A Guide To Snowboarding In Italy
Italy has become one of my favourite ski and snowboard destinations. For some reason lacking the popularity of neighbouring France and Switzerland, Italy offers world class facilities and extensive resort areas that can rival any European destination. All of this whilst being much more affordable than a visit across the border.
Photo @KarinHiselius
On a trip to Italy you will have a high chance of good weather, with my January 2020 visit to Ski Rama Dolomiti boasting six bluebird days out of seven. This is due to their location in the Southern Alps, ensuring that you can enjoy that slice of pizza on the sun deck! Expect stunning scenery and tall mountain peaks that combine with snow sure skiing at high altitude and on glaciers that ensure a long season.
With resorts bordering France, Switzerland and Austria you can find cultural influences from around Europe in Italy. An example of this is seen in Courmayeur, where it’s location and proximity to Chamonix in France, is reflected in the village architecture.
A ski or snowboard trip to Italy offers plenty of options, with resorts in the Alps, Dolomites, Aosta Valley and many more. You can even take a trip to Sicily to make turns on active volcano Mt Etna.
Visit Italy for the skiing and the beautiful scenery but return for the food and the people. In Italy you will be meet welcoming locals who are proud of their mountains and offer great hospitality.
The terrain in the Dolomites mainly suits intermediate skiers and snowboarders with the Ski Rama Dolomiti having an array of quality red and blue graded runs. Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley can offer more challenge and its location close to Chamonix offers the opportunity for a multi country trip.
TRAVELLING TO ITALIAN SKI RESORTS
Access to the Italian resorts is easy with plenty of airports well placed to connect into the mountains. Consider Turin, Milan, Bergamo, Venice or Trevisio. Regular transfers are run out of all airports to the major resorts across Italy. Self-drive is my favourite option however beware Italian drivers who can be inpatient on the mountain roads.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many ski resorts are there in Italy?
There are 291 listed ski resorts in Italy divided amongst the Italian Alps and Italian Dolomites regions. Some of the most well known resorts in Italy are; Courmayeur in the Aosta Valley, Cervinia which allows access to glacier skiing in winter and summer, and Madonna Di Campiglio with beautiful scenery and incredible trails.
What is the highest ski resort in Italy?
If you are looking for guaranteed snow throughout the ski season you tend to head towards the highest resorts. The higher a resort is the longer it tends to keep its snow in a good standard. With some glacier skiing available, some high ski resorts can maintain snow throughout the summer so it is possible to ski year round. In Italy the resort that has the highest possible skiing is the combined area of Breuil-Cervinia and Valtournenche, although this is somewhat cheating. This ski area incorporates the Swiss resort of Zermatt and allows for skiing 365 days per year on the Matterhorn Glacier.
How much does it cost to ski in Italy?
Skiing in Italy can be more affordable than skiing in other European countries. You only need to look at some of the combined resort areas where skiing is possible across countries to illustrate this point. I have already mentioned the resort of Cervinia above that is linked on the same lift pass as Zermatt in Switzerland, well buying the same lift pass that covers both resorts is cheaper to purchase in Italy than at the Swiss resort, for the same product!! Additionally, you should find the general day to day costs of a ski trip to Italy more reasonable than at ski resorts in France or Switzerland. Consider spending €7 for a small plate of fries in France, vs spending a similar amount for a large pizza in Italy.
WHY SKI OR SNOWBOARD IN ITALY
There are a number of really good reasons to plan a ski or snowboard trip to Italy.
Similar to it’s neighbours in; France, Switzerland and Austria, Italy has some incredibly scenic mountains. The Dolomites are stunning and provide the perfect back drop for your day on the snow.
The proximity of some Italian ski resorts to the borders of France and Switzerland mean that it is possible to ski across two countries in the same day.
Skiing in Italy represents incredible value for money especially when compared to those mountains across the border in France. You will be able to save on nearly every aspect of your holiday with accommodation and food noticeably more affordable in Italy.
Great facilities and world class ski resorts. Whether it is the lift infrastructure or the snow-making Italian ski resorts tend to have facilities that are on par with major European resorts.
ITALIAN SKI RESORT SNOW RECORD
Italy tends to be a reliable option when it comes to snow sure ski holidays. There are plenty of options to ski above 2000m which is a good guide for retaining snow. Cervinia has access to the glacier at Zermatt and Passo Tonale has access to the Presena Glacier.
MULTI RESORT PASSES
The Skirama Dolomiti is included for 7 days of skiing on the Epic pass. A lift pass to the Skirama Dolomiti covers 8 resorts, 380km of pistes and 150 ski lifts! Skirama Dolomiti is home to some great resorts like; Madonna di Campiglio, Pejo and Ponte di Legno.
DOLOMITI SUPERSKI
Similarly Dolomiti Superski is included on the IKON pass with similar restrictions. A lift pass for the Dolomiti Superski area covers the 12 Resorts and 1200km of pistes. Look out for Cortina d’Ampezzo, Val Gardena and Alta Badia as resorts to check out.
AOSTA VALLEY
The Aosta Valley has a beautiful setting amongst some of the finest mountains in Europe. Mont Blanc and The Matterhorn are both visible from the ski resorts of Vallee d’Aosta. With international skiing possible between Italy and France in La Thuile, and Italy and Switzerland in Cervinia, Aosta has a lot to offer. The Aosta Valley also includes the resort of Courmayeur which has some great off-piste and is known across the world.
VIA LATTEA
The Via Lattea pass includes 7 resorts split between Italy and France. The area close to Turin played host to the Winter Olympics in 2006. Sauze d’Oulx and Sestriere are probably the best know resorts on this pass.
THE ITALIAN SKI SEASON
It is possible to have lift assisted skiing 365 days a year in Italy but the main season runs alongside other European resorts. The peak periods are as you would expect in the school holidays so if you can visit outside of these times you will save money and have a better experience. You can normally be lucky towards the end of Jan start of Feb if you are wanting uncontested powder turns.