticated après-ski scene. The restored 19th century Habsburg ballroom often hosts grand events, from cabaret to dinner and dance.
• Sestriere – Part of the Vialattea (Milky Way) ski area, Sestriere provides access to 400 km of high-altitude slopes. With luxury hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants, and VIP ski services, it’s ideal for those seeking an elegant alpine escape. Sestriere even hosted events in the Special Olympics Winter World Games in 2025.¹

Affordable skiing in Italy: Budget-friendly resorts

• Livigno – Known for its tax-free status, Livigno offers great value on shopping, bars and restaurants. Tucked away on a high alpine plateau, its ski season runs well into May. Its large network of red runs are ideal for intermediates, but it also features Italy’s best snowpark along with exceptional off-piste options for experts.²
• Bardonecchia – An often overlooked town in the Italian Alps, Bardonecchia offers extremely affordable skiing holidays for adults. The slopes include plenty of easy blues, challenging reds, and a steep black run used during the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.³
• San Vito di Cadore – San Vito di Cadore is Cortina’s budget-friendly sibling. Despite being smaller, it’s part of the Dolomiti Superski Complex, giving you access to an incredible 1,200 km of slopes.⁴
• Colere – Colere’s €48 day pass is one of the cheapest in the region. With winding trails and challenging steeps, the resort is ideal for more experienced skiers. Visitors can enjoy 27km of pistes with breathtaking mountain scenery. ⁵

Top Italian ski resorts for families

• Passo Tonale – Ideal for families and mixed-ability groups, Passo Tonale’s compact size means you’re never far from each other. The snow is reliably good thanks to the high altitude. The town also has a fascinating history as a former part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.²
• Piani di Bobbio – Just over an hour from Milan, this resort offers 30 km of runs suitable for all abilities, with family-friendly facilities, child-friendly restaurants and a snow park.⁶
• Courmayeur – Located near Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is known for its family-friendly vibe. A gondola provides quick access to the slopes from the village centre, and around 80% of its 41 km of slopes are snow-cannon covered. When they’re not skiing, kids can enjoy snowshoe walks, ice climbing and the nearby Comic Museum in Morgex.⁷

Best areas for beginners and intermediates

• Andalo – Near Trento, Andalo offers 50 km of gentle slopes with a dozen lifts, ideal for beginners. Off-snow activities include Christmas markets and festivals. The après scene is low-key, with cosy bars and at least one nightclub. Its affordability makes it an excellent choice for first-time skiers.
• Cervinia – Linked with Zermatt, Cervinia sits at 2,050m beneath the Matterhorn, offering wide, snow-sure pistes ideal for beginners and intermediates. The lift system allows access to 360 km of slopes, while non-skiers can take the cable car to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise at 3,883m. Après-ski options include champagne bars and Lino’s Bar with its ice rink.⁸

Best areas for advanced and off-piste skiers

• Alagna – Part of the Monterosa ski area, Alagna sits below Punta Indren glacier, offering some of the world’s best lift-served verticals and off-piste descents. Heli-skiing is also available.²
• Passo Tonale – Its high altitude (1,800–3,000m) ensures excellent snow quality, with steep northern slopes and Presena glacier off-piste terrain.²
• Livigno – The freeride and telemark capital of Italy, Mottolino offers Italy’s best snowpark and extensive off-piste terrain. Heli-skiing is available, and avalanche safety is well managed.²

Planning your perfect ski trip in Italy

Best time of year to visit a ski resort in Italy

The Italian ski season generally runs from late November to April. High-altitude resorts like Cervinia and Livigno offer reliable snow well into May. Prices tend to go up around Christmas, New Year and school holidays, while many resorts offer discounts for spring skiers.

How to get to Italian ski resorts from the UK

By plane

Milan Malpensa (MXP) and smaller Milan airports provide access to Italian ski resorts in the western Alps, including the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont and Aosta Valley.

Innsbruck (INN) in Austria offers great access to the Dolomites in Italy, especially if you plan to rent a car and drive from the airport. If you prefer to fly into Italy, Verona (VRN) is also an option.⁹

By train

Taking the train to your ski resort in Italy is a great way to see some gorgeous scenery and reduce your carbon footprint. London to Milan takes around 13h 45m via high-speed trains including the Eurostar, Deutsche Bahn and Italo. Tickets start from around €99 if you book early.¹¹

Looking to hop between ski resorts? Trains provide station-to-ski-lift access between three peaks Dolomites, Kronplatz & Madonna di Campiglio.¹⁰

By car

Make sure you understand the local road rules before driving in Italy as a Brit. Be prepared for road tolls on the Autostrade (motorways) and narrow, icy roads in the mountains.

If you’re taking your UK car, you must carry:

• a valid driving licence (UK licence is accepted)
• V5 registration document
• proof of car insurance
• MOT certificate
• a valid passport for identification
• UK sticker, if you’ll be driving your UK registered car
• a warning triangle
• reflective jackets
• headlight beam deflectors
• spare bulbs
• first aid kit
• snow chains

Renting a car in Italy is often cheap and convenient. But most rentals won’t come with winter tyres, ice scrapers or snow brushes.

You’ll find more winter-ready rentals in Austria or Switzerland. Just be aware that many major cross-border tunnels charge tolls of around €50. Finally, if you have a diesel rental, make sure to refuel near your first mountain stop with sub-zero tolerant fuel.¹⁰

Accommodation options

Catered chalets vs hotels vs apartments

Catered chalets provide a cosy retreat after a day on the slopes, with cooking and household chores done for you. Many are located in the Dolomites and South Tyrol, offering alpine charm and Italian hospitality.

These chalets are ideal for groups seeking a high-end, all-inclusive ski experience.

Hotels range widely in price and quality. For an authentic Italian experience, consider staying in a family-run hotel. Many offer a cosy, intimate setting and traditional local dishes.

Self-catered apartments are perfect for families or groups looking for flexibility, space and cost-effectiveness. These accommodations allow you to prepare your own meals, which can be a significant saving, especially for longer stays.

Essential packing list for a ski holiday in Italy

Here’s what to add to your Italy packing list if you’re visiting for a skiing trip:

• Equipment – skis or snowboard, poles, boots and a helmet (or rent them)
• Resort wear – ski jacket, salopettes, thermal layers, ski socks, goggles, gloves and buff/balaclava
• Slope-side essentials – sunglasses, suncream and sensible winter shoes.
• Important documents – your passport, driving licence, travel insurance details and GHIC/EHIC card to access healthcare in Italy
• Travel money – Whether you’re paying by cash or card in Italy, get fair exchange rates and low transparent fees with a Wise account.

Snow sports travel insurance

Standard travel insurance usually won’t cover a skiing or snowboarding holiday. Look for winter sports insurance that covers related injuries, mountain rescue and your equipment. Some policies also cover piste closures, lost ski passes and unused rentals or lessons due to illness or injury.

Slope safety and mountain etiquette

Italy follows 10 rules for safety on the slopes:¹²

• Be considerate and don’t endanger others
• Ski appropriately for your ability
• People ahead of you have priority
• Leave space when overtaking
• Look up before starting
• Don’t stop where you might block others
• Only walk on foot at the edge of the piste
• Obey markings and signs
• Help out if you see an accident
• If there’s an accident, you must identify yourself to ski patrol

Important laws to know about include:¹³

• Helmets – Every skier, snowboarder, and even tobogganer must wear a CE-certified helmet. Police can fine you €200 on the spot or suspend your lift pass for up to three days if you don’t
• Insurance – All skiers and snowboarders in Italy must have public liability insurance in case you cause an accident
• Alcohol – The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5%, the same as driving. Italy also has zero tolerance for drugs on the slopes
• Public eating – Eating or drinking on ski lifts or boarding zones is banned
• Snow shoes – Climbing ski slopes with snowshoes is only allowed in emergencies.

Activities beyond skiing at Italian ski resorts

Après-ski in Italy: What to expect

Après-ski in Italy ranges from lively party spots to relaxing mountain retreats. Cervinia and Livigno are famous for energetic bars and nightlife, while Cortina d’Ampezzo offers a more sophisticated scene with wine bars and Michelin-starred restaurants. Bormio is ideal for a slower pace, with cosy bars and thermal spas, and Piani di Bobbio provides a quaint, relaxed atmosphere with inviting bars like the Bar Igloo.

Other winter activities

Italian resorts offer plenty of winter fun beyond skiing and snowboarding. Try dog sledding, tobogganing, ice skating or a peaceful snowshoe walk. Madonna di Campiglio is a top pick for spas, Alta Badia offers a ‘sommelier on the slope’ wine-tasting course, and Piedmont is home to adventure activities like canyoning and hang-gliding.

Dining in Italian ski resorts

Traditional mountain cuisine in Italy often incorporates local ingredients such as wild greens, alpine herbs, mushrooms and chestnuts. South Tyrolean cuisine in particular offers a unique blend of Italian, Austrian and German flavours. Look for authentic dishes such as:

• Canederli (cheese dumplings)
• La panicia (barley soup)
• Goulash (beef stew with onions and herbs)
• Tutres (fried pastries filled with spinach or cabbage)
• Cajincí (ravioli stuffed with spinach and cottage cheese)
• Furtaies (sweet pastry whirls also known as Dolomite Funnel cakes)
• Strudel di mele (apple strudel)

It’s customary to tip in Italy - around 10% of your bill, or 15-20% for really great service.

Paying in Italian ski resorts

Cards are widely accepted in the larger ski resorts, hotels and restaurants. But many small establishments, taxi drivers and guides ask for cash. Some stores in Italy even offer a discount (sconto) if you pay with physical money.

Many debit and credit card providers will charge high fees and marked-up exchange rates if you use an ATM in Italy.

With the Wise card, you get the mid-market rate every time and only pay a super-low fee* on withdrawals after the first £200. Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

Average cost of a ski resort holiday in Italy

Ski resorts in Italy are generally more affordable than those in France and Austria, and much cheaper than ski resorts in Switzerland. Even the more luxurious resorts offer reasonably priced lift passes and some budget-friendly accommodation options.

Using Cervinia as an example, you can expect to pay around:

• €380 for a 7-day adult’s ski pass¹⁴
• €112 for 6-day equipment hire
• €190 for group lessons (5-6 half days)
• €22 for a lunch on the slopes¹⁵

Accommodation costs vary, with self-catered apartments often being the cheapest option for families and groups. As a ballpark, 7 nights in mid-January can cost up to €4,500 for a 5-star hotel, or as little as €850 for a 2-star hotel or €1,150 for a four-person apartment.

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Sources used in this article:

1. Luxury Editor - luxury ski resorts in Italy
2. Snow Magazine - Livigno ski resort
3. Post Office - Bardonecchia ski resort
4. Holiday Expert - San Vito di Cadore ski resort
5. Bergfex - Colore ski resort
6. Snow Online - Colore ski resort
7. Maison Sport - Piani di Bobbio ski resort
8. Snow Magazine - ski resorts for families
9. Snow Magazine - ski resorts for beginners
10. Powder Hounds - travel to the Dolomites
11. Powder Hounds - travel to Italy
12. Trainline - London to Milan trains
13. Skialo - ski rules and restrictions
14. Ski Racing - new ski rules
15. Cervinia Travel - average ski pass costs
16. Post Office - average ski resort costs

Sources last checked on: 8 Dec 2025