You’ve decided to go skiing in Italy and are now faced with the next dilemma: which region, which resort and how do we get there? The good news is the Check Yeti team has researched the best ski resorts in Italy and has put together the top 5. Whether for families, friends or simply for more pistes, we have the ideal resort for you!
- Plan de Corones: the best Italian ski resort for families
- Madonna di Campiglio: great pistes and lively après-ski
- Sestriere: the snowy paradise for intermediate skiers
- Cortina d’Ampezzo: skiing in Italy with young kids
- Cervinia: for the best late season skiing in Italy
Plan de Corones: the best Italian ski resort for families
Nestled in the heart of the South Tyrol region in the Italian Dolomites, the ski resort of Plan de Corones stands as a beacon for families seeking a winter wonderland that caters to all age groups. Located in the charming town of Brunico, this alpine paradise is not only renowned for its diverse skiing terrain but also celebrated for its exceptional family-friendly offerings, making it an ideal destination for winter vacations with little ones.
The resort has a warm and welcoming atmosphere that instantly puts families at ease. Unlike larger and busier resorts, it provides a more intimate setting, allowing families to create cherished memories in a relaxed environment.
One of the standout features of Plan de Corones is its commitment to providing age-appropriate activities for even the tiniest of snow enthusiasts. The resort boasts a range of activities specially designed for children as young as 3 years old. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, toddlers take their first slides on gentle slopes, building not just their skiing skills but also a lifelong love for winter sports.
Madonna di Campiglio: great pistes and lively après-ski
Set within the woodlands of the Dolomite mountains, Madonna di Campiglio offers great pistes combined with a vibrant après-ski scene. The resort is reached within 2 hours from Verona and 2.5 hours from Milan Bergamo, and has 60 km of mostly blue and red slopes. Madonna di Campiglio is also part of the 156 km Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski area.
The ski schools in this area offer group and private ski lessons for all ages and standards. Private lessons provide the ultimate flexibility regarding starting times and lengths, and can even be taken as a small group of family or friends. The après-ski scene in Madonna di Campiglio is varied and lively and there is something for everyone, from cosy bars with music and entertainment to Michelin-starred restaurants.
For skiing fans looking for the best ski resorts in Italy for excellent pistes and unforgettable après-ski, Madonna di Campiglio ticks all the boxes.
Sestriere: the snowy paradise for intermediate skiers
Sestriere is reached within 1 hour from Turin airport and lies high up in Italy’s western Alps, near the French border. The resort offers 164 km of local slopes for all levels, with steep terrain and off-piste for advanced skiers, numerous cruising reds for intermediates and excellent beginner slopes.
Sestriere regularly hosts major international ski championships, such as the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races. The resort is additionally part of the Vialattea (Milky Way), the largest ski area in western Italy, which extends from Italy into France.
The ski schools in Sestriere offer a range of group and private ski lessons for advanced skiers who want to perfect their technique. Lessons are very reasonably priced, group lessons lasting 3 hours and private lessons offering full flexibility regarding their length, starting time and the number of participants.
Thanks to world-class local pistes plus the extensive 400 km of slopes within the nearby Milky Way, Sestriere offers some of the best skiing in Italy for experienced skiers.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: skiing in Italy with young kids
Known as “The Queen of the Dolomites”, Cortina D’Ampezzo is undoubtedly one of the best Italian ski resorts to visit with kids. The resort lies encircled by the Dolomites within the heart of the Ampezzo Valley. Offering 45 km blue, 55 km red and 20 km black pistes, Cortina D’Ampezzo is reached within 2 hours from Treviso and Venice airports, and in just over 2 hours from Innsbruck.
Cortina D’Ampezzo is a family-friendly ski resort, with the main beginners’ area lying directly by the village. The ski schools in Cortina offer a wide range of kids lessons from age 3 years and both group and private lesson have flexible options, such as half or full-day hours and lunchtime supervision.
Young freestyling fans and their parents can head to the Freestyle Station to try out some tricks on the various obstacles. Furthermore, the whole family can take advantage of the resort’s extensive 78 km of cross-country trails, or try out some of the many snowsports on offer.
Cervinia: for the best late season skiing in Italy
With a season from October to May and snow sure pistes, Breuil-Cervinia is the Number 1 choice for the best late season skiing in Italy. The resort lies high up in the Italian Alps, in the shadow of the Monte Cervino mountain – known by most as the Matterhorn.
With 200 km of local slopes, Breuil-Cervinia is also part of the huge Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche Zermatt skiing region, which ranges across three valleys within Italy and Switzerland.
The ski schools in Breuil-Cervinia offer group ski lessons until May and lesson prices are almost half the price of their equivalent in neighbouring Zermatt. Within the last official week of the season, the Breuil-Cervinia ski-pass is free. The pass includes the international surcharge, meaning that snow fans get even more for their Euros, being also able to ski for free on the Swiss side of the Matterhorn.
I have always loved snow but winter in England was usually more grey than white. Now living in Austria, my kids have inherited my passion for skiing and we make most of every winter, getting out in the snow whenever we can!